Life’s a beach

Ah, summer. The season of fiestas, picnics and bikinis, of the glorious sun, sea and sand. Also the season I waited for so long to enjoy a beach escapade with my friends.

We went to Burot Beach in Calatagan, Batangas. We basically wanted a fine beach near the metropolis where we could relax without worrying too much about expense and itinerary. We were all stressed enough by city life as it was.

After checking out the reviews online, we found that the unspoiled beach dreamily matched our criteria.

We arrived in Burot at around 9 a.m. one Saturday. We scouted for a spot with a magnificent view, with privacy and security factored in. The search brought us farther down the shore, but we thought it was worth it.

After pitching our tents, I decided to take a quick nap inside mine. Rising at 4 a.m. to catch the first trip to Calatagan was challenging for me. And the trip was generally tiring; it took us about three hours to reach our destination. Unlike my friends, I couldn’t use those idle moments to doze off no matter how hard I tried. Darn, I envy those people who can quickly fall into deep sleep wherever they are.

So I threw my body on a blanket I had laid out, with my backpack as pillow. Sunlight filtered through the blue fabric. I realized that it was actually my first official use of the tent I bought more than a year ago, in anticipation of outdoor activities. I had never used it on a mountain, in a forest, or anywhere else outside the house, except on our rooftop, during my friends’ sleepover at our place (Bianca slept in it, if that counts).

After a few minutes of slumber, I woke up soaking in my sweat. At past 10 the sun was scorching hot, and it had gotten into my tent. It was like being in a sauna, like being baked in a natural oven. Too lazy to move, I closed my eyes again and basked in the moment.

Everything felt warm—the sand beneath me, the sound of the ocean, the hint of a summer breeze brushing my skin, the laughter of my friends playing cards, the luxury of doing nothing… It was all warm.

Well, my life had been really taxing in the past few months. Law school was excessively demanding. Did I mention that I failed a five-unit course in the first semester because my professor was playing darts? I wondered why I continue to stay in law school when, ironically, we can’t find justice even within its own halls.

In the office, work was the same old routine. I also had a bunch of personal problems involving home, relationships, and finances. Thank God I managed to survive those dreadful days and reached the summer break still breathing.

With sunshine everywhere, I felt reunited with nature. I felt free. Suddenly, I was enthused to play in the salty water. I was eager for nightfall, to make a bonfire and toast mallows. I was thrilled with the idea of counting stars. I ached to drink tequila, maybe to pass out on the shore.

Nursing these thoughts, I sat up and beheld the calm sea charmingly lit by the radiant sun. How I wished that life could be like the scene outside my tent.

Reivin Jed Ambojia, 24, bank employee and law student, says he loves to travel and write.