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T H E A R T I S T ’ S W A Y
As the capital city of the province
of Ilocos Norte, Laoag is home
to the Capitol Building where the
provincial executives hold office.
Not far from here is the Museo Vivo
de Ilocos, a museum that houses
restaurants and shops, and a well
sculpted bonsai garden. In stark
contrast to the chugging and rattling
sound of a herd of tricycles that roar
along the city’s streets, it was peaceful
and quiet in the bonsai garden
where I sat for a while sketching the
sights. Nearby, you could walk to the
Dapayan Ti Ilocos Norte, a small
food market where I found an Ilocos
interpretation of
empanada
,
stuffed
with rice and meat, and deep fried,
this savory pastry is quite different
from the normal baked kind I’m used
to. It’s amazing and I wish I could
have more.
