Even as the rain poured, leaving the narrow path back filled with muddy puddles, we ventured on with our umbrellas, awestruck with what we had witnessed.

As expected with any visit to the north, adventure comes with many steps upward. After all, the higher you go, the better the vantage point. Coincidentally, “vantage point” serves as the literal translation for the Indigenous term, "tam-awan." It’s a fitting name for one of Baguio City’s iconic stops, the Tam-awan Village.

In Tam-awan Village, visitors are exposed to a time before colonizers stripped us of our identities. We are shown the artistry and intricacies of a culture kept alive by Indigenous people. Here, you’ll find the types of homes Cordillerans used to live in, as well as the thriving local art scene. There are corners where artisans sell their craft and a place where you can have your portrait drawn. It’s all done with the pure talent of locals, no AI needed whatsoever.

Upon entry, guests are given a glimpse of the Cordillerans' past lives. A dance performance shows the various courting rituals and celebrations of Indigenous folk. Every movement feels intricate and precise, providing the utmost respect for the practice. As we take the trail further up, we start to feel the embrace of nature. Trees stretch out almost infinitely, and the sounds of the city are moot. Aside from your own breath, all you will hear is the gentle breeze and the various birds and unseen critters that roam peacefully in the area. Once you make your way to the first rest area, you can marvel over the houses below and the clear blue sky.

During our visit, however, nature had other plans. A surprise downpour of rain met us as we reached the halfway point of our journey. We took a breather to let the rain mellow down a bit and take in the sights of the greenery all over. As the rain started to pour down harder, we figured it was nature’s way of telling us we had admired it enough and it was time to go. And yet, even when our downward trek was met with hardships and navigating slippery slopes, there was a fulfilling sense of having gone through the trail. By the end of it all, we were wet, wheezing, and tired, but it left us with a permanent memory of the pristine beauty of the Cordilleras.