Only 24 posts so far so here’s one more:
From looking at all the other stories it’s apparent all the different journeys life takes each one of us. Some people are in our lives only to leave footprints. Looking back at some of the good moments I had, a lot seem to be coupled with a negative aspect. One example of such would be a night spent on a sand bar at low tide watching the falling stars, and then acting like a kid running back to the pension house while giving a piggy back ride. It was a carefree night feeling like a kid in a tropical place that was able to spark the feelings that are given up, by growing up. The undesirable aspect is that it was merely one of the ‘pictures taken’ just to ‘watch it burn’, as it was with the ex-fiancé.
One thing that will stick into my mind, however, is actually a small thing. My co-worker/friend had offered that I go with him and his wife to Cebu, Ph. It is the second most populous island out of the 7,107 there. They own a house there and go visit every few years. They have taken another co-worker six years before I went along. I figured it was a once in a life time chance to see the other side of the world. Going at it alone in a place you know very little about would be a testing task. I was lucky to get the opportunity to see life there, not as a tourist sees, but as the locals see. The poverty and the trash there make you sad people live in those conditions, but knowing a lot more about their culture you realize they make the best of things. We Americans put too much emphasis on work and rarely take vacation days. They, in contrast, actually take many holidays off work to be home with friends/family, and they always party. Holy week is a full week of partying in April; Sinulog is a weeklong event in January. They want excuses not to go to work, even though they need money.
I will never forget the very first day I was there. I hadn’t had a chance to make my presence known yet. After we arrived at airport and his sister-in-law drove us to the house, he was going to show me the area. Walking down the street just a few hundred meters away from my friend’s house in Tabunok, I see a few people sitting on some stools and a bench out front of a small shack. To paint a clearer image, the street is lined with large concrete walls and concrete houses, and there are a few shacks for vending. It’s a common thing for friends to take some money and buy 500 mL bottles of San Mig Pils for 50 peso each and share it amongst each other. It’s called tagay-tagay, or inom-inom. Walking by they offered me to drink with them. It was great to feel part of their group. To contrast, part of the culture here is that if you don’t know someone, you ignore them on the streets. Maybe you get an occasional “Hi”. This is why random acts of kindness and chivalrous acts are publicized here. Maybe it was the chance to see things first hand, or the feeling welcomed by this group, but it was a great experience.
In a related tangent to this post:
To provide further insight for those curious, they still wash clothes by hand. They are actually scared to use a washing machine. Life there consists of working and taking care of the family. The things for recreation are karaoke, volleyball, and of course inom-inom. They do get to travel local spots like to zipline or beach or waterfalls or even another island for Holy week. A doctor visit costs only 200 peso ($5). It is a misconception life there is harsh. To think they can barely afford food, well, it may come as a shock to know they all own cellphones there. Electronics cost the same price as they do here. I saw a shirt at Guess in Ayala for 3000p ($75). Kids always go to local internet café for computers. As well, they too have a mindset incorrectly believing money is easy to come by here in the US. Knowing many who have made their journey here, they get the experience to have lived both places and determine life here isn’t as easy as they once thought.
So many wonderful things to think about. Meeting my step-son for the first time some 20 years ago, my daughter being born 18 years ago, meeting my second wife...(didn't happen yet but I'm sure it will be great! LOL)
