A little touch of Asia

Hey all
I hope all is well with everyone back at home. I arrived safely to the humidity and heat of the Philippines a little over 2 weeks ago. Good flight and caught up on some movies that I had missed. Good ol' Singapore Airlines!
May and her cousin met me at the airport and then went back to her uncle and aunts place an area of Manila, Marikina. Their house was wonderful; I had my own room and bathroom while her family that arrived later that night were all sharing rooms. Right away, Filipinos were living up to their incredible hospitility that I was told about. Saw lots of Manila - her aunt and son showed us around. We were really lucky to have all of our meals prepared and have drivers to go everywhere (and with AC). Went up to Tagatay, a gorgeous place where there was a volcano crater with water all around. Had lunch looking out onto it. Had lots of traditional Filipino meals - rice with everything, so much seafood, pig feet, ox tail, and an endless selection of fruit. Fresh mango and pineapple with almost every meal. So delicious.

We made our way out to Boracay for 4 days after 4 days in Manila. Was excited to go since two good friends lived and worked there for a year or so. After arriving, we found the place that Mrs. Diaz, May's mother, had reserved. Turned out to be fairly lackluster. We quickly found another place that was cozy - our own kitchen area, two big rooms with mattresses on the groun to accomodate us 5 (May, her mum, John and Mark - her bros, and me...I know, intruding in the family time!). Mrs. Diaz cooked often - crab the first night from the fish market nearby, pork chops another time, and always rice. So delicious though.. One day we rented a boat for an island tour..tried catching fish using fishing wire wrapped around a bottle acting as your spool, 2 hooks and shrimp as bait. Didn't catch anything but Marky caught a little guy. Then went snorkling on the other side of the island. First time - was fantastic. Awesome to see the fish - had them eating the bread out of our hands (Mrs. Diaz was mad because we brought the bag of cupcakes instead of the bad bread that she had bought ... oops! At least the fish enjoyed it!!) Then arrived on an island where we had bought a big fish and prawns and they prepared it for us. We toured around the tiny island, found the caves to visit and played around lots. May lost her sandals in the water and yours truly had to swim and get them, after waiting until the floated around to the beach..the things I do for that girl! Went home early because Mrs. Diaz wasn't feeling too good and we were pretty tired. Saw a great sunset, played around, went for some drinks and caught a band playing some tunes on the beach. The next day was pretty relaxed, went on a flying fish at night and played on the beach again during the sunset. Had a good dinner then went to Coco Mangas, where my friends Scotty and Kaelan worked. Danced and had a few drinks.

(Wow, this is going to take a while to update you guys..just to let you know, there is another week to fill you in on so you can stop reading and come back again sometime..)

Back to Manila to be pampered at her Aunts and Uncle's house. Then we were off to the province of Becal where her parents grew up in a tiny fishing village called Bagamanoc. After an hour plane ride, 2 hour 4x4 ride through the hills, we arrived on the coast. Such a cute town - was amazing to see people living 10 people in 2 rooms, content cleaning themselves in the street, and smiles all around. Was the only white guy for miles and was even the first white guy for a lot of people, especially a few of May's cute little cousins who were amazed at how my nose wasn't flat at the bridge, between the eyes. They were mesmorized for a bit while meeting me. I learned some Tagalog here and there, but May's extended family was incredible. So kind, always welcoming me. The people here were incredible - send someone out to get drinks and snacksas soon as we arrived, always hospitable. Amazing. Awesome to meet all of May's family - her mom's cousins, aunts and uncles who, 3rd and 4th cousins of May, her grandparents - such good times. Last Friday was the 60th anniversary for her dad's parents - a little ceremony and then a party. Nothing like karaoke, drinking and eating during the middle of the day in Bagamanoc. So fun. I even had a traditional barong compliments of the Diaz family who wanted this white guy to dress up so he didn't stand out too much (forget about the fact that I was the first white guy that some of these people had ever seen..) Amazing feeling that was - never had been in the position/scenario. Incredible how welcoming everyone was though - never a hint of racism except from the constant ribbing as the only white guy from May's family! jerks... Again, great food, shared a room with May and her two brothers. A few times there were water shortages so we had to use a bucket and a scooper and "dabo" - poor the water on top and clean ourselves that way. I was so proud - got through once while only using one bucket full!! Not even May and her brothers could do that! As if they're Filipinos! Couldn't swim too much because of the jellyfish in the water during the day but we did play at night one time as the sun was going down then showered in the streets. So awesome. What else..saw a cock fight (well four of them), karaoked lots, ate tons, drank a bit, played cards (learned a new Filipino game), sang Karaoke, ate, visited lots of people, experienced a few blackouts every day (they call them brown outs here..kind of humourous), karaoked...they love it there I tell ya! May's cousins were so great - good times playing basketball with the boys, hanging with everyone at the Feria (just little carnival games they had)...so fun. Definitely a super great time...had a blast.

Am now in Singapore, visiting Luke and Dalia. Will head back to Frankfurt this Friday and hang there for a few days, try to meet up with some people in Switzerland and Freiburg (lower Germany) then who knows.....

TAke care all
AT