I walked around town yesterday right up the whole long street of M. Reyes and back via Evangelista. I good 400 house addresses, I think. I was a good walk, minus the smog from the local jeepneys. I took a moments to see old places I once knew – old schools, town halls and shops.

I didn’t know what came to me. I was to go out for some 711 coffee. When I walked out on the street, I started walking, started up the street and didn’t turn nor stop. I told myself, I’ll go check the town wet market.  On the way, I noticed the new apartment building built, old homes remodeled and new stores opened. In our town, families lived side by side.  It used to be a place where almost everyone knew everyone else. When I was a kid, older people in the market used to know me and my cousins because of our grandmother who used to deal with jewelries and land.

I passed the almost dying thrift shops, not mixed with “Ukay-ukay” stands.  The general merchandise stores now extends to almost another block from the wet market. The market was a bit cleaner now, less “wet” with a new buildings and stores. I only recognize a few old timers.

The I started walking up the little bridge. Smellier than I had remember, the water under it was darker, too. I remember it being quite high, now it’s just like slightly bigger bump on my path. There’s a clinic near on the foot now, I thought it a bad place for a medical facility having a smelly, dark,  polluted neighbor.

So I walked and thought I’d walk up to the church, visit for a while then get my coffee from the 711 near there. I barely looked at my surrounding this time being reminded that I really don’t know anything about the land beyond the bridge.  But surprisingly, I remembered a few “highlights” from houses along the road.  How I always liked the design of this one, and that this one still looked the same.  Hmm, a little surprise from my subconscious mind.

When I got to the church of San Ildefonso, I found it was closed and the only door open was inside the far end. Kids were playing basketball on the church lot.  I decided not to  go in anymore.

The 711 near the area didn’t have the brewed coffee. Oh well, I decided on cold iced tea and realized I wasn’t that tired nor thirsty at all. I battled on weather to ride a jeepney back or walk. I walked. This time along the parallel main road Evangelista. A bit of a bad decision for there were twice as many vehicles on that road.  This time,  I didn’t looked around much for I only wanted to get back home quickly. Besides there were only banks, car parts shops, little bars and local restaurants along the way. It was a more commercial area. I passed by the market again, and back to M. Reyes for less traffic.

I didn’t know how long I was out walking. I didn’t have a watch nor did I check them exact time when I went out. I got home way before sundown anyway.

What’s the end of it all?

If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing
It’s the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
Lots of those friendly people
And they’re showing me ways to go
And I never want to lose their inspiration
Time for a cool change
I know that it’s time for a cool change
And now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it’s time for a cool change

Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it’s there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
It’s kind of a special feeling
When you’re out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it’s time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it’s time for a cool change

I’ve never been romantic
And sometimes I don’t care
I know it may sound selfish
But let me breathe the air, yeah
Let me breathe the air

[Instrumental Interlude]

If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing
It’s the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It’s kind of a special feeling
When you’re out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change
I know that it’s time for a cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it’s hard for a cool
Cool, cool change

It’s time, it’s time, it’s time
It’s time, it’s time, it’s time
For a cool, cool change
Oooooh, I know it’s time for a cool
Cool, cool change
Now that my life is so prearranged
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
That it’s time for a cool change
Yes it is, yes it is, yes it is, yes it is
It’s time for a cool change