See you in September

I can’t believe it’s September! One thing I did notice though is the days are getting shorter. Sunrise is at 6:30am instead of 4:30am and sunset is just after 7pm. Soon I will be leaving the house in the dark and arrive in the dark. Although it is still relatively warm I just know autumn will turn into winter. I always loved autumn anyway. The colours are so intense and saturated. I think spring and autumn are definitely the time when most gardeners feel happy with their toil.
In a few days Peter and I will be heading for Rome, the Eternal City. I hope it lives up to its name. I remember the first time I visited Paris. It was on one side a romantic city because of its history but on the other side it was littered with dog poo. Paris is not very welcoming with visitors. It is quite aloof that way.
London is different. It does not have the Parisienne chic but it makes you feel like you’re part of it. One time while walking down Regent Street I felt I was in the middle of the universe. It was fleeting but unforgettable feeling.
Anyway, after we come back from Rome I will be flying to a totally different but nonetheless interesting city—Manila. I am really looking forward to seeing old friends and family. I am also going to visit my alma mater—The University of the Philippines.
These are the things I would do when I get there:
• Eat- southeast Asian and oriental food
• Shop
• Go for a massage
• Talk and catch up with friends
• Have fun with family
Actually the main reason I am going is to see my father who is not in good health nowadays. I guess when you hit your mid 80s, life takes a different form—a lot slower and more reflective. I am also going to spoil my mother a bit. She needs it because she’s the kind of person who bends over backward to help the underdog—sometimes I think too backward that people take advantage of her generosity. But that’s another story. It is going to be a very interesting two and a half weeks in September.