Catholic

Somebody: I could see that you really are having fun going on joy rides and all, but it looks pretty tiring, especially the Bicol one.

Me: You can never be more right. It is tiring to go on long trips like that, but hey, you have all the time to rest in peace sooner or later.

Somebody: But I am not Catholic so what’s in it for me to see old churches?

Me: But when a Catholic goes to Thailand, he goes to see the temples, right? I am not Catholic either but old churches interest me. I look at them as monuments of our colonial past. And there are pretty amazing artifacts in there as well. Treat them as museums or architectural masterpieces and you’ll appreciate them. Besides, the ride itself is fun, you get to see the countryside and breathe fresh air. You don’t see that much green in the city plus the sky is bluer for whatever reason. (In my frustrated mind: why, is it more interesting and fun to stay home on weekends and bask in the smelly (dis)comfort of your unkempt room instead?)

Somebody: Oh well, you can be right, but I don’t think I am up for that.

Me: Oh well as well, it is your choice. But as for me, exhausting it may be, I will continue to do it as long as I physically can. I don’t wanna look back at my life some twenty years from now and learn that I have not really seen anything around me. Nor finally decide to explore but is too old to do so. Besides, I am not even sure that I have that long a future so I might as well enjoy life while alive (Bon Jovi much?).

Somebody: Okay, I’ll think about it.

Me: Just do it!