Jeepneys, trikes, pirated DVDs, and scary zombie kids...

Ok I finished all my work a little early today, so i have some time to write a little more about everything.

1. Jeepneys

These things just crack me up.  They're one of the main ways of transportation here.  Tons of people cram in them and it only cost a few cents (of US $$....which is like 6 pesos).  

The drivers then proceed to defy all traffic laws to get you to where you need to go.  You have to watch for the signs on top of the Jeepneys to see where they go.  They are so colorful and have so many things on them! You never see 2 that look alike. We always talk about how we would want to decorate our own Jeepneys.  Mine would have expandable wings...

Seth getting onto a Jeepney



All of us crammed in one Jeepney


Seth actually got to hang off the back and I was SO jealous!! It was actually my idea to ride on the back and no one would let me, and Seth got on instead. lame.

but I WILL ride on the back before we get outta here!!

2. Trikes

These trikes take us up the street to the main highway and the mall. We ride them everyday. Its 10 pesos one way...and we usually tip them a little more.  They're so cute.  The drivers are so polite!!   I couldn't feel more like a fat American while riding in these.

This is a picture of our housemates Nate and Taylor riding in one. Seth and I are in one in front of them.  

3.  Pirated DVD's

...pretty much what Seth came for.  Seth and I, and our 2 housemates went downtown to find pirated DVD's, and we found a stand that had a ton.  They were only a little more than a dollar, and most of them were GREAT quality! I would have taken pictures of the place, but it was nighttime and really crowded, and since my white skin was already making me stand out,  I figured that pulling out an expensive digital camera would give me an even higher chance of getting robbed. Next time we go there during the day I'll snap a picture! Anyway, Seth and I grabbed everything, including Indiana jones, seasons 1 and 2 of the office, Horton hears a Who, The Atonement, Get Smart, Penelope, Casino Royale, Iron Man, and Kung Fu Panda. Whoo hoo! i've been watching The Office the past few days whenever I get the chance. We're definitely hitting that place up again before we leave.

....which leads to

4. Scary zombie kids!!

We were warned by the academy of these kids that make themselves look really dirty and come up and ask for money from Americans.  Of course when this happened to us by the DVD place, we gave them a little money, but a swarm of those kids came up to us and almost knocked us over trying to grab all of our things. So we just started to walk away, and they just grabbed at us and tried to steal whatever they could.  We got into a taxi, and one of the kids tried to get in with Taylor, who was sitting next to me. He kept shutting the door, but the kid kept trying to open it and grab him or whatever he was trying to do!!! Then the kid started pounding on the taxi and ran with it while it was driving. The taxi driver then slammed on his breaks in the middle of the road, got out, and chased the kid down the street. Eventually he came back, but by then all of us were just wide eyed and staring at each other thinking "Did that just really happen??".  Scary.  Lesson learned: Don't give zombie kids money.  They will attack you.  We should have listened to the people at the academy in the first place.

So I'm slowly learning about how things work around here.  And I'm already used to the ice cold showers. well, kinda. lol.  I'm already losing weight from being so hungry all the time.  I have already been attacked by local mosquitos (for those who don't know, I have massive allergic reactions to mosquito bites)... one bit my ankle, and it looks disgusting! Its HUGE, red, really itchy, and hot.  People keep asking me if i've sprained my ankle or something.  It seriously looks like I have a mango for an ankle. lol.  Lets hope I don't get bit in the face or anything....

I still have some pictures to upload from our mall trip and of my little friend Jaya who loves to take pictures with my camera.  I also have a video of us riding in a trike AGAINST traffic. ha! It was quite the experience. I will have to give Seth the camera sometime because there are no pictures of me anywhere! 

And I have to tell you about Ace the dog that has been following me around because I give him food.   But I'll do that another time because I should probably act like I'm working or something. 

Keep checking back! :)

Skype

I just downloaded Skype today! My username is hulawahine03     someone get on and talk to me!

We're here!!

    Yes, we made it through the plane flight from hell. 12 hours total to get to Cebu City. What was funny is that I took my portable DVD player to keep myself occupied, but when I went to pull it out of my backpack when we were about to take off, I realized that it had somehow turned on in my backpack and the battery was totally dead!! haha. Now that I look back on it, it seems funny!
     Anyway, we are all settled in now, in a house about a 2 minute walk from the ACE academy. Seth and I are living with the boys from our group in a house with a cute family that are really nice. I love their kids! Raja is a cute little baby boy and Jaya is a beautiful 4 year old girl. They are really hospitable and fun to hang out with. IT IS SO HOT HERE!! It's a little more humid than Hawaii, but there is no breeze, and I feel like I am melting wherever I go. Luckily, we have and AC unit in our room. I am SO GRATEFUL for that.  And yes, I have to share 1 bathroom with 3 boys. Not too great.  And we don't have any warm water...so you can always hear some yelping from the bathroom in the morning when people go in to take their showers.

     Today we explored the area.  The roads here are hilarious.  There are no rules at all, and everyone pretty much drives wherever they want in the road and honk a lot so people get out of their way.  There are these funny bus things called Jeepneys, and they are really colorful and fun to ride on.  We fit like 30 people in one today, it was quite the experience.  I'll have to post some pictures soon.  I swear we almost died like 8 times today.  The drivers here are crazy!

     I've never been in a place like this! There are some really poor areas, and then right next to it there will be some really nice areas.  Its really crowded and street vendors are everywhere.  Cars honk a lot...I think its just to let everyone know where they are.  Everything is really cheap too! I love going to the shopping centers and seeing all the things they have.  American things are about the same price, but everything else is really cheap.  And I found the movie theatre!! Score.  

     As for the food and water, we have to be careful not to drink the tap water and to not eat any food from vendors or certain restaurants, and we have to make sure all of our food is cooked well.  We got typhoid shots today and my arm really really hurts!!  But a lady named Melody made us some Lumpia Shanghai today.....and I have a new favorite food.  

     The people here are so friendly! I've had so much fun getting to know some of the students at the ACE academy.  We start working with them tomorrow morning.  Seth and I go to play basketball with them every night.  Today I just watched and got to know some people. Tomorrow I'm going to play because the boys said they've never seen a girl play basketball before.  ??? Well they better get ready to see some mad skills!

     I'll post some pictures later.  I'm really tired today from carrying home groceries and I'm still feeling the jet lag.  Its almost 2 am Hawaii time and its 8 at night over here.  I can't wait until this wears off.  And my shoulder kills.  But Seth and I are having fun!! And its starting to settle in that we're actually going to be here for 2 months.  Wow.  It's just exciting waking up and wondering what kind of crazy things you are going to see today! :)

 

Seth's graduation

CONGRATULATIONS SETH!!!

I love you so much!!

I would post more about graduation, but we leave for the Philippines in like 8 hours...and I need to pack!! I'll post again soon ...hopefully....!!

Nuestra casa

Our new home is so much more spacious and roomy than our old place....and crazy landlady-free...which is probably the best attribute. Here is a view from our backyard.. gorgeous isn't it?

Seth and Baloo moving in...ignore the mess.

Happy shot of Baloo-he actually has room to move around now!

What I get to see from our bedroom every morning! Love it.

Our living room...our house didn't come furnished at all, so we don't have much, as you can see. We need to put up our poster of Kramer..haha.
My absolute favorite part about our place is the ocean breeze...  no need for AC or fans at all--just pop open the windows! It's great to feel in the morning when you wake up.  I'm so glad we got out of our stuffy place where our nutty landlord gardens at 5 am.  So it ended up being a blessing that our landlord sold our contract before asking us if we were going to renew it.  We are so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with this place to live for the next year!