Scream without making a sound

I got my electric guitar today after two long weeks of waiting. My mom had it repaired in Raon, Quiapo which is somewhere deep in the hearts of Manila. Everybody gets their electronics and appliances fixed there cos it’s cheaper or something. You know how I live in Makati, and there are lots of nice malls and clubs to go to. When I go around Makati it’s like I don’t live in a developing country. Raon looks very third world. All these run-down buildings, people walking in the middle of the freakin’ street. I wrinkled my nose when I saw what the place looked like. I didn’t really feel like going down the car–lots of the people looked scary. But I didn’t have a choice, really.

The moment I got out of the car, I immediately looked at the ground to make sure that I didn’t step on anything gross. Sure enough, someone’s spit was just two inches away from my right foot. Ugh, I hate it when these goddamn people spit on the floor. What do they think they are, camels? It’s such a bad Filipino habit. Anyway, the guitar repair shop was a couple of stores away from where the car dropped us. I avoided looking at the people as I walked.

It was a hole-in-the-wall store, but Mang Erning–the guy who owns it–made some pretty cool looking guitars. I think he even makes custom-made ones. Well anyhow, he got my guitar out and when I saw it I was surprised at how cool it looks. It’s red, but it’s more like a dull kind of red than red-red. It looks great just the same. When my uncle gave it to me it was a rotting old thing–I thought it could never be fixed. It’s in one piece now save for two small, not really noticeable chips in the paint. The wood was a bit smudged but cleaned. I was pretty impressed at how Mang Erning was able to save my guitar–it’s an Eko, by the way and they don’t make them anymore.

After testing the guitar, my mom and I went to the mall to buy my amplifier, guitar case and strap. Then I went home, finished my Chem project and tried my guitar. It’s gonna take me some time to get used to it cos I’ve always used my acoustic Yamaha ever since I learned how to play (which also happens to be a vintage guitar). But I guess I can get the hang of that thing if I have a lot of time for practice.

Well, I think I’ll go print some silverchair tabs now.