Cloudy with a Chance of Bliss
Despite Typhoon Falcon and another low pressure area brewing, I decided to still go through with my solo trip from Vigan to Pagudpud. The last time I was here was in 2011. I've been to a lot of beaches all over the country and in other countries but there's just something about this place that strikes a chord in me. When I got there after more than three hours, it w as very cloudy and drizzling. It was a weekday and there were few to none tourists on the beach. I decided to swim and eventually the drizzle broke into heavy rain. I was happy, like a child excited with the rain. I decided to lie on the sand and close my eyes. It's amazing how many different sounds the rain can make when you listen with intention: when it pelts on your skin, when it falls on sand, and when it dives to the sea like a fleet of miniature pelicans. Then I noticed all other sounds: the soda-hissing beat of the waves as they retreat back from crashing the shore as well as the sound of sand grains scr...