Simple Pleasures

Happiness can be concocted in a simple way, sometimes you just need to add a little bit of salt and a dash of pepper.

If we have the chance to travel back to Pangasinan -- our hometown, we usually travel with my brother's family. Most of the time we lack preparation, due to work and kid's school schedules. Inspite of the unpreparedness we always have happy moments and memories to recall and smile about after each short vacation. 

One of things to enjoy in the provinces are the market places. Amidst the crowd, you will experience the pleasure of interacting with friendly sellers. You can just go out with you usual "pambahay" and tour the market for some fresh produce at a very economical price. 

For the daily kitchen needs we just need to walk for about 10 minutes to reach the local market. But for bulk market needs, we go to the "bagsakan" center in Urdaneta. You can buy fresh produce in bulk at the best possible price. Recently, we enjoyed the street pancake sold in the market area.

Living in the main center of the town means all basic major points like the market, the church, the park and town hospitals are just a walk away. Traffic jams are not common, vehicle congestion is only experience during the town's festivities.

To name a few, here are some of the personal things and pleasures that we enjoy during our hometown vacations:

1. Dried Fish - This is one of the things that we buy in bulk. We also buy tuyo and boneless dilis. Our favorite though is daing na pingka. We cut it about an inch long and we fry it in hot oil. After a few minutes breakfast is ready. It taste best during the Holiday season, since it gives the palate a break from all the festive foods. It is best served with spiced vinegar. 

                 

2. Kamantilis - This is a seasonal fruit eaten for snack and siesta sessions. It is neither sweet or bland, it caters to one's craving to chew up something during siesta time. It is one of the things that kids enjoy to during their outdoor escapades. A main part of a happy childhood memory. 

3. Bagbagkong and Papait - These are one of my favorite vegetables.  The bagbagkong flower is added in denegdeng while papait is usually sauted in bagoong with some pork. Sometimes gata is added to the papait to make it more tasty. 

4. Buying in bulk - Aside from relaxing we also spend some time touring the market for some good finds. Vegetables in season are usually sold at an amazing price, so we buy in bulk and store it for our daily consumption. Sometimes we also buy some for friends and relatives. For fruits and vegetables we go to Villasis and Urdaneta. For seafood, we go to Dagupan City Market. 

                        

5. Seafood - It is always fresh. We usually go to the town market early morning for some bangus, malaga or shrimp/urang. Another source would be the nearby beach. Early morning fresh seafood can be bought from the local fishermen.

                        

                        

                        

6. Swimming galore - From our home, it will only take about 8-10 minutes to view the nearest beach by tricycle. It is best to have some swimming escapade around 6:00 AM or around 4:00 PM in the afternoon.  

                      

7. Mangga and Bagoong - Whenever mangoes are in season we always have mangga and bagoong on our table. It is usually paired with Inihaw na Bangus and sometimes it is grated for Kinilaw na Talaba. 

                      

                     

8. Cinema - During the December film festival we usually watch movies in the province to avoid the crowded malls. Just like the metro, there are local malls and popular malls like SM and Robinson's Mall. So during the holidays you can have the both worlds -- a relaxing vacation, movies and shopping.  

9. Salt - It is something that we buy every time we go home -- Salt. Usually we buy 6 months worth of supply. Using salt from Pangasinan makes our dishes more tasty. :)

10. Duyan - After a hearty lunch it is always relaxing to take a nap in the Duyan while viewing all the greeneries around. You can hear the chickens, the birds and the soft and breezy wind. Even during summer time, the absence of the wind can alsways  be completed by the cool summer feel of the trees in our backyard. It is indeed a refuge to regain a strong and sound mind.

The above are just a few of the things to enjoy from living the rural life. A good reminder that life has a lot to offer. :)