My bags are packed...I'm ready to go..slight!
Trip Start
Mar 21, 2006
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44
55
Trip End
Oct 05, 2008
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Manila,
Philippines
Monday, August 11, 2008
The number of varied emotions I am having at this point and over the last week as I slowly said bye to various memories and most importantly people have been overwhelming at times but all good last moments here to treasure! I had a wonderful last week at the farm and despidida (going away party) with my host family on Sunday. We killed and ate about half a pig, enjoyed each others company and most importantly made more wonderful memories on their sacred land. To give the Cosalan's a gift would not say thank you enough for these last two years, but I did have a beautifully wood carved bench made for the farm to put at one of the many spots with a view. I hope that all who sit on the bench will feel the amazing peace I have these last two years by simply gazing out at the beauty of the farm!
I thought that I would cry saying bye to Auntie Olive (farm care taker and very dear friend), or on my last hike out on Friday but the fact I was leaving only hit me with a flood of emotions when I hugged Lola Carmen bye! I know I will always have a second home here, and my time with ENCA Farm has only begun but it truly is the end of an era. But with an ending also comes a new beginning and I time for me to go out at see more of the world to bring even more to ENCA and the Cosalan's in the future.
I have had a number of "Last Suppers" these last few days. After a teary bye with Lola and my host family Friday I had a great last night out in Baguio with fellow volunteers. We had a big pizza feed at the local hang out Pizza Volante. Where Ash and Travis (volunteers) proceeded to ask me a number of questions out loud that I was required to answer to the whole table so therefore the entire restaurant un-diplomatically. Begin that I am a budding politician many of my friends wanted to see if I could be direct in responding. I think I did pretty well and gave the rest of the diners a laugh or two when I said I will never again eat dinuguan.. Chocolate meat... or...pig intestines soaked in its own blood! YUCK!!
Last night some of us got together here in Manila for a meal and of course videokee, had to rock the mic one last time in the Philippines.
My flight leaves tonight at 9:20pm and after a quick two hour flight I will land in Bangkok, Thailand and begin my traveling adventures!
It all still feels rather surreal that I am actually leaving this amazing country that has become a second home. But knowing that last fact does give me some peace and I know I will return and always have a loving home and family in the Cosalan's.
Thank you Philippines for these last two years, I have learned, been challenged, laughed, loved and felt more alive then any point thus far in my life!
Kapayapaan means peace in Tagalog (Filipino national language) and I have felt more Peace at the farm and with the loving Cosalan's that so warmly made me apart of their family then I ever could have imagined when I flew here and began this incredible journey in March of 2006.
Thanks for the memories Philippines and I am off to see and explore your SE Asian neighbors!
Next entry from Thailand...
Kapyapaan!
Sherry
