So we are now on a new island called Negros, only about an hour and a half ride from Bohol. We woke up early to go snorkeling yesterday (we didn't stay up too late for my birthday as it was pretty calm in town, but we did have a lovely, late lasting dinner with the swiss couple on the beach complete with live music- the musicians played happy birthday for me, which was embarassing...) and took a little boat out to a small island off the coast. It really looked like paradise, with brilliant turquoise and neon green trees and white sand. We found some beautiful shells on the beach (including a "eye of st. lucy"!!! My first one!) and saw some beautiful coral and fish underwater. We were with only two other people, a Dutch couple, on a big boat, and it was really great to have such a small party.
We got back around 2 and took the ferry to Negros, which was only about an hour and a half. We checked into our hostel in Dumaguete, the main city here, and were impressed to only be paying 5 dollars each per night for complimentary hot water, towels, breakfast, tea and coffee, 30 minutes of internet per day, and a very friendly staff. We went out for a typical mediocre dinner, and on the way back, met a very friendly old man who had lived in California for 30 years but had moved back to Negros, his home island, after retirement and his wife's death. He was so excited to meet people from California (his son still lives there, having attended Cal Poly Pomona) and we spent a good 4 hours with him and other people he knew, just talking. He bought us rounds of drinks, let us use his cell phone, and one of his friends even bought and showed me how to eat "balud," a Filippino specialty of a duck embryo still in the egg. I tried it without throwing up! I was very, very proud. It wasn't even bad! The embryonic liquid tasted like amazing chicken broth. (Don't barf, I actually ate it...) Anyway, it was great to hang out with locals, especially such warm ones, and we are invited to many houses for dinner already. We love Negros and plan on staying here for quite a while with all our new friends!
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3 comments:
Dad said:" There is a new entry!"and I run to the computer. It is so cool to read about your life so far and feel so close at the same time.
Elisa, your letter for your sister arrived today. Your sister was so happy...
By the way, she played very well and it is such a gorgeous piece anyway. Mrs Keyte told me today, that a woman came to her and said that this piece was her favorite from the whole recital. She knew that it was, somehow, unexpected because Art johnson was playing and some other super talented people, but it was the piece she enjoyed the most.You can be proud of your sister. Her piece is beautiful. She told me "Mom, this recital is not abput me, it is about sharing this beautiful piece with other people"
Anyway, I recorded it and I am sure she will be happy to share that moment with her beloved sister.Enjoy le Philippines. Je suis heureuse de voir que les otochtones sont tres chaleureux.
Profitez bien !
I miss you...
Maman
Belate Happy birthday ma petite Elisa... grand plaisir de lire tes aventures... les rencontres donnent une autre dimension au voyage et le rendent hyper interessant...continue d'en profiter pleinement et ta maman est super impatiente de te rejoindre. bisous, Chantal
Lorsqu’on ouvre une amande, que dit-on aux Philippines pour dire Phillipines. Je dois dire que je suis assez jaloux de ceux qui ont pu profiter de tes appels avec le cellulaire de votre ami de rencontre. Chantal dit juste : les rencontres donnent une autre dimension au voyage. Les Phillipines sont-elles très différentes de la Thaïlande ? Continuez à prendre soin de vous et plein de bon temps. Je t’aime.
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