Foreigner no more

These last few weeks haven’t provided me with too much office time, as I have been tied up with various trainings and conferences around the area. I am now a First Aid first responder here in Tabaco City after completing a four-day First Aid training with my office. The following week I was asked to take part in a Fiberglass Polyester Resin (FPR) boat making training with community members from all over the Bicol Region held at the Regional Fisheries Training Center (RFTC) here in Tabaco City. This was one of the best things I have done since being here as I was able to get down and dirty, learn something new, and observe local knowledge, etc. Our finished product was a 30-foot long fiberglass boat made from scratch, which will be used by RFTC for travel purposes to conduct future trainings on San Miguel Island. No break…two days later, I was invited to attend the 6^th international Conference on Kuroshio Science held at Bicol University Tabaco Campus. The Kuroshio Current is a warm-water current that originates here in the Bicol Region and travels up along the coast of Taiwan and Japan. I was able to meet and network with researchers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Russia, and Japan, along with others from the Philippines of course. I hope the knowledge I gained and people I met can be useful for me for my PC service, and possibly in my future career endeavors. Quick side story from the conference…the first evening concluded with a dinner and cultural presentation put on by some BUTC students. I sat at a table with a man from Taiwan, three researchers from Japan, and a girl pursuing her master’s degree in Taiwan but originally from Moscow, Russia. Up to this point, I have become so used to speaking Tagalog and/or Bicol (usually bits and pieces) that English seems somewhat foreign to me. However, since this was an international conference, all the presentations and researchers spoke in English in order to understand one another. As I sat around this smorgasbord of a table, I found myself occasionally mixing Tagalog words into my speech, only to realize that my companions didn’t understand what I was saying. For the first time, I was the native speaker again!! What a turnaround. 

One topic I haven’t elaborated on much is my work-related projects at the LGU. Despite the often irregular work pattern and the holiday season that is now upon us (or should I say has been since September here), I’ve been fairly involved these first few months lining up activities the LGU would like to accomplish, as well as my own personal plans I’d like to get involve with during my two years in Tabaco City. In October, my first project proposal was approved for a pilot aquaponics system for the LGU. Aquaponics is a sustainable food system that combines hydroponics and aquaculture in a closed system where both fish and vegetables can be grown. System construction will hopefully be starting next month.  I’ve also been beginning the preliminary steps for updating the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Plan for Tabaco City. This involves engaging the community in socio-economic data collection, conducting local habitat assessments, and updating management strategies for the future. In addition, I’m also hoping to continue collaborating with RFTC and BUTC on their fisheries trainings and research, and I have begun discussions about starting up an environmental education class at Tabaco National High School next year. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on my progress.

This past weekend I helped fellow PCV Jeff out with a medical mission at his site, partnered with the local chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. Free dental and medical care was provided for roughly 500 people, most of whom cannot afford it on a regular basis. I primarily assisted with a first aid/hand washing station. Got to surf for the first time the following day with 3 other PCVs and 2 Australians (also volunteers). I didn’t get up (much harder than it looks!) but it was quite the experience nonetheless. More outings to come!

It seems I’ve made it a habit to conclude my posts with a story. Last Wednesday night, I was lying in bed reading a book when my ate knocked on my door and asked me if I’d like to go to the videoke bar with her and her friends. I was exhausted and was ready to call it quits for the night, but it seemed really important to her that I go so I changed clothes and headed out. I wasn’t really in the mood to sing or drink, so I sat back and watched. I was repeatedly asked if I wanted to sing or anything to drink, but I refused, indicating that I was comfortable. It seemed that my ate was more concerned with my happiness than enjoying the time with her friends. I tried to relay this to her, but soon felt obligated to have a beer and sing a few songs to appease them. Filipinos are all about the love ballads, so I chose to sing “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down, but then decided to “energize” (shout out to fellow PCVs Russ and Rachel) the group with the 90s hit “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink-182. As midnight approached, my ate and I headed home. But before I crashed into my bed, I received a text from her telling me how she will never forget this night because it was the first time in her life she got to go out with her friends and how happy she was to spend it with me. I found out the next morning that if I had chosen not to go with her, she would not have been able to stay out (my kuya’s orders). I now understood the importance of my presence that night. Independence is something that I often take for granted, whether it’s been in my social, educational, or career opportunities and experiences (even the Peace Corps). I feel incredibly privileged to be able to give a little bit of independence and freedom to someone else, even if it’s only for a night.

Maligayang pasko (Merry Christmas) everyone!

**CHECK BACK LATER FOR PHOTOS

Weekend adventures

Since my last post was a bit depressing, I decided to focus on a more upbeat topic this time: my weekend excursions in Bicol. Each weekend here has provided something different. My host family has been great about taking me around (thanks to their kotse, or car) various hot spots in the region. I visited the Mayon volcano and San Miguel Island early on, and had a Bicol volunteer party in Naga with other PCVs as well as volunteers from other countries (Australia, Spain, etc.). We hit up Busay Falls in Malilipot a few weeks back, a series of waterfalls culminating with a 100 footer emptying into a pool. We lucked out and a local barangay official offered to take us further up to a more secluded spot. The hike was treacherous, and seeing my kuya carrying a case of Red Horse, I was praying I’d make it back down. It was worth it though…another breathtaking waterfall flowing into 3 tiered pools. Brought back pool time memories horsing around with my fam.

Busay Falls in Malilipot

My fam and Ali at the upper falls

The following weekend PCVs Russ and Dan came to visit from Camarines Sur, the province to the north of me. My barkada had invited me to a Halloween costume party at a local mansion in Tabaco, requiring me to go to an ukay-ukay (similar to a Salvation Army) to pick up some needed wardrobe items. The 3 of us went as 80s aerobics instructors, while Ali joined us as a cowgirl. The party turned out to be quite different from what we were expecting, since we were the only “funny” outfits there. Filipinos go all out on the horror costumes, and most had some form of blood on them. We attempted to win the best costume contest, which included a “model-like” performance down a runway. Didn't come away with the W but put forth a valiant effort. Once again, my family provided another Sunday excursion by taking us to the cold springs of Amater in Malinao, just north of Tabaco. The place was beautiful and featured numerous huts around the spring along with a few water slides. The spring itself provides water for over 500 hectares of land!

We look good (L-R: Dan, Me, Russ)

One of the slides at the Amater cold springs

My work week was shortened the next week due to the national holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Thursday night we headed to the cemeteries to pay tribute to the deceased, something that I am not accustomed to doing in America. Both my kuya and ate have lost one of their parents, so we visited both of their graves. Hundreds of people roamed the streets and packed into the cemeteries, along with dozens of food vendors. Most of the graves here are above ground, often stacked on top of each other. During All Souls Day, it’s common for people to sit on top of them and eat and drink.  Although it seemed a little disrespectful to me, I actually engaged in this myself at the second cemetery we visited. I guess Filipinos see it more as celebrating and thanking those that have passed.  Just another cultural difference. Certainly a memorable experience.

Last weekend I made the trek down to Sorsogon City to help 271 PCV CYF Jeff out with a community service project his family was involved with. Mangrove planting!! Despite the rain, I was ecstatic about doing some hands-on CRM work. The day ended up being very cross-sectoral with CYF as we engaged Jeff's family and other members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity in team building activities. Also got to participate in my first budo fight (a buffet style feast eating only with your hands)!! One of my new favorite activities   

 Hard at work planting some mangrove propagules

 Healthy mangrove forest in Gubat

 Budo Fight!! Before...

  ...and after

Tomorrow marks 23 years for me and my first birthday outside the US! I won't be completely removed from American society though as some other PCVs are coming down to help celebrate. The rest of you will be here in spirit though!

I’ll wrap up this edition by touching on two American current events: Hurricane Sandy and the presidential election. Both of these were unique for me because of my disconnect to them. I was happy to have my wifi capabilities at work to stay on top of the latest news, but looking at photos is a completely surreal experience compared to witnessing things firsthand. To those reading back on the East Coast, you have been in my prayers and will continue to be as Sandy’s aftermath unfolds. Although destructive, Hurricane Sandy is also an opportunity for Americans to show their resiliency and come together as one. That could not be more important than around election time as political issues tend to create rifts among many. It seems “the times they are a-changin’” in America (the beginning of Obama’s second term, the first openly gay senator, the CIA scandal, and the first two states to legalize marijuana) and I will say it’s kind of nice to be “looking from afar” sometimes…no false political advertisements, etc.  Although there is plenty of action going on here as well. Christmas season is now in fully swing and as of last week, it seems the rainy season has begun…just hope a typhoon Sandy doesn't come sneaking round the corner.

Ups and downs

All volunteers get hit with the pressures and stress of a new living and working environment, one in which they are forced to integrate with a new community that speaks a different language. For some this occurs in the first few weeks in country, while for others it could be a few months after arriving at their permanent site. Although all of us were taught to speak Tagalog during training, some are forced to learn a new language based on their site placement, while all of us face the challenge of speaking and listening to the language 24/7. This is a great way to practice and develop, but it can also lead to frustration especially when other volunteers are no longer nearby.

1 month ago I arrived here in Tabaco City. After spending last weekend in Naga (my first time away from site) relaxing with other volunteers from the Bicol region, including volunteers from Australia and Spain, I returned to Tabaco City on a high. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep from the weekend, but my spirits were soon deflated when the work week began. This week was Fish Conservation Week in my province and activities had been planned at Bicol University Tabaco Campus (BUTC).  My office asked me to give a short presentation and show two environmental documentaries to the students on Tuesday morning. The lack of planning that went into the exhibit placed me in a very uncomfortable and embarrassing position. Everything worked out fine, but still I left feeling frustrated about the way things had gone. The day brightened as my basketball team won our first tournament, and I finally hit up a Tabaco City resto bar (with live music and dancing) afterwards with my teammates. However, my irritation continued later in the week when I was asked to begin working on updating the CRM plan for the city, a project I have excited about, but one that typically takes months to accomplish as it involves collecting data and involving the local community in the planning process. The miscommunication and misunderstanding of languages coupled with the lack of planning (something that is critical to me) was stretching my limits. I am very good at adapting to unique and uncomfortable situations, but for the first time since arriving here in the Philippines, I was feeling the stress and anxiety of being alone in a new environment where English is understood but rarely spoken, where time is NOT of the essence, and where common Western goods are often luxuries. But…it is also a place that emphasizes the importance of family and hospitality, a place where you will never go hungry (especially during Fiesta), and a place where buying load for your cell phone can ultimately lead you to a new group of friends. Which of these two groups is more important in the grand scheme of life?

     

I am trying to continually “accept the things I cannot change,” while also remembering the common PC phrase “the toughest job you will ever love.” Each day brings a new set of surprises, and learning to embrace them allows one to lose the stress or anxiety that often grips him/her. It’s important to remember where you came from, but just as important not to worry where you are going. Slow down.  Take things one day at a time.  Bahala na! 

The sights and sounds of Tabaco

Almost 3 weeks into service here in Tabaco City. So far, what I had heard has rung true…”the days are often slow, but the weeks fly by.” The first week or so was definitely an adjustment period, especially being the only American (that I know of) in my city. As I walk up and down the streets every day, I constantly get stares or “double-takes.” Being 6'8" doesn't help. People will yell “Hey Joe” or “Hi Dad” (more common with the kids). I find it humorous, but still haven’t completely gotten comfortable with the amount of attention I receive...just trying to roll with it and understand that it is their way of welcoming me. I often think about if the tables were turned and a Filipino volunteer was roaming around the streets of New York City. No one would care because America is so diversified; it’s a common occurrence to see people of a different skin color or accent. The world we live in…

I've finished my first proposal for my first project: a small-scale city aquaponics system. Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics into one system where both fish and vegetables can be harvested sustainably. Once we hopefully get the project approved by the mayor, construction can begin. The plan is to share the finished product with surrounding coastal communities so that they in turn can construct their own, allowing for increased food security by providing quality, locally grown crops that also enhance the economy of Tabaco. Hopefully, I can make this project sustainable and cost-efficient so that it can continue to thrive after my service.

These first few weeks have also allowed me to see some incredible places and meet some great people. So far, I’ve witnessed my first two fiestas, visited both the Mayon volcano and San Miguel Island (SMI) twice, and joined a local basketball team. I’ll elaborate a bit…

One Saturday, the Tabaco mayor offered to take the residing PC volunteers (myself and 3 other education volunteers) to San Miguel Island. I was originally told we were going to visit the marine sanctuary, but I was unaware the SMI fiesta was the same day. We arrived to every school on the island giving a skit/dance routine. Crazy to see some of the moves these kids have! American elementary and high schoolers would be blown away (not to mention half the stuff done would not be allowed in U.S. schools J). We were treated as guests of honor and even received a gift basket…pili nuts, a staple in the Bicol region. Afterwards came a trip around the island, allowing us to witness the incredible views of the Mayon volcano and the Pacific coast. The following day provided me with an opportunity to see Mount Mayon up close as my family took me up to the Planetarium for a picnic lunch. They have been more than generous in showing me the surrounding area! From our lunch spot, the entire of city of Tabaco could be seen.  

Looking out at Tabaco City Hall

Church of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist)

A SMI fiesta performance

View of the Mayon volcano from SMI

    

My basketball career has resumed here in the Philippines. I was asked by my friend Robert to join his team, Lourdz, just a few days after arriving in Tabaco. I even received a legit jersey and shorts! Tournaments are held year-round with different municipalities playing host. Basketball here is quite different though with the majority of the courts being outdoors. Rain means postponement. I was not prepared for the level of competition though...the open league I am in features many players from local college teams. We actually lost our first game to the tournament defending champions by 2 points! I am easily the tallest player on the court, but Filipinos are incredibly fast and athletic. With people packed around the court, referees, and announcers, the environment made me feel like I was back at Scranton. Chance to relive the glory days!

This past Sunday, I visited fellow 271 CRMer Ali in her municipality of Santo Domingo for their fiesta. From about 11 – 3, I stuffed my stomach full of baboy (pork), manok (chicken), ube, halo-halo (Philippine ice cream), and of course kanin (rice). We visited 5 or 6 different houses and the spreads seemed to get bigger at each one.

Another adventure this weekend as I will be visiting a nearby waterfall in Malilipot for my niece’s birthday before leaving for Naga City for a volunteer night out. It’ll be great to see some other volunteers again, including some new faces from 269 and 270.

Hanggang susunod beses (until next time)!

"Tabaco Road"

Well...last I left off I had just been assigned my permanent site, Tabaco City, Albay. Fast forward two weeks and I am now sitting in my new kwarto (bedroom) at my new host family's bahay (house) in Tabaco City.  But hold on...I won't jump the gun and wrap up a crazy two weeks with just a few sentences.  With "black bear" (as I have been dubbed by my fellow "man cavers"...more than fitting for me, wouldn't you say Aunt Patti and Uncle Butch?) its always a story.

So let me first cap off my time in Sabang. We finally opened our park on Tuesday September 11. What a thrill! It was so rewarding having what seemed like hundreds of kids thoroughly enjoying themselves on our hard work over the previous week. We even got the kids involved by having them paint their hands on our mural. If you haven't watched it yet, check out this video my fellow CRMer Zac made documenting our work through training: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uloU0w1at1o&feature=g-user-u. As promised earlier, some pictures of our finished product...

Before...

...and after

Murals designed by our group artist, Ms. Rachel Figgs

Leaving a lasting impression on Sabang

Though we were so proud to have finally finished our community project, our LPI, or language placement interview, was the following morning so there was no time for rest  I'll cut to the conclusion of this one...I got an intermediate high mark in Tagalog, thereby passing my LPI! Having essentially finished training after the LPI, our wrap-up beach bonfire was next. Great getting to talk to our whole group about our likes and dislikes over the past 10 weeks. Our handog sa host pamilya was our last activity before leaving Sabang. All of the host families came out and enjoyed games and food for a few hours. Laughs were shared and pictures were taken. It was tough saying goodbye to families that take you under their wings for 10 weeks. We truly appreciated all they did to help us transition into the Philippine lifestyle. I hope to visit Sabang again before my service is over. Sadly, two of the CRMers weren't able to attend these last few festivities because they had come down with dengue (YES that's 4 CRMers with dengue during training...7 total in 271). This story has a happy ending though...

...they made it back for swearing-in! We arrived in Manila Sunday morning and were treated to a tour of Intramuros, the "walled city" of Manila. Very interesting tour that I would recommend especially to history buffs. We were given a bunch of training wrap-up talks and volunteer introductions leading up to swearing-in on Wednesday at the U.S. Embassy. The night before, a bunch of us went out to the mall to buy barongs, an embroidered Philippine dress shirt (very mahal, or expensive). The price was worth at as we all kept it classy for the ceremony. Afterwards, we hit up a bar called the Hobbit House, which was owned by a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and staffed by midgets. Truly a sight! The swearing-in ceremony itself was held in the grand ballroom in the U.S. Embassy. We were greeted by the U.S. Ambassador who sadly told us that President Obama would not be in attendance today (saw that one coming..but it was worth a shot). For those of you who have not seen the Youtube video, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iMLKqzWH5o&feature=g-user-u. I can personally say that hearing my name called and later taking the oath to swear in as a Peace Corps Philippines Volunteer was one of the proudest moments of my life. I was overcome with pride in my country, excitement for my future steps, and accomplishment in what I, and my fellow volunteers, have done over the past 2 1/2 months. I also had a lot of adrenaline running through me as our CRM group was about to perform our skit (hopefully this too will be up on Youtube soon). Blew the roof off the Embassy with a little Mambo Number 5 mashup. Upon returning to the hotel after a brief reception, there was rioting occurring down the street due to recent religious outbreaks. Everyone was fine, but we did have to remain in the hotel for a bit. Didn't stop us from going out later that night tho! Our TCFs and LCFs had planned a club night after swearing-in, despite some people having to be up in the wee hours of the morning to leave for their permanent site. Fantastic last night together with some great people!

O.K...I finally made it back here. My "Tabaco Road." Since bus was my means of travel to Tabaco, I didn't leave until almost 8 pm Thursday night. Quick side story...while waiting for the bus to leave Manila, a few of us saw a fully nude child defecate on the sidewalk ride outside, no wipe, leave it there,  and then proceeded to approach (still naked) customers leaving the convenience store and ask for money. The things you see in Manila... Anyways, it was an overnight trip to Bicol, but at least I had other volunteers placed in Bicol along for the ride. I met my supervisor Arsenio in Legazpi City Bus Station around 7:30 Friday morning. He shuttled me straight to the office where I met my counterpart Markson along with other City Agriculture Office employees. I was then led to my new host family's house only a few blocks away. Following introductions and a brief meal, I had to hit the hay for a few hours before returning to work. My co workers gave me a brief tour of the city, including the shopping mall, John the Baptist Church, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) office, and the pier. Having been here 4 days now, I find Tabaco to be a great fit for me! A small but big city with just enough to keep you entertained but not enough to overwhelm you. It has a small mall and a Jollibee (a Philippine McDonald's). All eyes are on me now since I am the only American in the city, not to mention my height! The nearby Mayon volcano provides a scenic backdrop to this port city. Can't wait to check out the island part of the municipality which looks out on the endless abyss called the Pacific Ocean. My new host family has 5 kids ages 7-15. The kids speak the best English in the house :) It is a two-story apartment with a large veranda (I actually found an unfinished third floor yesterday offering even better volcano vantage points). My room is smaller but I do have a double bed, and there is a working shower across the hall (no people..that does not mean its hot). Despite the language barrier, my family has been more than generous and the food so far, thanks to my kuya, has been AMAZING!

Today marked my first full day at work and I was a bit overwhelmed at first because I was immediately thrown into the lion's den with projects. My anxieties have been relieved for the time being after speaking with Markson and understanding our project goals and outcomes. A little prying for information here can turn everything around! All in all, I am stoked about our potential projects for the next two years as they directly relate to my interests. I was also introduced to the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Tabaco today, and have already been invited to dinner at the Vice Mayor's house next week.

It's extremely encouraging to have so much support from the locals, after only 4 days of living here! My kuya's cousin told me the other night, "we are so proud to have you as our guest in Tabaco and know that you will help our people." The hospitality and humility that these people share is truly remarkable!

Hanggang sa susunod na beses!

You stay classy. Planet Earth.

Perceptions

One of Peace Corps' three goals is to promote/help Americans better understand other people and cultures. So far, I feel this blog has primarily encompassed my everyday life here so far, but I also strive to share some of the key differences and similarities that exist between Filipino and American cultures so that others can recognize and understand them from someone who has experienced both. Perceptions are commonly formed based upon media, word of mouth, etc., but having firsthand experience gives me the opportunity to clarify and explain for others’ benefit. During my first two months here, one in particular sticks out because they have already happened here twice: natural disasters. The southwest monsoon hit us about a month ago (see previous posts) and an earthquake rolled through Eastern Samar last week. As mentioned earlier, I was partially affected by the monsoon (loss of power due to a nearby landslide), while the earthquake wasn’t felt in my part of the country. Although they can be extremely dangerous and displace many of the environments they come in contact with, it is important to remember that natural disasters occur everywhere in the world and our “bubbles” often influence our perceptions of the outside world. Understanding that many differences may actually be similarities (for example, a typhoon is the same thing as a hurricane except it occurs in a different part of the ocean) is an important facet in life on many scales and levels.  

The wait is over

Since the start of my application process, I’ve been awaiting the day when I would know my permanent site for my 2 years of service. Last Sunday, August 26 marked the beginning of supervisor’s conference and at last, the wait was over…I am happy to say that I will be heading to TABACO CITY in the province of ALBAY in the Bicol region of the Philippines! Tabaco City is a 3^rd class municipality with a population of 125,000. It is located on the eastern edge of the Philippines overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is home to one of the top ranked coral reefs in the Philippines and nearby Mount Mayon (known as the "perfect cone" because of its symmetrical shape). Whale sharks are also close by and are a common attraction in the Bicol region! My supervisor, Arsenio Onrubia, is Tabaco City’s Chief Agriculturalist. As of right now, I will be working with him and my counterpart Markson in the Fisheries Department of the Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO). Can’t wait to get down there September 20^th…just hope dengue isn’t a problem in Tabaco!

Me with my supervisor Arsenio

I’ll back up a second…three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with dengue fever (I’ll let you do the googling of it). Basically, it’s a mosquito-borne disease that results in a high fever, rashes, etc.  Luckily, I didn’t get the brunt of the disease but was still taken to the hospital in Manila to be monitored. After 5 frustrating days (primarily because I was confined to my room), I was good to go but stayed in Manila for the night. I’ve never seen such a sprawling urban metropolis, even compared to NYC. Anyways, let’s just say that being sick cooped up in a hospital by yourself on the other side of the world makes you appreciate the luxuries you have back home and the sheer happiness of feeling healthy again! 

I’m jumping around a bit. Fast forwarding to the end of supervisor’s conference last week, I was finally able to snorkel! The CRMers took a field trip down to Mabini, Batangas, near the Verde Island Passage, home to some of the best biodiversity in the world. I’ve never had the opportunity to REALLY snorkel before and I hit the jackpot on my first go! I’ve never seen so many fish in my life (Nemo’s and Gil’s all over) and the various corals were amazing! Getting SCUBA certified and purchasing an underwater camera are musts while I’m here. After heading back to Quezon City for the night, we visited an urban poor/alternative livelihood site the next day. Just when I thought the week couldn’t get better, it did. Brief recap: Buklot Tao (united people; the alternative livelihood organization) has community members collect used juice boxes which they use to make various bags for sale; and they provide garbage cans to families which they collect every few days and turn the collected waste into compost which in turn is used to harvest their own crops (they also are getting involved with rainwater catchment systems for their crops). A truly remarkable organization that is also promoting climate change relief and natural disaster awareness to those most affected within their community (predominantly squatters along the river).

Twin Rocks at Mabini, Batangas

Organic gardens at Buklot Tao

An urban poor settlement in San Mateo, just north or Manila. 

In 2009, a typhoon struck the area which caused water to rise above this bridge (over 30 feet high!)

About 10 days left here in Sabang…can’t believe how quickly the time flew! Right now, we’re in the thick of things with our community youth park. The grand opening is scheduled for next Tuesday.  Thanks to the help of the community and a nearby resort, many of our materials were donated along with labor. It’s been stressful trying to build a park in a week, but things seem to be coming together. I’ll try and post some before and after pictures with my next post! We also have our youth camp this Saturday, our language proficiency interview (LPI) next Thursday and Friday, and then our handog ng host pamilya (AKA our host family goodbye party) next Saturday before leaving for swearing-in on the 16^th. So much to do in so little time…the work and parties are endless!

Hanggang mamaya!

One month in...and the rain continues

Between the lack of internet at my training site and the heavy monsoons that have been in the area recently, I've been out of the blogosphere the past few weeks. I am now three weeks into PST. A typical day consists of a 5 AM wake up call by either roosters, dogs, or kids, followed by breakfast and a bucket bath, then on to four hours of language class, lunch time, fours hours of technical training, dinner, a brief period of relaxation, and then bed. I have 10 people in my host family: my mama and papa, three sisters (ate..pronouced 'ah-tay'), two brothers (kuya), two nephews, and a niece (in addition, I also have four sisters that live elsewhere, including one in Austin, TX and one in Toronto). I also have 3 cats and 2 dogs, one of which had 7 puppies the other day...3 litters in 3 years, this dog has been on a mission. My papa and kuya J.R. are fishermen and farmers. All in all, my family has given me a great set-up with my own good size bedroom with an adjoining C.R. (comfort room or "bathroom"). Much more than I was expecting! The food has been fairly tasty, with meals consisting of chicken, pork, fish, vegetables, bananas, and LOTS of rice. Staple meals include adobo, tinola, pancit (noodles and veggies), and whole fish (complete with head, tail, eyes, etc.). But NO meal is complete without rice!

View from Sabang

My house!

It's safe to say that our typical daily schedule has fluctuated quite a bit over the past few weeks though. The southwest monsoon (habagat) hit our province extremely hard and many of our sessions were interrupted/suspended due to the heavy rain. I've never seen or heard rain this hard in my life..especially when living under a tin roof! My site was probably the best off of the three training sites though. Both of the others were evacuated and some volunteers were actually stranded in a two-story house in their town for 40+ hours due to the 8 feet of water below. Luckily everyone is safe now and some volunteers have been able to return to their host families. My site was actually evacuated on Friday but not because of the flooding. A nearby landslide destroyed 5 power lines so we are without power and water in Sabang (the lack of drinking water caused us to be evacuated). We are all hoping to return soon so we can continue work on our community projects. Currently, the CRMers and myself are in the process of designing a CRM Plan for the municipality of Morong, as well as a youth park for Sabang. Our group had a community merienda yesterday to engage the locals and gather resources for the project. Probably our best day yet! Great to see the community, espcially the kids, rally behind our ideas. Besides the park, I'm also hoping to get some chain-link nets for their basketball court (I still have yet to play here because of the rain...).  Can't wait to get started (before and after pictures to come)! 

The entryway into Sabang.  Every barangay has one

Presenting our youth park to the Sabang community

It's still hard to believe how fast time is going...at this rate my two years will be over before I know it! In two weeks, we have our supervisors conference where all of 271 will be meeting up and learning where we will be placed for the next two years! But for now, we are soaking up our weekend together in Subic. We are all looking forward to returning to our sites, but its nice to be able to catch up with people and unwind, especially after the traumatic experience some went through last week. Hoping to get to the mall today with some of the gang (lord knows I need a razor...mine got fried at IIRR and my "mane" is growing thick). Tempting to let it grow...swearing-in stash bash with President Barack Obama (hopefully)?? Stay tuned!

Last day in Cavite

Another whirlwind of a week. Today was our last day of center based training at IIRR in Silang, Cavite. Tomorrow I depart for my training site in Sabang, Morong along with 12 other CRM (coastal resource management) and 11 education volunteers! Although I will definitely miss the hospitality here in Cavite (AC, showers, etc.), I can't wait to get to my training site, meet my first host family, and truly begin immersing myself in the Philippine culture! Our language teachers (LCFs) kept quite a bit hidden from us regarding our families, although I have been told that we will be practically living on the beach! Unfortunately, I have also heard that there is no wifi in Sabang, so my communication might be fairly limited for the next two months (there is an internet cafe in the poblacion, or town center).  

Some quick hitters for ya...Filipinos love to eat!! We typically have 5 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as 2 meriendas (snacks). The food has been quite good, particularly the fruit and fish. Yesterday I was fortunate enough to try fresh coconut water. Also, there are no knifes here. Filipinos only use forks and spoons, typically using the spoon to pull apart the meat, fish, etc. Takes some practice.

Philippine ice cream, known as "halo-halo!"

Freshly shaved coconut

The driving around here is out of control! Cars are constantly passing each other on 2 lane roads (there really aren't any major highways here). As we drove to Catalagan on Tuesday for our CRM field trip, there were countless times where I was flabbergasted by the way cars/motorcycles/jeepneys zip in and out. It also takes much longer to get from place to place around here. It's very common for random people or livestock to be crossing the road throughout your route. The Philippines collectively is only roughly the size of Nevada, but with an ever-changing terrain and 2 lane roads passing through town after town, places seem like they are much further apart.

I mentioned on Tuesday we took a trip to a current Peace Corps volunteer's (PVC) site in Calatagan, Batangas. Some current PCVs dub this area the "Beverly Hills of the Philippines." A very beautiful place. We were lucky to have a clear, sunny day to tour around a mangrove nursery and sanctuary and visit a local NGO, CAPS Ocean. It hasn't been so nice the rest of this week. Today it has been raining heavily all day because of a nearby tropical depression. If it rained this much back home, places would be severely flooded (especially Charleston!).

CRM 271 at the mangrove nursery

Nice spot for lunch

Loving life!

The next two months will definitely be intense as I have language and technical training sessions 6 days/week...but it will all be worth it come September 19th when I officially swear in as a Peace Corps volunteer!

Stay tuned for updates from Morong. Wish me luck!

Magandang hapon America!

Well it's about time...my first post from the exotic land of the Philippines! After almost a full day of flying and an hour and a half bus ride through the crowded, windy streets, I finally reached my first Filipino destination (the IIRR compound south of Manila) approx. 12:30 am Monday...12:30 pm Sunday for those of you on the east coast. After a brief snack, I settled into my single bed for a solid 5 hour snooze.  The adventure has begun!

Touched down!

Where to begin on this roller coaster week. Staging (basically 5 hours of PC overviews, paperwork, and ice breakers) took place in San Francisco, CA, my new favorite city. Finally got to experience an in-n-out burger and fisherman's wharf before meeting up with the 69 other volunteers in batch 271. A truly incredible group of people. Putting a group together that share a common purpose/goal is a great way to meet others that share your beliefs and passions. Although we are all unique and come from all over the country (Massachusetts, Florida, Kansas, Montana, and Washington to name a few), all of us have been able to find common ground in one another and mesh extremely well. It's sad to think we will all be splitting up next week as we depart for our training sites...but I will get to that later.

I have now finished initial orientation (IO) and have begun my language and technical training. IO basically consisted of more paperwork and pertinent background information on the Peace Corps and the Philippines (medical issues, safety and security, diversity, language, etc.). I have now been learning  the national language, Tagalog (or Filipino) for 2 days. After a bit more studying today, I have officially dubbed myself malaking gwapo (the big handsome)! Maybe it'll catch on with the Filipinos! I certainly stick out like a sore thumb here...we took a jeepney (old US military jeeps left over from WWII that are frequently painted and decorated) to the mall yesterday, and being a 6'8" white American in a country where the average height is ~ 5'2" - 5'4" caught me a lot of attention.

Home for the first two weeks: IIRR in Silang, Cavite

A jeepney: one of the biggest modes of transportation in the Philippines

The heat here hasn't been too bad, but that could be because I am still enjoying the luxury of air conditioning and working showers (soon I will be resorting to a bucket, or so I am told). The humidity is very intense and it often feels like I am trying to penetrate a wall. I can't say I've seen anything like the rain storms here though. We are currently in the beginning of the rainy season, which typically lasts into December. I thought Charleston was bad in terms of pop-up thunderstorms, but when it rains here, it POURS! And there doesn't seem to be a pattern to them...just 60% chance of rain in the forecast every single day.

Although this week has certainly been an adjustment, from getting over jetlag to starting the weekly malaria pills to the 6 am wake up calls and 10 pm bedtimes, I already had some unique and amazing times. We have a pool on site and a dip here and there hits the spot especially in this heat. There is also a basketball court where we've been fortunate to get a few games in (I've also learned that basketball is the primary sport in the Philippines and that every town, in addition to the town hall and church, has a basketball court!). Wednesday night we had an epic dance party organized by the one and only Magic Zac! Awesome to see ~ 40 volunteers, including some of the older folk, rocking out to "Teach Me How To Dougie" (in Tagalog) and "The Macarena." I also saw a massive black spider the size of my hand as I was walking around the IIRR grounds. When it rains, the footpaths literally come to life as insects, beetles, etc. try and find shelter. More on tap for this week, including fellow Charlestonian and PCV Laura and I working on a "Rec Room trivia night" for our batch.

This "little" guy was surprisingly hard to spot

Lots more to fill you in on but I'll save more for future posts! Next Sunday I will be leaving for my training site in Sabang, Morong, apparently right on the beach. I will try and post again before leaving since I've been told there isn't wifi there (although possibly an internet cafe nearby). I also plan on uploading some photos soon so keep an eye out here and on facebook.

Ingat ka! Paalam!

One more day!

Well the 4th of July has arrived...ironic because it is my last day of "freedom" before taking off for San Fran tomorrow morning for staging. This month home in "Canada" (insert joke from 432 or Brody) has flown by! I'm glad I've had so much time to spend with family and friends all over the Northeast. Last hurrahs in Boston and Atlantic City were memorable! Thanks again to everyone that was able to be there! As my departure date has crept closer, my excitement and anxiety has certainly increased...but it still doesn't feel like I am leaving the country for 2 years. Maybe once I hop on that 12 hour plane ride to Tokyo (followed by a 4 hour one to Manila!) Saturday it'll actually sink in.

As I sit here at my kitchen counter typing out a few final thoughts, I can't help but think of my friends and family, the people I will miss the most. I'll try and keep this updated as much as possible and hope to have some sort of internet connection at my site(s) (otherwise I will have to resort to internet cafes). My Verizon service will be suspended as of Sunday though so any calls or texts after that will not be received. Anyone with an iPhone can still get in touch with me during my service via the apps Tango (free international calls and video calls) and Whatsapp (free international texting). I also have a Skype account that I plan on using if you're into that, but a forewarning...I will be 12 hours ahead of you so plan accordingly!

Well...gotta get back to packing. So much to cram into this last day. 24 hours from now and I'll be on my way. Can't wait to start my new adventure! Wish me luck on the other side of "the pond"!

Less than a month

The countdown begins...I am under 1 month away from embarking on the most radical journey of my life: a 27 month camino (Spanish for "path" or "way") in the Philippines serving the U.S. Peace Corps. After beginning my PC application process in January 2011, it is rewarding (and nerve wracking) to have finally reached this stage. I finished up my first year of graduate school at the College of Charleston in the beginning of May and arrived back in Rochester last week. It feels great to have a solid month of freedom, but there has been no relaxation time so far as I have been busy with organizing what I need for my upcoming expedition (clothes, snorkel gear, backpack, etc.). As much as I am speculating what might be in store for me in the coming months, I honestly have no idea what to expect. Just trying to keep an open mind and welcome all the new people and experiences that lie ahead!