Baguio Holiday Villa Court

... people on this occasion, just in the main street alone.
A group of musicians had gathered in the shopping center and were playing traditional Filipino music on traditional Filipino instruments. They were very talented, however their celebrations seemed to distract me from attempting to write up my travel blog.
As I sat in an Internet cafe just next door, It didn't take much noise to break my concentration, as the commotions were exceptionally loud. but ...

... the potential of this place (which i must remember). I found this hotel and bargained with the night porter for the room from 650 pesos to 550 (aboot $10) which is quite expensive for asia standards (but it's not i know), went upstairs to register and the lovely lady owner said she's giving me a different room for only 500 and the room is nicer with a tv - i had barely said hello to this lady and she was sooo kind and lovely!! Just what i ...

... nearby - it's the Philippine national sport - and while I walked around the front of the church, a tricycle pulled up. Kevin and Danny climbed out. I met them when I asked Kevin to take my photo. At first I thought he was a really ugly Filipina, but in fact he is just a man in drag, also known as a 'Lady Boy.' I have mentioned this breed before but I find it so intriguing. It is very much not practiced in Edmonton. Filipinas are generally attractive. Perhaps that's ...

... lunch and what a lunch it was! Everyone gathered around the table where there was pancit, lumpia, jumbo prawns, shrimp, veggies, pork and chicken adobo. Yum! Afterwards everyone was sitting around the table quite full and satisfied from such a good meal. During the meal some of my grandmother's friends were doing karaoke so that was fun to listen to and Derek even sang a song. It was good to visit with my grandmother though, we talked about my job and I ...

... getting to know all of the different SEND missionaries. After the conference ended, we headed back to San Fernando for about 10 days of ministry. During that time we were pretty heavily involved in Bible Studies, including at the San Fernando Prison, where many of the prisoners seem very open to the gospel and to what we have to say. It has been great to build relationships close to where we live, and get to see God working in some amazing ways ...

... who successfully fought the 30 year land battle to help his brother legally be, restored their ancestral land returned to the farm. Lolo Andy had not been there in nearly 40 years and it was a wonderful homecoming for him. His return to the farm brought back all of his boyhood memories of the space and his appreciation for the work being done to maintain the land and preserve it for generations to come. Two weeks ago despite the rain four other Peace Corps Volunteers ...

... We found one restaurant open in the town and it was the eeriest place. It felt like we were in a horror movie ( I don't think it helped to watch Nightmare on elm street the previous night after some strong beer), no people on the street and then this wierd little restaurant. We were the only people in the restaurant and they wouldn't have the lights on anywhere else part from where we were. Cold food and limited menu and strange service from the ...

Today was market day in Banaue which we stuck around for. Quite a few interesting characters came out of the wood work for this event which happens every Saturday in town. When we woke up we had a quick breakfast and then began taking shifts doing our laundry down at People's lodge. Doing our laundry meant putting our clothes in a bucket of water with some soap and rubbing them all around, rinsing once and hanging dry, which made them a lot better than they were ...

... international B-day experience starting with some great phone calls from and too the US. It was crazy to be standing in my back yard here looking at the mountains and fields of corn filled with goats and cows, roosters crowing on a cell phone clear as bell with the US!! Oh the things technology provides!! My host family decided to throw me a b-day party (turned out to be half the Barangay which was fun). It was really fun minus the fact my family butchered an ...

... home... the entire community looks out for one another... thus far Gusing Sur represents the spirit of a true community for me!! Part of me still feels like I am on vacation, while there have been challenges and I am sure they will only get larger I am really having a wonderful time and enjoying the slower pace of life here. I will write another update in a week and include some photos of the farming valley I am now calling home. Love to all, Sherry