Holydays

There are days that I want to have silence. Pure unadulterated silence. Or even hear music without the blaring horns of vehicles, loud barking of dogs, and the incessant chattering voices of neighbours. Even of families and friends. It was a clear indication that I needed peace and quiet. Even for just a day.

I want, no, I need peace and quiet. For me to focus when I talk to my Maker. For me to remain sane.

So I took advantage of Good Friday. Moi and three other girlfriends. We went up the mountain of prayers (for those who don’t know, it’s a sort of retreat house in Antipolo called Touch of Glory). Considering that it was a holiday, we were caught in the traffic. Our driver erroneously followed the route of jeepneys and thus we travelled behind the walking crowd to Antipolo church. Not a good decision. Yet, it was just the right adventure for the day.

We arrived at around ten in the morning. And took our separate ways. There were two options : stay inside prayer rooms or sit against prayer huts. I opted for the former. To remain within the walls of a 1 x 1 meter room could be confining. But for those like me who are bombarded with information each day, it would be blissful. A room with no frills. With wooden floors that require visitors to remain barefoot. A small lamp attached to the wall provides the lighting. The smallest fan to make the room cool. A tiny square seat is paired to a simple desk-like ledge fastened to the wall. Plus a red cushion. A simple yet functional room.

In such a room, I had a few hours of respite from the concerns of life (well, except for around half an hour that I spent eating my lunch… I still need that!!!).

Just read some. Contemplated some more. Listened to music with no distractions. Savoured the moment.

That place became a small slice of heaven. Thank God for holidays.