Metro Trippin'
October - November 2007
Vol. 1.2

MUSIC, LIKE WATER FOR THE THIRSTY TRAVELER
By Jesusa Ayala Dayate

As the traveler fills each day with new adventures, sometimes her soul longs for
sojourn. Like water for her thirst, she can find solace in discovering a new place she
can call "home."

Here's a week-long account of a travelers' experience in a garden, this one, known as
the Conspiracy Garden Café.

Monday: The Garden
Toss freshly boiled pasta in simmering pesto sauce . Let its aromatic flavor entice
the traveler. Season with Rica Arambulo's melodic voice and her piano keys. Serve
while hot.

I dive into the Pasta Pesto (110 pesos) and sip a glass of Margarita (100 pesos). A huge
palm tree was the garden's centerpiece; while big ornamental banana trees line up its
walls. The round and star-shaped lights wrapped around these trees create dramatic shadows and glow romantically at patrons seated on the garden's wrought-iron chairs.

Rica's sultry voice streams from the Music Room. Monday nights belong to her and her piano. Later into the night, the microphone will be open to anyone who wants to sing the blues away. I close my eyes as I sip my Margarita…certainly not a rainy Monday for me.

Tuesday: The Smoking Area Near the Music Room
Dip vegetables in tempura batter. Deep fry in hot oil. Remove excess oil while Susan Fernandez's crisp guitar strings fill the air with jazz music.

Fascinated by the numerous empty bottles and small paintings that line one side of
its walls, I sit in the smoking area near Conspiracy's Music Room. I let the crunchiness
of the tempura (90 pesos), the subtle sweetness of the vegetables, linger on my taste
buds. I drink my fill of lemonade (45 pesos). A sliding glass door separates us from the Music Room so smokers can enjoy the night's performance with cigars at hand.

Tuesday is "Writers Night" and Conspiracy provides the venue for any writers'
organization that wants to hold events, such as poetry reading sessions and short
film showings. Rent is free, with only a minimal requirement of 150 pesos worth of
food order per person.

Wednesday: The Music Room
Infuse the tender pork with flavorful herbs. Add in some romantic lyricism from Noel Cabangon's timeless music. Serve while hot, and with love. Tonight, I let the sensual
aroma of Herbed Pork (160 pesos, served with rice and hot soup) seduce my nostrils.

I sip my house wine (110 pesos per glass) and allow Noel's classic rendition of
"Kanlungan" bring back memories of my childhood. I stare at the Music Room's walls, decorated with ethnic multi-colored tubaos and occasional paintings. At this moment,
I feel light and happy, and deeply believe that there's still love in this world after all.

Thursday: The Bar
Sauté the freshest tilapia in genuine coconut milk. Let the coconut milk thicken. Serve hot.

Syrupy notes from a violin reach my ears. The earlier part of Thursday night is reserved
for music students, with the musicians of the UP College of Music as one of Conspiracy's regular patrons. Content with my Tilapia sa Gata (100 pesos), I also treat myself to a
banana split crepe (90 pesos).

Hushed conversations fill this small space. I am seated at the bar, which is in another
room close to Conspiracy's kitchen and counter. My eyes dance with the artwork
displayed all over this old house. Conversing with the bar's co-owner and manager,
Teresita de Quiros, she says that Conspiracy's gallery is open to all artists. A portfolio
of artworks is required for co-owner Cynthia Alexander to review.

I finish my nightcap (a Gin Tonic for 60 pesos) with Cookie Chua's voice drifting in from
the Music Room.

Friday: The Music Room
Let the freshly steamed baby potatoes swim in garlic and oil. As the potatoes absorb
the flavor, take in Joey Ayala's eclectic tribal and ethnic vocal concoctions. Dig into the potatoes and take a bite.

I am not alone tonight. I'm with the man in my life. He's the one who introduced me to
Joey Ayala's music and respectfully calls the man, "Sir Joey."

Two beings intertwined by the same love for eclectic music; bound by the same
passions, the same longing for mountain adventures. Two souls touched by the man's
lyrical and passionate love for his craft and his music. Together, we raise our glass in
honor of Joey Ayala's heartfelt "Walang Hanggang Paalam." There won't be goodbyes.

Saturday: The Music Room
Use real Indian curry powder for an authentic curry taste. Blend in some multi-layered
Indian-inspired music from Cynthia Alexander as the chicken cooks to perfection. Serve
the Chicken Curry (150 pesos) with chapatti (20 pesos) while chanting "Govinda."

Saturday is usually a busy night for Conspiracy. I nurse my San Mig Light (37 pesos) as Cynthia Alexander starts the night's performance with a powerful chant.

It was eight years ago at a UP Fair Concert when I first heard Cynthia Alexander's music. Three solo albums later, my soul has become enchanted with her songs. She may have
been a high priestess in her past life, with her ability to touch the ethereal strings and provide comfort to my wandering spirit. Her music is my constant companion on my mountain treks.

She ends the night with a soulful humming of "Comfort In Your Strangeness," an emotional song that is almost like a prayer.

"I have been to places far and deep, in my mind, only to find comfort in your strangeness."
                                      --- Cynthia Alexander, Comfort In Your Strangeness

A perfect song to end the night.

It was Cynthia's music that led me to this place. Like water for a thirsty traveler, the Conspiracy Garden Café will enfold you in its eclectic beauty. Artful. Poetic. Friendly. Home.

*Conspiracy Garden Café is located at 59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. Contact Numbers: 453-2170; 920-6517.