We finally got Wi-Fi up and running which means I can use my phone again. I have to text through third-party apps but it is still worth it to hear from everyone.
We are here during the rainy season…the only other season the Philippines has besides the hot season. It is probably more accurate to classify them as The Rainy and Hot Season, and The Really Hot Season” just because that is what it feels like compared to California. Whenever I am in my room I still feel a little like I am in the US, but once I walk out of my door the culture shock sets in every time. It is so different here that it is kind of hard to explain everything but I will try.
Here is a little beginner’s crash course to Cebu:
-In the Philippines, there are no speed limits. People just drive at their paces and honk to let other drivers know that they are passing through. I would compare it more to the foot traffic of a crowded mall rather than the car traffic of California freeways. People just assert themselves in with reckless abandon. Okay maybe I exaggerated, but it is still pretty crazy if you are not used to it. J-walking seems like a sport rather than an offense here. Also, the cars and trucks here are much different compared to the behemoth SUVs and mid-size sedans everyone has in the states. I will get into those in a later post once I have photos to aid the experience.
-Running water and air conditioning here are a luxury. You do not really understand how much you take each for granted until you have to bathe yourself with a pitcher and a big bucket of clean water. Even washing your hands and brushing your teeth are made that much more arduous but not impossible.
-Roosters are annoying. They wake you up early.
-Washers and dryers do not exist. If you must wash your clothes, you will spend hours doing so by hand.
-Most people speak English…some are just better than others.
-Do not look rich and flash your bling. You will get robbed. Pirates do exist.
-There is no surf, but there is scuba diving. Take your side.
-People here live in much more cramped living situations than Americans would be used to seeing. There are no McMansions but they are content with it.
-People here are poor but they seem a little happier. The roads are gnarly rough, the karaoke never stops, and the island never sleeps.
-Bugs will eat you alive.
So yeah, we started unpacking the boxes:
Anyway, this post was meant to waste time more than anything. There was nothing important to be said except that I miss this:
And I want to come home to that as soon as possible.
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