45

Update 45  by Roger
A much more comfortable night (for Roger) on the bus from Banaue to Manila...we ate at our hotel restaurant before leaving and had some fun with the cook and waitress when I complimented the cook and told her that we enjoyed the sizzling chicken with rice meal that she had fixed.  They both giggled like schoolgirls so I asked "Will you be my Valentine?" More laughter and smiles.  
Arrived early at the bus stop and had a chance to get settled in before the bus loaded up.  It was good to get dressed up warmly because the AC was working well and we needed four layers of clothing to be comfortable for the 9 hour ride to Manila.  The driver was very skillful as he zoomed around trucks, trikes, pedestrians, dogs, etc. and even one car that was swerving badly across the center line (drunk?) to get us safely to Manila at about 4 AM.
One taxi, then a jeepney (full of dozing Filipinos that could not keep their heads from flopping around so eventually they just rested their heads on the next guys shoulder), finally a trike and we were back in Antipolo to collect the bags we had left there on Monday and also to once again connect briefly with the staff and kids at Children's Garden.  Many of the the boys welcomed another bear hug from "Papa & Mama Bear". But Aguton was most affected by our return.  He had worked closely with me on many projects at CG and I know he was disappointed to see us go.  I gave him some change for his piggy bank and one of my favorite shirts (blue plaid).  He put a keychain (painting of a volcano) on my suitcase.  It reads COSTA RICA on the back.  Hard telling how it got here and in his possession but I think it must have been a valued item for him and consider it a special present.  He is a special friend that I would like to see again.  Dropped off near Papa John's Pizza so we enjoyed a very U.S. style lunch.  You never know when the next good meal might be some ways off !  Besides, they had Coke Zero (Jane's new fav).  Flew to Tacloban but weather prevented landing so back to Manila...will try again today.


Sent from my iPod Touch

43 &44

Update 43

It was one of those days when the day grabs you and you just hand on and enjoy the ride.  We met up with our hired driver & 3 ne buddies & took off toward the Hapao hotsprings.....listening to country music which is sooo popular here.   We drove past miles of more rice terraces...and I took tons more pictures as each time the van stopped, another unique and fabulous view just demanded a picture.  Overwhelmed by the number of terraces here!  When we got to the trail head, we hired a guide (as they are very convincing) and took off traversing across hundreds of terraces...becoming a speck in this web of terraces. The narrow path was between two paddies...on level with the path & the other about 4 ft below.  Often a moat with running water ran beside us and several times we crossed over deep ravines...path the size of a big balance beam...carved out by the mountain streams.  We passed farmers knee deep in the thick gray muck...with only a hoe to work the paddy.  When I asked about water buffalo, the guide smiled & said, "Man is the water buffalo here" as the mountain terrain is too difficult & cost too great.  Many fresh green patches of rice shoots...babies in their nursery...were ready for transplant which is only done by women...seems right that the women cares for the babies!  We crossed a swinging bridge over a rushing stream and next to it was a sparkling clear pool formed by great boulders.  Quickly we stripped down...and since we'd left our bathing suits in Antipolo...Rog in his boxers & me in my shorts & bra (which actually covered more than the bikini the other girls were wearing). ...and then stepped into "heaven."  One end of the pool was too hot but the other end just right as a small bit of the mountain stream was being diverted into the pool.  We soaked for over an hour...hadn't felt that clean since we left Hawaii !  All good thing must come to the end & so once dressed, we headed back this time through the forest area.  I found several little ones whose eyes sparkled when I gave them a balloon.  A treat for both of us!  Coming out of the woods, we walked through the village of Hapao & noticed right away that it was better off than other villages...and there was hardly any litter !!  Signs saying "Don't throw trash here"  "Don't throw trash in paddy"  ...even "Don't throw trash anywhere"...and waste baskets too.  Our guide told us this town actually produces enough rice to export some.  What a progressive village!  By the time we got back to the van, we'd all decided to ask the driver to take us to Hungduan...to see terraces actually called "Spider Web."  By now the road ws a series of tight curves...so we laughed when we saw an occasional curve ahead sign....thinking it made more sense to have straight ahead signs.  We passed more miles of terraces with the homes clinging to the side of the mountain.  How they don't topple down is beyond me...and where do the little kids play & how do they stay safe??  As we got closer to the top of the mountain, the clouds began to roll in and so when we reached the viewing point to see the Spider Web terraces...they were swallowed up by a cloud.  Oh well, it had been a fabulous day ...our buddies said best they'd had in the Philippines...and like our tiger trip in India--it's more important to "See the Journey" than only the destination!!!

Update 44

As I sat in our hotel sitting room writing, a 50ish Japanese doctor started talking to me.  He too is headed to Tacloban but only to see it.  He kept saying, "You good people" when I told him we'd would be working there.  Then he asked me to come to Japan & help where their tsunami hit...he showed me pictures & said it happened because of global warming...and that led to a discussion on that in which he pointed out USA use of fossil fuel.  He asked me about Obama & GW Bush (saying he thought he was the worst US pres ever).  Some how religion came up...he was Buddhist...so the two things you are never suppose to talk about...we did for about an hour.  In the end, he shook my hand and said he was so honored to meet a "good ordinary American."