On libraries, bookshops and starting the big 30

I posted this on Instagram today - and thought that I can post this on my blog.

A street bookshop in  Amman, 2018

I saw this photo today and it made me realize how bookshops and libraries are one of the nice places to be in and looking back I remember some memories around it and for memory keeping, I'm going to write them down.

One of the fond memories I have in grade school was spending afternoons inside the Assumption's school library where we get to lay on a mat surrounded by a two-level baby blue-colored bookshelves filled with children's books and pillows. And I would only leave once Mama arrives to fetch me home. And I've always wondered how it is to be older and get to pick up books on the other side where things seem to be a lot less colorful and in taller bookshelves (lol). In hs, I think I may have overcome intimidation as there were a couple of books listed in my borrower's card and I wish I could go and ask a copy - in case it still exists (Sweet Valley High, Hardy Boys, Goosebumps, anyone? lol) In college, I spent afternoons in the Ateneo library to study and read books for (boring) academic stuff but would end the day sitting on the floor in the shadow of tall bookshelves and read a few about extraordinary things like planets and what-not for no reason except that I think they are amazing (lol).

When I got my first job after college, I felt lucky that I am able to spend some remaining minutes of my lunch breaks in a nearby National Bookstore every day - ended up reading four books during that time. Now, when I am able to visit new cities, I become happy to see a local bookshop because I love the feeling of familiarity I get even if I've only stayed in a new city for a few hours.

Now I wonder how it will be in this new decade. Ah, the big 30~ I wonder how you'll be...