Traveling unveils new dimension of this world not known to the naked eye."--Wayne Chirisa
My feet set on the cobbled stones of Calle Crisologo.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon Via www.bitlanders.com
It has been a great year for me, hence to the last remaining hours of 2017, I wanted to do something unusual for my personality, call it a crazy idea of mine but this is one of random thoughts that I can not shake it off. To travel just few kilometers away from my hometown and be like the tourists.
The streets of Vigan City has been filled with many people, from the residents to tourists, both local and international. I have seen lots of cars, vans and "kalesa" or horse-driven carriage that had passed when I was waiting for a tricycle, and it made me think, how did these tourists find Vigan City? The city is not like this before, it became more popular when it became one of the New 7 Wonders. With my curiousity, I have decided to be like a tourist, that roams around the street of Calle Crisologo.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is the famous street in Vigan and became one of the New 7 Wonders of UNESCO. The street is paved with cobbled stone where "Kalesa" is the only allowed transportation that can walk through that four blocks of Spanish style houses.
I know that few days ago, the streets is filled with lots of people but when I got there, there were just few remaining tourists, local and international. I should be fine, but seeing less frustrates me a bit, I really wanted to make myself be ready for my traveling plans this year, have myself be ready in the sense that I am not good in crowded places. Still, I pushed through with the plan.
While walking through the street of Crisologo, I learned that there is a lot in there that I never knew or maybe I missed every time I go there. There is more than those Spanish styled houses and cobbled stones, the street is filled with a lot of business establishments, where tourists can see, buy souvenir items, eat and check in while they are in the city. Thought That I knew a lot, but I have become a real tourist indeed in a place I thought is familiar.
Along the streets of Crisologo.
My walk have started on the street where there are two restaurants, a franchised one that is known for their chicken(Max's) and one famous local restaurant that offeres famous Ilocano dishes/cuisines(Cafe Leona), this is my starting point.
Just few feet away is the frist souvenir shop that I have seen. The shop that sells antique items and more. I have seen wood frunitures and statues of Saints being displayed and more of the local products like handwooven baskets.
*Image is credited to rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
I already knew the existence of Mang Inasal, a famous Filipino restaurant that serves grilled chicken and also famous for offering their unlimited rice. In front of it is a food court that I never knew about, well, maybe the place is new for that part was used to be a part of one big grocery store here in Ilocos Sur. The food court is Rainbow Paradise Food Court. The place has stalls of different cuisines that offers meals and snacks. 
Outside the food court
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
The vendors of dirty ice cream is one pretty common sight that I always see along the streets of Mena Crisologo. With few more steps, Island Souvenirs can be found. The store is selling souvernir shirts that speaks about Vigan City. On the the front store, you can take a photo with thet "I love Vigan". And i have seen few tourist having their picture taken as I walked back.
The Island Souvenirs Store
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
There were local local restaurants and coffee shops that are being installed along the cobbled street of Crisologo too, aside from the usual souvenir shops. Some of it are closed maybe because it is the end of the year, but some are open too. Those restaurants and coffee shops might be put there to cater the needs of the tourists, for most of them offers Ilocano cuisines. Their existence must have helped a lot in boosting the tourism sector of the City, now I know where to go next time.
Lampong's Restaurant that is closed.
*Image is credited to rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Along the street too is a Funeral Home. Some might find it odd to have something like that on the famous street, not to mention a tourist destination but it has been there before the place has been very famous. And One thing that I appreciate with the city government, they don't really mind keeping it there along side with souvenir shops and not to mention school for kids too.
The funeral home is closed for the holidays.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Another establishment that is standing along the cobbled-stone street is Cordillera Inn. Yes, this is a hotel where local and international usually stay. I would love to stay there too for easier access to the old street and have a nice view at the same time.
There is also an office that administer the whole street, the Heritage Village Administrative Office along side too. The office that is meant not just to administer the place but also help tourists.
The Heritage Village Administrative Office
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
There are so many things that I have come to see on the Crisologo Street as I walk along. There's a lot of souvenir shops where tourists can buy souvenirs, they can have a lot of choices for not all shops offer the same local products. Some offers just shirts, some have local foo products like "bagnet" or deep fried pork belly, famous "longganisa", crispy cornik, sugar cane wine and vinegar and many more. And also there are sores that sells antique wood crafts and miniature items that speak about Ilocos.
Crisologo Street on my eyes.
It was just a random idea that dawned upon me, I gave in and see what I can see. Thinking the familiarity of place, I expect nothing to see but then I came to learn so many things. The street is filled with different kinds of businesses, but then people don't mind it. Maybe because they came to see and experience the famous place. It is like an eye opener.
What have I been missing is the feeling that the tourist might have felt while roaming around the place and becoming one made me see it. There are something with the sound as the horses run with their carriages and there are also with the smiles with every one there. It is fun to be tourist too even if you are always on that place.
The Kalesa
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
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Until Next time, happy New Year everyone!
