Vigan Visit Part 2: Calle Crisologo

So far…

• An extended trip from Baguio to Vigan… Thanks to unofficial stopovers of the hungry bus driver.
• 506 pesos has been spent
• I didn’t know puto calasiao can be so expensive
• I should have planned ahead

***

Most of the ‘buzz’ in websites regarding Vigan City is about its cobbled streets in Calle Crisologo. It was included as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites on December 2, 1999. Vigan is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines.

From Aniceto Mansion, Calle Crisologo is a stone’s throw away. I brought my backpack, my camera, and my smile.

So I started from Max Restaurant all the way to the tip of Calle Crisologo; Occasionaly stopping to look at the wide array of souvenirs in the souvenir shops. So basically, before reaching the end of Calle Crisologo, I bought enough souvenirs for my friends. They’re pretty cheap. The keychains cost 10 pesos a piece. Talk about my lack of gift variety.

It was a beautiful afternoon. There were only a few people in the street. Some kalesa drivers, some tourists, and the clueless traveler writing this account.

This is the first picture from Calle Crisologo. It caught my eye simply because it was standing so lonely at the side of the street. I think this cart is for sale. I do not plan to buy souvenirs that big. One, I do not have that money. Second, I have promised myself to buy souvenirs that are backpack-friendly.

The kalesa drivers have been following me from a souvenir shop to the farther end of the street, asking me if I wanted a ride. I politely rejected the offer. That didn’t help. Coz after a good thirty minutes there, they were still following me. Yes, even ‘reversing’ the horse after I decided to go back to a souvenir shop which sold fans. It’s amazing how they trained the horse to walk backwards

 

 

 

 

I did not take much pictures there nor did I take good ones. The dark clouds have started to form halfway through my self-tour of the place. And I was getting really hungry. All the walking and bargaining just digested all those puto calasioas in the bus.

At the souvenir shop, I asked for a nice place to eat. They called a kalesa and told the driver (is that the correct term) to take me to an eatery. So I had to ride a kalesa after all The ride costs 20 pesos. Cheap ei? I’m just glad there are no taxis there. Must have cost me three times more!

Had my lunch at an eatery. Ate sinigang na bangus. I asked the woman who owned the eatery if kalesas passed by there. She said no. I then had to walk all the way to the plaza after she gave me the directions. There was a traffic jam because the roads are under construction. It was unbelievably hot. I wish I had taken an umbrella or a cap with me to Vigan.

In the plaza, there were numerous kalesas lined up. I chose the kalesa with an old driver. Of course, that is a compliment. I figured, the old ones knew the place more. I asked him how much the ride would cost. 150 pesos PER hour. Okay, fine with me. Better than wandering alone and clueless in the streets of Vigan.

Next stop, the kalesa ride and tour.

Expenses so far:

• keychain souvenirs @ 10 pesos each = 100 pesos — do the math
• fan = 40 pesos
• kalesa ride = 20 pesos
• lunch at 3pm = 85 pesos

total: 245 pesos

from last entry: 506 pesos
expenses so far: 751 pesos (excluding hotel accomodations)

TO BE CONTINUED…

***

Technorati Tags:
Vigan, Kalesa, Travel, Ilocos