Thursday indeed

How do I even begin to blog about a trip that lasted only for a day? Oh well.

Maundy Thursday, I went to Quezon. It was my first time to commute going there so I’m proud of myself

Armed with a camera, I began to embark a “quiet” journey- a much needed “me time”. I left the house 4pm and reached the bus station around 4:30 (thank God for cabs) The bus going to Quezon left Manila 5-ish.

I arrived in Lucena at around 9 and had to take a 45 minute jeepney ride going to Lucban, my destination being Kamay ni Hesus. It has been a somewhat scary ride because seriously, the roads got no streetlights on. The only light you get was from the head and backlights plus the occasional houses you pass by. I got there 10pm (I seriously wanted to call out to the bus then finally the jeepney driver for a stop over just so I could stretch my legs) and I was surprised by the number of pilgrims. It was late but people were still coming in- in batches I might add.

What, you may ask, am I doing there. Well, see I was never really the religious sort and I wanted to try something new, different. The opportunity presented when I woke up Thursday morning. I decided to go there to do the station of the cross but gee, the place was beautiful. All good intentions forgotten, I ended up trailing along others (them doing what I was supposed to be doing and praying) and taking photographs.

Sharing with you some of the photos I took. Excuse the shots

Some stations of the cross

and other things that left me in awe

The Risen Lord

Blessed Mother

Pieta

Our Lady of Remedies

The View

The candle I lit for myself

And for others

Prints

It was my first time there and the place has blown me away. It has life-sized stations of the cross (but you'd have to climb stairs that seem to go on forever to go on to the next then down again), amazing views, a simple church, and best of all, it was peaceful and quiet. I was able to think.

If a cup of steaming cocoa had a form, face, whatever, that place would be it. It gives comfort. Although, I have to say, climbing 400 or more steps isn't something I see myself doing anytime soon. It was exciting and fun but insanely tiring. Gah.

I left 11:30 the same night and took a jeep going back to the terminal in Lucena. By 12:30mn, I found myself seated on the bus going back to Manila. Mind you, the actual travel was longer than the amount of time I spent on location. I went home tired but recharged, if you get my drift.