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.