I should have started writing about this story a month year ago, but life seems to be moving so fast that I often forget to take a breather.
Last year, I impulsively decided to take up Culinary classes. It was out of my dream to study and move abroad. However, upon reflecting now, perhaps it was out of boredom. Nonetheless, it was quite an experience I do not regret. Then again, I gained a new skill that would probably make me a great wife.
It wasn't an easy journey for I had to uproot my life from my simple beach home to living in another town on another island! Yes, you heard it right! I decided to take up the course in DUMAGUETE CITY, the capital of Negros Oriental. I had to pack up everything, leave some of my things with my parents, then carry 2 huge luggage to this new place.
It isn't my first time to travel here so I wasn't a bit worried in terms of moving to a new place with no connections. I had always found myself traveling and living in one place to another without any hesitations. Though I had to mention I got scammed with the first place I wanted to live in. I paid Php 3,500 or $60 to reserve the place, only to find out the person I communicated with was a fraud. Charged to experience.
Luckily I stumbled on an advert where an old couple who was renting one of their rooms. I called them and said I was interested. They said they couldn't do reservations, they only said first come, first serve so immediately I told them I was an upcoming student and I needed a place to stay, I would be coming over in 2 days. Then he agreed to wait for me for 2 days. I was grateful. I only had a week to move and settle in before the class started. My monthly rent was so cheap. I should have just stayed here a little while longer.
The old couple who now became my second parents were so accommodating to the point that "Uncle Makoy" drove me to the school a day before so I could be familiar with the place and wouldn't be lost when I finally headed there the next day. I am blessed.
Dumaguete is a laid-back town, with no taxis, no jeepneys, only tricycles for public transport with a quiet ambiance. I enjoyed my stay here but I'll write about this place in another blog. I did managed to visit the famous park here the night before my class.
I enrolled in Level 3 Diploma in Culinary Management at New World Culinary Institute - Dumaguete. The course fee was Php 70,000 or around $1200 with the option to pay in full or staggered. This was the cheapest course I could find but that doesn't mean I didn't have quality education. It was the other way around. The instructor had extensive experience and he decided to share his passion with others for an affordable price. Courses here in Cebu were around Php200,000-Php400,000 or $3448 and above.
The first day was all about formally introducing ourselves, getting to know our instructor, and getting an overall view of what our journey would be like. Damn, I felt like a teenager going back to school. It was refreshing and nerve-wracking.
The school was but a small institution with a small dining restaurant/classroom with an adjoining kitchen where our hands-on classes were held.
I remember arriving on our first day too early but two of my classmates were already there. Of course, the extrovert in me, introduced myself right away to break the ice. We gathered around inside the classroom and I knew then I was the oldest of our group however our instructor corrected me, and there was still one student coming who was already in her 40s. However, I was assured that age didn't matter. Our instructor had students from all walks of life, young and old.
I like our instructor. He had an amazing energy with a genuine passion to share his skills, and expertise with us students. He has inspired us with a few success stories of his previous students.
We were given our course materials, notebook, school uniform, apron, and set of knives. The knives were really sharp. there were a number of times I had cuts on my hands because I was being clumsy. Our course was structured with 2-3 weeks of discussion, followed by weeks of intensive hands-on or practical classes inside the kitchen. The later part was more fun though.
Writing about this now brings back a lot of fun memories of new experiences, new people who became friends, and a new flavorful chapter in my life. If given the chance, I would do this all over again but perhaps might venture into studying pastry!
That's it for now. More stories about my culinary journey to come so stay tuned.
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