I have one extra ticket for Wanderland Music and Arts Festival 2015! 

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In an effort to put more travel-related content in this blog, allow me turn the spotlight to my best friend's latest endeavor-- Experience Philippines' Random Road Trips. 

I have been a fan of Saab's writing since college and have watched (or read) how from Grrrl Scout days, along with Jim's band, it became Cheats. I never really knew how good their music was until two weekends ago when I saw Cheats perform live for the first time at the Satchmi Vinyl Day at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater.

I was not used to being labeled as a party girl. After all, I only stepped in a club two years ago. Now, it's not really a big deal to me anymore. I know better than to have to explain myself to people whose opinions don't really matter to me.

This year, my life slowed down. I already stopped being in the regular clubbing scene, partly because of my puppy and partly because it got really tiring and routinary. (Read: Tumatanda na!) Below is a short draft of a drunken rant I wrote after a long night of dancing and drinking, the morning of December 2, 2013. Read it and laugh with me?

I get that going to clubs every Friday night will give me that party girl stereotype. I used to deny this because I never really went clubbing before this year. As stated in a previous post, I could count in one hand the number of times I partied in college--twice.

Yes, I'm a late bloomer.

But that's it. Two times. And both times, I didn't drink. Suffice to say, I was the annoying girl trying to get everyone to go home already as if I had a curfew, which I didn't have because I lived in an apartment alone.

So going back to my main point, this post has been triggered by a conversation I had with my teammate during a shared cab ride on our way home. I told him I was gonna volunteer for the Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Villamor Air Base and that, in fact, I have been volunteering whenever I have time. He laughed and said, "Party girl sa gabi, volunteer as umaga." He was so surprised to hear me passionately talking about my plans to changed the world. Apparently, to those who didn't know me before all hell broke loose, I was just that to them-- a party girl. 

Then, he told me the story of their DJ friend in Bacolod who--you'll never guess--sells rice on his day job.

And now, a random excerpt from an article I read.

Women may want to get laid, but their main priority is to have a good time, be looked at (not touched) by guys and get some free drinks. Guys, on the other hand, want to get drunk and hopefully find a girl that’s a light drinker so it doesn’t cost them too much to take her home. (Elite Daily, 2013.)

Check out this link for Z Hostel rates. Book now!

Last week, I asked friends who have solo traveled about what they didn't like about traveling alone. My colleague Vale answered it's the hostels. That while it's the cheaper choice, hostels can compromise a good night's sleep when traveling. 

Personally, I have no issues staying at stocky hostels. I do understand, however, that the hostel life is not for everyone. That, I had a firsthand experience of! On December 2013, Tonix and I fought over my decision to stay at a budget hostel in Singapore, priced at only $17-22 per day. We were staying for 10 days and the extra cost of staying in a hotel would tremendously add up and eventually cut my spending budget.

Then last month, due to a certain mixup, I stumbled into Z Hostel. They advertise themselves as a luxury hostel. I got curious as I've never stayed in one. Is this the answer to solo travelers looking for more comfort than usual? So for my birthday, I decided to do something different. There I was making last minute booking for a hostel staycation in Makati City. 

Getting There

Nested at the heart of Makati City, you will find the Z Hostel at 5660 Don Pedro Street, just near the corner of Kalayaan Avenue and P. Burgos Avenue.

[Google Maps link]

On foot
Makati is a very walkable city but if you're coming from Ayala Center, it would take around a 30-minute walk to get there.

From Ayala Avenue, walk towards Makati Avenue. Turn right on Makati Avenue and walk straight until you reach P. Burgos Avenue. Walk along P. Burgos until you reach Kalayaan Avenue. Then, turn right and walk until you see a Ministop at the corner of Don Pedro Street.

Via private vehicle/taxi
From Ayala Avenue, drive towards Makati Avenue. Turn right on Makati Avenue and drive until you reach Kalayaan Avenue. Drive until the second U-turn slot. Take the U-Turn and stop at the Ministop at the corner of Don Pedro Street. (For private vehicles/taxi, you can opt to have you dropped right in front of Z Hostel. Although it is a narrow street so I recommend you just walk the few meters.)

Via jeepney
Coming from the Ayala Center, there are jeepneys bound for J.P. Rizal Avenue. Ride this jeepney and get off at the corner of Kalayaan Avenue. From here, facing the direction of J.P. Rizal, turn right and walk towards Ministop.

When you reach Ministop, turn left and walk a few meters until you see the gray building with a huge letter Z written in front. You won't miss it!
The Lobby


They say don't judge a book by its cover and don't judge a hostel by its lobby. What if the lobby was this spacious? Well, it's definitely not the lobby I imagined it would be when I first came here. Most hostel lobbies, although charming, are cramped and really just a reception desk with a computer. This one, upon entering, tells you with a chalkboard signage that only good vibes are allowed inside. 


It's a big space with a couch, book exchange shelves, a monthly schedule of Z Hostel events and, of course, the reception desk. There are also quirky details like the sungka, a Filipino game played with hollowed out wood and shells, with the instruction manual on how to play them, Makati and BGC maps, and sometimes, if you're lucky, a pole, too!



And it's good to know that it wasn't all just display. Check-in was swift and hassle-free!

It's only April but I can already give you a gist of how my 2015 has been going so far: waking up early on a Saturday morning, no hangover from Friday club nights, no Friday club nights, weekend picnics, music festivals, more photowalks and of course, travel. I LOVED 2013 and 2014 but it was too tiring! For me, 2015 is the year of slowing down, realigning priorities and exploring possibilities.

Without any segue or whatsoever, here's what went on last weekend. (Okay, only Saturday. Basti and I were so pooped, and slept all throughout Sunday!)


The Weekend: Sebastian's Night Out from Jennever Pelaez on Vimeo.

Saturday

~ Caught up on the last two episodes of Survivor, my ultimate favorite TV show (C'mon AXN, produce Survivor Asia or something!) I hate Dan and I want more wins for the underdog trio.