Baguio City: Humidity, Street Art, and a Seriously Questionable Karaoke Bar
okay, so baguio. it’s…a lot. i’m a *street artist, right? always chasing that perfect wall, that vibe. and this place? it’s got vibes for days. i just landed, and honestly, i’m already exhausted, but in a good way. like, creatively exhausted.
first thing i noticed stepping off the bus? the air. it’s…thick. like a warm hug from a very damp relative. i just checked and it’s twenty-one point three degrees, but feels like it’s trying to be twenty-two, and the humidity is practically a solid. eighty-seven percent. you can taste it. it’s not unpleasant, just…present. the pressure’s a bit wonky, too, feels like my ears need a reset.
spent the afternoon wandering around Session Road, sketching in my notebook. the street art scene is…developing. there’s some really cool stuff tucked away in alleyways, but also a lot of just…tags. you know? the kind that make you wonder if the artist even owns a can of paint. i found a little cafe, Hill Station, that had amazing coffee and even better people-watching. seriously, the outfits here are chef’s kiss.
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“apparently, there’s this karaoke bar near the market that’s legendary. but not for the singing. for the…drama.”
that’s what the guy at the cafe told me, anyway. he said it’s called “The Golden Voice” and that you should never order the mango juice. i’m intrigued, obviously. i’m a sucker for a good story.
my accommodation is…rustic. let’s go with rustic. it’s a guesthouse run by a woman named aling nena, who seems to know everyone in a five-mile radius. she keeps offering me rice. like, constantly. it’s very sweet. if you get bored, La Trinidad is just a quick jeepney ride away, apparently they have amazing strawberry farms.
someone told me that the burnham park can get seriously crowded on weekends, especially with families. i overheard a group of students complaining about the traffic, saying it takes an hour just to get across town during peak hours. i also heard that the best place to find vintage clothes is in the second-hand shops near the university. i’m definitely checking that out tomorrow. Check out this Yelp page for some leads.
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“don’t trust the taxi drivers. they’ll take the longest route possible, even if it’s just around the corner.”
that was a warning from a local artist i met while sketching near the cathedral. he also recommended checking out the BenCab Museum, which is apparently a must-see. Here's a link to their website.
and the neighbors? they’re…loud. in a good way. there’s always music playing, people chatting, jeepneys honking. it’s chaotic, but it’s alive*. i think i’m gonna like it here. even if i have to politely decline another bowl of rice. i'm also seeing a lot of people talking about this forum.
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“the best ube halaya is from that little stall near the public market. but get there early, it sells out fast!”
okay, gotta go. i think i hear karaoke calling my name. wish me luck.
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