Gong Xi Fa Cai and Kung Hei Fat Choi to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year! I wish I have tikoy but my budget is longer enough because I bought strawberries from a friend and took opportunity of a promo which is also a perfect enrty for this week's ASEAN Hive Challenge, "Let's Go For A Walk". I don't always go out so it's really a perfect chance.
Three days ago, I was searching for a baking supply store to find cake containers for my jelly cake business but what I found instead was gelatine. What got my attention from the store's post was their Buy 1 Take 1 promo. Oh my goodness, the cake containers in my mind was completely erased as I sent a message to the store asking if the gelatine was included on their promo.
Well, guess I'm finding that store no matter what happens! Lol. The gelatine I use is on the expensive side that's why I am determined not to let this promo pass. The store isn't that difficult to find though. Thanks to Google Maps! I was able to check where it's located and planned by ride and activities for the day. :)
I was supposed to go to the store at 10 in the morning but then my friend sent me a message telling me that they'll come by at 9:30 to give the strawberries. I waited until she sent me a message at 11 apologizing that she'll just deliver the strawberries later afternoon because her family played tennis. Told her it's okay and proceeded with my agenda.
My plan was to go to the baking store first and drop by the grocery near my home to buy some ingredients for the cake I am making. Going to the baking store would take me two jeepney rides. I have to get off at Jollibee and walk at a little to the corner to ride the second jeepney. The Jollibee is located after the intersection. However, when I gave my fare to the driver, my mouth went auto-mode and blurted "crossing po". 🤦🏻♀️ Jeepneys would drop you off before the intersection when you choose to get off at the crossing.
Change of my plans! I quickly replanned my route. I remember, there's also a grocery store opposite to Jollibee. Since I am going to cross the street either way, I decided to just go to the grocery first instead.
Here's a simple sketch for a better illustration. I wasn't able to take a photo of my surroundings while walking on this area because there were quite many street children and beggars around this area and I was kind of hesitant to take my phone out. I don't really take my phone out until I'm inside an establishment or I feel the surroundings is safe or there are not much people around.
So here I am at the grocery store. Last time I've been to this grocery store was still back in 2022 even though it's near my home. It still looked the same as the last time.
I only bought few because I still have to go the baking store and I'm afraid I might not be able to carry all of it. I'm glad to find Stik-O here so I bought even just the smallest. My father also asked me to buy him alcohol and cotton buds. Can you guess what cake I am making?
Then realization hit me that our town already banned the use of plastic bags so my groceries were placed inside a medium size brown paper bag which was already a challenge to carry because it doesn't have a handle.
I walked out and rode the jeepney going to the baking store.
Finally, I reached the street where the baking store is. Crossing the road to get to this street wasn't difficult because there were less vehicles that day due to the holiday. Well, it's not like I'm new to this place. I actually know more of the streets of Dagupan City than in my town. Lol. This street is usually an alternative motorists take when the traffic is really bad at the main roads.
There was a motorcycle repair shop at the left side of the street and next to it was a tricycle station. I took a photo after I pass by them and there were no longer people around. And as you can see on the photo, about one lane is occupied by vehicles on the left because this street is a mix of residential and business area but this doesn't excuse them for parking on the streets, espcially the people residing here.
I walked a few meters more and finally saw the signage of the baking store. It was noon time but I decided not to open my umbrella because my other hand was carrying the groceries while the other held my phone. The store isn't that far anyway so I think it's alright. I also wore sunscreen which I always do when I go out because I'm lazy to bring an umbrella.
Here it is! There's a dimsum restaurant beside the baking store which I forgot to visit after purchasing my jelly cake ingredients and materials.
I was greeted by a woman upon entering the store. First thing I did was place the boxes of gelatine on the counter. I was the only customer and the staff seemed kind so I felt comfortable. I asked her if I can place my paper bag on the vacant chair near the door while I look around to find other things to buy since the staff said everything is on buy one take one promo.
The staff said the store will be closing soon because there's already a new owner of the store's space that's why they are already selling out their remaining goods on promo.
Most shelves were already empty. It looks sad. I just discovered the store and they're already closing it.
It's a bit warm inside the store because it didn't have its aircondition unit on. The staff only had an electric fan at the counter. I spent about 30 minutes inside the store.
The staff was kind enough to put my items on a bigger plastic bag so I can put my paper bag in it. Thank you so much!
I went back at the end of the street where I got off from the jeepney and walked on the opposite direction to reach the main road where I would ride a jeepney straight to my home. I passed by a Chinese school which was surprisingly quiet. The school doesn't even have decorations for the Chinese New Year. Then I realized it's a holiday and the students are home celebrating with their families.
I walked further but the plastic bag I'm carrying felt really heavy and my hands were already shaking so I stopped nearby those teenagers to rest for a few seconds while took a photo.
The bag may look small but I swear it's heavy! The boxes of gelatine alone is already two kilograms. I'm also afraid that the handle of the bag may tear because of the weight.
I finally reached the main road and crossed the street. I am now waiting for a jeepney to ride home. If you also notice, there are some chinese lanterns hanged before the vehicles were turning left.
Since it's a holiday, the main road at the city proper had only few vehicles passing by. There were even few jeepneys passing by which is why it even took some minutes before a jeepney enroute to my destination showed up. As you can see here, the sidewalk is also empty.
The buildings on Dagupan's city proper are mostly old which mostly have survived from the 1990 earthquake. My mom would told me before that most of the buildings here sank about a meter or two during the quake that's why if you notice, some of the store's signages are really low. The city government even kept elevating the roads that's why some stores have failed to catch up to level their store with the road.
And finally, I'm home! I got home around 1:15 P.M. These are what I got from the baking store. Aside from the gelatine, I also got some heart-shaped mold, clamshell containers, cookie cutters, food colors, cupcake liners..
I also had a freebie. I think this is the one which turns into a cracker when you fry it.
The total cost of my baking supply shopping was Php 1,482 ($25.40 USD). Really cheap, right! I usually buy my gelatine online which costs around Php 600 ($ 10.28 USD), but this store only sells it for Php 430 ($ 7.37 USD) and it's on a buy one take one promo. With the promo, a box of it would only cost Php 215 ($3.69 USD). Really a steal!
I felt hungry so I ate some of the Stik-O I bought. It's chocolate wafer sticks and a brand that is part of the 90s kids childhood.
In the afternoon, my friend finally came and gave me the strawberries I ordered. I was ordering two packs but she only gave one. The other was sold because it took me time to decide how many packs to order.
Anyway, that's how my day went. According to this app, I had 488 steps then 531 on the next. I'm not sure if that's already a lot or not but I'm still glad to have walked quite long yesterday to excercise my body. Thanks to the baking store's promo! Oh, I also wore a mask while walking to refrain from having allergy. That's all! :)
Thanks for reading! 💚