Countdown

The adventure begins to wind down. I leave my site on December 6 then spend about 9 days in Manila - I leave the Philippines and am off to Hawaii on Dec 15 to spend time with my son and a dear friend. I start the new year at home .... What a long strange trip it's been.

One of my greatest joys has been the opportunity daily to view Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano, also known as Mount Mayon, is an active volcano in the province of Albay, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of its almost symmetric conical shape, Mayon forms the northern boundary of Legazpi City, the largest city in terms of population in the Bicol Region. The mountain is a national park and a protected landscape in the country proclaimed as Mayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000.

Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines having erupted over 48 times in the past 400 years. Its 48th eruption was a quiet effusion of lava on July 14, 2006. The small summit explosion which occurred on August 10, 2008 is considered as part of the ongoing activity since 2006. Starting in January 2011, the volcano is weakly erupting and may be building up to a larger hazardous eruption. It is one of the most beautiful volcanic cones anywhere in the world and is visible for miles around in the otherwise flat landscape of the region.

The name Mayon is derived from the Bicolano word Magayon, which means ‘beautiful”

And beautiful she is… (and the pictures hardly do it justice)
I will miss her.

Vacation surviving…

So I start my little vacation in the Philippines with my adventure setting off from Naga (which is actually about 2 + hours from my site). So Sunday I am up early to get a van to Sabang Pier –a good 2 hour van ride. I arrive and wait at what is apparently the ‘terminal’ for a commercial boat (Bangka) bound to Guijalo Port. I catch the last boat of the day at 11 am.

Most interesting though as I am waiting at the ‘pier’ I am looking out a the boat about 100 or more feet off shore thinking ok how are we getting from point A. on shore to point B on the boat? – with small waves and surf between us and the boat and no pier or bulkhead or anything resembling anything we have in the states that gets us on boats. I’m thinking ok if I don’t want to do this I don’t have to –I can just get back on a van and head back to Naga. I am a bit scared to say the least, thinking here goes my laptop, my clothes and me into the water. The whole scene is kind of rickety and precarious and as I have learned over the past 5 + months in the Philippines there are few regulations, no safety standards, or anything resembling anyone monitoring the safety of anything – you are on your own here. (I guess they have not figured out the whole suing people thing yet) Anyway soon enough the answer to the dilemma is presented - low and behold a floating dock - of course. When it is time we all line up on the beach and are escorted in batches onto this floating thing and a bunch of guys pull it out into the water across the waves up to the side of the boat and no kidding – we get escorted up a kind of gang plank as the boat bobs in the water. They then drag the dock back and get the next batch of folks. Who says fear isn’t exhilarating. This is another 2 + hours coasting along the shoreline. A little choppy water but it’s a beautiful ride. I am on my way to Caramoan – as described in the guide books:

“Caramoan, a peninsular town, is a group of islands and islets scattered in the Pacific Ocean, endowed with nature’s beauty and preserved by its seclusion. Made famous by the hit global reality show franchise”, “Survivor” the group of islands is blessed with numerous islands with fine white sand, lagoons, caves, limestone cliffs and rocks, and rich marine life that give new definition to an island experience”

So not only is it the site of survivor USA - apparently the show’s French edition was the first to film on location in 2008. Israel, Bulgaria and Serbia followed in 2009. Sweden came next the following year, with Israel and Serbia returning to shoot again. Just last year, the islands played host to Denmark, Norway, Belgium and India.

So I am now smack in the middle of a lot of surviving… good thing no shows are being taped right now – so hopefully I can just get to enjoy a little of the natural beauty

Early Reflections

I'm in the home stretch - it’s a matter of weeks now with December 14 being my last official day as a volunteer. I expect I'll be leaving my site around December 6 for some travel and then closing stuff in Manila. It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. How I will describe and integrate this experience still remains a mystery to me, as it has been so filled with emotions and challenges. I am glad I stuck with it and on good days I am grateful for this once in a lifetime experience – living and working immersed in another culture for 6 months. I continue to struggle with quantifying my contributions and expect mostly I will summarize them as elusive and much less than I had hoped – but maybe not – we’ll see.

So as I reflect I know for sure - what I have loved is the tropical weather, waking up every day to see Mayon Volcano in her many splendid forms, the incredibly hospitable and kind Filipinos, living simpler than I might have imagined I could live- on less money than you might believe, having time to read and write a lot, fresh pineapple, mangos and avocados, the way Filipinos love to dance and sing and have a good time, the voices and smiles of children wishing me well and asking my name as I pass, a sense of being part of a community of people that emphasize the collective good vs. individuality, family as the central organizing construct of daily life, the way Filipinos respect their elders, realizing privacy may be a little over-rated (ok just a little) and that relationships matter, learning how many ways you can make something out of rice or coconut including things purple and mysterious looking, and how often people can eat and still remain small and maybe just maybe that our tendency as Americans to use achievements and accomplishments as a measure of a person’s worth isn't such a great idea and joy is in the little things, it’s just waiting for me to discover it. And I have loved being part of this quirky thing called Peace Corps – even with all my ups and downs, I feel proud to be associated with its history and its intention of building world peace and friendship by connecting people worldwide as we share our daily lives and learn to understand and appreciate each others culture. So I now figure maybe the cultural exchange part is a good and noble thing.

Mayon - Mr. MTRC - StoneHouse View

Activia Yogurt & BM in Manila

So I'm back in Manila for a few days before PC Mid Service Training. I arrive at Pension (the hostel in Malate) Wow I forgot how intense it is to be in a big city. Anyway I decide to walk over to Robinson's Mall to get something for dinner. I head to the supermarket and low and behold samples of yogurt. OK I think this is good - a different variety than I can get in Tabaco City, maybe it's good, I'm gonna try it. The woman looks right at me and says "try it- the yogurt is good for bowel movements" I'm thinking did she really say that? - she then repeats it to several people passing by offering them a taste of yogurt to regulate their bowel movements. OMG - can you just see this in the local supermarket in the States. Too funny - I am still getting a chuckle out of it a few hours later. I did buy some - hey everyone needs regulated BM's.

Being a Celebrity in the Philippines

A few days of vacation time had me spending time outside of Naga City. I took a jeepney to Stone house Resort – which was a lovely private home converted into a resort with 360 views of tropical rain forests and San Miguel Bay. I got to relax and enjoy amazing gardens with bursts of colorful flowers and herbs, fresh papaya and jackfruit, and glasses of cold passion fruit juice, and a lovely retired couple serving as hosts. I spent time in this large outdoor cabana enjoying the views and the cool breezes. On Monday I decided to hike up the trail nearby to get to the entrance to Mt Isarog National Park – an overgrown trail only accessible by foot – I arrive at a small entrance staffed by one guy – the fee is 10 pesos. I then wind my way down a rough almost treacherousness trail to Malabsay Falls. The trail is washed out and rocky in many places but I arrive at a lovely falls area to find dozens of young kids out for a field trip. It was suggested they were learning about natural resources – I kind of think they were mostly having fun.

The interesting part was yet again an exchange with local Filipinos that has been common in my months of experience thus far. Everyone was very friendly, the teacher came up to me and said welcome to Naga - 'the land of smiles' and they offered for me to ‘take my lunch’ with them when it was time to eat. The funny part was how many of these teenagers wanted to come over and talk to me and take a picture with me. One even videotaped me on his cell phone after asking questions of where I am from and what I was doing there. It felt like I was a celebrity.

Nice afternoon of exploring, hiking through tropical rain forests and a chance to interact with a bunch of lovely Filipinos. Nice weekend away relaxing at a lovely resort. Even got to go to Panicuasian Hot Springs for a soak on Monday evening.

My photo on PC website

OMG - they've got my photo on the Peace Corps website. The photos rotate - one of them is with me and some of the staff at my site at MTRC - we were discussing some forms I had developed - this was from the August visit with the PC film crew Eddy & Lee. www.peacecorps.gov

Manila and back

I was back through Manila this past week for almost 3 days in an area about 35 miles away called Tagaytay, near Mount Taal volcano, one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world. (Taal formation, is a crater within an island within a lake) Unfortunately it was so rainy and foggy I never got to see hardly even a glimpse of the lake and volcano a block away. I may just have to return. Manila is actually only a one hour flight from Legazpi – but of course transportation here means at least a ½ day of travel to get from site to there.

On short notice PC ended up asking me to participate in a close of service conference for the group # 269 that is finishing up their 2 years. I sat on a panel to talk to them about career paths and opportunities post PC. Partly the new training director was finding me a way to get a break from my site, which I was most grateful for. Nevertheless, I did get to talk to a number of volunteers interested in both the Response program and in being social workers. It was heartwarming to hear their enthusiasm for translating what they have learned to having careers as social workers. It also gave me opportunity to reflect on my 30 year career and the path I chose. I actually felt kind of proud to be part of this quirky group of people that have served in the PC – (even if I’m not done yet and haven’t done near the time these folks did in serving for two years) It was also great to be a witness to the batch as they wrap up their service – I was really inspired by them (102 made it – out of the 140 that started).

Of course folks got a laugh out of my naiveté – I got to my room and it had no electricity – I’m like what’s up with this? – called the front desk and they had to show me where you put your room key in a slot to have the power activated - what I hick I am, we don’t have this fancy stuff in Malinao. But it was great to get away –refreshing to be in a really nice hotel, hot showers, internet, and good veggie food options… it was heaven. – A chance to recharge and get some new perspective.

This photo is what I might have seen if it wasn't so foggy:

Thrift Stores Philippines Style

So I have to confess after 3 months of wearing the same clothes over and over – it is getting ugly, so I went to a local ‘thrift store’ the other day. Clothes all over the place hanging on bamboo poles – dirt floors and hard to even get a handle on what they had it was so packed with stuff. But of course I had another of those interesting Filipino experiences. It was a particularly hot and humid day, having rained most of the morning. I found a couple shirts but I wanted to try them on to be sure they fit ok. The first woman found me a mirror and turned the fan on to face me so I could try it on. The second store – connected to this one - I walked over and found a shirt and also asked for a mirror which they produced and as I am trying the shirt on - on top of my shirt – the young woman brings a bamboo hand fan and stands in front of me to fan me to make sure I’m am not so hot as I try on the shirt. It was so cute. They are asking a bunch of questions – the older woman doesn’t speak English so thru the young girl she is asking where I am from and why I am here etc, you know the typical thing here. The young girls says “oh you are so kind” – not sure what I did to deserve that but it was lovely. She was the kind one – standing there fanning me while she is in the sweltering heat. I bought the shirt mostly because they were so nice and I thought what the heck its 50 pesos about ($1.17). Another one of those moments that makes this all an amazing experience in the Philippine

Off to school early morning

Cagsawa Ruins: A Memorial for a Tragic Past

Got a chance to visit this site last weekend – it is just below Mayon volcano – and represents a memorial to the lose of over a thousand lives in the eruption in 1814.

“A lone church bell tower rises in the landscape with Mt Mayon dominating the horizon behind it. This scene is famously depicted in many postcards throughout the Philippines. The bell tower is what remains of the Cagsawa town, about a few minutes ride from Legazpi City. When Mt Mayon erupted in 1814 it engulfed the whole town in fiery lava. The people fled to the church but were unable to escape the lava flows. Only the church tower remains from this 19th century town to serve as a memorial for a tragic past”

Hot stuff - Donna Summer Style

So the last few weeks at my site we have been attending a number of training's -things like emotional arousal (now that one got me going) and counseling techniques, development of livelihood (vocational) programs for residents at the center and next week is a training on developing treatment plans. All this is fun and interesting and I appreciate the nice diversion of being away from the Comun- MTRC neighborhood and hanging out in a different town – Legaspi. I also of course can’t complain about a night in a decent hotel with hot showers and nice bed. But these picture gives you a glimpse of what they do in training here after lunch or for an afternoon ice breaker. They dance..Yes they have a video projected on the screen with loud music and a follow along a kind of Nintendo Wii character - Donna Summer ‘Hot Stuff’ anyone? Can you see us trying to pull this off in the States?

Filipinos are having a great time, singing along and following the dance steps and I’m thinking how do I get out of here… it is kind of cool to watch though how much folks here get into it and how much fun they are having.

My morning walk and view of Mayon

Real Cheese

I was so close to giving in - today I went to the market and was tempted to buy the only cheese I have found in the Philippines -processed Cheez Whiz type stuff. Ugh. Low and behold as I am perusing my local grocery store at the LCC Mall for the first time in the small refrigerated section there is a hunk of Australian Matured Cheddar cheese. I am in heaven.I figure so what if it costs about $5.40 for about 1/2 lb block - it is so worth it to me. I've been craving cheese.Such small pleasures, but such a treat. Made my day.

"Ring of Fire" Rock & Roll

That was interesting - 8:47 pm my time a feeling one doesn't forget - your world is moving and I'm thinking again - this is an earthquake. Last time I felt one of these was in Virginia of all places - but at least here in the Philippines it might be expected. All is well though.

MANILA, Philippines—A strong 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Eastern Samar at 8:47 p.m. Friday, the US Geological Survey said.The offshore quake was located 146 kilometers off Guiuan, Eastern Samar at a depth of 33 kilometers, the USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity

Party Filipino Style

Friday night after an interesting 2 day training on ‘emotional arousal’ techniques to use in work with clients - we shifted into a very fun late afternoon of activities at my site – I had a chance to again be a judge for a contest - - this one was a dance contest- the guys had teams of 7 or 8 of them and they choreographed dance to two different popular (American) songs – wow. They apparently practiced their routines for 4 or 5 five weeks perfecting the moves and coordination and pulled it off to cheers and hooting and hollering from the audience. After a small dance piece we did the day before for a dance therapy activity as part of our training I had a new appreciation for how challenging it is to choreograph a short routine with even 4 people – so I gave the guys all of 40 for their efforts at getting their routines down, The other criteria of coordination and impact on audience varied – but clearly everyone had great fun – the music was load and lively and the dance routines were energetic and creative.

We then moved into a birthday celebration for Dr Tess – with food and Karaoke a big part of the evening activity. Apparently I found out it is an understatement to say that Filipinos love karaoke. Almost every Philippine home has a karaoke machine and it’s almost always a feature at birthday and holiday parties. It was announced her husband was bringing a 'band' – which turned out to be these 3 friends who sang karaoke style and did it wonderfully – they knew how to work the audience and get folks engaged – so lots of people including the residents went up to sing and partake in line dances. The festivities went on till about 9:30 pm when finally all of us started to crash realizing they still had a long way to get home and the residents needed to head to lights off. It was lively and fun and for me such a sense of the connection and good times so common in the Philippines.

Catanduanes – Majestic Beach indeed…..

As is often the case for travel in the Philippines, the logistics and time to get from point A to point Z are considerable. Saturday morning I left my site around 5:30 am via a trike ride to Tabaco Port (100 pesos) then we board the ferry (157 pesos + 11.20 terminal charge) for our ride across the Lagonoy Gulf to the Island of Catanduanes. When we arrived at the terminal in Tabaco it turns out 2 other PCV’s and two Australian volunteers were also heading to the Island so our adventure as two became an adventure of six. The ferry ride is a relaxing pace as we share stories of our experiences in the Philippines. We get to enjoy dolphins swimming across the waters off the side of the ferry along our way. We arrive in San Andreas about 3 ½ hours later and hop on a jeepney to Virac (25 pesos). We wander around the town of Virac for a while then share a great meal at Sea Breeze restaurant, overlooking the gulf and the Port of Virac – then we travel about 45 minutes from Virac to Baras (45 pesos) and then we hitch a ride on another trike (50 pesos) to Puraran Beach. A few of the folks ride on top of the jeepney for great views, but of course typical of afternoons in the Philippines they get rained on. Whew. long day of travel, but it is so worth it, as we arrive at this amazing shimmering white sand beach and witness an incredible rainbow over the water. Nice welcoming.

We unpack our gear into our great little nipa huts* and immediately settle into a beach pace and relax. Irene is the host at Majestic Beach Resort, a very kind and welcoming woman, who immediately adapts things to meet our needs – sure you want a bed on the porch of one the huts, you need another mosquito net, can I make you dinner for tonight? The huts had good sized windows and a great tropical breeze so sleeping was great.

We spend the day on Sunday on the beach – with early morning low tide we are able to walk out a ways across the sand and sea grass, checking in on the guys digging for fish treasures – crabs, and some kind of Japanese delicacy – a small urchin like fish. . It’s amazing many hours later when high tide comes in our walking area is covered with 4 or more feet of water. Folks try surfing but the water is pretty calm and though they try for a couple hours it is new for many and the waves don’t make it easy for getting up and staying up for any length of time. The funniest thing though is Harrison is sitting on his board and fish start flying around in the water and one actually slams into his ear and flaps across his chest before heading back into the water. Flying fish – wow.

We sit around visiting and telling stories that afternoon to be later served a lunch on a banana leaf: chicken, rice and curried vegetables. Dinner is served the same and it is a wonderful treat from a local guy Concs that Bryna knows from having been here before. He comes from Manila every month or so and spends the weekend surfing and hanging out at the beach and in his own nipa hut up the road. Nice life huh?

We slide into the easy rhythm quite nicely reading on the hammocks, moving to the beach huts to sit and watch the water, swimming, paddling around on surfboards, more hammock time and then evening with wine and conversation, card games and scrabble. Monday we wake up to fresh coconut for breakfast, just pulled down from a tree, buka juice welcoming the day - yum. Three of us head back towards Virac on Monday with two of the gals heading back to Legaspi; I spend another night at Monte Karlo waterfront inn and enjoy a hot shower and wi-fi. Tuesday I am on my way back on the 1 pm ferry. Feeling calm and relaxed - what a wonderful excursion to an incredible place. I had a long weekend of time to truly enjoy being in the moment, a slower pace, lovely people, sunshine and water –what a way to re-charge the batteries. I feel so lucky and blessed.

The place was really magical, this is the Philippines I imagined, clear blue waters, incredible views, lush tropical mountain sides, coconut palms, water buffalo grazing on the hillsides, fishing boats lighting up the night horizon, cool breezes and surfers enjoying the waves.
Well worth all the logistics and travel, especially since I am learning to just go more with the flow around here –maybe Philippine island style is getting into my soul.


* The nipa hut also known as bahay kubo, is an indigenous house used in the Philippines. The native house has traditionally been constructed with bamboo tied together and covered with a thatched roof using nipa/anahaw leaves

what's up here....

So a few things I’ve been doing:

I started getting out in the morning and going for walks – which is great – I get some exercise and it’s always interesting to be the ‘foreigner’ walking around the neighborhood. A lot of those same kids that greet me now remember my name – so it’s good morning Janett – so fun.

I also found a place on the roof of the treatment center – resident’s aren’t allowed up there – so I can go up and read or watch the sunset/sunrise or just take in the Mayon Volcano – it’s nice to be outside but also have some privacy – which as I mentioned previously is hard to come by in the Philippines.

I had a mini-epiphany – a few weeks back it dawned on me that instead of sitting around bored and moping about my lack of something worthwhile to do I could go out and find something a little more meaningful. Of course I would have loved for it to be with women – but I live near a small town and there aren’t many options. But I did find a Children’s Home nearby and I stopped to visit a couple weeks back. The Sisters of St John the Baptist – are from Italy (which I love that connection) – seemed good with me stopping by on Sunday’s to visit and then we talked about trying to arrange a way for the older kids to come to the Drug Treatment Center and we can do a short session on drug awareness & prevention with them. So I went to hang out with the kids a second time this past weekend – it was fun. I shared a map of the world and had them find Virginia and a bunch of other places and then I shared photos on my laptop and I had like 20 kids huddled around me peering into my laptop. I’m going to try to find some info on simple games we could do and also stuff on teaching basic English – lots of the younger kids don’t know much yet and the Sisters were happy if I wanted to do some of that. So I’ll go on Sunday’s as I can and visit and just enjoy all that bouncy energy.

I’ve been reading like crazy – what a luxury. I am so happy to find decent books to read – and excited that even 9000 miles away my local Ashland library offers digital books so I can download them for free on my laptop and read away.

Went to a Catholic Mass a couple Sunday’s ago – it was actually kind of nice – the sermon was in English and was about sharing with those less fortunate. Of course I was the only American in the big church of 100’s of Filipinos- but I’m kind of getting used to that.

And lots of getaways and exploring - every weekend I go somewhere. I’ve been to Naga, Bacacay Beach, and Legaspi City – and with the exploring in an increasing confidence in navigating the transportation in the Philippines. And now I’m so looking forward to my upcoming weekend adventure– 4 days at a beautiful white sand beach Aug 18-21 going to Catanduanes Island (Monday and Tuesday are Philippine holidays) It’s described as: Catanduanes island is located in the easternmost part of the Bicol peninsula, separated from the mainland Bicol by the Maqueda Channel and the Lagonoy Gulf. Catanduanes, which they also call, “An Eco-Adventure Paradise,” is for those who like nature at its best. The whole strip of this pearly island of the Pacific is almost untouched, unblemished, and unexplored. Can’t wait.

So time flies when you are having fun… 2 months already in the Philippines – 4 to go

Sunday morning excursion to the Mayon Volcano Rest Stop

Had a chance early Sunday morning to travel by trike with folks from my site: Ann, Chris, Karen, Rowell, Ronald and the kids Owen and Angelo to the Mayon Rest House Observatory which is the nearest Observatory to the Volcano, it is located about 3.8 kilometers northwest of the summit and is a popular area for viewing the volcano. Located 2,000 feet above sea level - connected by a winding road to Tabaco City in Albay. The area is located in the middle of Mayon Volcano National Park. We went early enough that we have views of Tabaco Port and the sea beyond and mountains across the sky – clouds came in later in the morning – we had a chance to visit the Planetarium and watch a short film on the Volcano’s history and the many eruptions over the years with the last one on August 10, 2008, when a small summit explosion ejected ash 200 metres (660 ft) above the summit.

I’m told most often the rock and ash from any eruptions goes the other direction from us – towards Legaspi – let’s hope if anything happens during my stay that will be the case… or actually it would be best if she just stays quiet and beautiful for years to come.

Majestic Beach Resort-Catanduanes here we come...

I’m getting excited about an upcoming excursion. I am heading off for 4 days August 18-21 to Catanduanes Island - Majestic Beach Resort at Puraran Beach - this is a photo of the cottages we'll stay at. Of course travel around here is challenging such as this entails a 3 to 4 hour ferry ride – but then I'm sure I'll have stories to tell. Going with another PCV so that is fun too.The island is described as:

Catanduanes island is located in the easternmost part of the Bicol peninsula, separated from the mainland Bicol by the Maqueda Channel and the Lagonoy Gulf. Catanduanes, which they also call, “An Eco-Adventure Paradise,” is for those who like nature at its best. The whole strip of this pearly island of the Pacific is almost untouched, unblemished, and unexplored.

Even haircuts are fun

So I leave the states thinking what the heck am I going to do in 6 to 8 weeks about getting my haircut – perhaps imagining I’m on some other planet or something – as if people in the Philippines don’t get their haircut, nevertheless I decide I’ll figure something out when the time comes. Well the time came – and I was scoping out this place in Tabaco for a few weeks thinking I guess I’ll check that place out when I really need a haircut, but it seems hard to believe it’s called 38 Cut… meaning 38 pesos for a haircut, shampoo and blow dry. Remember 38 pesos is about 88 cents in the states. So today was the day, after really needing a haircut for a couple weeks and it really was 38 pesos and I had another one of those fun cultural experiences unlike anything I’d have in the states. I walk in and ask if anyone is familiar with cutting curly American hair – and all the stylists – young and hip probably around 10 of them are sitting in chairs staring at me smiling and watching – curious about the foreigner. I get a haircut from Suzette – after being taken back to get my hair washed. She and another girl comes back lounging on the chair next to me – asking those oh so familiar questions by now – How old are you? Where are you from? Are you married? Do you have children?– yes one son etc. And we go on to have a general conversation about my life – A few other questions from the group – and I tell them it’s unreal to get a haircut for less than one dollar in the states – they can’t believe it is anywhere from $15 at a place like Hair Cuttery to $50 or more. Of course given income in the Philippines I can see why they think this is outrageous. She does a decent job, a little short, but the shape is right and it feels lots better. I survive my first haircut on this other ‘planet’

The place has free wifi so after my cut I crank up the laptop and of course the stylists want to see a picture of my son – and then they huddle around wanting to see all my other pictures on my laptop – I show them my PC site and a few of my house – I don’t have much else on this laptop. And then a few remain with me as I check my e-mail and my facebook – and I get to share who is posting things on FB and telling them about my friends back in the states. What a hoot- I’m actually getting used to this no privacy thing – it was kind of fun to experience their curiosity and utter comfort with just checking out my life. Soon enough it gets busy and they head off to cut other heads for 38 pesos and I am thinking this kind of thing would never, never happen in the states and if it did most Americans would be totally freaked out – but I enjoy every minute of it – I finally leave saying good bye as if to a group of new friends – and they encourage me to come back when I need my next haircut and I promise I’ll have some other new pictures to share.

Pension

WOW.. I got my first VRS (Virginia Retirement System) retirement check on Wednesday August 1 – seems really wild – and surreal - all those 18 years at Chesterfield and VCU - and being part of the state retirement system are paying off – I think it will settle in more as it keeps coming – but I am really grateful for this reality – it’s making my adventure, my service, my experience in the Philippines possible. Hurray for retirement checks!!!

Typhoon winds

Ok so how stupid was this - I kept joking around with folks oh I'd be interested in experiencing one of those Typhoons they talk about are so common in the Bicol area - I change my mind. We have had days of amazing winds - trees bending, wind whistling - keep thinking the house with Dorothy is going to crash down on us any minute. We have not had as much rain as some areas - but in some part of the Philippines 8 people died with this Typhoon - one had a coconut tree fall on him. Imagine that. So never mind I don't want to experience any more of the intensity of typhoons in the Philippines. This taste has been enough.

Link to photo album - Philippines photos June-July

You are invited to view Janett's photo album: Janett's Grand Philippines Adventure

Philippines Adventure
June - July 2012
by Janett
View Album


A few photos from the first month or so in the Philippines

Foreigner in a foreign land

Consider the reality of being the only American in any number of situations for weeks on end. I can tell you it is sure interesting – I sit on a jeepney, in church, I go shopping at the local market – everywhere I am the one foreigner. Mostly I don’t think a lot about it –but on occasion I have the startling wake up call and I am reminded. One of the most interesting ways I am reminded of my minority status is when I am around children. When I leave the center and walk the ½ mile or so to the road I am often followed by young giggling children. They huddle together staring at me and most often ask what is your name? Or I walk past a group of children and they stop what they are doing and stare at me – I mean real hearty stares – but that is usually followed by me smiling and saying good morning or hello or something – and then they huddle together and giggle more and say hello back in this sing song kind of way. It is actually a lovely little exchange and I find it fun to smile at them and say hello – even knowing the reaction. Perhaps they don’t see many Americans – or foreigners – and I imagine I could find it unsettling or annoying – but mostly these interactions make me smile and feel joyous. I love to take the moment and say hello back and laugh with them – or say my name is Janett – as they huddle and giggle following me down the street.

I am in a small town and there are very few Americans here – maybe a hand full at any given time and most often I can spend a day in town and never see another – so I am quite aware of how much I stick out. I went to a mass today and was aware of the reality that of the hundreds of folks in the church I was the one –foreigner. Of course this ‘otherness’ has meant lots of adjusting to differences for me – and daily reminders of how privileged I am as an American but mostly I feel grateful to be able to witness the lives of these lovely people and to be allowed to be a part of their daily lives.

The other way this plays out is actually also kind of pleasant. I obviously am different – I don’t at all look Filipino – so it’s not like I can hide my American-ness. But total strangers will come up to me and say hello and ask me personal questions. I go to the bakery to get bread and the sweet young woman smiling asks me what I am doing here? Where am I from? – and seems to find great pleasure in the simple story that I am volunteering here for 6 months. This kind of think happens all the time. Like today on the jeepney home a nice older women came across the seat to greet me – she introduced herself and asked me where I was from and then proceeded to share with me her joy at just having been to the wedding yesterday of her oldest son. She held my hand and looked happily into my face and said how nice it was to meet me. And last night on the way home in another jeepney a man asked me where I am from and again I told him as most of the jeepney full of people listened on that I was a Peace Corps volunteer staying at the Drug Rehab program for 6 months. The great part of this and what seems so typical of Filipinos in the pouring rain I couldn’t see out the plastic windows very well – they pull down the sides in the rain- but he made sure the driver knew to stop at my road –and then announced “this is your stop.” He was taking care of me to make sure I got off at the right place. Pretty cool huh?

So being a foreigner in a foreign land is an infinitely humbling experience and in the Philippines it is an especially joy filled one.

40 days and 40 nights

Another week or so has gone by I can see how the time slips away as I’ve already been in the Philippines almost 6 weeks. I’m beginning to find a comfort level and the sharp differences I noticed early on are now more familiar and becoming even of my own routines. The pace is still a little slow for me, but I really wanted to shift down a few notches anyway given I am now ‘retired’. One thing I still don’t like though is squeezing in those trikes (motorcycles with side cars) but it is the main way to get around. I wait for jeepneys if I can, but since I’m in a small town things close up kind of early and transport options diminish. We have had a lot of rain over the past week or so – they call it a low pressure system here (the pre-cursor to a typhoon I think) but apparently compared to the weather and heat back east in the U.S. I am actually doing pretty well here. The humidity even seems a lot more bearable than it can be in Richmond in the summer.

Recently fifty High School students and their teachers from 8 surrounding communities came to the center to participate in a drug awareness event. The UN and Dangerous Drug Board proclaims 26th of June as a date recognized as the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” This year’s focus was on health. The slogan was: ‘Kalusugan ay Kayamanan, Droga’ y Iwasan! So as part of this MTRC sponsored an Infomercial script writing and radio broadcasting challenge on July 18 and I got to be one of the judges. The students organized in teams and came up with some very creative messages and delivered them quite effectively – they clearly seemed to get the message about the dangers of drug use. Of course the cash prizes were a nice incentive too. We had a lot of fun with some props that allowed everyone to put on wigs and hats and take pictures. Many are posted on the Malinao Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Face Book page – check it out and like if you’re interested.

This past weekend I decided to go explore an area called Naga about 81. Km (50 miles) away. This meant finding a van in Tabaco and waiting for about an hour for enough people to come by to fill up the seats – then you leave. So much for a schedule huh? Two hours later I arrive to another bustling small town. The street life in the Philippines is amazing, filled with sounds and people and activity. It’s hard to capture or relay what this feels like. I also realized how compact things are – and this is likely because the towns are not set up for driving – everything is condensed into like a 10 or 20 block areas because people here don’t have private cars so they walk to the market and to shop. I had a chance to enjoy some good food (they have a Pizza Hut in this town) and a movie for about $3.00. Of course I am aware the chance to skip away for the weekend and stay in a hotel with hot water showers and internet ($16 a night) is a real luxury for many Philippines’ – something they wouldn’t be able to afford to do. A few of the staff at my site said they have only been to Naga once or twice ever – and it is 50 miles away.

A permanent position admin job was recently posted at my site. Most of the staff here has contract jobs – one year to the next with no job security. So from this discussion I am learning income in this area may be in the $200 to $450 a month range with the top range being unusual. Staff at my site earn probably between 9,000 to 13,000 pesos a month = around $210 to $300 a month and this is with college degrees. So this helps me understand more why so many things in the stores come in small packages and the necessity of some of their purchases such as powdered milk vs. real milk and processed cheese vs. ‘real’ cheese. Filipinos buy what they need each week – such as a small packet of washing soap, a small packet of crackers, or one roll of toilet paper at a time. When you don’t have a lot of money you can’t stock up the same way Americans do – buying in bulk. I am constantly reminded with these kinds of discussions and learning’s how much we have in the states and how little we really appreciate all our privilege.

I do miss my walks at the Cliffs and the daily chance to take in nature and feel its restorative energy, but I recently found a little place to escape at the center – a rooftop view of Mayon volcano and the surrounding area from above the palm trees. I’ve been going up to get a fresh breeze and a feeling of being connected to nature. Remember I’m in a closed in compound with 9’ walls and guards 24/7 and 35 pairs of eyes watching me all the time – so this little escape allows me a private chance to breathe in the air and relax. “…..I rest in the grace of the world and am free” Wendell Berry

Weekend in the Philippines

Even here I love weekends – a chance to start out slow, do something different and to explore. Saturday I took a bus (35 pesos = about 80 cents) the 18 miles into Legaspi. I imagine the locals find this boring, it’s like 1 ½ hour trip, but for me it was great fun – with big open bus windows – we drove though lots of small barangay’s (towns) past rice fields and lava fields, with views of Mayon Volcano at a variety of angles and glimpses of the water and mountains in the distance. Legaspi is the nearest large town – it is where I flew into the airport on June 29, but this was a chance to spend a little time there. Legaspi has two distinct parts the old town with City Hall and the new town area with a mall, cinema, small businesses and markets. I spent the day with Dr Tess and she drove me around starting with a trip just to the outskirts of town to an area called Daraga where we had a lovely lunch in an old restored home filled with natural wood and artifacts. We then went to an area along the Albay Gulf called Embarcadero which is a revitalized port area with shops, a grocery store and zip lines across the gulf to seduce both locals and tourists to take that step off into thin air. Nice day and fun to see something new.

Sunday got up early to join a few PCV’s at the 3K & 5 K race – a fundraiser for Children’s International Hospital. Things started at 5:30 in the morning – which I thought was ridiculously early until one realizes how hot it gets in the morning as the sun comes up. It was great to walk though town and to have a chance to talk to some of the other locals along the route. Given I had such an early start a few hours later I went back to the center and took a 3 hour nap. I love Sunday’s – only thing missing was the Sunday newspaper. So now I’ve got the bug and hope to start taking more trips on the weekends to explore the surrounding areas of Albay.

Meanwhile back to the ‘work’ week – the good thing is stuff is picking up and I can see where my project fits in a little more and am beginning to be asked to do things – like social work staff asking me to develop a seminar on counseling and case management and help with developing forms for their case files. So patience pays off ….

Looking to the differences and trying to enjoy them

Cultural differences - which is which???

Being - Doing

Emphasis on relationships - Emphasis on achievement

Risks are inherently unsettling because -Risk taking – experimentation
they involve the unknown

work as a functional necessity - work as part of identity

Fork and spoon - fork, spoon & knife

Rice 3 xx a day - rice occasionally

Yes means maybe - yes means yes

Indirect communication - direct communication

Communal – greater good - Privacy

Collective - Individualism

Harmony - Results

Differences in concept of time - Differences in concept of time

5 meals a day - 3 meals & snacks

Hierarchy - Egalitarianism
emphasizing distinctions between boss and
subordinates is the norm

Saving vs. losing face - directness at any cost

Family is center of social structure - “I” is center of everything

Respect for elders - ageism – age is not highly valued

Hospitable to guests – offering the best - Casual & informal (help yourself to…

Formality assures order - don’t stand on ceremony

Stability is sought and provided for; - New is better
change is threatening

Transportaton Trikes in Tabaco - imagine 6 people and the driver on this.

Tabaco City Saturday Shopping with Analyn & Owen - new friends

Week one at my site

Week one is wrapping up at my site – at this point lots of observing and getting a feel for things. I join the rest of the staff in all their activities and participated in a staff meeting. I’m also ‘working’ from 8 am till 5 pm – with prompt breaks for lunch at noon. The Malinao Treatment & Rehabilitation Center (MTRC) is a residential program and has about 40 male residents. They use a Therapeutic Community (TC) model here. Drugs of choice in the Philippines are alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine commonly known as "shabu" the drug is considered “the poor man’s cocaine” although apparently prices are going higher. Lots to learn about the program and refreshing on my old days and knowledge from working in a CSB drug treatment program. Started outlining my work plan and project related tasks and goals, but things here go slower and I expect it to be a few more weeks before the project is more clearly defined.

Most interesting has been my visits to the nearest town – Tabaco – which is about 6 miles away. One travels around here via trike a motorcycle with a side car – generally fits 6 people – 3 in the side car and 3 on the motorcycle (sitting side saddle) and the driver – who sits up on the gas tank – UGH. oh yeah the drivers often have no shoes on… YIKES…the ride is about 20 minutes to Tabaco. Town seems to be one main street with a LCC mall which has several floors of goods with the first floor being groceries. Across the street is what they call a wet market – outside venders with all kinds of fruit and vegetables. I bought pineapple for 15 pesos (maybe about 10 cents and a watermelon for 60 pesos – about $1.25. There are no McDonalds in this small town, but the Philippines have something comparable called Jollibee. Food remains a challenge for a vegetarian – and I hope to come up with some more sources of protein, eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches thus far. They have few dairy products here no milk, really no cheese, I do think I saw some yogurt and they have tofu. I found some kidney beans and they have a local mongo bean – just need to learn how to cook it.

I have been texting with some of the area PC volunteers, one works in Tabaco City and two in Legaspi (about 25 miles away) and of few others I connected with in Manila. Had an offer to go with a group heading up to Daet – a northern island of Bicol for the weekend – but decided it was too soon and the idea of 5-6 hour bus ride isn’t very appealing to me right now. I do look forward though to exploring things around this southern section of the Island of Luzon and to connecting with PCV’s. Next weekend is a 3 or 5K fun run in Tabaco – a fundraiser I believe for the Children’s International program a PCV is working with. So I hope to join them – probably walk, but it will be fun to participate.

As in any experience of truly living and learning a new culture there are challenges – everything is different – so adjustment can be a little bumpy and letting go of some of my American ways is both a challenge and a relief. I am learning to slow down and let go of so many expectations, it’s a wonderful opportunity to practice really being in the moment.

Shopping excursion 7-2-12

So I am learning about patience even more and about being cared for and protected by my hosts. I got to hang around the center from Friday to Monday evening – as travel alone to the small town was discouraged right off. I also think my introverted ‘do things on my own’ style isn’t going to work so well here. I am not likely going to get to do a lot of things alone. Filipinos are a communal people – so doing things together is the norm. And they want to do everything for me – which is hard – I feel like I am imposing, but they seem to genuinely want to do stuff for me to assure I am comfortable and have everything I need.

I was happy I got to leave the center on Monday evening for an excursion to Tabaco City – about 20 minutes away by trike (a motorcycle with a side car). Amazingly this small enough transport fits 6 passengers and the driver – and apparently in the morning on the way to school even more kids pile on. The cost is about 30 pesos. I was accompanied by an entourage of staff eager and happy that we waited till after 5 pm to make the trip so they could all join me. Quite fun being escorted up to the 3rd floor of the small department store to the households section and receiving recommendations on a pot and pan and the few other settling in items I wanted to purchase. Of course none of the gals cook – so they really had no idea what pot was best – but encouraged my decisions towards one brand over the other. They also helped at the grocery store and again I am guided to sections for different things I am looking for and one person pushes the cart, the other gets my produce items weighed etc.- they even carry my packages. I have a feeling I’m going to be really spoiled by the time I leave the Philippines.

Everything still remains new and interesting – so much more to see and learn – the days are filled with both a calm easy pace and the ongoing adjustment to new things. More to come…

Welcome Program at my site

Arrival in Malinao proved a lovely experience.A short one hour flight from Manila to Legaspi - then about a 45 minute drive to my site. Staff and residents of the MTRC organized a program of singing, dancing and flowers for my arrival. A large banner was hung on the entrance door and the welcome of smiles and excitement filled the day. I am settling in - my room is wonderful and they went to a lot of trouble to make things very nice for me. It is large and has everything I will need including a refrigerator, water cooler, closets, my own bathroom and even a TV - wow. Bucket baths will be the mode of operations, but that's ok. I have a lovely view from outside the front of the building of Mayon Volcano. I can't wait to explore the area - I am very close to Tabaco City and that will likely be the center of my weekend activity. Internet is very slow in this rural area around the center. So updates/photos and contact will be more challenging than I expected. But I'll find a way. The first weeks are suppose to be observation and getting to know folks and my project. So I am also learning to slow down which is good for me.

Alien Registration

So I got to hang out at the Immigration office yesterday - this was fun. Especially the fingerprinting part. The not so happy guy doing it kept bending my fingers telling me to loosen up.. yeah you are bending them off and all this black goop is on them. But alas I am now 'legal' and alien ...

"Americans who plan to stay in the Philippines for 30 days or more are required to register with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and be fingerprinted."

Night view of Manila City from 27th Floor of Sky Lounge

Jeepney = Philippines public transportation

Cultural lessons of the week

Riding Jeepneys is an interesting way to get to the office. The local way of getting around and the ultimate Philippine icon – jeeps cannibalized from vehicles left behind by departing Americans at the end of World War II –have evolved to individualized ‘confections’ painted and adorned with decorations and nick names, hung with lights, and displaying cheap speakers blaring loud disco music. A ride to the office is 8 pesos (about 20 cents) – you hop on anywhere after reading the sign in the front window indicating its destination and you get off by tapping on the roof to indicate your stop. The drivers skillfully navigate the maze of traffic in Manila weaving in and out of buses as you bump toward your stop.

Electricity in the Philippines is 220 volts – oh so that is different isn’t it? Plugging my much loved hot pot in for morning tea resulted in one morning of hot water for tea and then a fizzle and pop sound that meant I had burnt out the elements of my electric appliance. Oh yeah, just because the plug and socket matches doesn’t mean you can use it safely. So now I have learned many US appliances need an adapter that helps to regulate the voltage and the hunt is on for a new hot pot. Thank goodness apparently newer laptops have a mechanism for adjusting voltage themselves.

Comfort rooms – or Where is the CR is the Philippine equivalent of US rest rooms come with a few differences, one somewhat familiar – bring your own toilet paper, throw it in the basket – but the new thing is a plastic pot that women use to clean themselves. I am still awaiting a lesson on how one does this – I can only envision trying to throw the water up towards ones private parts making a mess of oneself and the bathroom. My language teacher promised to show me how to navigate this local custom.

Eating is an art form here and five meals a day is common with two of them called merienda – snacks. So mid morning and mid afternoon we are off for our merienda. Thus far it seems everything contains some kind of meat, pork, fish or chicken –tough being a vegetarian here. And coffee is commonly found as instant – I was initially asked if I wanted some 3 in 1 - some what? It’s instant coffee in small packet which already contains the milk and sugar. They do have Starbucks and my favorite Dunkin Donuts in Manila so there is hope.

Taking showers two and three times a day is common including changing one’s clothes to go out after each. Well with all the heat and humidity and city smog seems to make some sense to me. Personal hygiene is very important to Filipinos. Americans are seen as kind of dirty in this way – and not shaving underarms is definitely a yuk!

Suggestions for my first weeks or month at my site strongly recommend avoid pushing the tasks and deadlines of the project = western work mentality and obsession with getting things done doesn’t work here. Instead say yes to every invitation to an event or a fiesta. The best way to get things done is to first build the trust and relationships. This may entail singing, dancing and just plain making a fool of myself –but this will certainly endear me to my hosts by demonstrating my good nature and willingness to make a fool of myself. Oh this the introvert is going to love huh?

New fun words I am learning in tagalong
Wala (wah-lah) – None/not.
Sige (si-gay) – Okay (although it means a number of other things depending on the context)
Hindi – No (although it is used only in certain context)
OO -yes ( but it sounds like you did something wrong – ut-oh)
Nalilito ako – I’m confused (most of the time)
Nagkakasakit ako – as in me eating meat makes me sick – I’m hoping to use this to explain my being a vegetarian

May tokwa ba kayo? Do you have any tofu


Many cultural lessons ahead I am sure – it’s great fun to learn and be open to a new culture and to have the chance to reflect on what being an American means in another country ….

Settling into Manila & Peace Corps orientation

Monday morning started orientation – and it was a full day – meeting people at the PC office, finding out who does what, getting a sense of the space which includes a nice volunteer office with computers a library, private spaces to Skype and the first of 5 medical training sessions, a trip to the Philippines National volunteer center for an overview and signing some more papers. Orientation is a little slow and basic – and though I understand they spent considerable time developing the plan for the 2 weeks – there are things days away that I would have really liked to know earlier and logistical stuff that seems to be coming in a slow stream vs. having a chance to really get my questions answered right up front. I am sure though in the end I’ll be glad to have the background and will have had the time and luxury to focus on learning the ropes before I have to get to ‘work’. The orientation days are a mix of sessions on safety and security, medical issues and general logistical stuff for functioning in the bureaucracy of PC. Started Tagalog language sessions yesterday – kind of fun – but of course I worry I will not remember any of it and am as most folks learning a language self –conscious about saying it wrong. Manila itself is a kind of strange mix – at first it is intimidating, noisy, smog filled, and unkempt with appalling traffic. One sees the juxtaposition of high rise buildings, fancy hotels and mansions across from shantytowns built along railroad tracks. You see poor people likely from the provinces squatting probably illegally on some spare scrap of land amidst a clear fight for space intensified by the city’s apparent insatiable appetite for shopping malls – they are everywhere including a gigantic Mall of Asia bigger than many we have in the states. The nightlife and ‘red light’ district a few blocks away reveals a bustling economy of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Apparently a favorite hotel is the SOGO – so good, so clean – which has a thriving hourly business. The weather thus far has been cloudy and mostly bearable. We’ve had nights with wonderful breezes, probably the remnants of the recent typhoon that traveled through – one of many expected for this wet season. I haven’t seen much sun yet, although days don’t always have rain – just a mix of clouds and smog. So though I’ve had glimpses of the humidity – it’s much better than I expected and was prepared for so far. I’m kind of eager to get to my site – I really am curious about what it will be like and how different from Manila it will be. Seems it will be much more rural – which I will like and yet I’ll have a couple of towns – one about 3 miles away and the other maybe 20 miles away. Word is I’ll be able to take buses or van type transportation to get to them and I am on the coast – so the Philippine Sea and oceans should be visible from nearby. I leave Manila on Friday June 29 – a short flight to Legaspi and the program director will pick me up and we drive to Malinao. I’ll probably spend that day with her just getting some orientation and then hopefully I’ll have the weekend to get myself settled in to my room and to find my way around – go to the grocery store there etc. It all feels quite unreal still at this point and the reality of 6 months is mostly illusive. I remain excited, curious and optimistic. I’m sure they’ll be some bumps and challenges ahead but for now just taking it a day at a time and enjoying taking in all the newness and the absorbing that I am actually living one of my dreams – pretty cool.

Departure Count Down

Well it is finally happening. I am leaving for the Peace Corps and 6 months of service in Philippines. My flight is June 15 - 2012 In one way it seems it took forever to get here. And in another it is all working out perfectly. I actually looked back and realized I submitted my original application to the regular Peace Corps program in December 2010 – talk about a process and a ton of paperwork. Delays included a medical deferral having to wait the 6 months for another mammogram result. (They didn’t like what they saw on the first one) Things shifted in February 2012 when I submitted my application for the new Peace Corps Response program – that has gone a little quicker – but still had its bumps – phone interview and invitation in March with a leave date suggested as early May. My last day at work was May 4 – expected to leave on May 18 – even had a ticket and an itinerary – then 2 days later I was told my departure was delayed until June 15 so I could travel with another PCRV. As of June 6 after my return from 10 days in Guatemala I had no details – So I contacted my recruiter in DC and things have moved smoothly since then. I even had a conference call with the recruiter and ‘Milo’ the Philippines Response Program Coordinator yesterday. The person I was going to travel with is ending up not going at this time – she has a medical deferral – so I am going solo, but expect I will be meeting up with other Peace Corps folks once I arrive. I am even going to get to go to a couple sites during my orientation to meet up with some folks already doing projects. My Visa was one last piece that needed to come in – and looks like that will be picked up tomorrow and mailed overnight to me on Thursday. I also found out this week that I am only the second – yes second person to be assigned to a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) assignment. The other is a 73 year old woman who is working in Jamaica since May – so nothing like making history while I’m at it – or is it being a guinea pig for the Federal Government? I’ll let you know in 6 months which I think it ended up being. (http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=2023) So now that it is really happening I am still excited, a little more anxious with the reality settling in and all the things one has to do to unravel one’s life for being away for 6 months, but given I’ve actually had like 2 months to be getting ready I am feeling pretty good about it at this point. Leaving the house and my world at the Cliffs feels a little hard – but its part of the deal for doing this. A friend is going to be staying at the house – so basically things are covered. I’ve loved, loved, loved being ‘retired’ – it’s a major stress lifted off your shoulders and the weather has been lovely in Richmond. So I did a number of projects around the house, visited with friends and got myself organized to leave – but it’s been great to stay up late, sleep late, be totally unaware of time – do just what I feel like doing. Of course I knew there was an end to it – because I imagine endless do nothing would get to me after awhile – but it’s been GREAT while it lasted. So the adventure begins… I’ll keep you posted - more to come….

Departure: June 15 - 2012 Richmond - Newark - Hong Kong - Manila. Yikes 24 hours for flying and somewhere over Alaska I lose a day. 12 hours difference in the Philippines. I spend 2 weeks in Manila for orientation and then I am off to my assignment for 6 months in the Philippines a small area called Malinao, Albay. "Peace Corps Response provides qualified professionals the opportunity to serve in rewarding, short-term assignments, in various programs around the world. Peace Corps Response is different from the traditional 27-month Peace Corps program in that assignments are highly technical, and are shorter term placements—three months to one year—in specific countries.” more to come....