Last May we went to Vigan from Baguio. The trip took around four hours. When we entered Ilocos Sur, it started to rain heavily. I was so busy talking to my officemate that it was only the next day that it dawned on me how dangerous the ride was. The wiper was not working that was why the driver and his companion took turns in wiping the condensation from the windshield inside the coaster. During the ride, I was amazed how the driver could see through the heavy rains and the dark outside. Looking out, we could only vaguely see the approaching headlights from the on-coming vehicles. It was almost zero visibility. It was a testament to the driver’s skill and familiarity with the roads and of course, God’s protection, that we arrived at our destination safely.
The next day we started our Vigan tour at Baluarte, Chavit Singson’s Zoo. We’ve been there three years earlier and a lot has changed, except for the very healthy boy who drove tourists around in the pony cart. During our previous visit, my guy officemates gave him the nickname “Extra Rice”. When we saw him again, they began murmuring, “Si Extra Rice”. A colleague of his heard us and he said that “Extra Rice” was called “Itlog” due to his rolly polly looks and almost bald head. A lot of animals have been added since our last visit.
