There is no question about it because it’s a given… I’m going to spend time with my good friends when I am in my hometown. We now live thousands of miles apart, and although we keep in touch and get updates on each other’s lives online, there’s still a big difference in hanging out and catching up face to face. And we certainly didn’t miss the chance to catch-up on my recent trip to my home country.

So, off we head out to dinner one night, to a good restaurant in the city named Big Ben, and it was her treat.

We call each other, Bes, short for best friend. Her name is Judy and we’ve been friends for more or less 18 years. It started when we both trained as Medical Transcriptionists, and it grew as we became colleagues afterwards.

It was on a Wednesday around noon – she just worked half a day because it was Holy Week – when she and her friend picked me up at my sister’s home. Then he dropped us off at the restaurant. And the chitchat started from that point on while we were waiting for our food, and while enjoying it.

Avocado Shake

When it comes to shakes, avocado has always been my absolute favorite flavor.

Soup

They served us soup (on the house) to enjoy while we were waiting for our orders.

Turmeric Rice

There had to be rice. Rice is life! 🙂

Sinuglaw

This dish is composed of grilled pork belly, raw tuna fish, cucumber and radish that is seasoned with vinegar and other spices. This is one of those favorite Filipino appetizers.

Crispy Pork Binagoongan

This is one of my favorite Filipino dishes. It is pork that is sautéed in shrimp paste. And they have one of the best, if not the best, in the city.

Karioka

Our dessert. I don’t think I’d ever had this before, so Judy introduced me to it. It was sweet and the taste kind of reminded me of Turon (fried banana rolls).

Seafood Pasta

Then our other friend Hazel who we also became friends with during our Medical Transcription days arrived late afternoon and ordered this pasta. She had to finish work; that’s why she arrived late.

And there we are, me, Hazel and Judy. There are actually four of us, but our other friend, Elsie, couldn’t make it because she was in Japan for a trip. We missed her.

We were there for hours, but it seemed like the time flew and it was time to call it a night. But it was great seeing my girlfriends again. Until next time!

More From the Trip:

• It Feels Good To Be Back
• Welcome Back Get-Together
• Showering Our Beautiful Bride-to-be
• A Milestone Day-His 20th Birthday
• A Good Friend’s Delicious Surprise
• The Wedding
• Dinner On A Hill with A View
• My Great-niece’s 2nd Birthday Party
• Sea You at the Beach
• It’s Buko Halo Time
• Kakanin: A Delightful Filipino Delicacy