The group has been planning to go camping since last year. The first plan was to go to Bontoc (we'll get there soon! haha) but we knew we had to conquer somewhere nearer. Tagaytay seemed more attainable as of the moment. Of course we are still looking forward to see Bontoc together so maybe that would be our next trip. :)
The purpose was to practice mindfulness and contemplate on the teachings that we have learned from the current book we are reading -- "What Makes You Not A Buddhist?" by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse. The Tagaytay ambiance was perfect in bringing this sense of oneness with nature again and so the group didn't really have a hard time contemplating, meditating, and just being in the moment.
Meeting at the Mabuhay Temple at seven in the morning, we headed out via two cars (Thank you Alex and Erwin and Betty!) and went straight to McDonald's in Petron SLEX. After having breakfast at McDonald's, we drove to Tagaytay, stopped by at DAP to scout for a place for the youth camp and then off to Tagaytay Highlands.
After checking our tents and having a sumptuous lunch at the clubhouse, we walked to a nearby park and settled in a kubo where we held our group discussion and book-reading session. Marlene even graciously taught Nice, Claire, Allen and Issa how to do the proper prostrations. :)
We had extra time to spare so some of us rode the cable car while some preferred to lounge near the pool area... discussing about.... our next trip! hahaha!
Rain started to pour after all the others came back from the cable car and so we decided to wait it out and we ended up spending a few hours at the lobby of the club discussing plans for the group and sharing our own experiences and giving feedback about the reading club. No time wasted for this group!
We were supposed to camp out for the night but it rained so hard from early evening until 8:30pm so we all decided to go home instead. Yay because the others can attend The Great Compassion Repentance Service on Sunday at the Temple. :)
All in all, it was an inspiring trip that brought the whole group closer. :)
View our photos below:
