Week 2

I can't say enough how much I love this country. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, if you ask anyone a question they will out of their way to help you, even if they have to ask someone else for help also. I've heard that it is just art of the Filipino culture, which I know is true, but I can't help but wonder how much of that friendliness is exaggerated because we are white.

Went to this most amazing place I could ever even imagine, the Camotes Islands, about a 2 1/2 hour boat ride from Ormoc. On the way there I met a gentlemen who was from California and was retiring in the Philippines. He was originally from the Philippines, but has lived in the states for the last 50 years. We chatted for awhile on the boat ride, and he wouldn't stop buying me friend Sara and I San Miguel's (local beer) the whole trip. It is hard to tell if someone is hitting on you or not here, because everyone is so kind and generous. I really hope he wasn't. He was 68. Had grandchildren older than me. But I figure he might be a good contact to make here in Ormoc, maybe he could help me find some funding for the Boy's Center that I volunteer at. I might have to give him a call sometime this week, to see if him or any of his friends would help donate to the center.

Once we reached the island, there were a group of motorbikes (huble-hubles) waiting for us to take us to our resort (a term used loosely here). Went for the most amazing huble-huble ride around half of the island and saw the most amazing views...roads that are basically cliffs over looking the ocean...through broken down barangays (villages) where children run half naked around the streets and old women walk their caribou to the next town. As you ride through the barangays it is like a constant chorus of little "hi"'s from the children who have never seen a white person in their life.

Saturday we shared a liter of Red Horse (local beer) on the beach for 40 pesos (about a 80 cents). And that evening shared a fifth of Tanduay (local rum) for 60 pesos ($1.25) and sung about 7 karaoke songs at an open air karaoke bar about 10 feet from the water, no floor, only sand, tables and chair and a tin roof. Definitely one of my favorite nights here.

The next day, Sunday, took a huble-huble up to Lake Danoe, a lake right in the middle of the island and climbed a kilometer into the earth to swim in fresh water caves...absolutely incredible. So much to see here.... Now back to the work week.