Place: Calle Crisologo (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)
Date: 28 May 2008

It was past 4PM and the Arzobispado (Archbishop’s Palace) was already closed. Brother didn’t want to go to Baluarte and/or the Bantay Church, and the other museums were surely closed already. The bus we were taking was going to leave at 8:30PM, so we just went to Calle Crisologo (Crisologo Street) to ward off the time. We basically had four hours to kill, but when you’re here, even if you take a seat by the sides of the church, you won’t feel bored at all!

If you want to see experience how it is back in the Spanish Era, this is the place you need to check out. The local government has preserved the houses in this street and while most are turned into establishments (perfect to shop for souvenirs), the place pretty much exudes the feeling as if you’ve been transported back in time.

As I have mentioned in my previous blog entries, no mechanical vehicles are allowed to pass by the street (but of course intersecting is okay). Tourists are either walking or crossing the street riding the kalesa. If you ask me, I prefer to walk because it is only thru walking that you will be able to feel that special feeling that makes this place the best place I have ever been!

Let me share some random pictures…

We saw a fishball vendor biking along the street, and as fishball lovers, naturally, brother and I bought some. Fishballs here costed 2 pesos per 3 pieces (normally it should be 50 cents a piece), but we still bought some for our snacks. I took a picture of brother, but the vendor was too shy for pictures so he went to the sides. I teased brother he should act as if he’s the vendor, and he liked the idea so he just pretended as if he’s the vendor. From the looks of it, I think brother has found a new career. Hahahaha!

The kalesas (horse drawn carriages) are one of the attractions here, so while brother was busy eating, I took some self portraits overlooking the street. I chose to share this one because I was able to capture that horse carriage!

There is a funeral parlor along the street, and this is their carriage. Hmmm… pretty interesting! I wonder if the staff of the funeral house have to wear that guardia civil (Spanish Guards) while walking the dead person to the cemetery.

As we were walking the street, we spot this banner and I just couldn’t resist not taking a picture by it. Viva Vigan??? Viva Vigan!

The famous Calle Crisologo at dusk. I have no idea how the place looks like during sunrise (that is yet to be seen), but I really love this street during dusk. There’s something about the whole place turning orange! Actually, this is the reason why we stayed here. We didn’t want to miss the very short moment before the whole place turned dark!

My digital camera’s battery died just before sunset, so the picture of my sitting in the middle of the street was taken by my cell phone. I still have one set of pictures from this place and it’s summer cap off already!

*** Jenn ***