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