That one of the best memories Mary and I will take with us from our trip here in the Philippines will be of ice skating. ICE SKATING. Philippines, the tropics, sun, beach… ICE SKATING!

Yes, ice skating. In an indoor Olympic-size skating rink. In the biggest mall in the Philippines, the Mall of Asia, supposedly MoA for short but we call “Malaysia.”

Mary forced me into it.

She had a great time doing it with her new-found friends, Nikki and Lissy, my best friend’s kids, at the SM Megamall and had wanted a repeat.

This time Mary did not have any little friends to go with her so I was stuck into accompanying her on the ice. I couldn’t just let her go all by herself.

For the unlimited use of the rink for the day and skate rental, the charge is Php 300 per person (about $7.50). You can opt for Php 150 per hour but you have to have the SM Advantage Card to avail of it. The Skate All You Want is a great deal at Php 300 as you can even go in and out— go in for an hour or so, eat somewhere at the mall, go back in for another hour or so, stroll around the mall for a change and then go back in for another session if you are so inclined.

I was very reluctant to go into the ice. I’ve never done it before. Not once in all the years I have lived in New Jersey, New York, Vancouver and lately, in Colorado have I ever gone ice skating. There is just somethng about sliding on ice that scared me, I did not look forward to being out of control. This past winter in Louisville, Colorado, Mary wanted to try ice skating in the outdoor rink by the library and I kept putting it off, waiting to do it with Jack, as well. As it would have been Mary’s first time and mine’s, I did not feel that I could take care of Mary while I was worryng about myself falling on the ice. Never got the opportunity as Jack was always busy when Mary and I wanted to go.

So, this time, at the Mall of Asia, Mary had already had her first time on the ice and she was insisting that she would teach me. After that one previous session, she thinks she is already an expert.

I had done some rollerbalding in the past but I was still scared of going fast and getting out of control and falling on my butt.

Mary and I went in, rented our skates, got our stuff into a locker (Php 30 to rent one) and stepped into the ice. I stayed close to the side, propelling by pushing off with my hand, getting a feel of the skates and the ice.

Mary kept saying, “Let go. It’s ok to fall. It doesn’t hurt. I will help you up.”

She had gone right onto the middle of the rink, walking with her skates, balancing very well. When I get a second to look up from my own panicky skating, I would see her trying out different steps and sometimes falling on her butt. She would always get right back up.

I had planned on just going round and round holding onto the sides until I got to a section of about 6 feet wide where there were orange cones blocking off a small portion of the rink that was dangerous to skate over. I had to take some steps without the security of being able to hold onto the side if I lose my balance. I went back and forth for about 15 feet to test if I can go that far without holding on. Finally, summoning my courage and with Mary’s encouragement, I went around the impediment.

Pretty soon, I was skating farther and farther away from the side and thereafter, I had joined Mary in the middle and was actually feeling a cool breeze as I skated. What fun!!!!

And then, that’s when Mary called it quits. It had been a couple of hours and as much fun as she was having, her little legs had had enough. Just when I had started having fun…

There’s a lesson learned. As my husband, Jack put it when I told him about it— “Get past your fears and discover so much fun.” So true.

I wish I have photos of this momentous occassion but alas, my camera was in the locker and my sister and her daughter, who were with us in the mall, had gone shopping and by the time they got back, Mary and I have left the ice.

Here’s Mary with the Mall of Asia’s landmark globe in the background, instead.

Mary at the Mall of Asia

My heartfelt thanks to my brother-in-law, my sister and my niece for coming along with Mary and I to the mall and my best friend and her kids for taking Mary ice skating for the first time. If not for them, I wouldn’t now be thinking of going for ice skating lessons for BOTH Mary and I when we get back to the States. I enjoyed myself so much, I think this sport will be part of my exercise regime from now on. Who knew?