Dear Mt. Talinis,
It was nice meeting you. Your trails are lovely and the green lushes that wrapped you are more than any signature designer can afford to create. Your waterfalls – Casaroro and Twin Falls – are assets that added to the beauty that you already have. The sulfuric river, which is immensely indispensable, reminded me how powerful nature can be. And of course, Lake Nailig, our humble abode for the night, reflected so much of how tragedy can generate something as splendid as refuge for lost and wandering souls. But more than anything else, I’d like to thank you for all the experiences, both plausible and tear-jerking, that you have allowed me to undergo.
For telling me that amidst all pressure, there will always be someone who’ll see all positivity and even have the nerve to retell stories of epic failed romances just to lift the despondent souls of everybody.
For reminding me to stay cool and deal with all the struggles head on no matter how difficult, seemingly impossible, and tiresome the whole activity maybe.
For showing me that the mountains do not belong to the outdoor enthusiasts alone, but as well as, to those who are willing to withstand the test of nature and finish with flying colors the entire course.
For illustrating to me how to maintain grace under pressure and to do away with stereotyping.
For making me realize how to take things one step at a time and allow myself to pause and catch my breath that has been taken away by the exquisiteness set before me.
For allowing me to reflect over the things around me and settle to myself unsolicited comments that paves unnecessary.
For showing me people who never gets tired of understanding others and keeping the fire of adventure burning for everyone.
For demonstrating how the absence of everything can engineer innovation and creativity – skills that are poignant for survival both in the wilderness and wherever my feet will bring me.
For bringing back my faith in humanity – that chivalry is not dead and that heroism is not limited to those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of other people.
For showing me that love bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things – no matter how antagonistic the conditions maybe.
For proving to me that no matter how long the journey will take, someone somewhere will always be waiting with all anticipation in the end.
For giving me a companion who understands my insanity and endures with all modesty the wrath of time just to make sure that I’ll never feel alone, lost, and left behind.
For allowing me to meet people who never conforms with the willful demand of society and follow their own trail even if it means leaving one’s comfort zone
But more than anything else, thank you for showing me that not all knights are in their shining armor; that some of them are on the trails, wearing worn-out trekking shoes that has stood the test of time, carrying liters of baggage including those of the tragic past, leading the way so to make sure that nobody gets left behind.
I will forever treasure these people and moments in my heart; likewise, thank you for making me realize to treasure myself as well. I don’t need to hurry love because you have taught me the most important lesson: love comes when it has to and love leaves when it needs to. I have come and had fallen in love with you, but I must go because I was never meant to stay in one place. I am Dakilanglaagan.
Love,
Dakilanglaagan
