Holiday Greetings - One and All

So, I had popcorn and an apple for dinner tonight.  Why, you ask?
Have you been paying attention friend?

Because I can.

Yesterday and today were rough days... spent anxiously waiting for my solo trip to the ends of the earth - Palawan.  My unexpected Skype from my adopted daughter Anika made me cry.  My expected Skype from my family made me,  I apologize, it made me proud.  I am so flipping lucky to be surrounded by such people!  I didnt earn it....  it is beauty beyond imagine!  

Tomorrow, I head off and won't be in communication for a week or so.  Pray for me and for fair weather.. it has been raining a ton and I am fearful that my plans might be thwarted by high seas and generally inclement weather... no matter, whatever was meant to be was meant to be.  I AM and I am ready!

so anyway...

 I got an email today from the President of the United States thanking me for my service in the Peace Corps.  Thats pretty awesome!

Salamat po, Mr. President, and a blessed New Year to you and yours!

An Achievement!

Somewhere around two years ago my wife had the following conversation with me:

“Dan, you have acquired diabetes, you have high blood pressure, your cholesterol is over the top and you are morbidly obese.  You have got to take control of your health or the odds are you will die sooner than you should.”

Yeah, no sugar coating there, eh?  Well, she was right (as per usual).  I could blame my condition on anything I wanted - business travel, age, genetics, you name it, but the fact is none of those excuses mattered.  What mattered was taking control of my health.  I’m pretty stubborn and it took a while for me to come around, but I am proud to say that I am now 50 pounds less than I was at that time and I’m at the lowest weight I’ve been in over 20 years - heck, probably longer.  I’ve hit my target goal for weight loss, and there is still more fat to burn!  My sugar levels are in check and my blood pressure is perfect.  I have no idea what the cholesterol looks like, but I am sure it is down as well.  I feel good about all that.  I know that coming back to the States will be a challenge - I have weaknesses for really really unhealthy food like chicken wings and salami, but hopefully, I will manage to keep the weight off and the health managed.  Hiking will help!

I’d like to publicly thank Jean, Rafe, Eric, my doctor (Dr Kevin Chan - a Great Doc in Ahwatukee in case you are looking!) and other people too… people like Steve Spinogle, Dad Penrose, Nancy and David, Amy and Jack, and Mary and Gary Smith - people who prove that just because we get older does not mean we have to slow down!

Anyway, it is Christmas Eve. I woke up today and went to work but was surprised to see that the office was closed.  Now, I checked yesterday… I specifically asked, is tomorrow a holiday?  Answer was ‘no’….  Dec 25, 26, Jan 1, Jan 2 are holidays.  The office is open tomorrow.  Well, I guess no one told the man who puts the giant padlock on the door to the building, then!  Flexibility is a key ingredient to success here in the Philippines, as I’ve said!  So, I went home and now have a free day on my hands.  Tomorrow - Christmas; who knows what I’ll do.  Then the 26th.  I’ll be packing and then boarding an evening bus to Manila that will take around 12 hours.  Jump a cab from the station to get to the airport and then a short flight to Puerta Princesa.  No idea where I’ll be sleeping once I get there, but it looks like there are a ton of hotels there.  Not worried.

Ok…here’s the itinerary after that:

12/28 - Travel to Sabang.  Nice beach and home of the ‘Underground River’, apparently a must see attraction that has been labeled one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.  Jeepney back to Puerta to sleep.

12/29 - Travel to Port Barton/ San Vicente where I have a room booked at a place called Cassadra’s Cottages.  Looks to be a nice place right on the beach.  I picked it because its about half way North to my ultimate destination - El Nido.  I have no idea how I will get there, but assume there will be Jeepney’s involved.

12/30 - I will probably engage in a tour of some of the islands off the coast of San Vicente.  With any luck, I will find some other travelers to split the cost of an banca (smaller filippine boat with outriggers). Night at the beach cottage.

12/31 - Travel to El Nido.  Room reservations at Double Gem hotel.  On the beach.  Looks nice.

1/1 - Engage in a tour off coast, snorkeling etc.  This is what I’ve been waiting for!  Night at the Double Gem.

1/2 - Another day in El Nido.  Maybe a different tour. This night is a bit up in the air.  I could stay here if it merits, or I could take a bus and spend the night in Puerta P.  It depends on if ‘I’ve seen it all'.  I mean, El Nido, albeit one of the most beautiful locations in the world, is really remote - limited electricity.. no town, per se.  anyway, this night is up in the air.

1/3 - Evening flight to Manila.  Arrive around 11p.  Take a cab to the Pension I know and love where I have a room booked in the dormitory (thanks Peace Corps!).

1/4 - hang in Manila. maybe night at Pension, maybe not.

1/5 - this is open… If Im bored in Manila (possible, since I just spent over a week there) I may just jump a night bus back to Lagonoy on 1/4.. or 1/5… we shall see.

1/6 - Back in my crib in Lagonoy and back to work…. for the homestretch!

Now, lets see if that is how it all unfolds!!!!!!!  oh, I do encourage you to do some googling on El Nido, the Underground River in Sabang, San Vicente.....    go ahead... they are beautiful places!!!

Music in the air!

So, children are just filling the streets... singing carols and laughing and running and just being beautiful children.  God, it is easy to love this place!  I just came back from my radio appearance... two songs tonight...  "Friends in Low Places', by Garth Brooks (Rafe, you would be proud!) and then a gem....  Day-O, by Harry Bellefonte.   I will have to do that one again in the future... what a fun song to sing!

Last night was a gift as well.  I heard some music in the street not far from me so I wandered over.   Turns out it was a group of women who were singing, drinking and having fun together.  I saw them do this totally hilarious game... I have a feeling its a secret game that women do together when no men are around.... anyway... I was witness.....  so, you get a bunch of empty soda bottles and you space them apart around the floor... then women tie a string around their waist.. and then tie a string to that.  This string is attached to a soda straw.... .then the music starts and the  gals sort of gyrate and wiggle on top of the soda bottles to see how fast they can dip their straw into the bottle!!!  The one who does it the fastest is the winner!!!!    OMG...     The ladies got the MOVES... and they know how to party! Who would have guessed?!

in case you're wondering... yes, it is still raining...

Back in July when I announced to those in my circles my plan to take a leave of absence from my Phoenix existence, a common question that came up was, 'Why would you choose to do such a thing?'  My answer was always the same, 'Because I believe that I can".   I now see that answer as incomplete.  A better answer might have been, "Because I believe I can and because I believe I will return a better person than when I left".  This Peace Corps gig - yes, we do it for things like skills transfer, cultural exchanges, learning, training etc. But, I'd venture that very few returned volunteers would say that the gifts they gave during service equaled the gifts they received.  This is the true gift of giving, right?  There is a law out there in the universe that I believe and it has proven true, at least for me:  Whatever good you manifest in your thoughts and actions will come back to you, with interest.  Basic karma.  If you are seeking love, then practice love.  If you are seeking happiness, make someone happy. If you want to learn, then teach.  I could go on an on, but you have heard this all before and are probably bored by now.

In many ways this experience is far different than my first assignment; in ways too numerous to count.  But in one important way, the experiences are consistent.  That is, by submerging myself into another culture for an extended period of time, I have learned a lot about myself.  It's a bit paradoxical, but there you have it.  This work is really quite difficult and is not for everyone.  It is inner work at the same time as it is outer work - and it is all about communication - within and without.

So, as Christmas approaches  (around 50ish days left here), thoughts and activities have emerged surrounding "reentry" planning.  Yesterday, I purchased my return ticket back to the US from the Philippines.  Whirlwind travel taking me from Bangkok, to Manila, to Guangzhou, China, to LAX, to Phoenix.  The major leg, China to LA, will have me flying on the Airbus A380 - the largest commercial aircraft in service (over 550 seats!).  Never flew on it and Im excited about that in a geeky sort of way.

Tonight, assuming we can connect, I have a meeting with the Director of the Consulting firm I was working with for 10 years before this adventure began  We will discuss options surrounding my re-entry with that firm.  I would be lying if I said that I am looking forward to exactly the same working situation I left, although my guess is that is exactly what they want of me.  We shall see.

Oh, and in one week I will be in Palawan! YipYip!

Relationships in the Philippines

There is a running joke over here that goes something like this:

James:  Hey Jose, lets go out and drink some ginebra.
Jose:     Sorry James, my wife just texted me and she wants me to come home.
James:  Which wife?  Wife #1 or Wife #2?

There is even a TV program (comedy) that is popular here... it is called "Two Wives"

So, I got to talking about this with a few women whose opinions  I respect here.  One, is in charge of the "Women and Social Services" program and in charge of the funding for all day care centers in Lagonoy.  Here is what Kari had to say about the issue of cheating...

"Listen, I've known my husband since I was a little girl.  I know the kind of man he is. I know he is a remarkable man.  It wouldn't surprise me if another woman was interested in him because he is so smart and handsome.  I've told my husband, "it wouldn't surprise me if another woman was interested in you, but before you choose to sleep with her make sure she is a fast runner.  Because when I find out that she has slept with you I will run as fast as I can to catch her and when I do I will tear off her clothes so that she will have to run naked and shamed through the streets.  Then I will call a special meeting with the barangay captain and file a complaint against her for trying to steal my husband.  I will make sure everyone in Lagonoy knows what she has done.  I will allow no woman to steal my husband."

Gee... that's an interesting perspective!  And, as long as we are on this topic, lets talk a bit about filipino courtship rituals, such as they are.  As best I can figure, it generally works like this:

First, there is no dating, per se.  When a boy decides that he is interested in a girl enough to make her a wife he will ask her out for dinner.  This is the only "date" - more often than not, this will also be the first time when the boy and girl will be alone.  Its a big deal, this dinner.  There, he will bring up the subject of marriage.  At the dinner, they will decide if they are a good fit, if they share the same thoughts on family, religion, life values, etc.  If this meeting works well, the next step is to approach both families - hers first, then his. If the families approve of the new couple, they move the next step - marriage.  Family approval is not a pro forma exercise, especially for the girl.  A girls father might be very protective of his daughter (!).  As I think I mentioned in another post, most marriages do not occur in a church bc a church is too costly (they exact a sizable fee for the service). Instead, the marriage is made legit through a simple ritual performed by the mayor. Documents are signed and then ... well, the couple is married.  In an earlier post, I know I described a "wedding party", so I wont do that again either.

Here's the thing... divorce is very very rare here, even if adultery is rather common.  The importance of maintaining the nuclear family is too strong and of course there is the Catholic thing... the guilt thing... the fear of hell thing.....

Holidays!

Like everywhere, there are holiday traditions in the Philippines.  Here's one:

It begins with a wish.  Then, starting on December 15, church services are held at the Catholic church every morning at 4:00a.  Folks attend mass every morning until Christmas morning.  At each service you pray for God to grant you the wish.  Assuming you go to all 10 services, the belief is that God will grant you the wish you have been praying for in the coming year.  This becomes your Christmas "Gift".

Here's another:  During this time of year, you will find children caroling from door to door, every night.  Dressed in holiday attire, they will sing a number of carols while doing different dance routines.  The pure joy on their faces...  It is precious!  Of course, they appreciate a donation... peso's, chocolate.. anything.  Of course, these gifts are given with love.

Also, it seems that just about every barangay has some sort of outdoor holiday display.   Made of this or that (ie. coconuts, palm fronds, plastic soda bottles, straws, bottle caps, discarded wood, tin), the displays are really quite creative.  Last night, as I was taking my nightly trash run, I ran across a large party in the street outside of my house.  They had erected a large tent, brought out dozens of chairs and of course, a videoke machine.  There were singing contests, soup was made for all, dancing....  this, on a Monday night.  A highlight for me was surely the transvestite majorette routine!  Truly a fun community event.  I got a ton of pictures!  I went to bed around midnight but when I awoke at 4:30 there were still people singing.  By the time I showered and walked to work, all evidence of the party had been taken down and put away.  Nothing but memories.

I can imagine there was a time when community based traditions like this were common in the United States.  Are those times lost forever?  I believe with all my heart that the US would be a better country if we learned a little from the poor but honest filipinos in my village!

rain rain rain

An uncomfortable routine has developed at work…  At 5p every day, I venture over to the office that has the portable internet access.  There, I ask for permission to take the unit home with me.  The woman who lets me use it works tirelessly.  Most often, she works in her office until around 10p and lately, she has been denying me permission because she needs the access herself - completely understandable of course.  But, she works weekends as well.  I stopped by today to see if it might be possible to use the unit a little later.  She denied me access.  She said that she worked until 1a Saturday and planned on working that late again tonight.  Understandably, she was in a rather grumpy mood.  

Not having access at nights during the week really isn't a problem since I have access at the office during the day, but I really miss the internet over the weekend.  In fact, one thing I deeply regret is my lack of preparedness wrt internet issues.  Many PCVs have their own portable wireless devices that they purchased in Manila during their 3 month training.  In my two week training, we never covered access and this is knowledge I really really wish I had.  I really feel like a grubber asking every day, but I have no other options really.  The unit costs around $100 and unlimited access runs around $25/mo.  I’ve got only two months left and besides, Im sticking to my budget, damn it!  These costs are not in the cards.  But I will say, had I known how to get access at the beginning of this gig, I would have dug deep for the purchase!  So. I guess I will continue to grub.  It is getting harder and harder though, both to ask and to receive.  I guess I’m no longer a novelty at work!

In other news, it has been raining constantly since I got back to site two days ago.  Ive never seen so much rain.  Yesterday, I ventured out to go do the radio show (Redemption Song, Bob Marley) and today I pretty much holed up in my room all day reading.  I really am tired of the rain!  Plus, I was dumb enough to drink some service water in a restaurant in Manila and my stomach has been in knots since I got back. 

Oh, and I sat on my glasses last night in the dark and snapped them in two.  Im down to the pair I brought in reserve for such an occasion.  Yeah, all in all, its been a tough week.

But things could certainly be worse.  I was saddened to learn that my friend Choy lost his home in the typhoon.  Apparently, the ‘condo unit’ was no match for the wind that did show up.  He and his wife have been living in an evacuation center since the storm.  I’m not sure what he will do, since he doesn't receive any money for work.  I was thinking I might ask a few of my friends to chip in some peso’s with me to help him out, but Im not sure how that might be perceived.  I will  ask someone discreetly.  I know he could surely use a little boost about now.

a boring blog... thinking of you all... friends

I just have to do this because these people are outstanding!  They shared space with me during Typhoon Ruby and I will account for each and every one:  Outstanding people willing to both take a
chance and make a difference.  Carpe Diem, friends!

Dotti
Rachel
Nate
Ben
Michelle
Calliope
Tiffanie
Chantelle
Marissa
Zack
Diane
Kelly
Dani
Surge
MJ
Dave
Dave
Beth
Kat
Johanne
Kyle

and Iriss

On second thought,  missed a few, and I am sorry.  You too are with me! Salamat po!

like rabbits from a hole!

Maybe today will be the day... The typhoon is a thing of the past and I am hoping we'll be sprung in a few hours and allowed to return home.  Yesterday, they loosened the restriction that forced us to remain at the pension.  We ran like rabbits from a hole!

I, like many, made tracks to the Peace Corps office about 2 miles away.  After being in that hotel for so long, a few of my new friends and I were happy to walk the distance.  It was nice getting back to HQ.  I retrieved the packages and cards that had been sent to me and that were waiting at the PCPO.   I got it all, I think!   The liquid soap that was sent leaked, so pretty much everything in the package had a nice peppermint aroma!  Unfortunately, this rendered the magazines only trash worthy, but everything else was salvaged.  I quickly shared my chocolate with the other PCVs who had made their way, reserving a few bars for later, of course!  Oh, and I got the Christmas Cards!

Thank you for the gifts, one and all!

After catching up with staff  and collecting a few books from the give and take PC library, I headed out for a nice walk alone.  I ended up back at pension after a couple hours.  A little bit later, a few of us went out for some hummus and I even smoked some strawberry flavored something at a hookah joint!  A fun night, to be sure.

time to get to know each other

so, we've been holed up in this pension for days.  Brief trips outside have been welcome, but mostly we are here, alone with each other and ourselves.  Right now I am watching 3 PCVs doing yoga in an open hallway as myself and a few others do computer things.   We are eating shawarma and hummus and naan.   lunch and dinner... repeat...   drinking red wine.  The storm, Ruby, ended up being quite the lady...  She was demure... not showing us where she wanted to go at first, but once she decided to move, she moved delicately.... swerving around the areas that matter the most to me.  It now looks now like she will head off into the Pacific, barely touching Manila.  She's still out there... Southeast of us, but I think she has good manners an will just take her things and go.

So many volunteers... an extraordinary group of american young people.  That our country could exclusively be filled with such a bright, diverse, courageous, talented, intelligent, giving, and even beautiful group such as this...  it would make all the difference in the future.  To a person, they are all at some point on a quest to become fluent in Bicolano and/or Tagalog.  Most live with other filipino families as this helps their assimilation into communities, improves safety concerns, and speeds up language development skills.  Some are signing on for another year, others are using this time to write applications to graduate school.  Others have only been on island for less than 6 months.  One gal entered the PC married and is now divorced.  At least three have developed significant relationships with filipinas.  One guy has a music collection even larger than the one that I accidentally destroyed here a few months ago.  There are three main programs in PC here:  Coastal Resource Management, Social Services, and Education.  As best I can tell they populated rather evenly with PCVs.  Of course, the PCV programs run parallel with the program that I am in, which is PCRV.

Ive talked quite a bit with this one guy. He a giant of a man; obviously works out daily.  I told him that my son has the same interests.... targeted body definition, I call it.  He's lived in Seattle and other places... got his degree from Univ of Hawaii.  Id figure him to be about 6'1", 210 and well, he's cut like a stone.  I'd say he bears a striking resemblance to Lebron James (tho he will be pissed if he heard me tell it!) We were talking around one night about places we wanted visit in the world... One gal, her home is just a few miles down the road from where Jean and I lived in MD, her goal is to learn the 3 main asian languages, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.  She is a korean american, and already fluent  in Mandarin and Tagalog,  She wants to spend a good amount of time in both Japan and Korea.   Another person noted Nepal because of the mountains.  My friend....  well, he didnt have an answer.  His only comment was "I never had a passport before Peace Corps so this is the first time Ive been out of the US,  Im just happy to be here".  So, we changed the question.  "OK, so you don't care where you go.... Tell me, where do you NOT want to go?"  He didnt skip a beat in his answer. "That's easy.  I don't want to go to prison."

I wonder how many white volunteers would answer those two question the same was as my new african american friend....

I am blessed.  And so are you!  Thank you all for your concern.  Im not sure when Im headed back to site.... it may be as early as tomorrow, but with PC you never know.  I'll keep you posted...

the waiting game

Today, we were met in the Pension by our Country Director who let us know that PC is here to take care of us.  Because of the slow forward movement of the storm, our length of stay here in Manila is looking like it will be much longer than the initially expected three days.  As best I can tell, I expect to be here for a week or so.  Good for me, I suppose, but I know Im going to be missed at site, where they need me now more than ever.

Anyway, beginning at 5p tonight, we are required remain here at the pension until further notice- leaving for any reason will be considered unacceptable and cause for immediate termination of service.  Harsh... but understandable.  So, we are all sort of hunkering down.  I went to the mall and bought a few food tidbits (including cheddar cheese!!!)  and then I crashed for a couple hours.  When PC came by, they brought a bunch of board games and books - I thought that was a nice touch!  I picked up "Cuba Libre", by Elmore James.  

I feel that my past few posts have been downers...  I guess I am just really tired and worried.  I know things will work out and that whatever happens next is just another test designed to make me stronger.  And this holds true not just for me, but for my counterparts at site as well.  Things will work out in divine order.

Sleepless in Manila

A very rough trip last night brought us into Manila on time at 4a.  By the time we got to our pension it was after 5.  I am grateful that the travel occurred without a hitch, but I am filled with worry.  Not for me, but for the friends and colleagues I left behind.

On a positive note, at least for my region, the typhoon is tracking more westward than northward, which means wind damage will be less severe in my area, with expected sustained winds peaking at around 100/kph.    Storm surge estimates however still exceed 18 feet, and that IS severe.  This, plus the rainfall.  But again, I am grateful... those in the typhoons direct path will deal with this, plus typhoon force winds of the most intense magnitude.

Anyways..   its like a bowling ball that has been released down the lane...  its just a matter of time before it strikes... and we begin to pick up the pieces... again.

I got this message today from a woman I admire more than most.  She is someone quite close to me and my family.  These words are not her's, but from a friend of hers, whom she's met and who also does important work in the Philippines... In the spirit of community, Im forwarding her thoughts because they in many ways mirror my own.  (Thank you Anika, you are loved!).  The only thing I would add to this is this:

Thoughts in your mind reproduce after their kind.  Be so very careful of what you think, let alone say.  If you spend a moment today pointing blame rather than engaging in positive change... you are wasting your potential.  In that moment of casting blame YOU BECOME THE PROBLEM!  Unlike the gal in this post... perhaps I am pointing a finger....   Have the courage, expend the calories to become a force of positive influence in the lives of others and watch your own life unfold in beautiful ways.  I believe that the universe is crafted in this way.  What you give you also shall receive.  This concept is universally shared in all of the worlds main religions.  What will you give today besides your opinion?  The world already has too many empty words.
===

Backpedaling in view of Ruby

With a pretty daft start into this last day of the week, I was just observing myself bitching about what I may call my problems and frustrations. But then, I am back in touch with my friends and colleagues in the Philippines, who are - almost exactly one year and one month after the massive calamity that typhoon Yolanda caused on 7 November 2013 - currently preparing for the next approaching typhoon, Ruby, already dealt with as new super typhoon. And I realise that I should better just. hold. my. breath.

It has been just a couple of weeks, that Kakay (Kareen) and the supporters of HIP officially handed over our beautifully rebuilt and improved communal buildings on the islets in Bantayan, all heavily affected by Yolanda, and, only a small number of all the areas pretty much forgotten in the crazy (international) aid run into Tacloban and Leyte / Samar last Christmas and after. Not only are all the immense work, love, commitment, and resources put into these projects now again at stake, much worse are also the people living in the track of Yolanda at that time and, again, Ruby this time, threatened once more.

This, what may be my longest Facebook post ever, will also be my last for this year, as I feel increasingly sick looking at the daily expressed egocentric superficiality, personal pseudo-drama, and expressions of iPhone-, handbag- or other consumables-mania that fill the daily horizon of so many, albeit its morally conflicting nature with the lived realities of so many. It is the ME that matters, particularly here on Facebook.

While us here in the West, comfortably feeding our healthy buts with cookies, wine, and consumption for Christmas, "others" are RIGHT NOW fearing for their lives, do not know how to feed their kids at night, or where to find shelter. The pictures of Ruby leave not only myself wondering, how much more will have to happen until 'mankind' will eventually start rethinking and taking joint responsibility for what is happening in the world, with our people and our nature.

While I had and have the chance to travel, to make friends around the world, I am not able to distance myself anymore from the pictures of catastrophes I see on TV, from the bad news we receive on a daily basis, from fears and problems friends, families of friends and friends' friends around the world are facing. These hours, I find not only my colleagues and friends in the Philippines rightly worried, preparing to avoid the repetition of last year's disaster. Also my friends and family here, especially those who supported HIP and all our post-Yolanda efforts throughout the past year, are deeply concerned in view of the expected landfall of Ruby, reassuring myself that there ARE other things that MATTER and that there still exists something called SOLIDARITY.

Without a wagging finger, this is the attempt of a reminder (to myself and others) to backpedal for a minute, and be it in the festive sense of Christmas season - it is never too late to put things and "problems" into perspective.

In that sense - have a joyful X-Mas season everyone and - most importantly - be safe!

a game changer...

So we are packing up and heading to the bus station in one hour.  The bus from Naga to Manila leaves at 8p, arriving in Manila at 4a.  The typhoon will hit the Philppines sometime tomorrow.  It looks like we will feel it in Manila around Sunday.  Given the strength of this storm, and understanding the recent history in Lagonoy with typhoon Glenda this past June, I am figuring that I've seen the last of electricity there.   Im not sure how that is going to affect my postings once I get back to site.  These next few posts might very well be the last for awhile...  I will still record my thoughts on paper and transfer them  online whenever I am able.

A few of us were talking today...  events like this truly define our Peace Corps experience.  That is, in years to come we will look at the PC adventure as "before Ruby" and "after Ruby".  There is no doubt that what will happen in the next 72 hours will drastically change my next two months of service.  The damage prediction maps I am seeing show Lagonoy in the path of "catastrophic" damage.  Thats a step up from "Severe".

It is really sad, and frightening.  After Yolanda last year, I am told that many PCVs just cashed it in and went home early because their towns were completely destroyed. There was nothing to go back to.  Ruby isn't as large, thankfully, but every disaster is different.  It is certainly way stronger than Glenda and is still a Category 4 typhoon.  They estimate that the typhoon could bring over 1 foot of rain and Ive seen storm surge estimates exceeding 15 feet.  That is going to wipe out barangays along the Lagonoy Gulf.  Landslides will be life threatening.  Flooding will be severe.

And yet, outside my window, I see the good folks of Naga just going about their evenings... as if nothing is going to happen.  Sorry, I am having a surreal moment.

Skirting the storm

Made it to Naga, along with 20 or so other volunteers.  Last night was a trip and a half!  The streets were teeming with people; so many people it was hard to walk in the sidewalks... I suppose this was normal for Naga, but certainly unusual to this Lagonoyian!  .

I ended up at a bar with a few PCVs...  I remember eating "olive pesto" (Yum!) There was live music.  In fact, one of the PCVs is in a relationship with the young man who performed and it seems they are very close.  It was so interesting watching the dynamic of that situation...  One of the things that is fascinating is that so many of these volunteers know one another... and they are obviously very close.  Of course, I am the "oldie"; they are much younger than I.  It makes me envious in a number of ways.  Anyway, I probably drank too much and danced too much because I don't remember much!

So, I find it interesting that Peace Corps is calling  this event a "consolidation" rather than an "evacuation".  They are pulling us together but don't want anyone to have the impression that we are getting out of harms way.  Im sitting here now getting an internet update on the typhoon just offshore.  It looks to be making landfall in  a day or so.  Luckily, current models of the typhoon path show that it is not likely to track north.  This means that it appears unlikely that it will pass directly over Lagonoy, but rather track south by a couple of hundred kilometers.   A close call but not a direct hit!  As it looks, it will mean wind and a ton of rain, but no destruction...   I am praying!

This is all costing me money, by the way.  PC gave us 3000ps in advance emergency money for such a situation, but I had already begun thinking of that advance as money that I would use for my vacation!   Sadly, Ive got to use that now to pay for hotel and food expenses related for this event.  So, in the end, this damn typhoon is costing money that I could have spent on Palawan... and that has me a bit disturbed as well.   Oh well!

Alert! Coming soon, to a neighborhood near me....

This one looks like its going to hit us.  Current tracking has Typhoon Ruby reaching "Super Typhoon" status just about the time it will make landfall in East Samar in essentially the same location where Yolanda hit last year.  There is a 25% chance that the path of the eye will shift north, toward Lagonoy.  That would be quite unfortunate!  While thankfully, not as strong as Yolanda, it is still expected to be the strongest storm of the year.

A "Super" typhoon is recognized as such by sustained wind velocity of 150mph.   Ummm... thats a strong wind indeed!  And then there is the issue of storm surge.  Storm surge is a phenomena that occurs during a hurricane or typhoon.  Essentially the water ion the ocean gets 'pushed' forward by the strength of the wind.  Not a problem in itself, until the waves reach landfall. Imagine holding a cup of water that is full to the brim.  Now, blow hard over the top of the cup... what happens?  That is storm surge!  Storm surge is not the same as flooding because with a storm surge, the event happens quickly, and the damage is violent and extensive...much like a tsunami.  Storm surge from Ruby is expected to exceed 4 meters in coastal locations.. thats a wall of water about 13 feet high.   I have seen so many villages since i got here that are built OVER the water... out of bamboo and other natural materials..  These folks had better get out of the way!  Hopefully, the word will get out to them in time.  If history is any indicator, they will lose everything but their lives but theywill return to the same location to rebuild again.. .probably sometime next week.   Amazing!

During my last PC service in Antigua, both Jean and I witnessed the damage wrought by hurricane Hugo, a Cat 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 135mph.  That was a long, scary night!  90% of the roofs on the neighboring island of Montserrat were significantly damaged or destroyed.   PC admin is obviously taking this threat very seriously.  All volunteers in the country have been ordered to prepare a "go kit" in case a quick evacuation is called.  The staging site for my area is a pension in Naga City, should an evacuation be ordered.

The administrator has called an emergency meeting of the municipal disaster planning council within the hour and I have been invited to speak.  It will be interested to see how that goes!

Being open to change

Caramoan disaster conference cancelled because of the threat of Typhoon Ruby which is expected to hit just south of Lagonoy on Saturday.  Well, how about that?  I thought that the threat of a typhoon was over, but here you go... Ruby expected landfall on 12/6, 13 months since Super Typhoon Yolanda hit this country.

Hopefully, it will shift direction at the last minute like the last one did.  We will see.  So now my weekend is open with only heavy weather to look forward to...

Speaking of changes in plans, Ive decided to take another direction with respect to my trip to Palawan.  Typically, when traveling for recreation, I prefer to keep my itinerary roughly planned, with no hotel reservations.  Heck, Jean and I did our honeymoon to Ireland that way and it worked out well!  In this case, I am booking hotels in advance for the most part.  This pegs me to certain towns on certain dates and that makes me a bit nervous.  I mean, you never know... anything can happen and then Id be forced to pay for another, likely more expensive room in different town.  But my experience in Lapu Lapu spooked me a little bit.  I didnt like arriving there with no plan and no known place to lay my head.  I guess Im getting old!  In this case, I do like the comfort of having a planned trip.  Plus, from a practical side... because Northern Palawan has very spotty electricity, I really can't be sure they accept credit and my cash is limited.  Booking the room online in advance allows me to pay with credit and do the research to uncover cheap, but nice places.  So far, Ive found two places that run about $30/night.  Both are cottages located on the beach, one in Port Barton and one in el Nido.  I was trying to get a tent in a campground at a spot that is supposed to be just out of this world - the place is called "Thelma and Toby's Island Camp Adventure" - but they are booked solid.  Disappointing, but "Cassandra's Cottages" looks pretty darned inviting as well.  Check them out by doing a google on "Cassandra's Cottages and Port Barton".

But enough of that.  I an pressed to write today about the senses I experience here in Lagonoy.  There are things here that the senses cannot deny.  The senses that define poverty:  the sounds of roosters in the morning, of pigs being slaughtered, the sight of naked children running in the neighborhood and the smell of shit in the street.

There are also other senses, however, and I choose to focus on them.. the sense of community that I witness.  The openness and trust to strangers that is palatable and rarely betrayed.  The experience of walking down the street and seeing just so many smiles - I tell you, it lifts the heart!  There is a sense of joy here that I cannot explain to someone who has not seen this.  The singing!  The laughter!  The dance! As an american, I had every reason to expect that these notions of decency and community were gone forever, but here they live and serve as a testament to define the progress that can be regained in our own culture.   I just hope that we, as americans, finally wake up and realize that there are still lessons to learn and that some of them begin with a kind heart and an extended hand to our neighbors - regardless of their skin color, religion, or social standing.