My elementary years were spent in a rustic barrio in the highlands of a mountainous province in the Philippines. It wasn’t that far away but due to road conditions back then, a trip to the nearest city would take about 6 hours and my hometown was 8 hours away.

Grandpa was a former city boy who loved and embraced rural living when he got older. He would take us down on a long ride back to our hometown to visit relatives about once every month. When we arrive in the city during those days, my eyes would always turn green with envy when i see people in brand new cars with rolled up windows and air conditioning. I would always envision myself arriving one day into my hometown in an air conditioned automobile away from the heat and dust.