Road Crews
Unlike ours in America the workers I have seen are wearing nothing special just every day clothes. Some who are pouring or mixing the cement are barefoot.
Hotel rooms
What we consider basic rooms in America would almost be considered luxuries here. Go Hotels in Manila was clean but lacking and little did I know it would be one of the nicer rooms. Towels are few, shampoo and soap very very small, tv's are very basic, showers and and toilets that flush are not considered to be needed.
Dumb Question
Ruth ordered us pork barbeque. I said what will we get to eat with it. Answer: rice. Duh.
Toilet n shower dilemma .
Restrooms and toilets are not like home. A lot of public toilets you have to pay, toilet paper is extra money. Never did find out how much per wipe.
In Manila they have public urinals that barely shelter the male. I think its classless to see men using them along the strret
Paper towels don't exist either, forget about even trying to find them.
Toilets as well as showers use the pot method. The shower is a tiled or brick stall with a outside type spicket. Under it a large trash can or bucket. To shower you soap up and pour water over you. To flush the toilet you just grab a pot of water and pour it in. Every shower/toilet has the same looking plastic pot to pour the water.
Toilet seats, NOPE! I didn't catch on how to squat over a seatless toilet so didn't even bother trying. If I had to use the toilet held it until I could find one with a seat.
My quest to find a toilet.
We left Dakak rersort about 11, by noon I had to use the toilet. We didn't check in the Dipitan airport yet so couldn't use it. While waiting Ruth took me to the post office to mail some things. The post office was on break, a note saying will return at 1 pm. Ruth said they have a toilet. I went in and immediately left. No toilet seat, hardly any running water in the sink, it looked horrible. Made it back to the airport, checked in and headed for the toilet. No seat and filthy.. Boarded the plane and forgot about using the toilet on the short flight. Landed and headed to the mall. No toilet. Went about a 45 minute drive to a much nicer mall. It was huge, 3 floors. Finally found the restroom. Went in and no toilet seats. Ruth insisted we keep looking, I said I will ignore it till we get to the Cebu airport. Ruth persisted so we tried different restaurants in the mall. No luck, none had toilets. Finally passed by Maxx’s restaurant. In the far back of the restaurant a sign – RESTROOMS. I said lets get a table and order coffee. Told Ruth be right back. I couldn't believe it a clean restroom with a toilet seat. But OH NO, no toilet paper. I just about sh.....shouted. Fortunately a worker walked by and he quickly gave me a roll. What relief. Took my seat and ordered coffee. Sorry sir we are out. Sometimes you just can't win.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Dakak
Running behind with my updates but its so hard to keep up with all that I am doing and seeing.
I said I have seen the worse life has to offer, well 2 days ago I entered some of the best life has to offer. After about an hour ride from the Dipolog airport we arrived in Dakak Resort, Google it,.
The view from the check in/dining area of Dakak is breath taking. To think just a few short hours ago we were in the MADNESS of Manila. Life is amazing the extremes.
The cottages we stayed in were so beautiful and inviting. Bamboo and log, inside bamboo, wicker furniture, ornate green bed spreads and clean. Outside, manicured lawns and 3 different pools, a couple of bars and a small bowling alley.
The menu was very good. Ruth ordered us a lunch the first day of a seafood basket (shrimp – squid – tanguigui fish filet), pancit and pork humba. The breakfast bar was excellent. Fruits, different juices, pork tocino, chicken adobo, and some American foods.
The beach had white sand. The water was very relaxing and warm. Unfortunately the typhoon from a few days ago made a mess. The water usually clear was littered with junk. We thought it was unsafe so we didn't stay long.
Later about 8 pm they took us on a tour bus to Fantasy Land about an hour drive. Again I was in awe of the driving. How a HUGE bus could navigate roads that were narrow, winding and not paved in places is beyond me
Fanatasy Land was cute. A small family amusement park. Outside the main gate was a small square with a few bars, places to eat, some small boutiques and a cock fighting ring! I thought Ruth was joking. Inside the gate - Fantasy Land, outside the gate - brutal reality. Just trying to understand how the children take to this.
Outside of the cock ring were contestants holding their prized roosters. Some were crowing, others looking bewildered .
Inside the ring were wild loud cheers and yelling. The yelling doesn’t last long. Either short rounds, or the losing cock dies quickly. I took a few photos and scanned the outside scene with my vid camera. One guy was holding his dead rooster trying to remove the tag from its leg. He gave me the bad eye so I quit filming. Ruth doesn't like it but she said they all do it, even police place bets and watch. Brutal.
Back inside of Fantasy Land Christmas tunes blaring, Ruth and I rode a few rides. It was fun. I bought a donut then boarded the bouncing tour bus back to Dakak.
I said I have seen the worse life has to offer, well 2 days ago I entered some of the best life has to offer. After about an hour ride from the Dipolog airport we arrived in Dakak Resort, Google it,.
The view from the check in/dining area of Dakak is breath taking. To think just a few short hours ago we were in the MADNESS of Manila. Life is amazing the extremes.
The cottages we stayed in were so beautiful and inviting. Bamboo and log, inside bamboo, wicker furniture, ornate green bed spreads and clean. Outside, manicured lawns and 3 different pools, a couple of bars and a small bowling alley.
The menu was very good. Ruth ordered us a lunch the first day of a seafood basket (shrimp – squid – tanguigui fish filet), pancit and pork humba. The breakfast bar was excellent. Fruits, different juices, pork tocino, chicken adobo, and some American foods.
The beach had white sand. The water was very relaxing and warm. Unfortunately the typhoon from a few days ago made a mess. The water usually clear was littered with junk. We thought it was unsafe so we didn't stay long.
Later about 8 pm they took us on a tour bus to Fantasy Land about an hour drive. Again I was in awe of the driving. How a HUGE bus could navigate roads that were narrow, winding and not paved in places is beyond me
Fanatasy Land was cute. A small family amusement park. Outside the main gate was a small square with a few bars, places to eat, some small boutiques and a cock fighting ring! I thought Ruth was joking. Inside the gate - Fantasy Land, outside the gate - brutal reality. Just trying to understand how the children take to this.
Outside of the cock ring were contestants holding their prized roosters. Some were crowing, others looking bewildered .
Inside the ring were wild loud cheers and yelling. The yelling doesn’t last long. Either short rounds, or the losing cock dies quickly. I took a few photos and scanned the outside scene with my vid camera. One guy was holding his dead rooster trying to remove the tag from its leg. He gave me the bad eye so I quit filming. Ruth doesn't like it but she said they all do it, even police place bets and watch. Brutal.
Back inside of Fantasy Land Christmas tunes blaring, Ruth and I rode a few rides. It was fun. I bought a donut then boarded the bouncing tour bus back to Dakak.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The sleepless night.
The night before I got little sleep staying at the Bates motel in the jungle and now this.
After we left her brothers house in Laguna we took a long bus ride to Bulacan made even longer because of the traffic. Manila's traffic is bad but its almost as crazy miles from the city as well. I never thought we would get out of it. We were driving to Bulacan to stay at Ruths friends house for the night.
Her friend, at least to me it seemed, lives more in the country. I smelled farm animals and the houses seem a bit further apart.
Ruth’s friends were extremely friendly and immediately accepted me into their house. For supper they made pork adobo and another dish, some kind of chicken, and of course rice. The adobo was delicious, the chicken OK.
The family has a little convenience store. You don't come inside you just go up to the window. I sat with the husband and his friend and talked away about everything. I felt right at home.
They gave Ruth and I a room to stay in with no door. (its not the situation you think) Termites got to the door and it was never replaced. We turned in early as we had a plane to catch at 5 am.
Ruth asked are you are going to sleep with no shirt? I said in this heat, yes. I slept under the window. The winds from the tail of the typhoon kept the curtain flapping on me plus I got chilled. I woke and put a shirt on. Well guess what? Ruth was warm and turned on the fan. The one time on this whole trip I was cold, and she wasn't.
Besides the curtain and being chilled, something kept biting me. If that's not bad enough the noise, the nonstop noise, noise and more noise on top of noise. Roosters, an occasional motor bike and dogs barking, dogs squealing, dogs growling.
At one point it got so bad I thought the house was surrounded by troops and there were coming for me.
Ruth woke and I asked what is going on??? Those are guard dogs.
We got up at 4, I hardly slept.
I asked Ruths friend what all the barking was about? She said barking? YES barking and just about nonstop. She said OH we didn't hear it. I thought to myself guard dogs, what good are guard dogs if you sleep through their warning.
After we left her brothers house in Laguna we took a long bus ride to Bulacan made even longer because of the traffic. Manila's traffic is bad but its almost as crazy miles from the city as well. I never thought we would get out of it. We were driving to Bulacan to stay at Ruths friends house for the night.
Her friend, at least to me it seemed, lives more in the country. I smelled farm animals and the houses seem a bit further apart.
Ruth’s friends were extremely friendly and immediately accepted me into their house. For supper they made pork adobo and another dish, some kind of chicken, and of course rice. The adobo was delicious, the chicken OK.
The family has a little convenience store. You don't come inside you just go up to the window. I sat with the husband and his friend and talked away about everything. I felt right at home.
They gave Ruth and I a room to stay in with no door. (its not the situation you think) Termites got to the door and it was never replaced. We turned in early as we had a plane to catch at 5 am.
Ruth asked are you are going to sleep with no shirt? I said in this heat, yes. I slept under the window. The winds from the tail of the typhoon kept the curtain flapping on me plus I got chilled. I woke and put a shirt on. Well guess what? Ruth was warm and turned on the fan. The one time on this whole trip I was cold, and she wasn't.
Besides the curtain and being chilled, something kept biting me. If that's not bad enough the noise, the nonstop noise, noise and more noise on top of noise. Roosters, an occasional motor bike and dogs barking, dogs squealing, dogs growling.
At one point it got so bad I thought the house was surrounded by troops and there were coming for me.
Ruth woke and I asked what is going on??? Those are guard dogs.
We got up at 4, I hardly slept.
I asked Ruths friend what all the barking was about? She said barking? YES barking and just about nonstop. She said OH we didn't hear it. I thought to myself guard dogs, what good are guard dogs if you sleep through their warning.
christmas and stores... did i post this already?? if i did i added to it.
I thought America was rushing the season. Here in the Philippines malls have tree's up, Christmas carols playing at all stores and restaurants, and on the news they give progress reports ONLY 70 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS – 67... 66. It starts in September and ends in January and then its the Chinese New Year so the holidays hang around a long time. Its just weird in a tropical climate to hear about Christmas and its even weirder when you go to an amusement park and its nothing but Christmas carols blaring, Its driving me nuts. Dashing through the snow in a climate of 109 laughing all the way, bells on Jeepneys ring.... HELP!.
The malls here around Manila are madness. Comparing it to the malls in the Cleveland area, its like the Christmas season times 3, that's how crowded they are. A lot of people though just hang out at the mall because its air conditioned. The two malls I went to were just average malls not upscale. They were very clean and nicer than ours. Mall of Asia was HUGE' very nice stores, all kinds of places to eat AND the store employees look like employees not guests of Jerry Springer. I actually felt that the servers and workers cared about their job and handling food. Not at home for sure.
And a store comparable to say maybe K Mart the workers all had their own department and uniform for that department. I bought a shirt off the rack, nothing special maybe 15 US dollars and the lady took it from me. I thought she was bringing it up to the counter instead she comes back and its neatly packed in plastic with a nice bag. That's class and this is from just an average store. Think of America say mid 60's or earlier, that's how the stores are..
The malls here around Manila are madness. Comparing it to the malls in the Cleveland area, its like the Christmas season times 3, that's how crowded they are. A lot of people though just hang out at the mall because its air conditioned. The two malls I went to were just average malls not upscale. They were very clean and nicer than ours. Mall of Asia was HUGE' very nice stores, all kinds of places to eat AND the store employees look like employees not guests of Jerry Springer. I actually felt that the servers and workers cared about their job and handling food. Not at home for sure.
And a store comparable to say maybe K Mart the workers all had their own department and uniform for that department. I bought a shirt off the rack, nothing special maybe 15 US dollars and the lady took it from me. I thought she was bringing it up to the counter instead she comes back and its neatly packed in plastic with a nice bag. That's class and this is from just an average store. Think of America say mid 60's or earlier, that's how the stores are..
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
been busy so read my first day notes
I found Ruth's brother Jun and he took control. Its no wonder that he is a pastor, he shows real leadership. He flagged the taxi he wanted and it was off to the races and I mean off to the races. I was just awed by the madness of driving in Manilla. Jun got us to GoHotels and helped me get settled in the room. He said Ruth will be in 8:30 so will be back then. I showered, set the clock and took a nap, more like went into a coma. Something woke me I checked my clock and it was 12:30, got confused and thought maybe Ruth came already. I found out later that its always 12, my clock is broke. Fell back to sleep woke from a knock. Opened it and a lady said Carey we are here. She sure didn't look like her photo. And then the lady said guess which one is Ruth? I didn’t see at first that there was 2 standing there. Of course I recognized Ruth right away. Gave her a big hug and almost crushed poor petite Ruth. Ruth is so much smaller than her picture shows. She is s=cute.
Quickly got dressed and we went out to eat.
Quickly got dressed and we went out to eat.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
an update from today and last night
all my notes are locked up in my lap top so will write about today and last night
Hey Gang,
I am now in Santa Marie in the province of Bulacan. Where's that? I don't know but its rural and away from anything even remotely related with tourism. In Americano terms, I am in the sticks.
We have been dodging the typhoon for 3 days now, rain and more rain.
We left Ruth's brothers house about 1 pm after another delicious lunch from Ruth's sister in law Cynthia. She made pork sinnigang. We took a trike ride and then about a 2 hour bus drive and then her friend picked us up and drove another 30 minutes and here I am.
I will tell you this, most Americans would never survive here. We have gotten to soft. In fact i don't know if many of my friends could handle this trip. Thats how different it is.
Last night we went to a hot springs resort about 15 minutes from town in Laguna. At one time this resort must of been luxury. Now run down. Its a hot springs resorts that has naturally hot water in the pool. Why in a tropical climate you want hot springs is beyond me.
Anyway.... It was the only place to stay. No water, a tv with 2 chanels, no towels, nothing but a bed, 2 chairs, a table, a sink that drips water to wash your hands and a toilet. I complained about no water in the shower and they laughed, most Filipinos do not have showers. They have a shower stall but they pour water over their head. And its cold, Ruth said you never really get use to it.
So there I was in this resort, very very dimly lit, looked like a jungle setting with rain. Jun, Ruths brother said OK we are leaving now. I said Ruth you are not leaving me here alone. Its one thing to be home and speak the language but in a foreign land with no phone at least... nope, I am not that crazy. She said I wouldn't leave you here.
So I put in my pocket the only weapon I could find, a fork. We went to the office to complain about a few things. Nothing could really be done. But once i got acclimated I was fine. We went for a dip in the the hot pool, all alone. Very beautiful and romantic.
Went back to our room and the the rain hit and hard. The lights went off and just like in the movies a knock on the door. I grabbed my fork and told Ruth don't answer it. I have no clue what he wanted. But he left. the lights went on and off all night.
I think I found my partner in crime, Ruth handled everything in stride, no panics or complaints.
Most would of died from fright. Thats how eery it was. What a fun experience.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey
Hey Gang,
I am now in Santa Marie in the province of Bulacan. Where's that? I don't know but its rural and away from anything even remotely related with tourism. In Americano terms, I am in the sticks.
We have been dodging the typhoon for 3 days now, rain and more rain.
We left Ruth's brothers house about 1 pm after another delicious lunch from Ruth's sister in law Cynthia. She made pork sinnigang. We took a trike ride and then about a 2 hour bus drive and then her friend picked us up and drove another 30 minutes and here I am.
I will tell you this, most Americans would never survive here. We have gotten to soft. In fact i don't know if many of my friends could handle this trip. Thats how different it is.
Last night we went to a hot springs resort about 15 minutes from town in Laguna. At one time this resort must of been luxury. Now run down. Its a hot springs resorts that has naturally hot water in the pool. Why in a tropical climate you want hot springs is beyond me.
Anyway.... It was the only place to stay. No water, a tv with 2 chanels, no towels, nothing but a bed, 2 chairs, a table, a sink that drips water to wash your hands and a toilet. I complained about no water in the shower and they laughed, most Filipinos do not have showers. They have a shower stall but they pour water over their head. And its cold, Ruth said you never really get use to it.
So there I was in this resort, very very dimly lit, looked like a jungle setting with rain. Jun, Ruths brother said OK we are leaving now. I said Ruth you are not leaving me here alone. Its one thing to be home and speak the language but in a foreign land with no phone at least... nope, I am not that crazy. She said I wouldn't leave you here.
So I put in my pocket the only weapon I could find, a fork. We went to the office to complain about a few things. Nothing could really be done. But once i got acclimated I was fine. We went for a dip in the the hot pool, all alone. Very beautiful and romantic.
Went back to our room and the the rain hit and hard. The lights went off and just like in the movies a knock on the door. I grabbed my fork and told Ruth don't answer it. I have no clue what he wanted. But he left. the lights went on and off all night.
I think I found my partner in crime, Ruth handled everything in stride, no panics or complaints.
Most would of died from fright. Thats how eery it was. What a fun experience.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Carey's night mare happened.
Jumping ahead a bit..... So there we were, Ruth, her sister in law and daughter and my first breakfast in the Philippines. This is them talking. Where should we eat. Tagalog – English – Tagalog.... I don't know, everything is so far lets eat at McDonald’s. NO NO NO!!! Not even over here! And so Carey had to go to McDonald’s. Egg McMuffin with rice., longanisa with rice, Happy Meal with rice. I said I am not hungry so drank coffee and then I thought what happens if we don't eat for awhile so I decided to order pan cakes. I tried communicating I only want two pancakes with nothing else. So what did they bring me? Two orders of pancakes, eating one order of Mc'd's is bad enough but two?
Nightmare two.
After visiting ocean park we went to Mall of Asia. HUGE HUGE mall with a HUGE ice rink. I didn't even know Filipino's knew what ice was. Anyway..... they wanted pizza and where did they go? Pizza Hut!! The whole dietary world is against me.
Another meal the little niece wanted KFC. And the chicken came with rice. Everything comes with rice. All you can eat rice. Rice comes with rice. I miss seeing french frys.
And coffee? Forget it. If they do have it, they serve a cup of hot water with a small packet of instant coffee. I want to know how these people move so fast with out coffee.
First thing I do when I get home is make fry's with a pot of coffee. I miss Bruce's house and his hospitality and his coffee.
OKKKKKKKKKKKK that was the bad the good. Chicken gizzards, wow I love chicken gizzards. Places sell them here.
Milk fish soup, that was OK but the fish was strong. Another place I ordered a crab appetizer. A medium sized plate with small crabs in a sauce. How do you eat them? Claws and all, crunch crunch.
But you know what? I like the food here, its all different. Better than white mans food at home. If they would just serve coffee and fry's I would really love it,
Gotta GoGo, its rice time!!
Carey
Nightmare two.
After visiting ocean park we went to Mall of Asia. HUGE HUGE mall with a HUGE ice rink. I didn't even know Filipino's knew what ice was. Anyway..... they wanted pizza and where did they go? Pizza Hut!! The whole dietary world is against me.
Another meal the little niece wanted KFC. And the chicken came with rice. Everything comes with rice. All you can eat rice. Rice comes with rice. I miss seeing french frys.
And coffee? Forget it. If they do have it, they serve a cup of hot water with a small packet of instant coffee. I want to know how these people move so fast with out coffee.
First thing I do when I get home is make fry's with a pot of coffee. I miss Bruce's house and his hospitality and his coffee.
OKKKKKKKKKKKK that was the bad the good. Chicken gizzards, wow I love chicken gizzards. Places sell them here.
Milk fish soup, that was OK but the fish was strong. Another place I ordered a crab appetizer. A medium sized plate with small crabs in a sauce. How do you eat them? Claws and all, crunch crunch.
But you know what? I like the food here, its all different. Better than white mans food at home. If they would just serve coffee and fry's I would really love it,
Gotta GoGo, its rice time!!
Carey
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