I've been asked a few times by my filipino friends here about my position on BOs decision to attack ISIS. I have to admit that I am so isolated here that I really don't feel that I understand the issue very well. I mean, I haven't seen TV in 6 weeks. I have no radio and no english speaking contact, nor access to english written news. Exepting intermittent internet access, but thats not enough to allow me to feel that I have enough true data. But lets examine this a bit... I see both sides of the issue.
One one hand, I believe firmly that a nation will fail in declaring war on an ideology. It is a hydra. In fact, that would be one hell of a logo for ISIS... A hydra head. However, on the other hand... if I knew my neighbor was making a bomb to blow up my house... what would I do? I just might try to neutralize that threat before I was attacked. In the end, I firmly believe (and Im not just beating my chest here) that the best solution is for more americans to start doing what I am doing right now. The best way to right this situation is to become true friends with people and cultures we don't understand, or cultures that don't understand us. Once the trust is built, there is a bridge toward true progress.
Bombs destroy bridges, they can never build them!
Anyway, I am pretty sure that most of the filipinos Ive spoken to on this subject seem to feel that BO is a true war monger, right in line with GW. And this is an interesting conclusion when you consider that ISIS does have a real presence in the Philippines. In fact, Mindanao, a large part of the Philippines, is completely off limits to Americans due to the threat of terrorism re ISIS insurgents. You might think that filipino's, who generally LOVE the US, might hope for some US support to wipe out the ISIS threat. And yet, while Im sure this is true at the National Government level, it seems that the everyday filipino... well, they simply dislike conflict of any sort.
Enough of that... today was an eventful day because I changed my travel plans for my Thailand adventure and this affects my return to the US. So, if you are in anyway interested... it now looks like I will be returning to the US on 2/19 or so. But you better be flexible, because that plan could change in an instant!!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Coming to you LIVE!
So, back here in Lagonoy. I was very excited this morning to open my email to find a great letter from USAID. I had sent a rather open ended letter to FEMA asking for any and all help in supporting my mission. I really had little hope that anything would come of it. But,lo and behold, someone there forwarded my email to the right channel at USAID. I received a perfect template for the development of a local disaster plan - and it is for the Philippines!!! I am so happy!
It just goes to show, you win zero games you fail to begin.
This past weekend was great fun. We ended up staying in the home of the barangay chief who invited me. Eat, drink, laugh.... repeat! This barangay and its festival (in San Isidro) was much smaller than the last. There are only about 1000 people in this village. Nearly all fish for a living. Consequently, we ate fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Fish and squid. Squid and fish.
On the way home, we ran into some rough seas and had to turn back. The banka (small philippine boat with "catamaran" type wings) we were one had no cover, so subsequently we got completely soaked. We finally made it to the port town we needed to reach to fetch our motorcycles and then we headed back to town... Of course, it rained the entire way. Twice we needed to hop off the motorcycle because the hills were too steep and the bike wasn't strong enough to make it up the hill. So we walked in the rain until we reached the top. Be flexible!!!
So, there we were... totally drenched and all I can think of is heading back home to shower (finally!) and snooze... but no! We went to...... the local radio station! Turns out that two of the guys I was with are local DJs and they had to file a live report. Well, as soon as we make it to the station, I am introduced to the owner/ station manager and his friends. By the end of our time together I had been asked to do a radio "promo" for the station! There is one caveat: I must do it in Tagalog... no english!!! They also want to highlight me for an interview on the radio! The owner/station manager and his friends were very kind. One of the friends had even hosted a Peace Corps volunteer many many years ago.... Noah Cohen? If your out there, I met the guy you lived with!!!
Did I mention that these guys were pounding the gin? I was astounded! It was barely noon and they had pushed back two bottles by the time we got there and then, the americano arrives and all hell breaks loose! Out of nowhere, there appears a giant vat of fresh fish stew, which we eat heartily! More fish!!!! Anyway, I have an open invitation to visit my new friends anytime I want and it sounds as if I have some radio in my future!
It just goes to show, you win zero games you fail to begin.
This past weekend was great fun. We ended up staying in the home of the barangay chief who invited me. Eat, drink, laugh.... repeat! This barangay and its festival (in San Isidro) was much smaller than the last. There are only about 1000 people in this village. Nearly all fish for a living. Consequently, we ate fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Fish and squid. Squid and fish.
On the way home, we ran into some rough seas and had to turn back. The banka (small philippine boat with "catamaran" type wings) we were one had no cover, so subsequently we got completely soaked. We finally made it to the port town we needed to reach to fetch our motorcycles and then we headed back to town... Of course, it rained the entire way. Twice we needed to hop off the motorcycle because the hills were too steep and the bike wasn't strong enough to make it up the hill. So we walked in the rain until we reached the top. Be flexible!!!
So, there we were... totally drenched and all I can think of is heading back home to shower (finally!) and snooze... but no! We went to...... the local radio station! Turns out that two of the guys I was with are local DJs and they had to file a live report. Well, as soon as we make it to the station, I am introduced to the owner/ station manager and his friends. By the end of our time together I had been asked to do a radio "promo" for the station! There is one caveat: I must do it in Tagalog... no english!!! They also want to highlight me for an interview on the radio! The owner/station manager and his friends were very kind. One of the friends had even hosted a Peace Corps volunteer many many years ago.... Noah Cohen? If your out there, I met the guy you lived with!!!
Did I mention that these guys were pounding the gin? I was astounded! It was barely noon and they had pushed back two bottles by the time we got there and then, the americano arrives and all hell breaks loose! Out of nowhere, there appears a giant vat of fresh fish stew, which we eat heartily! More fish!!!! Anyway, I have an open invitation to visit my new friends anytime I want and it sounds as if I have some radio in my future!
Things I witnessed today before 7am
Giant one legged turkey
Small naked children running thru the street
A circle of girls dancing together and shaking hips to Katy Perry
Men waking at 5am to drink gin
Fish heads for breakfast
Fish eyes as the best part of breakfast
Korean rap music
Communal bathing in the river nearby
Radio broadcast via cell phone from the top of a hill
Parade participation
By 9a I was asked to be the judge of a majorette competition
In the evening I was judge of the talent contest
And the beat goes on...
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Flexibility training
Filled out my first monthly Peace Corps progress report. There was a question that asked me to first consider what my biggest challenges have been thus far and then, how I have worked to overcome them. Undoubtably, the biggest challenge has been to remain flexible in the face of change. This goes beyond things like food and living arrangements. Every day, plans are made and then, plans change. Perhaps it is cultural.
We were told in training that Filipino's have difficulty in expressing contradiction - I have alluded to this in a previous blog. They never say, "no, that can't be done". So this plays out in the workplace in that whenever I make a suggestion or proposal, the answer is always an enthusiastic "Sige!", or "ok!" But, I find consistently that these agreements rarely lead to action. For example, I made a suggestion that we hold weekly scheduled meetings to discuss disaster issues and planning. Everyone that needed to be at these meetings agreed that this was a great idea and I was excited because I saw this as a consistent forum for testing new ideas and we even set a date and time for the next meeting. Its been 6 weeks and we have never met. When I ask about the meeting, I am told, "next week!"
Or, maybe we are planning to go somewhere. And then we never go. Or, like yesterday... it was 1:30 and I was told that we needed to go to Naga. I asked when. Now! So, I had to drop what I was doing and head to Naga.
I find that my biggest ally during these times is definitely my sense of humor combined with the cultural awareness I have learned over the years. This, and living for two years in the Caribbean working for the Peace Corps!!!!
Tomorrow morning we head to San Ecidro to the festival - we'll be 'camping' again! In fact, it seems as if I will be traveling in a motorcycle side car (german style) for the 2 hour trip to the northern port town. This will be all well and good, assuming it isn't raining. If it is.... well.... I will have to remember to be flexible, I am sure! I'll be leaving my computer behind but will be bringing my camera. Stay tuned... Im guessing there is a beauty contest in my future!
We were told in training that Filipino's have difficulty in expressing contradiction - I have alluded to this in a previous blog. They never say, "no, that can't be done". So this plays out in the workplace in that whenever I make a suggestion or proposal, the answer is always an enthusiastic "Sige!", or "ok!" But, I find consistently that these agreements rarely lead to action. For example, I made a suggestion that we hold weekly scheduled meetings to discuss disaster issues and planning. Everyone that needed to be at these meetings agreed that this was a great idea and I was excited because I saw this as a consistent forum for testing new ideas and we even set a date and time for the next meeting. Its been 6 weeks and we have never met. When I ask about the meeting, I am told, "next week!"
Or, maybe we are planning to go somewhere. And then we never go. Or, like yesterday... it was 1:30 and I was told that we needed to go to Naga. I asked when. Now! So, I had to drop what I was doing and head to Naga.
I find that my biggest ally during these times is definitely my sense of humor combined with the cultural awareness I have learned over the years. This, and living for two years in the Caribbean working for the Peace Corps!!!!
Tomorrow morning we head to San Ecidro to the festival - we'll be 'camping' again! In fact, it seems as if I will be traveling in a motorcycle side car (german style) for the 2 hour trip to the northern port town. This will be all well and good, assuming it isn't raining. If it is.... well.... I will have to remember to be flexible, I am sure! I'll be leaving my computer behind but will be bringing my camera. Stay tuned... Im guessing there is a beauty contest in my future!
Monday, September 22, 2014
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Ive never seen more smiles than I have in the past 6 weeks (well, maybe at a Dead show, but that is completely different! ;)) I mean, despite all hardships, I have to say, filipinos seem really, sincerely happy. I wonder what it is that makes them so? Whatever it is, they should begin exporting it immediately because the world needs more happiness.
Happy and kind and polite as well. It seems that the greatest faux pas that one can make in this culture is to do something that causes another to lose face. Everyone takes great care to be respectful of others. In fact, Im not sure how I haven't talked about this, but there is this word here that is thrown into nearly every conversation -- multiple multiple times. The word is "po". Po is a word used to connote respect to the person with whom you are speaking. For example... One would never say just Salamat, which means 'thank you'. Rather, one would say, especially to an elder or someone in position, Salamat po! It is 'po this' and 'po that', everywhere you go its po, po, po! Also, in a conversation, one would never disagree with another. You would never hear, "I don't agree". What you would here is something like this, "Yes, that is a very good point, po. And I was thinking, po, that there is also this side to the issue that Ive been considering as well, po...
Also, there is this charming cultural gesture that exists here and is very much a part of daily life. When one approaches an elder, or someone of position, the introduction is not a handshake. The move is to reach out and grasp the hand of elder, to do a slight bow and take the hand to your forehead. Touch the hand to your forehead and then release. This is a sign of respect. When I walk down the street, little children run up to me and grasp my hand and do this... wonderful sign of respect. It is a supplication, of sorts.
In other news, I went to Naga today and was introduced to some officials; there will be another trip there later on official business. I also made it to the travel agency. Bought 2 roundtrip tickets that should exhaust my vacation time and my budget. One is to Cebu, Philippines, which Carlos and I will use as a launching point to get to Bohol. The other is a post-New Year trip to Bangkok, Thailand, which I will use as a launching point to get to Phuket, Thailand. I never dreamed I would make it to Bangkok, or Phuket for that matter, and I just couldn't be more excited. I mean, Phuket! I need to go just to get a T-shirt!!! These tickets, combined cost less than $300, also, which is utterly amazing!! When I get to Thailand, I am hoping cash in on some backlogged free nights from Holiday Inn, thanks to the business travel I have done over the years, so that will keep costs down as well.
Anyway po, its time to go! Have a great day, po.. and if you have any desire.. you can always write me at darlotti@outlook.com!
Namaste!
Happy and kind and polite as well. It seems that the greatest faux pas that one can make in this culture is to do something that causes another to lose face. Everyone takes great care to be respectful of others. In fact, Im not sure how I haven't talked about this, but there is this word here that is thrown into nearly every conversation -- multiple multiple times. The word is "po". Po is a word used to connote respect to the person with whom you are speaking. For example... One would never say just Salamat, which means 'thank you'. Rather, one would say, especially to an elder or someone in position, Salamat po! It is 'po this' and 'po that', everywhere you go its po, po, po! Also, in a conversation, one would never disagree with another. You would never hear, "I don't agree". What you would here is something like this, "Yes, that is a very good point, po. And I was thinking, po, that there is also this side to the issue that Ive been considering as well, po...
Also, there is this charming cultural gesture that exists here and is very much a part of daily life. When one approaches an elder, or someone of position, the introduction is not a handshake. The move is to reach out and grasp the hand of elder, to do a slight bow and take the hand to your forehead. Touch the hand to your forehead and then release. This is a sign of respect. When I walk down the street, little children run up to me and grasp my hand and do this... wonderful sign of respect. It is a supplication, of sorts.
In other news, I went to Naga today and was introduced to some officials; there will be another trip there later on official business. I also made it to the travel agency. Bought 2 roundtrip tickets that should exhaust my vacation time and my budget. One is to Cebu, Philippines, which Carlos and I will use as a launching point to get to Bohol. The other is a post-New Year trip to Bangkok, Thailand, which I will use as a launching point to get to Phuket, Thailand. I never dreamed I would make it to Bangkok, or Phuket for that matter, and I just couldn't be more excited. I mean, Phuket! I need to go just to get a T-shirt!!! These tickets, combined cost less than $300, also, which is utterly amazing!! When I get to Thailand, I am hoping cash in on some backlogged free nights from Holiday Inn, thanks to the business travel I have done over the years, so that will keep costs down as well.
Anyway po, its time to go! Have a great day, po.. and if you have any desire.. you can always write me at darlotti@outlook.com!
Namaste!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Shopping day!
A good way to explore a culture is through the foods, right? This is why I so love going shopping for food here. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the best local food mart is in the town of Goa about 7 or so miles away. This is also where my bank is and because of this Im averaging about 2-3 trips to Goa per week. It costs me 16 pesos round trip via Jeepney (thats around 30 cents) which is inexpensive but time consuming.
Ok, so today was 'shopping day' and here were some interesting things I discovered: they have instant coffee here that is called 3 n 1. This is common. Its coffee, lots of sugar and cream all mixed together. I like my coffee black (even instant coffee) so I opt for the Americano version. Have I mentioned that I haven't had a cup of fresh brewed coffee since I left the USA? Oh, how I miss it! Anyway, thats not the interesting thing... what IS interesting is that I found some '5 n 1' coffee today! That is: coffee, sugar, cream, ginkgo, and, drumroll......... powdered mushroom! How about that?!
And heres another interesting thing I uncovered: they make hotdogs (rather ubiquitous) like many cultures, but here in the Philippines, the hotdog wrapper boasts "With REAL Tuna!" Tuna hotdogs!!!! I am not shitting you! So wild!
I'm not sure Ive mentioned this, but of course you have heard about how in China, it is easy to find fried chicken feet as a common street food. Ive always passed on the fried chicken feet. Here they sell chicken feet, and if you are interested, you can also have fried chicken heads!!! Just pop those babies in your mouth for a crunchy delight!!
So, I hit the food mart and then the outdoor public market for my fresh goods. And there, in the middle of the public market I found something I have been looking for: a scale that weighs humans (yeah, that kind of scale)! So I jumped on board and the results are in.... since departing Manila I have officially dropped 17 pounds!!! Hurray!!!!
So, of course it was time to celebrate... off I went to a joint Ive had my eye on.... Mr. Biggs! Mr. Biggs is sort of a US style fast food place, and of course they serve fish and rice and all that... but they also boast HAMBURGERS AND FRENCH FRIES!!!!!!! So folks, I dug deep and did the deed - "Burger and fries, please!" And that burger was pretty darned tasty!
Ok, one last thing and then I'll check out.... Remember the guy who brought me that giant cooked fish (from an earlier blog)?? Well, guess what? He's back in the picture. He has apparently invited me and the rest of my Lagonoy posse up to his barangay on the North coast next weekend for their annual festival!!! And it looks like we are going!! We'll have to time the trip right because the only time you can get to this dude's village is during high tide! I'm not sure why this guy likes me so much since he can't speak a lick of english, but hey.... I guess we hit it off using the old tried and true 'universal language' that begins with a smile!
Ok, so today was 'shopping day' and here were some interesting things I discovered: they have instant coffee here that is called 3 n 1. This is common. Its coffee, lots of sugar and cream all mixed together. I like my coffee black (even instant coffee) so I opt for the Americano version. Have I mentioned that I haven't had a cup of fresh brewed coffee since I left the USA? Oh, how I miss it! Anyway, thats not the interesting thing... what IS interesting is that I found some '5 n 1' coffee today! That is: coffee, sugar, cream, ginkgo, and, drumroll......... powdered mushroom! How about that?!
And heres another interesting thing I uncovered: they make hotdogs (rather ubiquitous) like many cultures, but here in the Philippines, the hotdog wrapper boasts "With REAL Tuna!" Tuna hotdogs!!!! I am not shitting you! So wild!
I'm not sure Ive mentioned this, but of course you have heard about how in China, it is easy to find fried chicken feet as a common street food. Ive always passed on the fried chicken feet. Here they sell chicken feet, and if you are interested, you can also have fried chicken heads!!! Just pop those babies in your mouth for a crunchy delight!!
So, I hit the food mart and then the outdoor public market for my fresh goods. And there, in the middle of the public market I found something I have been looking for: a scale that weighs humans (yeah, that kind of scale)! So I jumped on board and the results are in.... since departing Manila I have officially dropped 17 pounds!!! Hurray!!!!
So, of course it was time to celebrate... off I went to a joint Ive had my eye on.... Mr. Biggs! Mr. Biggs is sort of a US style fast food place, and of course they serve fish and rice and all that... but they also boast HAMBURGERS AND FRENCH FRIES!!!!!!! So folks, I dug deep and did the deed - "Burger and fries, please!" And that burger was pretty darned tasty!
Ok, one last thing and then I'll check out.... Remember the guy who brought me that giant cooked fish (from an earlier blog)?? Well, guess what? He's back in the picture. He has apparently invited me and the rest of my Lagonoy posse up to his barangay on the North coast next weekend for their annual festival!!! And it looks like we are going!! We'll have to time the trip right because the only time you can get to this dude's village is during high tide! I'm not sure why this guy likes me so much since he can't speak a lick of english, but hey.... I guess we hit it off using the old tried and true 'universal language' that begins with a smile!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Steeeeerikeeee!
I never realized this, but weather in the Philippines is a bit like bowling. See, the Philippines are the pins and the tropical storms are the bowling balls! I have never in my life seen such tropical disturbances - storm after storm after storm.. and they pack a LOT of rain! Last weekend was Luis, and this weekend is Marcos. Knock on wood, we haven't seen much in the way of wind, but all the rain does bring a lot of local landslides that causes real problems. If you are so inclined, keep abreast of this bowling alley at:
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/pacificoceansatellite_large.html. Then look for Pacific Ocean Western Satellite.
No work tomorrow (Friday) as its a big holiday in nearby Naga. Lots of folks are going, but I am not. Apparently, thousands arrive for the parades and traffic and drinking are unreasonable and it would just be one day up and back, since I have nowhere to stay and all the hotels are apparently booked and I don't have much money anyway. I also want to get to Legazpi City, but with the volcano ready to blow its top there, PC is advising us to avoid that region for a while. So, looks like I'll be homebound for a few days. On Monday, I AM going to Naga to visit with the Governors office (on invitation) and also the regional police office. I will take the opportunity while there to look into some vacation planning, as Naga has the closest travel agency.
I actually put together a one day presentation today so I felt quite productive. Now, if I can only get someone to translate it into Tagalog for me we'll be cooking with real fire! It boils down to a basic primer on disaster management and covers preparedness, response, recovery and long-term redevelopment topics. It seems that the people I have spoken with here have a hard time separating these activities and therefore have trouble properly planning. Hopefully, this will help. I've also included two exercises: one is to track a typhoon coordinates over a three day period on a pacific typhoon map, and the other is a exercise on the power of storm surges. I also think I've been able to drum up a forum for this adventure, as the Lagonoy administrator has agreed to host the event at our local hotel here. So, there's progress, huh?
I am using the internet to follow my Pittsburgh Pirates, if only in the standings. Go Bucs! Baseball really has become a sort of 'David and Goliath" sport. Pittsburgh is such a puny team compared to the others -- their coaching staff should win lots of awards! Wish them well, along with me, as they head into October!
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/pacificoceansatellite_large.html. Then look for Pacific Ocean Western Satellite.
No work tomorrow (Friday) as its a big holiday in nearby Naga. Lots of folks are going, but I am not. Apparently, thousands arrive for the parades and traffic and drinking are unreasonable and it would just be one day up and back, since I have nowhere to stay and all the hotels are apparently booked and I don't have much money anyway. I also want to get to Legazpi City, but with the volcano ready to blow its top there, PC is advising us to avoid that region for a while. So, looks like I'll be homebound for a few days. On Monday, I AM going to Naga to visit with the Governors office (on invitation) and also the regional police office. I will take the opportunity while there to look into some vacation planning, as Naga has the closest travel agency.
I actually put together a one day presentation today so I felt quite productive. Now, if I can only get someone to translate it into Tagalog for me we'll be cooking with real fire! It boils down to a basic primer on disaster management and covers preparedness, response, recovery and long-term redevelopment topics. It seems that the people I have spoken with here have a hard time separating these activities and therefore have trouble properly planning. Hopefully, this will help. I've also included two exercises: one is to track a typhoon coordinates over a three day period on a pacific typhoon map, and the other is a exercise on the power of storm surges. I also think I've been able to drum up a forum for this adventure, as the Lagonoy administrator has agreed to host the event at our local hotel here. So, there's progress, huh?
I am using the internet to follow my Pittsburgh Pirates, if only in the standings. Go Bucs! Baseball really has become a sort of 'David and Goliath" sport. Pittsburgh is such a puny team compared to the others -- their coaching staff should win lots of awards! Wish them well, along with me, as they head into October!
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