Philippines Part Kwatro - January 2nd, 2010

So it has been a while since I last wrote again, and a lot has happened.
Since I last wrote in my blog, Maggie, Martin, Kelly, and Winnie have all left. And two holidays have passed. I have had a lot of new experiences since I last wrote, so again, this will be quite a long entry.


Where to start!

When the other volunteers were here, I did a few things that I hadn't participated in before.
One of my favorite things was rice planting. It's truly amazing how fast the locals are able to plant a entire field.

The day before we actually planted, they had been informed of our aspiration to partake in a traditional job of Filipinos, and had prepared a smaller field for our feeble attempt.

We arrived shortly after lunch. If you don't know much about how rice is planted or grown I'll try to explain. Rice is first grown in a water covered field in tightly packed patches. It almost looks like a sod field. Then after the rice is about four or five inches tall, it is plucked out in big clumps. Then the rice is then planted in a super muddy field about 1 foot deep. It is planted in rows spaced out about 4 or 5 inches in clumps of only 3 sprouts. That is only to begin with though. After you plant a whole field spaced out like that, you go over the entire field again and put more rice in between the already planted rice. It is very hard to keep the rows all nice and straight, at least for me it is, haha. The people who own the fields though have been doing it since they were young kids, so they have the perfect technique worked out.

It was fun to step through the field, mostly because it felt really gross, but every time you would pull your foot out of the mud, it would make a fart noise. Childish I know, but I get a kick out of simple slap stick humor. I had Ate Eden take some pictures of us planting the rice and all it is is a picture of a row of bums (that's my English and Australian accent coming through, thanks a lot Maggie, Martin, and Kelly!). It was a good experience none-the-less, and I'll never forget it, mostly because as I started my 5 rows, in the same amount of time it took me to complete mine, one of the locals finished the whole other half of the field!

While the others were still here we did some other exciting things I hadn't done before, like going to the Long Beach Dance! So just about 1 ½ Km up the road there is the small town of Long beach where they have a dance every single weekend, all leading up to their festival which just took place 3 days ago. So the night that we decided we would go to the dance I was asked to walk with some of the guys, rather then take a trike.

After dinner I was walking back to the Dorm (I eat every meal at Mom Tess's house) when I was approached by the guys who were walking to the dance.

“Are you ready to go?”

I thought I would have to look nice, since it was a “Dance” but they said I looked fine, plus I didn't even want to dance.

Earlier before we left, around dinner time, Eddie (the father of one of my friends) asked me, “So are you really gonna walk?”
“Of course! Why Not?” I answered
“Well at least you will have body-guards.” He responded......

That made me feel a little nervous. I've heard from multiple people, “Oh don't worry, Romblon is one of the safest places in the entire country!”.
Even though they said that I still felt uneasy. Plus every now and then, one of the guys walking with me would say, “Don't worry, we will protect you.”
“From what?”

I got no answer, haha.

So we got to the dance and It turned out to be a lot of fun. There were probably about 300 people there, and only 6 white people, haha. It wasn't a very formal dance. I'll just say, my Grandma would have hated it!

I spent a lot of the time with Eduard, one of my friends, and I asked him, “So what time are we leaving?”.
I expected him to say midnight or something, since we got there at 8:30.
“Ummmmm......3?”

He wasn't kidding.

I couldn't believe how long they wanted stay. I got so tired by the time we actually went home that I literally fell asleep the second I hit my bed, haha.

I'm really glad I've been using my journal Kelsey gave me, because without it I wouldn't know what to right next!

On one lazy day in the afternoon I just pulled out my cards and started playing around. I asked Kelly if she knew of the game Go Fish, and she said no! I couldn't believe it, I thought everyone knew of that game, but I guess not. So I taught her how to play, along with all the on-lookers, who now play the game daily. To me it seems like a little kid's game, but that's only because I played it when I was younger and didn't know any other games. But they really like it and It's easy to understand.

So about 2 weeks ago Kelsey made a special trip down here to visit me and go on a little vacation before she left for home for Christmas and New Years. She had it all planned out, down to the last detail, but sadly I don't think anything really worked out, although we did have a lot of fun doing multiple things. I start from the beginning.

So she got on her ferry and it actually left on time. So I expected her to show up at about 3 a.m. So I booked a trike to take me. Unfortunately she had a lot of trouble on her way. First off, she got the smaller ferry, sot it took almost 10 or 11 hours. Second, her jeepney didn't leave on time, and it was over loaded. Third, it got a flat on the way.

She finally arrived in Carmen at about 6:30am. The whole time I had been sleeping in the side-car of the trike while we waited for them to arrive. After she arrived we headed back to Sugod and she got settled in her room at Mom Tess's house. That day we decided to do a little hiking and go see the “Enchanted Hidden Sea”, oooooooooo. Haha.
So She got ready and we got a guide to take us up and over the hill. Aling-Aling was his name. I had seen him only once or twice before. We started off easy enough, but gradually it got steeper and steeper, and started to remind me of the hike the week before, lol. On our way up we encountered a cow, so naturally I had to take a picture. Once we got to the top we had a rest at a house that was at the top, and took some more pictures. That day we had taken Kelsey's bag with us to put some stuff in, like food, water, and some other gear. Kelsey and I had traded half way up but she couldn't carry it down, because it through off her balance way too much and she would have slipped twice as much, so instead I carried it. It was nice because we made it to the other side and headed down before the sun had even hit that part of the mountain, so it was nice and cool inside the woods.

Eventually we made it all the way down to a town called Aguada. It was a real neat place, surrounded by lots of jagged cliffs and clear waters. We were now on the western side of Tablas which was more open to the ocean than Sugod was, so the water was quite cooler and wavier. We made our way to a little house perched on top of a rock formation in the tiny inlet that Aguada was located at. Again, photo time. After we looked around for a bit, we were surprisingly offered Lunch at a strangers house. It's really amazing how everyone here is so open to complete strangers, welcoming them into their homes and providing basic needs. I think they even fed us before they had eaten.

So after lunch, we hired a Banca to take us back to Sugod, via the sea. Along the way however we made a few pitstops. One was at the destination we had planned the trip for, The “Enchanted Hidden Sea”. For about half an hour we hugged the coastline, taking a lot of pictures along the way. We eventually made our way into a little cove with a small white coral beach, where we anchored our boat and hopped out and started exploring. There were two spots of interest.

We had finally made it to this so-called “Enchanted” hidden sea. I say it was enchanted with diseases.
But I have to admit, it was really beautiful, but I would never get in that water in a million years. The other spot that caught my attention was just over to the other side of where we had landed our boat. Battered by waves was a super cool looking small bay. It was lined with super razor sharp rocks. We took some pictures (That I plan on using for my Facebook Profile Picture) and then headed back to the boat.

Originally, Kelsey and I had wanted to swim from the bay with the razor rocks all the way across to the small Island of Cabibigan. Our guides warned us that the current was much to strong and we would be swept away. I was thankful he convinced us otherwise, because as we made our way over to the island we encountered a large group of jellyfish. Now I don't really know if they are the stinging kind, but It would have made me freak out either way.

Once we got over to the Island we went for a little swim. Well Kelsey went for a big swim, and swam way out. I just stuck to the shore. We waited for about an hour before we left, because I boat left without us! They actually went out onto the open sea and started heading towards a big ship way on the horizon line. We had some people with us who stayed on the island who told us they were just going out to the ship to buy some fish, and that they would be right back.

So they did eventually arrive and we started our 1 ½ hour journey back to Sugod. It was a beautiful trip, seeing the changing coastline, along with a few smaller island, and even a Ship wreck from one of the previous typhoons! The waves were enormous and rocked our small boat like crazy, but thankfully I don't get sea sick that easily.


We finally got back and I felt like crap. I got sun-sick, although I didn't get any sunburn, except for my nose. That night I went to bed fairly early, because we had planned to leave early the next day, plus I was still pooped from the climb earlier that day.

The next morning we woke up and left Sugod at about 5:30, and got into San Agustin and caught the ferry to Magdiwang on Sibuyan Island, the Second Largest Island in the Province or Romblon, and farthest east, just on the other side of Romblon Island. It was a long 3 ½ hour trip, partially because we had a pit-stop over in the Port of Romblon Town before heading to Sibuyan.

We eventually made it around 11:30. As we approached the port, all you could see was a crowd of people, you couldn't even see the pier itself. And the pier was the only thing around, there were no other buildings or houses to be seen except for the hundreds lining the super long pier road.
After ashore, we were approached by multiple people asking, “You need a trike? Where are you headed?”. Or at least I was, I don't know about Kelsey, haha. One guy was very persistent and I said, “Oh I'm not in charge, you'll have to ask her...” and I pointed at Kelsey, haha.

Kelsey agreed to the fare for where we wanted to go and we first headed into the actual town of Magdiwang, where we were told we would have to sign in at the tourism office. For safety reasons.
Once there we signed our names and met another white man, Trules, from Sweden. He was actually headed to Mt. Guiting-Guiting National Park, which is where we were also headed. We left, as he was busy with some other things at the moment, and we made our way to the entrance of the park. Our trike driver, Erik, was for some unknown reason unable to make it all the way to the park headquarters. So he dropped us off literally in the middle of nowhere. Quite exciting really, because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. We kept walking along the road in the direction he told us and eventually came to a sign that said Welcome to Mt. Guiting-Guiting National Park. I knew something was fishy from the start of our very well planned out trip.

The first thing I noticed that seemed strange was that the sign was fairly hidden in some weeds next to an abandoned C.R. Building, that was either under construction or under Demolition, or just falling apart. As we kept walking it seemed awfully quite, and I started to get creeped out a little.
I walked up to the entrance of the so-called “Visitor's Center” only to find the door locked....hmmm. I walked up to another building labeled “Protected Area Building” only again to find the door locked. Now I was really starting to get worried. I was wondering why wouldn't anyone be there? Did something happen? Oh maybe they are all on lunch break. I started to feel like I was in the T.V. Show Lost. As scary as it was, it was also kind of exciting, haha. I explored the grounds a little more and found a rudimentary kitchen area were there was one table, with a half empty cold bottle of water in the middle. I also found there cooking area where I found warm coals. I was convinced that there were people somewhere, but where were they?

As we walked around a little more I heard a low rumbling noise start up. I immediately started to think of the smoke monster from Lost, and began looking for some place to hide. No just kidding, I wasn't scared, in fact I went to investigate and found out that it was another trike, who surprisingly made it all the way to the entrance of the park! On board was a fairly friendly face. It was Trules! We talked about how it was strange no-one was around. Kelsey said “I think we are gonna go hiking now.” but the trike driver of Trules said, “It's dangerous to hike without a guide here.” and in my head I was thinking, 'Oh please Kelsey, he's a local, he know's what's best....', but Kelsey wouldn't listen, haha, and off we went into the densest forest in the whole of the Philippines.

Long story short, we hiked for about 6 hours and I got a pretty view of the path! Okay, so there is a little bit more to the hike. We stopped for lunch and ate peanuts, bread, and water (Was I in prison?, jk). As we sat for a bit, Kelsey sang me a song in Tagalog that one of the previous students from the bible school had written. So in the shadow of the tallest mountain in the province of Romblon, in the densest forest in the Philippines, I snacked on peanuts while listening to my sister sing a song, 9000 miles from home. Like I said before, new experiences every single day.

After lunch is when we hiked non-stop for about 5 hours (Not non-stop, since I had to take a breather every once in a while). We eventually ended up turning back seeing as it was starting to get dark, and along our way back we lost the path.....greaaaat, I knew it would happen sooner or later. As I was following Kelsey I hear her say, “Umm, I think we aren't on a path anymore...”. Oh crap. As we stood there for a second thinking of what to do, so nasty little fire ants made their way onto my feet and went nuts. I screamed out, “Ooooo, hey keep moving, yikes, wow, yeah keep moving.”. I hate the ants here, they have so many compared to back home. Everywhere outside, and in your bed, and in your food...everywhere.

Once we discovered we were lost all I could think of was “Did Bear Grills do an episode on the Philippine Jungles?
Eventually we found a path, phew. I have to say it was quite the experience to hike with Kelsey. Everytime I thought I was going to die from exhaustion I just sang a little song in my head.

“Every single cell in my body is happy, Every Single cell in my body is well, Every single cell in my body is Happy, Every single cell in my body is well.
I thank you Lord, I feel so good, Every single cell in my body is well. I thank you Lord, I feel so good, Every single cell in my body is well.”

Corny, I know, but hey, It worked for me, maybe it will work for you, haha.

So eventually we made it back down to the park headquarters were we were surprised to find a light on in the staff house! I was now firmly convinced someone was around, and began to knock on the door.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

no answer

“Hello!?”

still no answer.

We decided to have dinner in their little outside dining room where I had found the table with the cold bottle of water, which was now Missing!!! Ooooo....creepy, plus the table had been reset with a new table cloth?! Yikes.

So as we sat down Kelsey decided to go rinse off in a small river just down the road. While she rinsed off, I played solitare, then once she got back I went to take a bath. Nothing like a nice cool spring river to relax after a long day of hiking. Once I got back we started to eat a little. We still had no sign of anyone around, yet the light remained.

“What was that?” I say, turning my head to peer into the wood's where the rustling I had heard came from.

“What?” Kelsey replied.

“Over there! Look...”

I noticed a flashlight in the distance.

“Yeah, people!” I exclaimed. “Okay Kelsey, You talk to them, your more outgoing then I am.”

“No Way! Oh my Goodness!” Kelsey said as the people came closer and closer.

It turned out to be Trules! We later found out that about an hour after we left the 1 person on staff showed up to greet Trules and his Filipino wife. SoOOO It turns out that someone had been around! I was slightly relieved, but still a little confused as to why there was only one single person on staff for the entire National Park!? His name was Andy, and he explained to us how it was off season, and they really don't have many visitors this time of year. It also turns out that when we first did arrive, his friend had been “Sleeping” in the staff house! Strange but exciting experiences.

Andy was kind enough to open up the Visitor's center for us to sleep in. Inside the old musty building I was surprised to find several large comfy couches, along with 10 fully made bed's on the upper balcony of the building! There was a giant topographic map located in the building that Andy used to explain more about the park to us with. He also told us of other things we would be able to do the next day. He mentioned two waterfalls. Cawa-Cawa, and Lubingang.

So after he left us, I walked back over to where Trules and his wife were eating their dinner and had a chat with them for about an hour or so. It's always nice to meet people from other places around the world. It's a big world but It's amazing how God puts the right people in the right places, at the right times! I spoke with Trules about multiple things, including my Swedish background, my work at PRBC, and my current expedition for 7 or 8 months. He even taught me some more Swedish words and phrases. The only two I knew before then were Fweu (spelling?) which my grandpa taught me when I was 7 (it means 7), and Yag elscerday (again spelling?) which means I love you. He taught me Gud Nats (one more time, Spelling?) which means good night, which is where we left our conversation.
After I headed back over to the Visitor's Center I fell asleep almost immediately.

After a good nights rest I was ready for a day of more exercise and fun! (umm..not). But I really appreciated Kelsey spending time and money to come down to visit me, so I wanted her to be happy.
We woke up around 6 or so and walked from the park headquarters to the National Road. The national road made me think of a back road up in the Boundary Waters, haha.
After walking for a few Kilometers we caught a trike back into Magdiwang and started asking around and looking for a place Kelsey had heard of called Vicky's Place. To our surprise, we bumped into Erik, our trike driver from the other day, and he directed us to the place we were headed and we met Vicky.

Vicky started her homestay/Inn for foreigners a few years back mostly because her sister started dating an Austrian man named Oliver. Plus she loves meeting new people from around the world. I think her Inn was a good Idea then, haha. We dropped our bags off and Erik agreed to be our Trike driver for the day. As we were walking out Kelsey followed Erik, but Vicky caught me on our way out and told me if we wanted she could prepare a dinner for us (Vicky is also involved with a catering business). Without hesitation I immediately agreed (I was a bit tired of Peanuts and bread).

So after we left we started another exciting day of traveling around the truly beautiful island of Sibuyan. It is known as a rougher area, not seeing as many tourists as other areas. When I say rough I speak of its looks, and not it's people or their way of life. The people of Sibuyan are just as kind and welcoming as anywhere else in this entire country.

We made our long 18 Km trip over to the small village where the trail to Cawa-Cawa falls was located. There we were asked if we needed a guide. Immediately the ants from yesterday came to mind, and I shouted yes!....haha. I know guides aren't always necessary, but I felt we needed one for several reasons. First, I didn't want to get lost, second, If anything happened, there would be someone else there, Third, the people of Sibuyan island don't get many chances to interact with other people of other cultures, and lastly, they need all the money they can get, and I don't want to be the one to deprive them of something they need, not something they want.

We had about 3 guides with us, plus Erik. Two were locals of the village in which we had arrived. The other gentleman however was the Chieftain of the Indigenous tribe towards which we were hiking! He didn't speak any English, but he was a nice man. We got along just fine, haha. Along the way we crossed the same river about 7 or 8 times. Every-Single-Time, Kelsey had to take her shoes and socks off, then she would have to put them back on! Haha, I didn't care, it gave me time to get further ahead of her, haha. We finally arrived at the Cawa-Cawa falls about 45 minutes after we had left the village.

After we took some pictures we decided to go for a swim! The valley in which the waterfalls was located resembled something out of of J.R.R. Tolkiens' book series Lord of The Rings. Crystal clear water, stoney river bed, deep gullys, rapid torrents, yet smooth pools of deep blue water. I was happy we had decided to visit it. One of our guides wen on ahead of us and climbed up onto a super slippery rock face and used a vine to pull us up and over into the second pool of water.

Cawa-Cawa means in Tagalog, Frying Pan. The falls were named such that they resemble big woks, or frying pans, with thousands of gallons of water running through them every minute. Once in the second pool we took some pretty neat pictures and swam around for a bit. I tried to work my way over the second falls but it was too strong for my feeble attempt, haha.

After we had our refreshing swim we started heading back. I gave one of our guides his money before the others because on our way back he was splitting up with us. I gave him P100 ($2.30) and he was so amazed that I gave him that much that he wanted us to go to his house and have some Tuba (Coconut wine, don't worry grandma, it's not alcoholic). He was so happy that I gave him that much because he climbs coconut trees every day of the week for almost 9 or 10 hours and only earns P150 a day...
I was happy we could help!

We finally got back and got on our way to the 2nd falls. This one didn't require a guide, seeing as it was only a few hundred meters from the National road, but Erik went with us to ensure our safety. We arrived at the falls shortly after walking for only a few minutes. They weren't as pretty as Cawa-Cawa, but this one had a rope swing! I wasn't going to go swimming but Kelsey didn't know how to use the rope swing properly, so I had to show her, and it was a lot of fun! We swam for about half an hour or so and then decided we would go back to Vicky's Place and just relax the rest of the day.

After Erik dropped us off we went to our room and put our stuff away and then decided to go for a walk around town, but ended up going down to the beach and walking along the beach for a couple of hours. It was a very nice beach, with plenty of open area, but it was changing all the time because of the tide. We walked all the way up to a rock wall that had been built by locals to protect some recently planted mangroves. We started to walk out onto the rock wall but as we walked further and further the waves started splashing over all the rocks and it became to slippery to continue. Inside the little man made pool were millions upon millions of small star fish! At first I thought it was just sea-weed, but I took a closer look and sure enough they were moving all over. I also stepped on a Sea-urchin, but thankfully my shoes were tough enough, haha.

We headed back to Vicky's and had a nice nap before an amazing dinner! Was really delicous, especially after eating peanuts and bread for two days! We both read a little before heading to bed. I read the entire timeline of the Philippines, which turned out to be very entertaining. I went to bed fairly early and was excited to be able to sleep long enough to let the sun come up before me! I had my clock set for 8am, but at about 7:50, the neighbors started blaring John Lennon or something...oh well, so I lost 10 minutes, haha.

The ferry from Magdiwang left at around 10ish, so we decided to start walking around 8:45 towards the port. It was a nice walk, and it wasn't even that far. From there we both purchased our separate tickets, my ticket was from Magdiwang all the way back to San Agustin on Tablas, and Kelsey was going from Magdiwang to Manila. We were on the same boat from Magdiwang to Romblon, but from there we split up and she got on the larger ferry while I stayed the same one. Once she got on the ferry we said goodbye one last time, because I could see her from my boat and I took her picture leaning over the railing.

As I waited for the boat to leave I noticed a lot of splashing. I went to the railing to look and see what all the noise was. I was very surprised to see a group of guys swimming right between the two huge ships. They were calling up to other passengers on the ferries to throw coins and when someone would they would dive down and try to get to it before the other guys. They were also climbing like monkeys back onto the ships, using the ropes that the boat was docked in with to work their way up to the railings, then they would just climb along side the ship up to the top, and do tricks jumping off from the top. The crazy thing was, no one seemed to mind! I was very surprised to see some seamen throwing them money even! It was pretty cool though to see all the different tricks or flips they could do from the top of the ship.

I finally made it back to San Agustin and caught a trike back to Sugod. Like I said before (I think) everytime you get off a ferry there are tons of trikes and motorbikes waiting for people (especially tourists) to give “Special Rides” to. A special ride is just one passenger. I hate getting special rides, because it makes me feel too special. So Instead of getting a ride from one of them I waited at the trike terminal for the trike going to Sugod. So instead of paying P150 for the special ride, I paid P25. Quite a difference if you ask me, plus it made me feel more part of the culture here.

About a 3 days later, Maggie and Martin left. Kelly and I woke up at about 4:45am to go and say goodbye. I told them I'll keep them up to date with all that's going on here, with the mangroves and the school building project. It was sad to see them go, because they were such wonderful people, but they have other adventures ahead of them.

Christmas DAY!
Christmas in the Philippines was amazingly amazing! We had a big Videoke/Karaoke party at pretty much everyone's house. I spent some time over at Archie's house where I finally got to taste monkey! I have to say it was absolutely delicious. Very Memorable experience, but I did miss my family immensely, but I now know that I need to use this time for having fun and making a difference in my life and others.

6 days ago was the Long Beach Festival. Both Kelly and I were invited to go over to Vincent's house to have some food and enjoy the festivities. The festivals here are held once a year for each town, So December was Long Beach's and April Sugod will have theirs, so unfortunately I will miss all the fun! If you attend the festivities you should go with a super empty stomach, which no one told me to do, I found out on my own. I figured we would just eat one meal at Vincent's house and then head towards where the parade was being held along with the dance competition. To my surprise I actually had 4 lunches that day! My stomach was ready to explode by the time I arrived at the last house. It's bad manners to refuse food or hospitality here in the Philippines if you are offered, so I forced myself to eat more and more food. In between meals we watched the parade which was hosted by the 4 Puroks (divisions) of Long Beach. They each had their own Dancers and Drumlines, and it was a real awesome experience. After the parade finished we were invited to board a festival ship for the Parade of ships (pretty much the parade, just on water). We rounded a big ship that had anchored itself in the harbor a few times before heading back to shore to enjoy some more food.....ughh.

After we ate some more we went to the town plaza, aka the basketball court where they held the dance competition. Just as in the parade, each Purok had their turn to perform for the judges. They wore some very interesting costumes and painted their entire bodies in either blue, black, or white, along with different patterns all over their backs, chest, arms and legs.

After the competition finished we headed to another house to have some more food! Then after I finished that meal, I was invited by Eduard and my friend Archie to join them at someone else's house where, you guessed it, more food was waiting to be eaten! We hung out for a few hours, and then I was asked to head back to Sugod for dinner by Mom Tess...
:”Oh no, not more food...”

The next day I was invited to go to the dance in Long beach again. I got a ride that night with Eduard and Archie on his Motorbike. So I know I mentioned how impossibly packed the trikes can get, well same goes for motorbikes here. I once saw an entire family on one 125cc motorbike. 6 People. I was shocked and confused as to how the bike withstood the amount of weight, but somehow they do it. So it was Archie, his brother Al Jun, Eduard, and I all on Archie's bike. We got to the dance and found a spot on the bleachers to just sit and talk. It's really nice to get to know everyone here, and everyone is friends with everyone, which is pretty much awesome. We went back at about 1 or so in the morning.

The next day was the final day of festivities in Long beach. It started off pretty similar to the day before when I stuffed my face all day long. I was with Archie and Eduard again for a while, and then we were gonna go back to Sugod for dinner, but the trike driver we had had been drinking a little and I was a little nervous, but Archie said don't worry, he was gonna get the keys from him and drive me home, but that never happened. Eduard sat in the Side car while me and Archie sat on the bike and the driver, well... drove. The whole time Archie told me not to worry, that he was a good driver, even if he had a few beers in him, which he was, he just didn't like to slow down! We made it back and Archie apologized but I told him he had no reason to since we made it back safely.

After dinner I met up with some friends at Archies house and we decided to head down to the beach to go swimming because it was Taob (High tide). Earlier that day they had bought some fish and brought some coconut shells to burn to cook the fish over. We also piled up some palm leaves and shells to burn for if they got cold after swimming (They were cold, I was warm, haha.). While we were at the beach I got to know some other people that I hadn't met before. Like Francis and Archie's Brother Al Jun. As we sat on the beach and they talked I started to get a little home sick, because watching them hangout made me miss hanging out with my friends back home. I eventually told them I got bored so I headed to bed.

The next day I felt terrible for leaving them and I told them why I had, and that I now realize that I may miss my friends, but I'll see them again someday, so I should just take advantage of my time here, and make some great memories!

That day was New Years Eve, and I slept in until almost 11! Just like back home, right Grandma? Haha.
All day people were preparing all kinds of food and deserts, because it is tradition to eat once it is the New Year here. So everyone's refrigerators and freezer's were packed with food!

That night I had way too much food again. I was invited to join Eduard and Archie at his house where, I had just eaten dinner, and then Archie brought me a huge plate of more food! Then we went to his neighbors where they fed me some Buko Salad and beer?! (Buko Salad is freshly cut coconut mixed with condensed milk along with mixed fruits and then frozen.)

Then we headed back over to Archie's where about 20 of our other friends showed up and we just sat and talked for almost 3 hours! If you read my last blog I think I mentioned I bought a box of Cigars so I pulled some of those out and passed them out. We all had a great time just sitting and listening to music. I started to feel sick and finally went to bed around 3 in the morning.

Just like Christmas, New Years was a time I will never forget, mostly because I spent it with so many new friends in an amazing place. Very different compared to my last New Years where I was on Navy Pier. Plus there was no Snow! It was about 77 out, haha. Perfect weather for me, just like summer back home.

So yesterday morning, I awoke to hear “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis being blasted from speakers almost half a Km away. I went down to check out what was going on, and I was there the rest of the day. The kid's of Sugod had wanted to organize a game day where they all got together to compete, and the donations from the older residents was given to the kids as their prizes. All day long they played games. Carrying eggs on spoons, Running as fast as you could, Dance Competitions, Blindfolded pinata games, even Boxing!

Last night we had another get together on the beach. The people who live here love to hangout, no matter what time it is. We were on the beach for a few hours then we headed back to the dorm, (where I stay), and they asked me if they could just sleep over, so we just talked for a while and listened to music, and then all fell asleep.

If you've noticed this blog seems like it has been one long vacation, but that's because it has been, no-one has work or school, and the CERV employees are too involved with all the festivities going on. Tomorrow morning (Sunday the 3rd) I'm going to finally plant the 3,000 Mangroves! I have to wake up fairly early, around 6, because that is when it is Hunas (Low Tide).

So I know for a fact I've missed some pretty cool stories in here, so that will give you a good reason to sit down and talk with me about what I've been doing here.

I am so thankful to all those who helped me get here, because this trip has truly changed my life. I've talked with so many of my friends about Change, It seems to be what my life circles around. As I sat this afternoon watching the clouds roll over the tops of the mountains here I started to think.....

“Change is a thing that has to take place, and nothing can ever stay the same. We live in a world that demands change. Each of our lives is something extraordinary gifted to us by God, and we need to do the things in our life that he leads us to do. For instance, my life till just a few months ago and pretty much been the same, and now look where I am! I never dreamed that in an eternity I would make my way across the world to the smallest town in the poorest province in a 3rd world country that I knew very little about and make friends and memories and impacts in people's lives. I never dreamed that God would want me to make a difference in this way. How did I get here? God has placed me here, not circumstances, not my money, not anyone else's money, not demands, not needs, not wants...only God could do something like this, and I think I have changed more myself inside in the past 2 months than I have in the past 20 years. Yes there are in my life that I wish would have turned out differently, but if they did, I wouldn't be the same person I am now. One of the most comforting things to know is that God is the one directing my life, he is the one who makes everything happen, the one who makes me who I am. This world has things in it both good and bad, but everything I've ever done, both good and bad, has lead me to where I am today. There are no accidents, there are no mistakes, there is only what happens. Before I left home I wanted to get as much of God as I could because I had no idea what it would be like over here, but since I departed, he has never been closer than he is now!”

In my journal I have an entry that is entirely in prayer form. I wrote it while I was alone on the beach, and this is a part of it.

“Thank-God....for whatever I am, whatever I do, whatever happens in my life. You are with me! There is no other feeling in this world that trumps the knowledge of knowing you are near. My whole life, everywhere I've gone, everything I've ever done, everything I've ever said, Good or Bad, You have been standing there next to me. I praise you Lord for making me the way I am. Even if I falter or show weakness, you never leave. I don't always understand you or your ways, but I am yours, and I will always follow you. Even when the people I love turn their backs on me for who I am or what I've done, even when I stand alone in complete darkness, even when the world is crumbling and falling down around me. My faith for you grows stronger each and every day you bless me with! Blessed be your name, for my heart chooses you over everything this world has to offer!” ---December 1st, 2009

Please keep me in your prayers.

Erik S. Johnson