My First Week!

I survived my first week!

Some highlights:

I got some amazing images from the plane of mountains in Russia, Mongolia and China.  16 hours just flew by... My 24 hours sleep deprivation plan really worked!

Singing with the acoustic band at Island Cove.  I won't mention what song because it was very pop ballad and very 90's.  Apparently all the Brit and Electro I listen to has put me sorely out of the loop of popular music. Everyone still remembers my rendition of a popular Filipino song 8 year ago, so they all want me to sing all the time.

I went swimming at my aunt and uncle's country club.  It poured for the first little bit, but then there was sunshine and I caught up on my tanning!  Afterwards we went on a drive to Tagaytay.  We stopped at the convent of the Pink Ladies, nuns who operate in stylish pink habits.  Then to one of the many highway lookouts, but the view of Taal volcano was obscured by fog.  There are two Starbucks in Tagaytay.

Traveling by tricycle (motorcycles with sidecars for hire) is terrifying. Especially on the highway.  Pedestrians, cars, tricycles, motorcycles, jeeps, buses and the occasional chicken or dog do a death-defying dance on every street.

The town fiesta was celebrated this past weekend.  There was a parade around the neighbourhoods surrounding the town Plaza that is in front of the Cathedral.  Brightly lit Saints on platforms, devout church goers and a marching band assembled to the sound of pealing church bells.  While the Plaza and surrounding streets were turned into a temporary marketplace, filled with people and balloons.  My favourite thing were the coloured chicks.  I didn't buy one though, I thought it was a bit cruel. 

5 minutes after I took the picture of the yellow bird, it started to rain super hard, then 10 minutes later, the rain had stopped and the bird was dead on the doorstep.  The rain knocked it down off its branch and then one of the cats killed it. 

Food:  

Food is the culture here!  There are restaurants, snack stalls and street peddlers everywhere.    This also presents a problem for me, there isn't exactly a bourgeoning health food market here.  The fruit is absolutely delicious, mangoes are amazing.

Weather:

One day its sunny and unbearably hot and humid.  Then it is pouring, hard.  But no flooding or scary destruction. Either way, it is hot, all the time, and there is dust and smoke and exhaust.  Ick. Still WAY better than snow.

 People:

Everyone is lovely!  I have a little posse of kids from the neighbourhood, my cousins and their friends.  

That's it for now.  I think next week will be more eventful, lots planned.  I'll be busy again soon enough.