Where is Willis: July 2013

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Our second date

Yesterday was a good day. My group in Poblacion, Morong put on a community event in which we hosted about 30 community members to introduce ourselves and to help us understand where we live. We put on a 3 hour event of activities and discussions. We used as much Tagalog as possible, but in the end we had to use primarily English and speak slow. I will note that I was completely blown away by how much comrehension I had for the Tagalog spoke by the community. It's hard to believe we have only been in this community less than a week. I'm proud of my group for what we were able to put together .

After we wrapped up, the other married person in our group, Beth, and I shared a trike cab to Sabang to visit our mga asawa (spouses). I picked up Lauren and met the rest of her family. We walked down to the beach were we ran into many fellow volunteers glad to be out on a saturday evening. We spoke to two bright eyed volunteers both named Ali who were gathering ingrediants to make guacamole. Lauren and I sat on a concrete dock and watched this sunset. I met a group of local kids who where oddly all named after famous basketball players. I introduced myself as Tim Duncan and they just staired blankly at me. No love for the Spurs, even in Bataan.

We walked down to the beach and set up a little blanket where we shared a couple of San Miguel Pilsners and much need catch up time. I brought the beers and a little radio, Lauren brought an umbrella, and we sat in the rain and had one of the best times I can remember.

It cleared up after a while and we walked down to meet up with the other volunteers who were gathered for a beach bonfire. We were able to have about 30 minutes of fire before I had to go back. I was able to have a bite of guac and a homemade tortilla which was the second best part of my day. Walking back to the trike stand it really started to rain. No trikes were at the stand so We had to walk out to the highway to get one there. I got home soked and 30 minutes late but people here seem to understand it is very hard to be on time in the rain.

Today I'll do laundry. I think I will get started go it can have time to dry before it rains again.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

How I came to date my wife again

Lauren and I have been stationed in separate host families in neighbooring Barangays (villages within a township) in the provice of Bataan. We are separated by only about 2 miles, 5 minutes and 50 pesos, and the social norms of our host families.

After a hard night apart and a tough physical day we had the wonderful opportunity to have a date aranged by Lauren's host mother. They took a trike cab over to my Barangay and I was allowed to call on Lauren.

I walked over to the home her host mother was visiting, met her mother, and took Lauren for a walk. Having only 30 minutes we walked over to my host families house, where she was able to meet my host father and Lorna who works for my family. For our date snack we had Velveta like cheese sandwhiches and RC Cola. It was quite pleasant and nice to spend time together. All Filipino events involve food. We finished and I walked her back to drop her off.

When I returned her to the house we were rushed inside and fed a full meal with coconut water. The house was full with maybe 50 people and a priest. They were there for a wake of some sort. I met many people and saw some I knew already. We said our goodbyes and I walked home.

When we returned to our separate houses we were fed again. At least the food is good and they are very accommodating.

It's nice to see Lauren when I can. We are both busy all day with training and comunity introductions. Today I meet the Baragay Captain and the Mayor and his staff. It is already to the point that I am seeing people I know on the street.

We are both well, adjusting to the food and malaria meds, and in general very happy to be here. It is very beautiful, rural, friendly, and just plain bizare here.

And then there's the children

This ain't no Abby Road

Today we went to Bataan Peninsula State University for joint training with other CYF Volunteers. It was nice to see the other PC people living on the Manila Bay side of Bataan. Our 2 hour road trip took us along the memorial highway of the Bataan Death March. It shudder to think of what those men went through in this weather and in that depleted and deadly time. There is a giant cross on the mountain only topped in size by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

Playing with the children

Saturday, July 20, 2013

To the next location

For the past two weeks we have been comfortably staying outside of Pasay City at IIRR. While here we have met a group of amazing individuals from all walks of life. We are all starting to slowly become more resourceful. Alan has become the local barber shop as he is the only one that brought clippers. I would say more practice is needed!!! Lauren has learned how to use the CR (bathroom) which isn't pretty. I would say more practice is needed!!!

Moving onto the next step, we have each packed up our 100lbs of our worldly positions to be moved to our Pre-Service Training (PST) site in Morong about 4 hours away. Alan and I will be living with separate host families for the next 10 weeks while training. Not too worry, we are only 3km apart so we will see each other often. During this time we will learn the basic necessities of how to live like going to the market, traveling in Jeepny's and just walking around town.

As for the training part we will have language classes for 4 hours everyday (except for Sunday) and technical training every afternoon. Lauren is starting to get used to terms dealing with marine biology such as Man Groves, coral reef gardens, sea grass habitat, etc. While Alan is busy learning about possible projects including working with child laborers in sugar cane fields or other harsh environments.

We are both having a great time and are anticipating the next steps to come. Please keep us in your thoughts as we move onto this next stage. We will be tried physically, mentally and emotionally.