strawberry fields forever

i've long wanted to explore the "outskirts" (as it were) of baguio. and during my birthday weekend, i was able to do just that. i set out early saturday morning towards la trinidad, benguet. the previous day, i already carefully researched the route/jeep i should take, and where i could go. everyone i talked to gave me the same answer: BSU and strawberry farm. but first, visit the capitol for a great view of the city.
it turns out, la trinidad is less than 30 minutes away from baguio city. i couldn't help but smile when i saw the arc welcoming visitors. i was so thrilled to be on my first exploration of other parts of cordillera since i arrived in baguio! initially, the jeep passed establishments, and really, all i could see was citylife. then i passed the benguet state university campus, then signs pointing towards the strawberry farm. when i alighted across the provincial capitol building, i observed directional signs towards bontoc, and made a mental note to make it a near-future destination. i ascended the stairs and, when i finally got to the viewdeck, understood why i was advised to visit there first. from there, i could see 360 degrees around benguet. wow! i determined the direction i wanted to go, and proceeded on foot towards the church, then a short jeepney ride to the strawberry farm. the street is lined on one side by stalls of pasalubong items, the other side, the vastness of the fields of lettuce, flowers, spring onions, and of course, strawberries. all surrounded by hills.

at first, i just basked in the visual treat of the blue sky, the undulating hills, and the colors against the green grass--all from street level. then, i went ahead and walked up and down, walking past fresh flowers and strawberries, and breathing the fresh air.

you can pick fresh strawberries--baskets provided for! it's the best time for strawberries, because they're at their succulent best. and you can buy fresh-cut flowers, at your request, for only P10 each!
i spent a good hour in the area, revelling in the sights and smells.

they have THIS view within campus!

then, i proceeded to BSU to buy what is purportedly the BEST ube jam. i made it there at 5 mins to 12, good thing the guard at the door of the coop heeded my pleas--they were closing for lunch. so at lightning speed, i grabbed some ube jam from the freezer, and strawberry cookies for me.
i dropped by the anglican church across the street. not having entered an anglican church before, i was curious to see how different it was from catholic churches. it wasn't, save for the philippine flag displayed near the altar.

then i got on a jeep back to baguio, and despite some traffic jam, i was back in the city in half an hour.
after some lunch at the canteen in school, i hopped on a jeep to EPZA in the other direction (towards PMA), and visited the Christmas bazaar. happily, i found comfy gloves for mama, a great-looking scarf for me, as well as cute dangling earrings.

wearing my snazzy new scarf--this is baguio Christmas!

while there, i also started receiving birthday greetings via SMS from friends. thanks, everyone!