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It has been one week since I arrived at my new home, and it has been everything I have expected, and in some cases, more than I expected.
I live in the jungle, a rain forest type of jungle. No lions, no tigers, no elephants. But other animals I have not recognized.The road to my house is a single pathway, only wide enough for one person to walk, but there is some traffic on it. Bicycles, motorbikes, and sometimes tricycles. The tricycles are unique, either a bicycle or a motorbike that they have welded on a side car made of spare metal. While the side car will seat one, it is usual that 2 or even 3 people will use that seat at the same time, and if the owner is very ambitious, he will add a rear seat to further increase his income. Cost: 12 cents for each person if a motorbike, 10 cents for each person if a bicycle. And, it seems the price is the same for up to 2 or even 3 kilometers, and includes various stops along the way if you want to do further shopping. There are some trucks, mostly in very bad shape, but there you have it, a mobile population. I am considering purchasing a motorbike in the future, as I live so far into the jungle/woods, that the only tricycles coming here are those that deliver me.
Behind my house the path continues, but I do not know where it leads, other than to the rice fields I can see down the hill. But, there is foot traffic there as well, so the land while being very remote, it is populated in a very quiet manner.
I have had one disappointment, however, it was expected. I had been told the internet was already at my home, but of course it was not. After many contacts with the various providers, I finally found one that would connect, and was available to my remote home. As I prepared to pay he said, “But, we will not be operational for 2-3 years.” So, I tried the second best alternative. They arrived last night at 8pm to install, but they said they would not because there was no line of sight, the trees are too big and too many to be able to use their service. They suggested dial-up, but said that dial-up is extremely slow and does not work many days of the week.
So, starting today I will begin to use the DOTC, Department of Telecommunications, where they will allow me to hook up my laptop to send and receive messages. Up until to day, I could only use an internet cafe and it took so long to download messages I fell asleep.
The food. Oh my, the food. Everything is done in a very simple way, preparation for the meal may not start until 30 or 45 minutes before, maximum. The meat may be marinated for 30 minutes in something like vinegar, or perhaps burned, but it is all done very quickly and is extremely tasty. I have changed my expectations of losing weight.
From the very first day, a constant stream of visitors have appeared, starting at 7am and lasting until dark, 7pm. People from other villages, even from Manila, which is about a 6 or 7 hour ship ride away. Everyday for this week I have been the focus of attention. Children, and even some adults, have to touch my hair, as I am the only person on the island without black hair and black eyes. I did meet an American, Ken, who is 73 and married to a very nice 33 year old woman. He lives in the next village, and has been here for 7 months now. He purchased a fishing business, which is 3 houses on stilts in the ocean. 12 fishermen are employed full time, with additional part time people on occasion. The floor of the houses open up at night, and lights are directed at the sea to attract the fish. Then they drop a net and collect whatever comes up, from fish to squid, plus other unknown things.
Yesterday we purchased a pound of fresh shrimp for $2.25.
I cannot purchase shaving cream here, Filipinos do not have enough whiskers to shave, so they do not need the cream. I will have to wait until I return to Cebu City, on another island, to buy. I will also visit the Ace Hardware there again. Very American. Someone please tell Ty that the plumbing supplies are using the American measurements. Also tell him that while the toilets here have septic tanks, the sinks and showers (if you can find one) empty directly to the outside.
Wednesday I watched 3 men come to the neighbor's house to cut 2 trees down. They then cut the trees into 2 x 8 x 8 pieces, using only chain saws. Amazingly true measurements.
Even with all the visitors, I still am very busy doing things. I have become the premier weed puller in the neighborhood, a distinction that still brings folks to watch, although I suspect they are only here to see how someone who is pink works.
The dogs here are native dogs, very different from the dogs we know. They act more like cats than dogs, very full of attitude. They totally ignore you. If you try to pet them, at the very least they will growl, but more likely they will bite you. It has been one week, and so far only 2 of the dogs will allow me to pet them now. The third one is still ignoring me, but at least now he does brush my leg from time to time. I still am not allowed to pet him.
Only one real surprise. I have been keeping the cords to my laptop on the refrigerator. Yesterday after I picked up the cord, I noticed a strange thing curled up under the cord. A snake. Seems he got tired and decided to take a nap. A baby snake, got lost I supposed. He scurried out the door, which is not there yet. 2 walls are still open to the outside, and one door. We will extend the house eventually to about twice the size, which will then be about 1400 square feet, with 3 bathrooms and 4 bedrooms.
I have pictures, and I will send soon.
Thank you to all who have kept me in mind, and have sent me the jokes, cartoons and American heroes. It is very touching to know that I am remembered.
So, starting today I will begin to use the DOTC, Department of Telecommunications, where they will allow me to hook up my laptop to send and receive messages. Up until to day, I could only use an internet cafe and it took so long to download messages I fell asleep.
The food. Oh my, the food. Everything is done in a very simple way, preparation for the meal may not start until 30 or 45 minutes before, maximum. The meat may be marinated for 30 minutes in something like vinegar, or perhaps burned, but it is all done very quickly and is extremely tasty. I have changed my expectations of losing weight.
From the very first day, a constant stream of visitors have appeared, starting at 7am and lasting until dark, 7pm. People from other villages, even from Manila, which is about a 6 or 7 hour ship ride away. Everyday for this week I have been the focus of attention. Children, and even some adults, have to touch my hair, as I am the only person on the island without black hair and black eyes. I did meet an American, Ken, who is 73 and married to a very nice 33 year old woman. He lives in the next village, and has been here for 7 months now. He purchased a fishing business, which is 3 houses on stilts in the ocean. 12 fishermen are employed full time, with additional part time people on occasion. The floor of the houses open up at night, and lights are directed at the sea to attract the fish. Then they drop a net and collect whatever comes up, from fish to squid, plus other unknown things.
Yesterday we purchased a pound of fresh shrimp for $2.25.
I cannot purchase shaving cream here, Filipinos do not have enough whiskers to shave, so they do not need the cream. I will have to wait until I return to Cebu City, on another island, to buy. I will also visit the Ace Hardware there again. Very American. Someone please tell Ty that the plumbing supplies are using the American measurements. Also tell him that while the toilets here have septic tanks, the sinks and showers (if you can find one) empty directly to the outside.
Wednesday I watched 3 men come to the neighbor's house to cut 2 trees down. They then cut the trees into 2 x 8 x 8 pieces, using only chain saws. Amazingly true measurements.
Even with all the visitors, I still am very busy doing things. I have become the premier weed puller in the neighborhood, a distinction that still brings folks to watch, although I suspect they are only here to see how someone who is pink works.
The dogs here are native dogs, very different from the dogs we know. They act more like cats than dogs, very full of attitude. They totally ignore you. If you try to pet them, at the very least they will growl, but more likely they will bite you. It has been one week, and so far only 2 of the dogs will allow me to pet them now. The third one is still ignoring me, but at least now he does brush my leg from time to time. I still am not allowed to pet him.
Only one real surprise. I have been keeping the cords to my laptop on the refrigerator. Yesterday after I picked up the cord, I noticed a strange thing curled up under the cord. A snake. Seems he got tired and decided to take a nap. A baby snake, got lost I supposed. He scurried out the door, which is not there yet. 2 walls are still open to the outside, and one door. We will extend the house eventually to about twice the size, which will then be about 1400 square feet, with 3 bathrooms and 4 bedrooms.
I have pictures, and I will send soon.
Thank you to all who have kept me in mind, and have sent me the jokes, cartoons and American heroes. It is very touching to know that I am remembered.
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