We work the same projects in the communities with the same condition as all other Peace Corps volunteers; the main difference is there is an emerging middle class here.  This gives volunteers access to numerous items other country volunteers would drool over. We are experiencing this first hand in our community. Our project include; registering mangingisda (fisher folk) through the municipal level for the provincial government database, building and maintaining four community gardens, snorkeling to set up and monitoring artificial reefs, monitoring sea grass and coral, training and setting up community saving programs for local farmers, training older students to help tutor younger students, train community member in technical skills for their own livelihood, work with youth to help keep them from working in sugar cane fields and attend school instead.

March 2, 2014

Tea is a black single estate Darjeeling.  Sundown is apple honey ice tea with Tanduay.  All water in-between.

March 3, 2014

I took the iPhone into the CR this morning. As I have done, every morning, since 2005. Instead of playing Full Deck Solitaire – Montana, I ended up clapping my hands at mosquitos. I killed all 8, which is actually a new high score. I didn’t even use the iPhone. As I haven’t done, every day, since July 8, 2013. Tuning out technology, check.

March 4, 2014

Diner last night was Roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, in locally made elbow pasta, covered in pesto and a light amount of palm oil, a side of green beans, and local chocolate and rice pudding. We cook on a wood-burning clay pit and a hot plate, we eat all our meals from local produce found a block away at the Mercado, and we eat and drink for $1.67 each a day, although the spices and dry goods are subsidized by the care packages from our families.

March 5, 2014

I rode 16 Km yesterday and 12 Km today. The road is very rough and I’m exhausted. Still have to travel another 16 Km this afternoon. Think I’ll take a trike.

Now.

Time for a sundown.