Why I didn’t go anywhere this past 4-day weekend.

This past weekend, October 29 – November 1, 2011 was the only four-day-weekend thus far this year under Pres. Noynoy Aquino, who unlike his predecessor, didn’t believe in “Holiday Economics” and left us travellers confined to the unusual year when most holidays fell on weekends and didn’t feel it was right to “compensate” for these by declaring adjacent workdays as off-days.

Note: Even with Holy Week, Maundy Thursday wasn’t officially declared a holiday.

Hence when this weekend came (and went) a lot of people, who were less devout to the “spirit” of the holiday, took advantage of the situation, and travelled by air, land, and sea to wherever they could. Status updates on Facebook from fellow travelers were abound.

And then again, there were those that did stick to the holiday spirit and went off to the cemeteries and/or participated in Halloween and Trick or Treat activities.

For days preceding this weekend, (and during the weekend) people asked me “So where are you going this weekend Jo?” Much to everyone’s surprise, my response was “no where… I am just staying home.”

With that statement comes the requisite explanation.

Twice a year, usually Holy Week and All Saints’ Day Weekends, I opt to just stay at home.

I hate crowds and do my best to avoid it. I don’t like travelling when everyone else is out. Traffic everywhere and all the establishments are full.

The All Saints’ Day Weekend is the worst to go on a road trip. For example, I did consider driving to Baguio or Vigan. But as anyone who has done road trips around the Philippines knows, the towns where a National Road passes, the town cemetery is almost always along the National Road… which translates to… TRAFFIC!

Other modes of travel, whether by plane, bus, or boat is even worse. With the majority of travellers made up of folks trying to get home to pay their respects to their dearly departed, public travel will be met with crowds, delays, and frustration everywhere.

So for me… despite the devout traveler that I am, once in a while, a STAYCATION is always a welcome respite.

This weekend was most relaxing. Mostly sleeping… downloading and watching videos, an occasional trip to the supermarket… a haircut… a trip (or two) to get a massage, and wandering the village with my dogs.

And finally… November 1 is of course reserved to observe the true essence of the holiday. In my case, I visited my dad who passed away 8 years ago.

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