Wisdom from the Road #9

On indecision

If you can't decide where to eat, ask the locals.
If you can't decide where to go, ask the locals.
 If you can't decide where to sit in a boat, follow the locals.

A local is your best compass.

If you can't decide where to eat, ask the locals. In tiny towns, I usually just ask the hostel attendant or the tricycle driver where I could eat. In Hinatuan (Surigao del Sur), I was pointed to Drawde's Kamayan. It looked like a simple carenderia, but don't let the facade fool you. They serve really good food! I especially loved the fresh shrimps (a heap for just Php 50)!

If you can't decide where to go, ask the locals. When we went to Kawasan Falls last year, it was closed to the public. We could not think of an alternative that was close by and asked around for suggestions. An old man suggested "Canyoning falls." That suggestion took us to Canlaob river (by "Canyoning falls," he meant Canlaob) — a refreshing discovery.

If you can't decide where to sit in a boat, follow the locals. On the boat from Carabao Island to Caticlan, we could not decide whether to sit on the left or on the right side of the boat. We just followed where most of the locals sat and it turned out to be the right decision. They were sitting on the side away from the big waves, therefore staying dry the entire boat ride.

For more lessons from the road, please visit Go Learn.