tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36007371085095920532024-03-12T16:52:14.339-07:00Tagalong with Valli to the PhilippinesThe views and opinions expressed in this blog do not in any way reflect the views and opinions of the US Peace Corps or the US governmentValli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-71373885684476931392014-07-05T01:11:00.000-07:002014-07-05T01:11:06.408-07:00Super Typhoon Yolanda and the Amazing Strength of the Filipino Spirit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwePLZCh7TO7N9CURYzfM0SI9HbXlrs0iOev_O7EzLZNOS6DvPEghmZGSmy9aQ2pjuvOkFOJUQpm1583cHG8Sqi8OWEhgNLFRK6Ge7sW3qAyfY4Nni4_tQRz_-xUJWMxQR2m7kL3miyo/s1600/map+of+yoland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwePLZCh7TO7N9CURYzfM0SI9HbXlrs0iOev_O7EzLZNOS6DvPEghmZGSmy9aQ2pjuvOkFOJUQpm1583cHG8Sqi8OWEhgNLFRK6Ge7sW3qAyfY4Nni4_tQRz_-xUJWMxQR2m7kL3miyo/s1600/map+of+yoland.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv8D4XiSyoGOEU5SSIdalp5bkgohvQEKs1HhUa8QVYvXmhAza5qVNwdYDdMiHA1xydFmNcD4SeQjYrQ-BqT2EhN4qxCR2sSCor1fDrOoHJjAtUt7a3LlirqeAH5SspK3vMpOnpGVJ70k/s1600/flag+spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv8D4XiSyoGOEU5SSIdalp5bkgohvQEKs1HhUa8QVYvXmhAza5qVNwdYDdMiHA1xydFmNcD4SeQjYrQ-BqT2EhN4qxCR2sSCor1fDrOoHJjAtUt7a3LlirqeAH5SspK3vMpOnpGVJ70k/s1600/flag+spirit.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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We knew it, Typhoon Yolanda, was coming. The community was
prepared. People who needed to be evacuated to safer areas were moved
there. Massive cutting of trees happened to mitigate the damage they could do.</div>
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My favorite trees in town, a row of gigantic acacias were severely pruned to half their size, filling the street with piles of growth to be chopped up and hauled off. Amazingly, Yolanda blew them apart even more, filling the street again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9W-KO1eZwztmmk-Ss6wrDMm3sO9g7iKuu6taiTkCTxpBAjEpOxHvylU0nqjidIqcaIRuBMeJ6YkVtOTwBak5XJfHWEhmVSBchVYM4kDjspLTzOMUNrUhK_ud_77tttG40bpv5KymKmk/s1600/2013-11-07+cutting+the+acacias+before+Yolanda+hits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9W-KO1eZwztmmk-Ss6wrDMm3sO9g7iKuu6taiTkCTxpBAjEpOxHvylU0nqjidIqcaIRuBMeJ6YkVtOTwBak5XJfHWEhmVSBchVYM4kDjspLTzOMUNrUhK_ud_77tttG40bpv5KymKmk/s1600/2013-11-07+cutting+the+acacias+before+Yolanda+hits.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruning the acacias before Yolanda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpHvH-uUOJWOdG-HW97npEPmRH-4yb2v6GdBwYf8kMSNV4whR7XVl7HYeeSSSuhRw-bv__vBzVLeVNd8PdgS8hraoK57Q421iCfV68uHF-F3-hp-GdS51TueuChy8A2JfImk-G3TjaRw/s1600/2013-11-08+towards+the+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpHvH-uUOJWOdG-HW97npEPmRH-4yb2v6GdBwYf8kMSNV4whR7XVl7HYeeSSSuhRw-bv__vBzVLeVNd8PdgS8hraoK57Q421iCfV68uHF-F3-hp-GdS51TueuChy8A2JfImk-G3TjaRw/s1600/2013-11-08+towards+the+water.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Yolanda the acacias are a quarter the size they were</td></tr>
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Our group of five PCVs in my area
made the decision to NOT consolidate in Baybay but stay where we were. Going to
Baybay only put me closer to the center of the typhoon.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZVCMYDqQGzQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Villarubins' evacuation center</div>
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Our house became a mini evacuation center. We expected it to
hit about 10AM and pass in two hours. The wind woke me up at 3AM. We had no
power, no cell phone service and of course no internet. Three windows were
broken and half of the tree in the back broke off. About 9:00 I realized I had
a problem in my room. I’d closed the two windows that would close but the third
set of windows couldn't close because of the air con unit. We hadn't thought
about the upper two thirds of the window opening having only cardboard in them.
The cardboard had been blown out and the typhoon was entering my room. I wish I
could have videotaped this most exciting and somewhat comical operation. It
took Alex, Anita and I twenty minutes to get the air con unit out and those
windows shut. I did take video out windows during the storm. The Firm gas
station roof almost took off like a magic carpet but after tipping back and forth ended up standing vertical. <br />
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The barometric pressure went below the lowest reading for a
long time. This bothered me quite a bit. At one point I was laying on my bed
holding my head wanting it to be over. I’m glad it was daylight because ten
hours passed before we were able to go outside and view the devastation. Half
the trees were down on top of houses and blocking the roads even though
extensive pruning and trimming had been done in preparation.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHgr_yT_AsBvSdKhBEEZMnQdaYO0IVMXBAYLVIEmZVJ1hiVYlVK-IiQDJxZVk_eH0ve3YdDKf5q22yxE2DhkdutkH8aL6rOUrpkziJaTmiJgZq6L5wLeFVqBSXyNBfC6-GefiO85PvLY/s1600/2013-11-08+our+restaurant+fence+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHgr_yT_AsBvSdKhBEEZMnQdaYO0IVMXBAYLVIEmZVJ1hiVYlVK-IiQDJxZVk_eH0ve3YdDKf5q22yxE2DhkdutkH8aL6rOUrpkziJaTmiJgZq6L5wLeFVqBSXyNBfC6-GefiO85PvLY/s1600/2013-11-08+our+restaurant+fence+down.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our restaurant outdoor seating area had a double fence. Now the outer corrugated aluminum fence is history. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt5NP6qtsiTJvFPLI4EppJONqLXxceityD-m3R1mFaSbN54O52Oz-hJ2XuwN4Iq7yyqYMscAS3ILNPbaJRWyn8BXFQ6SbQH0Snu0CAtdeGtulyKMAcPAxAjitNIhSCC-HZ5Qpt_OH-5c/s1600/2013-11-08+snapped+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt5NP6qtsiTJvFPLI4EppJONqLXxceityD-m3R1mFaSbN54O52Oz-hJ2XuwN4Iq7yyqYMscAS3ILNPbaJRWyn8BXFQ6SbQH0Snu0CAtdeGtulyKMAcPAxAjitNIhSCC-HZ5Qpt_OH-5c/s1600/2013-11-08+snapped+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This big tree went down on our neighbor's house and what was he most concerned about?<br />His fighting cocks' pens were demolished. Here you see him with one of his fighting cocks.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaObbJJkUXkKQhOVS9tr6Q_QTNU-4L9z67tbOO1HNeWQjLLK6qy41H5E0m5jCbVVMM97D2iVCNwkotYWPa51pAEZQUqR671JY2F8obDUdK25UwUt2aQb_qQakog0MN-OsA2nhpjnHo_64/s1600/2013-11-08+holdig+his+precious+cock+huge+tree+with+huge+limbs+on+his+house+and+his+fighting+cocks+houses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaObbJJkUXkKQhOVS9tr6Q_QTNU-4L9z67tbOO1HNeWQjLLK6qy41H5E0m5jCbVVMM97D2iVCNwkotYWPa51pAEZQUqR671JY2F8obDUdK25UwUt2aQb_qQakog0MN-OsA2nhpjnHo_64/s1600/2013-11-08+holdig+his+precious+cock+huge+tree+with+huge+limbs+on+his+house+and+his+fighting+cocks+houses.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bf2gkz5HB9dfiHIDgqcp3-I_5Mt-Qa2rT81gqTMuJxQwRID39hqTcoqIEi3mOdBLFpt8hlemPjVHbBoF_JV1Lbum_6NoU8Z6i4F_yGCluPXrpDmKFkcb3mXCAssdkgT7DYChwMtolD0/s1600/2013-11-08+the+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bf2gkz5HB9dfiHIDgqcp3-I_5Mt-Qa2rT81gqTMuJxQwRID39hqTcoqIEi3mOdBLFpt8hlemPjVHbBoF_JV1Lbum_6NoU8Z6i4F_yGCluPXrpDmKFkcb3mXCAssdkgT7DYChwMtolD0/s1600/2013-11-08+the+market.JPG" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our weekend market stalls were flattened.</td></tr>
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We had food. We had water because even without power we could hand pump water from the well.
We rigged a hose up to my bathroom where I filled a garbage can to use for dip
baths and toilet flushing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU0l6D7RhNNMSxNeug_9DQ3vOpJlWus4MeBw2-tkpZW03ZNBwveugebjiWf6t1uCZXGCQ1bpnQ729I2J3v_OSlvCrhQhIcZpVCgRy07e_OKfPXTq4KcQtHo-iz71RUjHHYG1PcHTzNj4/s1600/2013-11-10+water+to+my+bath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU0l6D7RhNNMSxNeug_9DQ3vOpJlWus4MeBw2-tkpZW03ZNBwveugebjiWf6t1uCZXGCQ1bpnQ729I2J3v_OSlvCrhQhIcZpVCgRy07e_OKfPXTq4KcQtHo-iz71RUjHHYG1PcHTzNj4/s1600/2013-11-10+water+to+my+bath.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Having no cell phone service was unexpected. I knew
people would be worried about me but I had no way to send or receive
information. This is when I discovered
not even the mayor had any way to communicate with the outside world.</div>
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I'd told family members they could contact Peace Corp for updates in case this happened. I thought PC Headquarters would know but how could they know when all
communication lines were down? My daughter placed a call and knew before I did that
someone was on the way to evacuate me.</div>
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Three days after the typhoon, to my surprise my PC Regional Manager, Boni
Bucol, showed up at the door. Five minutes later I was in the van; the first evacuee,
wondering where the others were. He’d driven to and notified the others to get
ready to go and came and got me first so we could then back track and pick them
up on the way back to the ferry in Ormoc. Nice for them but not so good for me.
I was in pajamas & flip flops, forgot extra shoes and lots of other stuff I would have and should have grabbed not
knowing if I’d ever be back.</div>
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It was getting dark by the time we got Laura Mudge and
Marsha Ricketts in Baybay and Baybay was in much worse shape than Inopacan
being closer to the centre of the storm.
Now we were three; three of the last five PCV to be accounted for. It was kind of cool, listening to Boni check in with headquarters; updating
them on his progress, letting them know we were alive and OK. Everyone was OK except for Peggy
posted two hours North of Ormoc. No one knew if she was dead or alive. Sharlene was waiting for us in Ormoc.</div>
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I’ll never forget the
drive from Baybay to Ormoc, normally about an hour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6SNT5zv-cMEORqI3ZeNDcgMvol0vcH7eEDKtaByCBP_CUnVcD8HNepxkGdFPSvlmENZ16lzFUpdcvqwnU1ViAidNBBAzW4gkFsx7B7sXy8-G-e0Nf9h6vMWb26eEhwNpIhc2CMhPymU/s1600/ormoc-800x600+road+but+at+nigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6SNT5zv-cMEORqI3ZeNDcgMvol0vcH7eEDKtaByCBP_CUnVcD8HNepxkGdFPSvlmENZ16lzFUpdcvqwnU1ViAidNBBAzW4gkFsx7B7sXy8-G-e0Nf9h6vMWb26eEhwNpIhc2CMhPymU/s1600/ormoc-800x600+road+but+at+nigh.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't take this but got it from google. This must have been taken later<br />when the hiway had been cleared more.</td></tr>
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The devastation grew worse
the further we went. Every power pole and tree was down. If the poles were not
all the way down they were precariously hanging over the road. Burned out electrocuted vehicles, bundles of
wire on the ground or hanging low over our heads, the only light coming from
hundreds of cans with candles lining the edge of the road, illuminating
hundreds of stunned faces. Skeletons of structures black against the darkness
were all that was left of these peoples’ homes. The path had been cleared
enough for one lane of traffic to get through. We picked our way along. I don’t
know how many times I said “Oh my God”.</div>
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Poor Sharene was waiting for us at the Ormaoc dock, or what was left of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkGS6zDxFw2U-96xYkiUQij_RRDegvdHyKYkDmNns0iJy4weOb9D2JTSqkh6V1CgnDE_MzyKydD5PTRXK-4dRESUHUQ-r6iVDyYHxwZmuIx-xBFAbzgRaS9dc2lNcUTYLDxWmFNjCbdo/s1600/ormoc+port.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkGS6zDxFw2U-96xYkiUQij_RRDegvdHyKYkDmNns0iJy4weOb9D2JTSqkh6V1CgnDE_MzyKydD5PTRXK-4dRESUHUQ-r6iVDyYHxwZmuIx-xBFAbzgRaS9dc2lNcUTYLDxWmFNjCbdo/s1600/ormoc+port.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again this is from google. It was pitch black when we arrived.</td></tr>
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Now we
were four. She’d been waiting for two
hours by herself in the dark, because she was told to go there and wait for us,
amidst broken glass and debris, destroyed buildings and hundreds of distraught
people trying to get out. Sharene was with her host family when Yolanda blew
the house apart and for the two following days with no water or food other than
her peanut butter which she shared with her family.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9CEIjoXKYT2ZlbLMfQAZ-xGFYMmQPPNrPTZr-0TD9ksRC-4pBc_J8fo-1-d7GxhMn54i0fnjgWHSvGM5Demz2ngKAx_JiASSWT0nrCvK9uRFtc2vhplhPYdk9H3GTrOiD5gsbpXud-8/s1600/ormoc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9CEIjoXKYT2ZlbLMfQAZ-xGFYMmQPPNrPTZr-0TD9ksRC-4pBc_J8fo-1-d7GxhMn54i0fnjgWHSvGM5Demz2ngKAx_JiASSWT0nrCvK9uRFtc2vhplhPYdk9H3GTrOiD5gsbpXud-8/s1600/ormoc.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in Ormoc and these kind of SOS signs worked in many cases.<br /> I heard stories about US helicopters dropping supplies for these people.</td></tr>
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The drive was bad but this was the worst part for me. Our
boat Passage had been arranged and luckily the boat was late or we wouldn’t
have made it. Boni‘s a big young strong
(and handsome) Filipino. He got us into a group and pushed a pathway for us to
run through the crowd and confusion. I felt ashamed. I couldn’t look at people.
I was getting out and they weren’t. Boni handed us off to Sakib who was waiting
for us at the ramp and would be getting us to a hotel in Cebu for the night and
on to Manila the next day. Boni took off to go find Peggy. You can imagine how
grateful we all were to hear from Boni the next day that he’d located Peggy and
she was OK.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHExgK-rzTbR_DlqQidKRVA23L2_9846Sl_YnxhX2tYAaELUj1ZBj6BO6rQSXcz8QRpv1Iol8krKOZo3xItrm-wgJ-iLuDz6H_RqlGpmfvEivg2Mo9lIpJdd2CG0foBWfXA5eUaTzog/s1600/2013-11-11+Sakib%252CMarcia+and+Sharene+in+Cebu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHExgK-rzTbR_DlqQidKRVA23L2_9846Sl_YnxhX2tYAaELUj1ZBj6BO6rQSXcz8QRpv1Iol8krKOZo3xItrm-wgJ-iLuDz6H_RqlGpmfvEivg2Mo9lIpJdd2CG0foBWfXA5eUaTzog/s1600/2013-11-11+Sakib%252CMarcia+and+Sharene+in+Cebu.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are looking very happy with Sakib at the hotel in Cebu feeling pampered<br />with hot water showers, cable TV, wifi and a buffet breakfast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmfbEmlH3Bc5cxYHith77z-bX8BdNhk-aFhT8kuZmxfzQ35I3Ntg48X2tgkOH96Eg2sm8kQiSvWqaAcxBK8kQou6QHMVXlEkRYTTQN8_I6ZuhbqSKtIUMQf1n_LGgEKREe4Ye7V2oSHE/s1600/more+tac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmfbEmlH3Bc5cxYHith77z-bX8BdNhk-aFhT8kuZmxfzQ35I3Ntg48X2tgkOH96Eg2sm8kQiSvWqaAcxBK8kQou6QHMVXlEkRYTTQN8_I6ZuhbqSKtIUMQf1n_LGgEKREe4Ye7V2oSHE/s1600/more+tac.jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 6000 dead. It could be 12,000. No one knows for sure.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99M42DwF5wJs0TuId-aeFTWbVrw7WK_VATHnn6dstHISOFdhcbkT2s746XCLbMp_JEqkVPkh2zGMnDqd1bR0Itn44iZnXwzSlULj_ZboMl-n6Tb3CYu1qajut6jSEI04Uu8WZJMOWm5E/s1600/yolanda76.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99M42DwF5wJs0TuId-aeFTWbVrw7WK_VATHnn6dstHISOFdhcbkT2s746XCLbMp_JEqkVPkh2zGMnDqd1bR0Itn44iZnXwzSlULj_ZboMl-n6Tb3CYu1qajut6jSEI04Uu8WZJMOWm5E/s1600/yolanda76.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXhmDItDRC1Xqc0h2Xb5afzazI-31feAdlOlmSeKm6UyjY5raszhRyLi1dC6-8AbfATW0nGg0xWhSWcXLFg0zuYDt79lmbsldqLWhdG6CTYok-0jFWXXIqkx28KErhru-te43lT9MI2c/s1600/640_2013_11_12_09_36_54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXhmDItDRC1Xqc0h2Xb5afzazI-31feAdlOlmSeKm6UyjY5raszhRyLi1dC6-8AbfATW0nGg0xWhSWcXLFg0zuYDt79lmbsldqLWhdG6CTYok-0jFWXXIqkx28KErhru-te43lT9MI2c/s1600/640_2013_11_12_09_36_54.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The devastation and suffering in Tacloban is horrifying</td></tr>
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I love this video because this is how the people really are; always ready to sing and dance, laugh and have fun.It shows the strength of the Filipino Spirit.</div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/TizA_jTCSS8/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/TizA_jTCSS8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/TizA_jTCSS8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-46101016718910084672014-05-29T02:53:00.000-07:002014-05-29T02:53:36.867-07:00I'm Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kTLIX9HW2ml91x9i4nFb5e2LI1IZzwRQNQ_o51bJH6ucTadpQ4rX-FoKjZxJ1WMP_qBnWV0jVAVCcV0KiGHhAfDyuVKXzIPpTnIfXP-0y4M2vdYF_cLP30DpvMHD5crjhaXzkokHUNc/s1600/2014-05-27+green+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kTLIX9HW2ml91x9i4nFb5e2LI1IZzwRQNQ_o51bJH6ucTadpQ4rX-FoKjZxJ1WMP_qBnWV0jVAVCcV0KiGHhAfDyuVKXzIPpTnIfXP-0y4M2vdYF_cLP30DpvMHD5crjhaXzkokHUNc/s1600/2014-05-27+green+me.JPG" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
A lot has happened
since my last blog; the earthquake, Typhoon Yolanda, evacuation and being sent home
on Administrative Hold, being allowed to return to Inopacan, and then Typhoon Basyong
hit doing more damage than Yolanda.<br />
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The epicentre of the 7.2 earthquake in Bohol on October 15,
2013 was 60 miles from here. It was a holiday so at 8:00 AM I was sitting in my
room at my computer. When the roof
started shaking and I thought what the heck are the painters (painting the inside
of the house) doing up on the roof? When
I looked out my window and saw the water tower rocking and rolling I knew it
was an earthquake. What should I do, stand in my bedroom door frame, right? That’s
what I did for a few seconds. No one else was around but I could see the two
painters outside the front door. The Chinese
urn outside my door was tipping back and forth and the living room chandelier
was swinging. I decided I should get outside as quickly as possible. We sat outside
waiting for the rocking and rolling to stop for a couple minutes. I was pretty shaken up. People have jokingly
called me ‘Valley Girl’ but this Valli girl is used to terra firma being firma.
The strong aftershocks continued in the mornings and afternoons every day. These
were as disorienting and scary as the earthquake. I started feeling the movement non-stop. On
the fourth day it was time to fly to Manila for our week long Mid-Service
Training (MST).</div>
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We were put up in our usual Navidad Pension House the first
night. I couldn't sleep because of the
earth shaking I felt all night. I was really scared, feeling panicked, thinking
another big earthquake was coming and being in Manila was a very bad place to
be and the last place I wanted to be. At first light I was the first and only
one up, showering, packing and being prepared for whatever happened. I was sure
we needed to be evacuated to a safer place. I sat in the dining area drinking
coffee as others showed up for breakfast. I started asking “Do you feel that?
Do you feel the earth moving?” Soon I realised I was the only one feeling it.
That day we left for the conference venue, a resort on the outskirts of Manila.
I wasn’t feeling great. I was going on a week of feeling the movement which
made me feel disoriented and dizzy. I
didn’t feel much like participating or interacting. This was really a bummer as
the conference was a time for reconnecting with everyone and having fun. I did
my best and thank goodness for my roommate and friend Kathy Gavit. She was
great.</div>
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Part of MST is getting checked out with doctor and dental
appointments. While with the doctor I was almost falling off the chair asking
her “can’t you feel that?” I’ll never forget the look she gave me and immediately
started making arrangements with counsellor. It helped. I came back to site and
gradually the earth stopped moving under my feet. Then Typhoon Yolanda hit on
November 8<sup>th</sup>.</div>
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I'm glad I visited Bohol and Cebu before the earthquake and was able to see things before so much damage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsZJBaXEHzQ9sGW5PwpfKIl90Gg4RhDSHzy4eubuCYs6vCEuCY11I_rY5YvmYwhEZILLSSolZ8-QcIn4TScK9vF9ZvGHN4T0ijqYHofmglPOiffFHK0Vs9r1lumvyCINBm7kuNb9XNB8/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+Marketplace+Cathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsZJBaXEHzQ9sGW5PwpfKIl90Gg4RhDSHzy4eubuCYs6vCEuCY11I_rY5YvmYwhEZILLSSolZ8-QcIn4TScK9vF9ZvGHN4T0ijqYHofmglPOiffFHK0Vs9r1lumvyCINBm7kuNb9XNB8/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+Marketplace+Cathedral.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basilica of Saint Nino in Cebu taken 3-16-2013</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx9SXHdtJG9PC_qoyDvSOEdqgFjIw3_toLyDb9BGLLzvTfHMreCaY7wkJoqyruHkZkJquGoN1qg1JFEaQITQxVKQfWKue2i1reifDXvtIh15DR7ZOM5_EPZb7G__TthdfiAHjgwBJKL8/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling+fescos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx9SXHdtJG9PC_qoyDvSOEdqgFjIw3_toLyDb9BGLLzvTfHMreCaY7wkJoqyruHkZkJquGoN1qg1JFEaQITQxVKQfWKue2i1reifDXvtIh15DR7ZOM5_EPZb7G__TthdfiAHjgwBJKL8/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling+fescos.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8amqrosMxRf0_hGrj9HNrsj_ZaPcR589zsmiNZ-OPhC2aZvpqDLP8m0Gs5-U168KW9sEkMJHwHqKjmmk0dsAGSgflQ8vCnjmJr1OPP_oQ1RLkhnT_CuOY27eDVFaVcwTrr03GHHPGlG0/s1600/2013-03-16+Moses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8amqrosMxRf0_hGrj9HNrsj_ZaPcR589zsmiNZ-OPhC2aZvpqDLP8m0Gs5-U168KW9sEkMJHwHqKjmmk0dsAGSgflQ8vCnjmJr1OPP_oQ1RLkhnT_CuOY27eDVFaVcwTrr03GHHPGlG0/s1600/2013-03-16+Moses.JPG" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
Inside the church of Santa Nino (baby Jesus) where the original doll like Baby Jesus is gifted by Magellan to the queen of Cebu so long ago. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TcmCH5KH1aGawta6AZ-IY4WMMCCnqEFZ4XTR_YX1OWlWgeJ1v5zvzt5sUCCvScikS4IUIHl-o-Ct9K9_c_B30MCbQ5YDtvyV-XvMJ9u_0dh901nVir_9YCf1PH0jA3wnAlELuXxJck8/s1600/2013-03-16+some+stained+glass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TcmCH5KH1aGawta6AZ-IY4WMMCCnqEFZ4XTR_YX1OWlWgeJ1v5zvzt5sUCCvScikS4IUIHl-o-Ct9K9_c_B30MCbQ5YDtvyV-XvMJ9u_0dh901nVir_9YCf1PH0jA3wnAlELuXxJck8/s1600/2013-03-16+some+stained+glass.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHagUpgf02CRBIByC372Z_eRf-N-_lGrvyH3ejGE_yciZcVTtOOnlxQGzepBroAOjA1huBiJk3v2O82FZMbCNAXzOPhzxx8IlB8D7cOJd7-_EieYj9kJio_Afsx3OeeFjvkcULGiKyKg/s1600/20131015-basilica-sto-nino-quake-jose-faruggia-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHagUpgf02CRBIByC372Z_eRf-N-_lGrvyH3ejGE_yciZcVTtOOnlxQGzepBroAOjA1huBiJk3v2O82FZMbCNAXzOPhzxx8IlB8D7cOJd7-_EieYj9kJio_Afsx3OeeFjvkcULGiKyKg/s1600/20131015-basilica-sto-nino-quake-jose-faruggia-01.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a>10-16-2013</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwsYGjA208EmvwqPUU0UHWdpqzYc-GPNOhP1oknY0dRUGqIr1x8yUDVNY6-Zes5iqFcr7et0318pXAkmLVL3LUj5eq8NZ-55C6Rt_HoVFvrAJ0cLRYDx6iZNuRLPHuphYCiYDScSNe8Q/s1600/2013-06-02+me+and+hills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwsYGjA208EmvwqPUU0UHWdpqzYc-GPNOhP1oknY0dRUGqIr1x8yUDVNY6-Zes5iqFcr7et0318pXAkmLVL3LUj5eq8NZ-55C6Rt_HoVFvrAJ0cLRYDx6iZNuRLPHuphYCiYDScSNe8Q/s1600/2013-06-02+me+and+hills.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Chocolate Hills in Bohol 6-2-2013 </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyTtr3D2nu_EKrDk88XATkrj86pLLYr1I2_J3t9tLw3cYl7DqfLTn7Na35jWIxJ6NIW0wtqLtGx6voUbX2eqe2qb0TLpMLpkAxq64Tap0lHMw0btAUo_H8_Ia6CjUHVm49SdCMf9FhCs/s1600/2013-06-02+Chocolate+Hills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyTtr3D2nu_EKrDk88XATkrj86pLLYr1I2_J3t9tLw3cYl7DqfLTn7Na35jWIxJ6NIW0wtqLtGx6voUbX2eqe2qb0TLpMLpkAxq64Tap0lHMw0btAUo_H8_Ia6CjUHVm49SdCMf9FhCs/s1600/2013-06-02+Chocolate+Hills.JPG" height="185" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXrxV6InfxUSc5cZWQzKUeMkOxuhEc58Q-RtIHU16kaVwYip09_eFQTOOW7Ngx_z2RV9eMBAYFXAvHQQa7YmMi5R4enTrl8hX0JKPhKkRW0-x7kZOOrrtDBt9ye7RhDG0GiZ37OWlUOE/s1600/ch+hi+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXrxV6InfxUSc5cZWQzKUeMkOxuhEc58Q-RtIHU16kaVwYip09_eFQTOOW7Ngx_z2RV9eMBAYFXAvHQQa7YmMi5R4enTrl8hX0JKPhKkRW0-x7kZOOrrtDBt9ye7RhDG0GiZ37OWlUOE/s1600/ch+hi+after.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfGzn_7Hjik2Z-im36_LEUAWzFzH7X1nCFU0DqhmlS8ww1lAc0zoywFXiS5c-9NBYl_ro0ejA8eQRIlyKlWW6_OeAO-icVEalQ_juJYbD0TUaSHYUj6vUYxfYOCVmCXiiRy7FIPU7hbk/s1600/chills+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfGzn_7Hjik2Z-im36_LEUAWzFzH7X1nCFU0DqhmlS8ww1lAc0zoywFXiS5c-9NBYl_ro0ejA8eQRIlyKlWW6_OeAO-icVEalQ_juJYbD0TUaSHYUj6vUYxfYOCVmCXiiRy7FIPU7hbk/s1600/chills+after.jpg" /></a>and after the quake</div>
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I visited the oldest church in Bohol on that same trip<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4mLygYBcCqD95spfOOwmp7_VFiMIvKDwdSjmhESxJeHYqCwD1db42n3bb286Wh2KH8Y4SmkVitqLnnX9Q_SCKlarht9LbZeD8i9EbOCvpDEyHtBrpIW063H0Lo7UHZW5gjvCQikuAcg/s1600/2012-06-02+model+of+the+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4mLygYBcCqD95spfOOwmp7_VFiMIvKDwdSjmhESxJeHYqCwD1db42n3bb286Wh2KH8Y4SmkVitqLnnX9Q_SCKlarht9LbZeD8i9EbOCvpDEyHtBrpIW063H0Lo7UHZW5gjvCQikuAcg/s1600/2012-06-02+model+of+the+church.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCGSkKWloOp-LuoWhekYdAt8D8N_qkSoh7dTN9WYhpEy2kwiCpHb66DRKc10rYSGYZXC8sgFNkoflPgNGeIHUTKnxTmIGoRsGJuwwTtJaJ8S26GXsmjg_ck5ucFE-Tex6zIV2FfFidPg/s1600/2013-06-02+oldest+church+in+Asia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCGSkKWloOp-LuoWhekYdAt8D8N_qkSoh7dTN9WYhpEy2kwiCpHb66DRKc10rYSGYZXC8sgFNkoflPgNGeIHUTKnxTmIGoRsGJuwwTtJaJ8S26GXsmjg_ck5ucFE-Tex6zIV2FfFidPg/s1600/2013-06-02+oldest+church+in+Asia.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after the quake. It's very sad so many old churches sustained extensive damage.</td></tr>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-42928539066915256562013-11-01T05:47:00.001-07:002013-11-01T05:59:11.798-07:00Placing Marine Protected Area (MPA) Boundary Markers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwJQPawSZSrHPNMhINhrw5LbRVJeWVrNWi5kTBVwyaL31d1lLLBwIDrrFSvXyNW24h9A0ljWHexdpeB43oE0bJH2AY4IA4yqL2Dp1bNNyd0V15vnbKulLhZhJ6yuBeYR5ZSNZEk-oo7Y/s1600/2013-10-28++Dr.+Fuente%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwJQPawSZSrHPNMhINhrw5LbRVJeWVrNWi5kTBVwyaL31d1lLLBwIDrrFSvXyNW24h9A0ljWHexdpeB43oE0bJH2AY4IA4yqL2Dp1bNNyd0V15vnbKulLhZhJ6yuBeYR5ZSNZEk-oo7Y/s200/2013-10-28++Dr.+Fuente%2527s.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>
I'm feeling disorganized about my blog posts. Facebook's where I do regular posting and get much needed communication from family and friends. But I have some people very dear to me who don't do Facebook and I respect that. So if I seem a little spacey, who me?, I'm doing the best I can with a plan to keep things chronological but arrrg, can't keep up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me doing IEC on Cosatal Ecosystems and Solid Waste Management<br />
donned in the Bag Monster costume I made from some<br />
of the trash I pick up on my walks. Yes the kids loved it.</td></tr>
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After the last post about Nahama's swim camp in Ormoc I was having a tough time because I didn't feel like I was doing enough meaningful CRM work at my site. I'd been here eight months. Typically mid-service is the low point for PCVs who've been very busy working with their counterparts on various projects, are a bit burned out, in a slump, wondering if they can last another year, etc. This was not my situation. I'd done a little mangrove and fish species identification, a couple days going door to door inspecting garbage segregation and going to lots of planning meetings and workshops. Other than that I'd done eleven Information, Education and Communication (IEC) presentations in schools. I love being with the students and Environmental Education is crucial for changing destructive behavior but I wanted to do more than IEC in schools.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIhWQIVHLt4syOSAzY9skOft-AcAvzEJAal4zMTcvGoZ33dlHLkDE800_J_hiNK3ZMkvisuso3XY-u-YM__v72lKtestfsizXAyzgCNe7lbdZusYmz7h-sws1-wwUybOYeEOXfNLMEoM/s1600/2013-09-04+group+shot+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIhWQIVHLt4syOSAzY9skOft-AcAvzEJAal4zMTcvGoZ33dlHLkDE800_J_hiNK3ZMkvisuso3XY-u-YM__v72lKtestfsizXAyzgCNe7lbdZusYmz7h-sws1-wwUybOYeEOXfNLMEoM/s320/2013-09-04+group+shot+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is one of six groups of 5th and sixth grade students</td></tr>
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I'd sent in my quarterly report to PC and was struggling with whether to request a transfer. PC was supportive about a transfer but we decided to give it one more shot with the mayor. I met with the mayor and he agreed to give me what I need to stay, everything I asked for and more! I'm ecstatic! It feels like a nine month gestation period and now starts the birthing process.<br />
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First and of foremost importance is I have my counterpart back, Benedick Lawagon, diver/fish examiner who for political reasons had been assigned to slaughterhouse supervision duty (yes, Benji is happy) and secondly he gave us funding to inspect, repair and get the scuba gear operational for the reef assessments needed to update our Coastal Environmental Profile (CEP) and Coastal Resource Management (CRM) plan, things listed as work I'd be doing here in my invitation packet. YES, YES, YES!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVIV2gK0kK0w8e-hra53qZP5cEcetWgSGSsbGMbO2ZWkolFXbOKNlXGzV_P0hPoLv5EZ97RqXC_J4r8s3MsGjj0O-BuqqKY6w2y5D6zWlRhJtFrx1oVgE4a3Ii_eqzPJRKdumCdfgH30/s1600/2013-03-22+Benji+and+son,+BonBon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVIV2gK0kK0w8e-hra53qZP5cEcetWgSGSsbGMbO2ZWkolFXbOKNlXGzV_P0hPoLv5EZ97RqXC_J4r8s3MsGjj0O-BuqqKY6w2y5D6zWlRhJtFrx1oVgE4a3Ii_eqzPJRKdumCdfgH30/s200/2013-03-22+Benji+and+son,+BonBon.JPG" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benji with his son, BonBon when he<br />
graduated from 6th grade to secondary school he's now<br />
attending at Visayan University in Baybay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benji with his daughter, Jamela</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmCzmBYPYm1P3vd32b9JDVWtOI8ARfcSZ-2wt6czaWceHCKOUvuQGizx21bu6RRdA2prMn1dTOMa9i_kT1okZyKe8dMjwDVrdqNAGnJPlAwiySEnp-8eU99jWhfismvKhnv9ZQSBW37E/s1600/2013-03-22+Lani+and+son,+BonBon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmCzmBYPYm1P3vd32b9JDVWtOI8ARfcSZ-2wt6czaWceHCKOUvuQGizx21bu6RRdA2prMn1dTOMa9i_kT1okZyKe8dMjwDVrdqNAGnJPlAwiySEnp-8eU99jWhfismvKhnv9ZQSBW37E/s200/2013-03-22+Lani+and+son,+BonBon.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom Lani at graduation</td></tr>
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Other things started picking up as well. One day, March 6th, I decided to start going to the barangay council meetings on my own and indeed it was good timing. I ended up being able to act as a liaison between the Ezperanza Barangay Council and the Local Government Unit (LGU) Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) and Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The council told me they were happy I showed up that day because they would be discussing their Marine Protected Area (MPA)/fish sanctuary.<br />
They expressed a desire to manage, specifically monitor their 30 hectare MPA/ fish sanctuary. They said they couldn't monitor because they couldn't tell where it was because they had no boundary markers. The markers had been lost due to storms.<br />
I returned with Al Galo, MENRO, on April 19th. He advised the council on how to proceed with writing a resolution stating their reasons and intentions for officially transferring MPA management from the inactive People’s Organization (PO) to the Barangay Council.<br />
They did this and asked for support from the LGU in the form of rope. They had 74, 30 ft bamboo poles and weight sinkers they made by filling rice sacks with cement and rubber tire rings for attaching rope. But they didn't have enough rope.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out to Esperanza with Benji and the banka crew</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTPy8pXBhc6ZH8dLsNS6yABikOJ-YTRMFpiBVPd7hehihDJQdZYokoRkZ9ha6xcI2yNpJIjX6S7zkcVUkQzvmHKRE4tRz0bdZ2xCKs_Oh5EqyV8GUhvFUmxbZZHXpoDt2CcTplzgGPb0/s1600/2013-05-27+Benny+and+the+Jets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTPy8pXBhc6ZH8dLsNS6yABikOJ-YTRMFpiBVPd7hehihDJQdZYokoRkZ9ha6xcI2yNpJIjX6S7zkcVUkQzvmHKRE4tRz0bdZ2xCKs_Oh5EqyV8GUhvFUmxbZZHXpoDt2CcTplzgGPb0/s320/2013-05-27+Benny+and+the+Jets.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I returned with my counterpart Benedick Lawagon on May 27, with rope, banka fuel and a GPS unit so we could help re-establish the boundaries. I t was a great day and I’m very happy the LGU was able to provide the rope and fuel which amounted to approximately $50 US.The Barangay Chairman, Antonio G. Molato, is wanting very much to have Esperanza's MPA assessments updated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BYIXhROZCwM8kbipeJykzWhVJ7ehNJHYRazB4Fh1J8aQQd8aCrcGJ4nhOS5fUD_Y-KFjDFK_eiNzNDEeiLRzfmT-7S-n6kyJiSDRcXeIAH56w-O8MivuLe7fQGNInOGQVJejvopWSdU/s1600/2013-05-27+getting+the+poles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BYIXhROZCwM8kbipeJykzWhVJ7ehNJHYRazB4Fh1J8aQQd8aCrcGJ4nhOS5fUD_Y-KFjDFK_eiNzNDEeiLRzfmT-7S-n6kyJiSDRcXeIAH56w-O8MivuLe7fQGNInOGQVJejvopWSdU/s320/2013-05-27+getting+the+poles.JPG" width="320" /></a>They had a little machete work to do on the poles</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a couple of boys were enjoying a swim</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some fishermen were mending nets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the poles and weights were loaded onto the banka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concrete anchor weights</td></tr>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-41027713813204237922013-10-06T06:26:00.002-07:002013-10-06T06:26:22.531-07:00Helping Nehama with her project in Ormoc in April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nehama is a Batch 270 Children Youth and Family (CYF) Volunteer in Ormoc, an hour north of here. She's been working at the Hayag Family Development Center there.<br />
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<i>Nehama and Vanessa have both COS'd (Close of Service) and are tripping around SE Asia and beyond as they work their way home now. Less than a year and it will be me.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nehama Rogozen </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa Reneee Batch 270 CYF came from Sogod to help out too</td></tr>
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I was happy to help out with her Swim Camp and Disaster Preparedness Training of Children and Youth project. She needed a life guard. How fun. All I needed to do was hang out by the pool all day. It was really fun to see these kids progress over three days, from not knowing how to swim to being able to swim the length of the pool. And really cool was watching their fear of the water transformed to loving the water so much they didn't want to get out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrSLsT4jQup6v8wCNd7ahbIJIpuXj19pRsi863Ji9Uh2OeN6vdfNkqeBoCYFxp0yrr3a78wAqAzU-Ibu_-Q97DMfJ3Rs0pMaDrImLZXoeOxnbpQyuLA5xqYMB2Rts9cOe2QzgWbietVY/s1600/2013-04-25+VisU+instructors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrSLsT4jQup6v8wCNd7ahbIJIpuXj19pRsi863Ji9Uh2OeN6vdfNkqeBoCYFxp0yrr3a78wAqAzU-Ibu_-Q97DMfJ3Rs0pMaDrImLZXoeOxnbpQyuLA5xqYMB2Rts9cOe2QzgWbietVY/s320/2013-04-25+VisU+instructors.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These wonderful folks, certified swimming instructors, came from Visayan University (Visca) in Baybay and volunteered their time to teach these children and youth to swim. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7VOhhCDPNxVe5Ub5Q0SId4m9lpHioTriiLNZxg3msXtp_GW6hWC0gLhcSIcGadW9vwrzqgZpEsa1wKm6AaaDAIy10FWdMvezcIuvvb3l52Rvdlplvcdhi7TS31DXcNRUaG535neIZmI/s1600/551374_4761505082246_522465909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7VOhhCDPNxVe5Ub5Q0SId4m9lpHioTriiLNZxg3msXtp_GW6hWC0gLhcSIcGadW9vwrzqgZpEsa1wKm6AaaDAIy10FWdMvezcIuvvb3l52Rvdlplvcdhi7TS31DXcNRUaG535neIZmI/s320/551374_4761505082246_522465909_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">the first day everybody kind of scared and anxious and the pool isn't filled all the way.</td></tr>
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Teach Filipinos how to swim is important because most Filipinos don't know how to swim and are afraid of the water. This seems strange given that the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7000 islands and most of the population live on the coast. With climate change, flooding and land slides are occuring more often and many people drown because they don't know how to swim.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everyday the pool got deeper<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbideKjSmIuXQrzP1S0lb-Culf-zvgYG0h7l4r-J-lWQfhOpRFkXYO1JO2B62zQsR319Yc-Q7xEqigU0lIRiMvkQxR2BQfB5I5ySRUDFsMkv0tho2Z7oomQBR4nuAGQRiDmfqJc-DMSw/s1600/428463_4761579244100_291305645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbideKjSmIuXQrzP1S0lb-Culf-zvgYG0h7l4r-J-lWQfhOpRFkXYO1JO2B62zQsR319Yc-Q7xEqigU0lIRiMvkQxR2BQfB5I5ySRUDFsMkv0tho2Z7oomQBR4nuAGQRiDmfqJc-DMSw/s320/428463_4761579244100_291305645_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Local disaster response people came and taught CPR and what to do</div>
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during an earthquake or other disaster situations.</div>
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Ormoc is a much bigger place than Inopacan. We ate pizza and there's a hotel with a restaurant where I found ceasar salad om the menu. You bet I ordered it! There's even a cinema but I haven't tried seeing a movie there yet.<br />
On the last day we made a camp fire and showed them how we make smores. They liked them.<br />
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Nahama had money left over so called everyone back in June for a one day Water Safety Training Follow Up at a beach resort outside of Ormoc. This way they got open water swimming experience and some fishermen came with their boats so the kids could practice jumping in the water with lifejackets and getting back in the boats.My camera'd been stolen so I was camera-less, so thank you Nehama, Laura and Nina Yuniz for the use of your pictures.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sal's Beach Resort outside of Ormoc<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">starting the day<br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura Mudge came from Baybay, yeah!</td></tr>
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<br />Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-63456785322924939902013-10-06T02:59:00.002-07:002013-10-06T02:59:24.098-07:00Project Development and Management Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lina Bisnar, our Municipal Planning and Development Officer</td></tr>
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After a week of Reef Check training we were sent to a second week of I-Service Training (IST) and Project Development and Management (PDM) training at Lima Park Hotel <a href="http://www.limaparkhotel.com/">http://www.limaparkhotel.com/</a> where we had our Supervisors Conference In August, 2012.<br />
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We knew what we had to look forward to; hot showers, comfy beds, air con, swimming pool, good food and being together with all our Batch 271 batchmates. Still. it was kind of a let down from heavenly Bontoc on Batangas. We were able to tell the second CRM group ALL about it and I know they enjoyed it as much as we did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone, CRM, Education and CYF Volunteers with there counterparts</td></tr>
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We had a couple days of In-Service training before out counterparts joined us for the project development part of the training.I thought Lina was awesome. We worked well and hard together developing an alternative livelihood project. I know she enjoyed the stay at Lima Park. I think all the counterparts enjoyed it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once back in Inopacan we continued working on the Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant proposal. Without going into too much detail, the grant would train people to run a new facility funded by the LGU housing a new bio-reactor that speeds up the process of turning bio-degradables into compost/fertilizer and a concrete hollow block making area where plastics and cellophanes are shredded and added to the process.</div>
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Lina left for an extended visit to the US but I presented the proposal to the Solid Waste Management Board and was told the funding for the machinery wasn't yet approved and there's a problem with finding a site for the facility.</div>
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This has become one of those PC learning experiences I've read about. At this point there are too many roadblocks and not enough support. I've shelved the idea for now at leas,t and have pushed forward with another proposal on strengthening Marine Protected Area (MPA) management.</div>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-5335398749750108462013-09-21T08:22:00.001-07:002013-09-21T15:26:29.097-07:00No Fooling- Reef Check Training Was Fantastic<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">April 1, 2013</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6_lVLIPDhyphenhyphenvfE0AzUBZUoZja1PYT9XRfCK48xV63wzouXARQbc9LvHT7XPp-UcOejmHRnRN97sGMJTwsXwC-IGVAkyMXJ83FjQ2P0gwIy0EIDJ4cpSxpDgbZu8qNgRS_J7nbGR_R9vo/s1600/2013-03-29+kenzie+and+easter+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6_lVLIPDhyphenhyphenvfE0AzUBZUoZja1PYT9XRfCK48xV63wzouXARQbc9LvHT7XPp-UcOejmHRnRN97sGMJTwsXwC-IGVAkyMXJ83FjQ2P0gwIy0EIDJ4cpSxpDgbZu8qNgRS_J7nbGR_R9vo/s1600/2013-03-29+kenzie+and+easter+bunny.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenzie's two. I love you Kenzie<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We had to split Reef Check training into two groups going two different weeks so I signed up for the first session so I’d be
doing something memorable on my granddaughter, Kenzie’s second birthday April 2</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.
I’m missing so much; so many of her ‘firsts’. I’m super grateful and happy when
I get to see her and talk to her on Skype.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiOgiFToZRFCdMxgEZ9TymijpyLDxGWD0q2bzw6UHV252xgmTDV01Q8Atqm3JU7iLhb6-2Qvea0kkRQxs3PgHSOKKOZiiujyoVonkLWJK6EZfJhJrz7as7BlKit7CYw44HcZb2-VnxLY/s1600/2013-04-06+Group+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiOgiFToZRFCdMxgEZ9TymijpyLDxGWD0q2bzw6UHV252xgmTDV01Q8Atqm3JU7iLhb6-2Qvea0kkRQxs3PgHSOKKOZiiujyoVonkLWJK6EZfJhJrz7as7BlKit7CYw44HcZb2-VnxLY/s1600/2013-04-06+Group+shot.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Andrew Horan, Andrew Wynn, Allison Hoffman, Russ Halliday, me and our counterparts, Country Director Denny Robertson, AC and Francis and PCV Trainers Elliot Lam and Ben Stacy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqCzeJVd_PrURzdZq5-pwIGWYNt0W-OVa0bKv1dxRNG6Z6ork9jEG81AcJOjQLaoiGSBJoPUOYZboTaTlMuQdZHYO9BLmybOkxbaH1Zpu-3En4JTbjtYu0ESTs-ydAVsebGNKD9wCBkM/s1600/2013-04-06+me+and+Denden+done.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqCzeJVd_PrURzdZq5-pwIGWYNt0W-OVa0bKv1dxRNG6Z6ork9jEG81AcJOjQLaoiGSBJoPUOYZboTaTlMuQdZHYO9BLmybOkxbaH1Zpu-3En4JTbjtYu0ESTs-ydAVsebGNKD9wCBkM/s1600/2013-04-06+me+and+Denden+done.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben giving me and my counterpart DenDen our certificates</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The training was held in Mabini, Batangas, across the bay from where all 13 of us CRM
PCVs visited and snorkeled or dove in August during Pre-Service Training. It's a beautiful and popular place for divers. We saw dolphins and tea turtles!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0olG4GkxsHmC-AaATGKNEbcavhDXEC7brvZ-ZAKhXjr9yRxM2kDXfOKprxGZ85jDZJLCwSud7WfapiJtfuCkBYSyZddVqI2hsOmfaFPmF_HfyuJzFhpYPgErVuuDT6kU3AtgXclIolik/s1600/2013-04-07+view+from+the+terrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0olG4GkxsHmC-AaATGKNEbcavhDXEC7brvZ-ZAKhXjr9yRxM2kDXfOKprxGZ85jDZJLCwSud7WfapiJtfuCkBYSyZddVqI2hsOmfaFPmF_HfyuJzFhpYPgErVuuDT6kU3AtgXclIolik/s1600/2013-04-07+view+from+the+terrace.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we went down to the boats that took us to the dive sites</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c7DUxR529xB51Yj8a2GHITlXPGAb-NJIJpcmCty4sjXN9_V9vDjdkKaouVqKLyKu5iI81MKGXZdU0LK4QM6KJ_gRcwdGTuBFhc6k8SbojrzI4yVtjhVKav2lnLoGKsNuIMDR6E_SCRY/s1600/2013-04-07+down+to+the+boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c7DUxR529xB51Yj8a2GHITlXPGAb-NJIJpcmCty4sjXN9_V9vDjdkKaouVqKLyKu5iI81MKGXZdU0LK4QM6KJ_gRcwdGTuBFhc6k8SbojrzI4yVtjhVKav2lnLoGKsNuIMDR6E_SCRY/s1600/2013-04-07+down+to+the+boats.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCqo8g10eRB_DxtvxRk1RedQUmk4iCq-vd6nKCMVe62JaUq7A29H2l1hLZ6CxvPIdz3hrF1izscSl02fKW9wrwJjSZV0Sx_RkZOW6_wYyUMSTXDy3u_OoXvWnepXgPM8Z25qvXX_dd0o/s1600/2013-04-04+done+for+today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCqo8g10eRB_DxtvxRk1RedQUmk4iCq-vd6nKCMVe62JaUq7A29H2l1hLZ6CxvPIdz3hrF1izscSl02fKW9wrwJjSZV0Sx_RkZOW6_wYyUMSTXDy3u_OoXvWnepXgPM8Z25qvXX_dd0o/s1600/2013-04-04+done+for+today.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a bit of a climb getting home every day. Thankfully the staff carried the tanks.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-align: center;">Addresses aren't so clear here. There aren't numbers or street
names. We made it to where we thought we staying. For me, the journey began with a three hour vanvan ride and overnight stay in Tacloban, then a 6:00 AM one hour flight to Manila, then a five hour bus ride to Mabini and finally a 30 minute (motorized) trike to the place on Balyan Bay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-align: center;">It was a really
nice place right on the water with a pool,water slide and dock with a
shady nipa hut at the end of it. No one was around. While we were walking around looking for someone to check us in, I looked across the street and
saw this amazing four story </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">native stone
& driftwood & thatched (nipa) roofed treehouse eclectic organic looking
place built into the side of the hill and thought how much cooler it looked
than this place and wished we were staying there. When we found the owner of this place he told us we were at the wrong place. We needed
to go across the street. Whoot whoot!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBHM8i9IKJFRvZ76bfNAMFRAM6xJB-1LjuzsD1_i2Qve2WWxGcn0dw_ni3t_GLZbfi8fMHlRP0JTALuf5OgCUqsaaTUw_OFvTdmx0eNNNXXVviIwOtG9NHWIsLl3zIRdu04fhUCrysh0/s1600/2013-04-01looking+up+at+Bontac+in+Batangas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBHM8i9IKJFRvZ76bfNAMFRAM6xJB-1LjuzsD1_i2Qve2WWxGcn0dw_ni3t_GLZbfi8fMHlRP0JTALuf5OgCUqsaaTUw_OFvTdmx0eNNNXXVviIwOtG9NHWIsLl3zIRdu04fhUCrysh0/s1600/2013-04-01looking+up+at+Bontac+in+Batangas.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was saying "look at that cool place over there".</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We would be staying here for a week at Bontac in Batangas Bed and Breakfast, having class in the morning and diving
every afternoon. Go CRM! It was fantastic. This first group included me, Ali Hoffman, Andrew
Wynne, Andrew Horan and Russ Halliday, our counterparts and two students from
Manila, Francis and AC.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZEEh_fwkxhJcO-YLw1i59ncgjvXnzxgpjD-UTX9tPKdnVuSCaDmt6PR4Owt9wvPWrMX3qKrEgbxXrS_uhkcyk_D13OWkx_M97SBxVhKhabkHgBNjdtvDGBGHwL47MbOlb3Uhau7JY94/s1600/2013-04-08+terrace+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZEEh_fwkxhJcO-YLw1i59ncgjvXnzxgpjD-UTX9tPKdnVuSCaDmt6PR4Owt9wvPWrMX3qKrEgbxXrS_uhkcyk_D13OWkx_M97SBxVhKhabkHgBNjdtvDGBGHwL47MbOlb3Uhau7JY94/s1600/2013-04-08+terrace+flowers.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Horan (from Florida) and the view from the second floor terrace.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a family owned and run home built into the side
of a hill using the stone from excavation.
It was shaded most of the day so nice and cool without air con. The room
I slept in was on the ground floor and had the feeling of being in a cave.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk5FEU5FcRyHFQT3wqr3-ykobosWOBdvFJHD2dMEzyRRLfnPwNs06B4s0sqlIQv2LzIZ03ydHC1JFtIdSGpTkEJc8rUkYL3k4sDLbenaXQrEvEjsIMUA0oSI648FYSL8r0OcGWm2N7_k/s1600/2013-04-01+my+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk5FEU5FcRyHFQT3wqr3-ykobosWOBdvFJHD2dMEzyRRLfnPwNs06B4s0sqlIQv2LzIZ03ydHC1JFtIdSGpTkEJc8rUkYL3k4sDLbenaXQrEvEjsIMUA0oSI648FYSL8r0OcGWm2N7_k/s1600/2013-04-01+my+room.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view out out window and the place we mistakenly went to across the street.</td></tr>
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The main floor is where meals were served and has a huge terrace overlooking the bay with a library of great books on marine ecology and ecosystems, wifi and a great music collection playing. After a full day of class and diving we enjoyed lounging around here downing on the house rum and cokes during a happy hour that never ended.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3KUSSSAlcK7iXAtU3GEfZaQQauVS113CM4Be7HF_-mSS68OWEkyiIs3YXp4FyEsYGZPWCBZxDaBkAgl_dP-gcAPfwBnoinl47r5avC44hKxwkKY1R0AsZKYV-phI2EwHR_uiAGjZWzo/s1600/2013-04-01+Elliot%252C+Russell+Haliday%252C+Andrew+Wynn+and+Andrew+Horan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3KUSSSAlcK7iXAtU3GEfZaQQauVS113CM4Be7HF_-mSS68OWEkyiIs3YXp4FyEsYGZPWCBZxDaBkAgl_dP-gcAPfwBnoinl47r5avC44hKxwkKY1R0AsZKYV-phI2EwHR_uiAGjZWzo/s1600/2013-04-01+Elliot%252C+Russell+Haliday%252C+Andrew+Wynn+and+Andrew+Horan.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elliot Lam, Russ Halliday, Andrew Wynne and Andrew Horan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUCunZfusxQ-lAsk5vbuEAA6yftQGAykE1A4JTjsTIHgtlYTSILcxKbB7lsL5Z5OBP4X3tSp33UOQxxGVFtbLYxjauGZbLjKhL-6_aSLSYlDwyfrxBtINxLmt_NmaLktWvNUfribtnlw/s1600/2013-04-01+Francis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUCunZfusxQ-lAsk5vbuEAA6yftQGAykE1A4JTjsTIHgtlYTSILcxKbB7lsL5Z5OBP4X3tSp33UOQxxGVFtbLYxjauGZbLjKhL-6_aSLSYlDwyfrxBtINxLmt_NmaLktWvNUfribtnlw/s1600/2013-04-01+Francis.JPG" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a Happy Birthday for Francis</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the shower for rinsing off after diving?</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The third floor had rooms I didn't see and it's own balcony and t</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">he top floor had a big eclectic bar area with bathrooms and showers, two more rooms with sleeping lofts built as two nipa huts separated by another large stone balcony terrace. The view was spectacular from there and it was like being in a treehouse .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-75m95dZb2wl1nsxEebhHiSTv-GIgH81CzfIGnn7LmjXWwipVtjUprodvIhXYUANl1Kf9Yd7XvggPN0eGX6k8I3s-_lM9_Qa5qlQGZ0WAi2AtkJ0SOj74ntwCViNaF_ckZqrKyaBMue0/s1600/2013-04-01+fourth+level+hnag+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-75m95dZb2wl1nsxEebhHiSTv-GIgH81CzfIGnn7LmjXWwipVtjUprodvIhXYUANl1Kf9Yd7XvggPN0eGX6k8I3s-_lM9_Qa5qlQGZ0WAi2AtkJ0SOj74ntwCViNaF_ckZqrKyaBMue0/s1600/2013-04-01+fourth+level+hnag+out.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the wine bottle light fixtures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiM0jH5HpMUznaQtAkpz-WB9L96BLRwacGCRixtiILC2z7iUR_0dlF76ad9BLyk9XOFqhdtVDKiVCFX2vqz41SIxlbpskf7FkzqxmpiaXH4hIgKEAsloeLmjur-mm3QjKLSmZGHMlwH0/s1600/2013-04-01+fouth+level+view+from+the+rooms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiM0jH5HpMUznaQtAkpz-WB9L96BLRwacGCRixtiILC2z7iUR_0dlF76ad9BLyk9XOFqhdtVDKiVCFX2vqz41SIxlbpskf7FkzqxmpiaXH4hIgKEAsloeLmjur-mm3QjKLSmZGHMlwH0/s1600/2013-04-01+fouth+level+view+from+the+rooms.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These rooms have a spectacular view of Balayan Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Km_XQKCF0VLb4gG0ZG7HJLGyW8nz3k2vuKSs44kfyUrDkCq7LVrejIGDQSwRB3NZIsTzZWRucQkp5FtE5iWrp5K0AJzKyBQapxxgOmqS4bcqSoMJ3Kj9NaYHg0e0sGknAaIT8IhhUY/s1600/2013-04-01+glass+blocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Km_XQKCF0VLb4gG0ZG7HJLGyW8nz3k2vuKSs44kfyUrDkCq7LVrejIGDQSwRB3NZIsTzZWRucQkp5FtE5iWrp5K0AJzKyBQapxxgOmqS4bcqSoMJ3Kj9NaYHg0e0sGknAaIT8IhhUY/s1600/2013-04-01+glass+blocks.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass blocks let light into the bathrooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFV2L2rlMEc7wU8Dj7d5pXm22mvUQ9Vgue8urEV-VU-dJ2UkQS4dDoBA3u_yuOf_nke8RdM7Yw3XZ3uYbzCkWnl3cYQRYet3oWRFCRK7LcFWEJo10MEejoWE9_s8M7foL7CvPnQDe09U/s1600/2013-04-01+lizard+in+the+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFV2L2rlMEc7wU8Dj7d5pXm22mvUQ9Vgue8urEV-VU-dJ2UkQS4dDoBA3u_yuOf_nke8RdM7Yw3XZ3uYbzCkWnl3cYQRYet3oWRFCRK7LcFWEJo10MEejoWE9_s8M7foL7CvPnQDe09U/s1600/2013-04-01+lizard+in+the+wall.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stairs go up to loft sleeping areas and you're really in the tree tops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZcfQuQXSJ7WLRgBYPEv4EEwkJS-iwiEuMW_ectx_XmyxkaLIgYWanWk2-7YH92PAms6XIQL8o4al7pQQnBTqd55swrOriFUJacNO_6_xfBjYIy55WQiPQbELQAYdwTxdoMbbbJGEtlE/s1600/2013-04-10+fourth+level+nipa+ceiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZcfQuQXSJ7WLRgBYPEv4EEwkJS-iwiEuMW_ectx_XmyxkaLIgYWanWk2-7YH92PAms6XIQL8o4al7pQQnBTqd55swrOriFUJacNO_6_xfBjYIy55WQiPQbELQAYdwTxdoMbbbJGEtlE/s1600/2013-04-10+fourth+level+nipa+ceiling.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nipa hut living up top and cave living below</td></tr>
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The masonry had native designs carved into it with dolphins and sea turtles frolicking and I was loving the artistry of it all.<br />
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Abby has culinary training and the food was incredible. We had
homemade ice cream, my first taste of avocado ice cream, salads, lots of veggies, big slabs of grilled marlin fresh fuits and the last night a BBQ
roasted lamb with mint jelly. Oh Mother Dear would have loved the lamb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW_vGqWIzdOAMuv-szcOuTW4TYctm5uacXrL2SJ72C4JU9OikLtJdc17B2Qc-qpGcdEPouXk-Zu2C4FW9eobgMLUgouUas7aw3S_Oh9KkWseKtDs6Fj0fNf2hK6rR2B6DTLh3zLIZIGs/s1600/2013-04-06+slab+of+Marlin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW_vGqWIzdOAMuv-szcOuTW4TYctm5uacXrL2SJ72C4JU9OikLtJdc17B2Qc-qpGcdEPouXk-Zu2C4FW9eobgMLUgouUas7aw3S_Oh9KkWseKtDs6Fj0fNf2hK6rR2B6DTLh3zLIZIGs/s1600/2013-04-06+slab+of+Marlin.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is a slab of grilled marlin and it was good</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9hqeSof4SpSuAiLo_dR21ZyML2uIlXc4EV9J76TPnsMcmgrbO-18v7Prrm9PBr3bxSSC1Kq7RpokGf5Lcw_eL0ki9UwGk3hSO8VQl8TcpOZTfUf0bbkrjaMhYmU4nsdLutBw2lYZjE/s1600/2013-04-07+family+in+the+outside+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9hqeSof4SpSuAiLo_dR21ZyML2uIlXc4EV9J76TPnsMcmgrbO-18v7Prrm9PBr3bxSSC1Kq7RpokGf5Lcw_eL0ki9UwGk3hSO8VQl8TcpOZTfUf0bbkrjaMhYmU4nsdLutBw2lYZjE/s1600/2013-04-07+family+in+the+outside+kitchen.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the family in the outside kitchen area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7851Tcd8cRlK296E0wQd9Wk9wVbPRh_9Vyq6qeG3TRCAbQ54wdJYoG6I1Ok9RXH-RKPMtRAXv432UmunB132CWis912gP5rmWjYmXZi5JaEJ5WhkkLP7W6YRLo9JOc_t6I_ghL-pRfGk/s1600/2013-04-07+lamb+for+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7851Tcd8cRlK296E0wQd9Wk9wVbPRh_9Vyq6qeG3TRCAbQ54wdJYoG6I1Ok9RXH-RKPMtRAXv432UmunB132CWis912gP5rmWjYmXZi5JaEJ5WhkkLP7W6YRLo9JOc_t6I_ghL-pRfGk/s1600/2013-04-07+lamb+for+dinner.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lamb on the BBQ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV0EACRcS-AZH6ilVXX35VQpkNs0XhITzi-2sQ3L2Kq5IPHZmllotAKN33V9Tff5uzxtecJ2thVq0XjbFXLKkz7KE4IzAXbrFXKlpqXRs5jFmaOZNXOFvv4MGk-RT_TguPnrud12kUys/s1600/2013-04-08+goodbye+sniff+sniff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV0EACRcS-AZH6ilVXX35VQpkNs0XhITzi-2sQ3L2Kq5IPHZmllotAKN33V9Tff5uzxtecJ2thVq0XjbFXLKkz7KE4IzAXbrFXKlpqXRs5jFmaOZNXOFvv4MGk-RT_TguPnrud12kUys/s1600/2013-04-08+goodbye+sniff+sniff.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man it was hard to leave and say goodbye<br />
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From here we went to another week long Project Development and Managing (PDM) training held at Lima Park Hotel where we had our Supervisor's conference. Hot water showers if we so desire. Yes!</td></tr>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-60599919636298219172013-09-21T01:09:00.001-07:002013-09-21T01:46:46.905-07:00I'm a Scuba Diver Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">March 21, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWXEogfIMnwzoL5w8QmmI_wlbx19Cgm9xQxalhFlIffyJOLGEVCTHjX39vPNzkx1NODRIH-lSXZyBybqKsOQQO4oWgCDZePhIHHFYv9fJaMamlYgvcMFfih25KHAWxsuDtq2Yg8XbuZk/s1600/2013-03-26+Dr.+Montes+any+my+cert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWXEogfIMnwzoL5w8QmmI_wlbx19Cgm9xQxalhFlIffyJOLGEVCTHjX39vPNzkx1NODRIH-lSXZyBybqKsOQQO4oWgCDZePhIHHFYv9fJaMamlYgvcMFfih25KHAWxsuDtq2Yg8XbuZk/s1600/2013-03-26+Dr.+Montes+any+my+cert.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Dr. Montes (June)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I spent a few days at the Visayan University outside of Baybay earning
my Open Water diving certification with Dr. Humberto Montes. I stayed on campus again at the Alumni House which was conveniently close to the marine lab where I did the book work and listened to the lectures before we hit the pool and then the sea.. It’s only 100 pesos a night, just right on a PCV budget = $2.50.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alumni House</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first time here we had a surprise evacuation drill and were intructed to get to our consolidation point ASAP. We were timed. I think I made it in less than an hour. Laura lives there but the other five had much further to travel. It was great! seven of us in this gigantic room with 14
bunks. This time it was just me except one night I made two new girlfriends Pew and Ann who spent the night. Ann
was there as a sales rep for a company that provides scientific equipment to the university and Pew is a diver and works
at an oyster farm in Palawan. She dives 80 feet three times a week to clean
algae off the oysters. If it’s not done they can’t feed. Dr. Montes was her diving trainer too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9ice7oL_2Ye8BTe4z1aHGMp4Ohbxr4KBtMm7vjl3RneY_84Bk2w8mP6A_pFDw_LppbUiYljQnYrS2fzBnX_tLxaebPxTk0UQzvZgVOzBsPSfh1AqKoL0Nz5YOX03SuoXYdx374TAFhE/s1600/2013-03-26+Anna+and+Thessa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9ice7oL_2Ye8BTe4z1aHGMp4Ohbxr4KBtMm7vjl3RneY_84Bk2w8mP6A_pFDw_LppbUiYljQnYrS2fzBnX_tLxaebPxTk0UQzvZgVOzBsPSfh1AqKoL0Nz5YOX03SuoXYdx374TAFhE/s1600/2013-03-26+Anna+and+Thessa.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann and Pew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljY1r889WBimJUuAHIdr5TGkUheR2Pn77JRPJlS-OHqA_RHcJhxiX9lcwIuwiwqsTLzywMFu8eyE8CHo18_lHOxtN9NLOjzNGkr5dMeHeroQ-nmfEi9A2M3mpdvVGZjGxoHSitmffGvs/s1600/2013-03-25+breakfast+ready.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljY1r889WBimJUuAHIdr5TGkUheR2Pn77JRPJlS-OHqA_RHcJhxiX9lcwIuwiwqsTLzywMFu8eyE8CHo18_lHOxtN9NLOjzNGkr5dMeHeroQ-nmfEi9A2M3mpdvVGZjGxoHSitmffGvs/s1600/2013-03-25+breakfast+ready.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My breakfast waiting for me; skyflakes, an orange and Starbucks Via coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this crazy mushroom frog fountain in front. It reminds me of my home at Frog Creek Organic Farm in Port Angeles</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The campus is on beach front where I was able to watch the sunset
and some little girls sang for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was great but the sad news was my favorite new puppy GelBoy
got poisoned and died while I was gone and Swift went into premature labor and
gave birth to three stillborn puppies. Then the other new puppy, Toffee died
from dysentery. The mortality rate for dogs here is so high and sad.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PqNnQYLGYYqjLVxkQvzZ6ltp2vYth4EOsg-rB8tsUmgCPtJlVE-BJUyRZsA3CoWdtB7BHe-Dgrktsyp6YEyixewSxl3i_UCLnGH8GgRqxPmObkATZp_1YnK3Cm1GnQ6wLjhaOgX3_No/s1600/2013-02-17+Toffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PqNnQYLGYYqjLVxkQvzZ6ltp2vYth4EOsg-rB8tsUmgCPtJlVE-BJUyRZsA3CoWdtB7BHe-Dgrktsyp6YEyixewSxl3i_UCLnGH8GgRqxPmObkATZp_1YnK3Cm1GnQ6wLjhaOgX3_No/s1600/2013-02-17+Toffee.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3TJZgnY71c2Z9sACVLzyVmx5b79IY-Z2FpUwhbM9j-21yw0c-hgHF-g-PzuRT2tavaabA9Xgp97f9aC-CyEWlzS39Xl5UCUFd-qCbNn9qigBU4qdDoe4ADBsT7zZiV4ahFYPKvsNkl4/s1600/2012-12-21+Jillboy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3TJZgnY71c2Z9sACVLzyVmx5b79IY-Z2FpUwhbM9j-21yw0c-hgHF-g-PzuRT2tavaabA9Xgp97f9aC-CyEWlzS39Xl5UCUFd-qCbNn9qigBU4qdDoe4ADBsT7zZiV4ahFYPKvsNkl4/s1600/2012-12-21+Jillboy.JPG" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GelBoy</td></tr>
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I hope they're frolicking in dogie heaven, happy, free, healthy, never hungry or thirsty or bothered by fleas and ticks or other parasites.<br />
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-15321559811003100222013-09-06T22:35:00.000-07:002013-09-06T23:46:07.033-07:00My First Trip to Cebu, Second largest City in the Philippines<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">March
15, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ5hxUcXBRQqXe3d7jl_IwhuL1YZuLTtN8bpaxPwqBKgJBEgr9ggvNhxktcER3bV0oE2ifO-UsQPioXigBjnpEMz5WdQ8zBrXydOoT2Ll0yxTFl8z-H0YnqX4GnHj2exBKOkUFe9WQL8/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+from+the+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ5hxUcXBRQqXe3d7jl_IwhuL1YZuLTtN8bpaxPwqBKgJBEgr9ggvNhxktcER3bV0oE2ifO-UsQPioXigBjnpEMz5WdQ8zBrXydOoT2Ll0yxTFl8z-H0YnqX4GnHj2exBKOkUFe9WQL8/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+from+the+room.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Cebu from our room</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts3tLonBoP3BP3_2u2-klM6nylnbuWf0kJUXI5NntkTbdNqR8OVSTTRVYqMDhwecnOAZGcprwgVVghJxpmx9xKjUSZIWe2jaik69T0aDLGZzwOyhyphenhyphen643C1EdqcC3aHvKnU1KyqQPdrIs/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFs2nf2UTRrpsqVyUr_fulIwYFyL-fI4ULF89N3h6qviZvO2ExiGNMv4hwrOK-BzOEzpOPj6b23XW3BhBpbJULJJA2rs1HVB3RANu-Sm2EVBOB_nJuuCMpQWzDJ3q8vzc6rDwrEzyq-0/s1600/2013-03-16+view+from+alto+Pension+House+Cebu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFs2nf2UTRrpsqVyUr_fulIwYFyL-fI4ULF89N3h6qviZvO2ExiGNMv4hwrOK-BzOEzpOPj6b23XW3BhBpbJULJJA2rs1HVB3RANu-Sm2EVBOB_nJuuCMpQWzDJ3q8vzc6rDwrEzyq-0/s1600/2013-03-16+view+from+alto+Pension+House+Cebu.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I came home after being at the office only an hour
and a half to find my laptop had been stolen out of my room. Up until this time
I hadn't been keeping my door locked but from this point onward I sure do. Now we’re all more careful about locking the front door and the gate to the street. Someone must have been watching me and the house </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">very
closely and knew everyone was gone and/or busy out </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">back at the restaurant.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norma and Anita BFF</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This same day I was leaving for Cebu with Anita and
her friend Norma who was flying back to the States. Norma has been living in Arizona for over 30
years working as a nurse like so many Filipinos living and working overseas.It was stressful. I had a couple hours to deal with changing passwords to different accounts and found my system had already been hacked. I had everything backed up on an exterior hard drive, thankfully they didn't take that, and regularly transfer photos to it. #1 Lesson learned-don't have your computers set up to automatically log you in to everything on start up. Keep it so a password is needed before anything else opens.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I made the trip to buy a wet suit with scuba
certification and Reef Check training coming up soon.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We stayed at a pension house, did a little site seeing
including many churches where Norma and Anita attended mass. Cebu is the second
largest city in the Philippines and a little overwhelming for me. I was
grateful to have them with me to help me find the dive shop and I’m so excited
to be ready for diving.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfToHgT4jWsbCcAfFgVbq8fhBpWXnWuvJQyLHFCpR0KHqYLr6NanJZRoGXdwzSlB_QbF0eGgI1bUmgZVguV8UAc4gMiaOXNIHBwRnguSfD2bcBXwjcMMTJhzTeTwvQ_Qg-fxb0U8nOpc/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+Marketplace+Cathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfToHgT4jWsbCcAfFgVbq8fhBpWXnWuvJQyLHFCpR0KHqYLr6NanJZRoGXdwzSlB_QbF0eGgI1bUmgZVguV8UAc4gMiaOXNIHBwRnguSfD2bcBXwjcMMTJhzTeTwvQ_Qg-fxb0U8nOpc/s1600/2013-03-16+Cebu+Marketplace+Cathedral.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Basilica of de Santo Nino</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I didn’t make it to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival
(other PCVs did), Cebu’s famous festival commemorating the Filipino people’s
tribal origins and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism. I watched some of the parade and dance
performances on TV. The pageantry was spectacular. All the groups perform to
the same music which I found a little monotonous, and they act out the same
theme, wonderfully, re-enacting Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival on April 15</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">, 1521, the planting of the cross on the shores of Cebu and presenting an image of the child Jesus,
Santo Nino, to the queen. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/culture5.htm" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/culture5.htm</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx4bUxLmjs7b0fXNCKH2D768DxSFr2yS3APAGQcmC5L1BTOqekxtBWV54OtfOgiUO8xNWjexLaHrHDyHevnk-Y0kZhCKPqaRoOPZ4kQ62tIwsR7OT7aCJO-qxRhP378Fz0UHs0UTxkjw/s1600/2013-03-16+the+cross+of+magellan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx4bUxLmjs7b0fXNCKH2D768DxSFr2yS3APAGQcmC5L1BTOqekxtBWV54OtfOgiUO8xNWjexLaHrHDyHevnk-Y0kZhCKPqaRoOPZ4kQ62tIwsR7OT7aCJO-qxRhP378Fz0UHs0UTxkjw/s1600/2013-03-16+the+cross+of+magellan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Interesting,
Magellan’s landing in Cebu was within days of Cortez’s landing in Vera Cruz,
Mexico. Those Spaniards were certainly getting around.</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I enjoyed visiting the Basilica of de Santo Nino (baby Jesus) in the main square where the heart of the festival happens and seeing Magellan's Cross.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep3wxIJk2qjY1P6aGT8iAuiyGAJlc8-Hw6hzQOYKQsmXRu6XGIlpO6CCHv8YFo1sebKJzHQfGse3wLuKKmlANHk4cbpH5ME1nMAenmfzUAMM0wjMFB7ZEIKRopQeDnT_lmSzCSL9NVPo/s1600/2013-03-16+Church+of+Santo+Nino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep3wxIJk2qjY1P6aGT8iAuiyGAJlc8-Hw6hzQOYKQsmXRu6XGIlpO6CCHv8YFo1sebKJzHQfGse3wLuKKmlANHk4cbpH5ME1nMAenmfzUAMM0wjMFB7ZEIKRopQeDnT_lmSzCSL9NVPo/s1600/2013-03-16+Church+of+Santo+Nino.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the Basilica of de Santo Nino</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIPQxIwDoH5YzUUYkBkvbuo2DFuW4eEbOjhMWTDOK3wyGFyVt6NwE3BMkah9jHYUmUimwgRrB2OTrmrjGEBVt6DVR_q8CG6hUdUxL4NPlElqal09KWAlNu4sbWw0B3p0i-K6YFjrSXmY/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling+fescos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIPQxIwDoH5YzUUYkBkvbuo2DFuW4eEbOjhMWTDOK3wyGFyVt6NwE3BMkah9jHYUmUimwgRrB2OTrmrjGEBVt6DVR_q8CG6hUdUxL4NPlElqal09KWAlNu4sbWw0B3p0i-K6YFjrSXmY/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling+fescos.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOzss_VBTemV4G4oqnVkmO80rJtcmM9U-GhWLN5uZIJ8-OGjYGlswalENzHeI6LTwhShzfXPkEqqVhzqD5sr9zkhErzi586mCO4BlamY2T_tYogodClt2jlmtO7343gy0TEBAeIn1__g/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOzss_VBTemV4G4oqnVkmO80rJtcmM9U-GhWLN5uZIJ8-OGjYGlswalENzHeI6LTwhShzfXPkEqqVhzqD5sr9zkhErzi586mCO4BlamY2T_tYogodClt2jlmtO7343gy0TEBAeIn1__g/s1600/2013-03-16+ceiling.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wonderful ceiling frescos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuYstH2hyphenhyphenDb_-vqHHOCs8KK878LQg_M4z6LlqJhrsOsQht4yfobOUoT-o4-VqMMf60uS_d6otsB2zBwv0onz1mLeGn-iVM929yKK9cgQJiKOdifou60QXcpQQX2CJbocYOAPf4rkJPsk/s1600/2013-03-16+courtyard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuYstH2hyphenhyphenDb_-vqHHOCs8KK878LQg_M4z6LlqJhrsOsQht4yfobOUoT-o4-VqMMf60uS_d6otsB2zBwv0onz1mLeGn-iVM929yKK9cgQJiKOdifou60QXcpQQX2CJbocYOAPf4rkJPsk/s1600/2013-03-16+courtyard.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a gorgeous interior courtyard</td></tr>
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Cebu has four big mall and we went to them all. A mall is a mall and overwhelming to me no matter where it is. Still I like the Ayala Mall the best with outdoor terraces surrounding beautiful landscaping and water features and MANY places to get coffee including Settle's Best and Starbucks! I was in coffee heaven sitting outside Starbucks sipping, reading my Kindle and waiting for Anita and Norma to finish shopping and looking around. Everything was so expensive. Buying coffee was a splurge.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6CvnjymFlM-4gy3lmIoNdZY82mDUWDXjfsXL9jb83RXxnuPM5mAVco2WoJMf3yllGln_GOi2JhgyqaoOFeIR5iqmhIV3BI8qrqJdvm09tbI3pvnjXhc-QL8zIxSn9_Ts7RB-e9xmLW8/s1600/2013-03-16+car+sales.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6CvnjymFlM-4gy3lmIoNdZY82mDUWDXjfsXL9jb83RXxnuPM5mAVco2WoJMf3yllGln_GOi2JhgyqaoOFeIR5iqmhIV3BI8qrqJdvm09tbI3pvnjXhc-QL8zIxSn9_Ts7RB-e9xmLW8/s1600/2013-03-16+car+sales.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's even a Prada store </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice place to sit and read and drink coffee</td></tr>
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We met up with close family friends who live in Cebu and drove out of town for dinner.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-62cdBrja2Pv-bPurHfpfm8Sms8avh3YQXCH2ETKxa2dpu-ah4M4wG7I1Yujj0Z2yf9LFIc6OZVUNY2VB3RC0KexkJbo8glNfBBMIOu1vSJ3WDuPjuPbXSHU_6qmV-FMY0Z91ZSpeoso/s1600/2013-03-17+Bimbo+and+andrea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-62cdBrja2Pv-bPurHfpfm8Sms8avh3YQXCH2ETKxa2dpu-ah4M4wG7I1Yujj0Z2yf9LFIc6OZVUNY2VB3RC0KexkJbo8glNfBBMIOu1vSJ3WDuPjuPbXSHU_6qmV-FMY0Z91ZSpeoso/s1600/2013-03-17+Bimbo+and+andrea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bimbo's an environmental planner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPz0MxW-TNV5o-RG7UxX0N7vpcATNzfZBiSrwlEapIz8JTbOhEF6pCIV0AJmpVhj6Jke16_tZBZDsBdcBIVzpCCCUo2EsnxnvsnbNggAs4QuMXivHX8VV-_EJtjV6S5sDnFreN-wBeeo/s1600/2013-03-17+Josepine+and+Andrea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPz0MxW-TNV5o-RG7UxX0N7vpcATNzfZBiSrwlEapIz8JTbOhEF6pCIV0AJmpVhj6Jke16_tZBZDsBdcBIVzpCCCUo2EsnxnvsnbNggAs4QuMXivHX8VV-_EJtjV6S5sDnFreN-wBeeo/s1600/2013-03-17+Josepine+and+Andrea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy's a dentist and their son Andrea</td></tr>
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The richest man in the Philippines started out as a shoe saleman and now owns the SM malls. If a town is big and prosperous enough to have a mall; it will be a SM mall. There's already a SM mall in Cebu but a new huge one is being built across from the new Saint Pedro Church, both near the floating restaurant we went to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4-b3KMif7Yj7grbkgFvZpZQxe8sqoM3n6734RcDZRIPOPSLG-jme-CMtTE0wniibw-NNMjQcY1YbwkhR9yFRnfKfapUxMtWwVsGNZjmeDYvVvDx9tTF-YBhCA424N4Gy1YJmCuGXLr4/s1600/2013-03-16+richest+Filipino+building+new+SM+mall+across+from+St.+Pedo+Shrine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4-b3KMif7Yj7grbkgFvZpZQxe8sqoM3n6734RcDZRIPOPSLG-jme-CMtTE0wniibw-NNMjQcY1YbwkhR9yFRnfKfapUxMtWwVsGNZjmeDYvVvDx9tTF-YBhCA424N4Gy1YJmCuGXLr4/s1600/2013-03-16+richest+Filipino+building+new+SM+mall+across+from+St.+Pedo+Shrine.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen so many cranes working on one project</td></tr>
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Saint Pedro, 1654-1672, of Cebu was recently canonized by the Pope Benedict XVI along with 16 others, one of whom was the first Native American to be sainted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmdM8uEkTnvoUm0IZ38ULIRjoQReQ04J3lqPwhGAlM15yKkCNu9FJJzFPnzNMurUl74feTMjiOxbpou8dGPKPKPjubbxhxzCVrlpScYYjVR4nr7TSGqKwvTAWcG2ez9KT8EKzSbIbcmw/s1600/2013-03-16+St.+Pedro+shrine+inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmdM8uEkTnvoUm0IZ38ULIRjoQReQ04J3lqPwhGAlM15yKkCNu9FJJzFPnzNMurUl74feTMjiOxbpou8dGPKPKPjubbxhxzCVrlpScYYjVR4nr7TSGqKwvTAWcG2ez9KT8EKzSbIbcmw/s1600/2013-03-16+St.+Pedro+shrine+inside.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's very modern and sits on the water with Cebu in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Pedro Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the bamboo architecture </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food was excellent too</td></tr>
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My laptop was stolen out of my room on March 15th. It took four months to get the insurance claim money and buy a new one. And a month to get caught up on overdue business like PC reports and school loan nightmare paperwork.<br />
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I'm very grateful for the new laptop and hopefully I'll grow to like it better than I do now. Technology keeps changing and a person needs to adapt or be stuck and left behind, right?. I didn't really have options on systems. Windows 8 it is and I'm in with the people who say it sucks. Trying to be an Apple when you're not isn't going to make you an Apple.<br />
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This is my first blog with it and there's much to share. I got my Open Water Diver's Certification. hit the one year mark and now the half way mark, but who's counting?<br />
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I must have OCD. I went to look at old blogs and discovered pictures blocked? WTF? Figured out what happened. I was using Picasa and got a message saying my space was used up, I'd have to pay money for more use. So I looked at my pictures and saw so many duplicates. How'd that happen? I don't know. I deleted all the duplicates not realizing I was deleting them from my blogs as well.<br />
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Guess what I've spent a couple hours doing? Putting the photos back in the blogs even though no one will be going back to read them. OCD?<br />
Now I see I'm not forced to use Picasa like I was before.Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-23956035645353678592013-03-10T04:22:00.000-07:002013-08-18T01:07:15.857-07:00Filipinos Hip HopAmerica in 3D was an American Embassy event at the Robinson Mall in Tacloban, Leyte, March 2nd and 3rd.<br />
Some of us Leyte PCVs were there representing for the Peace Corps.<br />
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On the 3rd the International Hip Hop Champions, the Philippine Allstars, gave people a chance to learn a choreographed dance.<br />
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In less than 30 minutes this is what they could do.<br />
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Pretty incredible and so fun to watch in amazement.<br />
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After 15 minutes they had this down.<br />
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After about 30 minutes they had this much down.</div>
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Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.</div>
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Keep Dancing</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjSeBplDJYuIOM04ZTxEI-05btUIPo1EvGa5XINo_f3zszDXy24JzviZbg4DNGeJKxw0abwPouAGtShhuOmaVbM84Ex7AQi1kTrrzQ4aB3nhyJ8TbG3N76YvyjTKEBuer6SnjkX0xIuM/s1600/2013-03-02+mural+artists.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjSeBplDJYuIOM04ZTxEI-05btUIPo1EvGa5XINo_f3zszDXy24JzviZbg4DNGeJKxw0abwPouAGtShhuOmaVbM84Ex7AQi1kTrrzQ4aB3nhyJ8TbG3N76YvyjTKEBuer6SnjkX0xIuM/s320/2013-03-02+mural+artists.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was an environmental awareness mural and yes I painted on it</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOxkU3Eco_vqLz9X1TNVIDBVaypaGJg6Qg8oWMAWeUkGLfyTMFk8QWQKJQiRqhoc2JviPflzo64tyh9_YcNbzYbRw77faQm1TKk_pLkDXy_GUBFx4DQQF6cIo_J5fcawZlFCA53zUZtg/s1600/2013-03-02+US+AID+mural.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOxkU3Eco_vqLz9X1TNVIDBVaypaGJg6Qg8oWMAWeUkGLfyTMFk8QWQKJQiRqhoc2JviPflzo64tyh9_YcNbzYbRw77faQm1TKk_pLkDXy_GUBFx4DQQF6cIo_J5fcawZlFCA53zUZtg/s320/2013-03-02+US+AID+mural.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ1eElaJnn5NcuvO_1S0LUt0taBXykS4CwXkFQSQLEbUj9Hy6d4eogZv5MZGfpyHmrhLTjr9ju6VH15ui1sLAAgvln3OFW2h1W-0QxXspk8U3tObM7kVHPpO-fDNvfORzzNJ7_Kws9Bg/s1600/2013-03-02+with+dancers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ1eElaJnn5NcuvO_1S0LUt0taBXykS4CwXkFQSQLEbUj9Hy6d4eogZv5MZGfpyHmrhLTjr9ju6VH15ui1sLAAgvln3OFW2h1W-0QxXspk8U3tObM7kVHPpO-fDNvfORzzNJ7_Kws9Bg/s320/2013-03-02+with+dancers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa3HNJOtV9HomsZ65UfYwP3nQ3tJB3rbbZIPLOrbZ6db39qoiVev8IZgY7PxwSfcDyfs0j7rWZa0VX1prn_lhQ5_U19E_cb6rAS35Qxff06Xcp_TTnmYYjhidMLhNVBhHCGPvY8-pO4k/s1600/2013-03-02+with+hip+hop+dancer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa3HNJOtV9HomsZ65UfYwP3nQ3tJB3rbbZIPLOrbZ6db39qoiVev8IZgY7PxwSfcDyfs0j7rWZa0VX1prn_lhQ5_U19E_cb6rAS35Qxff06Xcp_TTnmYYjhidMLhNVBhHCGPvY8-pO4k/s320/2013-03-02+with+hip+hop+dancer.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2566UicDEbzLSwdQzNmZls3WwnhJ3-GJ0uFcZalPKwnqpLuCdvBQPFBZuR_0SP6TYWbLZbs5xtOuXbz28fyS9PftMA3KcwVqrXcRo7aRHC3kkFLInAb7SFuVxa4-4qYuuYkbDg3KVuA/s1600/2013-03-03+holding+Andrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2566UicDEbzLSwdQzNmZls3WwnhJ3-GJ0uFcZalPKwnqpLuCdvBQPFBZuR_0SP6TYWbLZbs5xtOuXbz28fyS9PftMA3KcwVqrXcRo7aRHC3kkFLInAb7SFuVxa4-4qYuuYkbDg3KVuA/s320/2013-03-03+holding+Andrew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Peace</div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-24392469762511938182013-02-23T20:56:00.000-08:002013-02-23T20:56:19.133-08:00Norwood Cares<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 23, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lb9S_oojsvA/USleJzyhkDI/AAAAAAAAE4s/jHxNkdyH7h4/s1600/2013-02-23+A%2526A+in+pedicab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lb9S_oojsvA/USleJzyhkDI/AAAAAAAAE4s/jHxNkdyH7h4/s1600/2013-02-23+A%2526A+in+pedicab.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Anita in pedicab as we make our way to the site</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ij34O5uIJU/USleMQ1ZzkI/AAAAAAAAE40/iwF4JQkGGYg/s1600/2012-02-23+A+%2526+A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ij34O5uIJU/USleMQ1ZzkI/AAAAAAAAE40/iwF4JQkGGYg/s1600/2012-02-23+A+%2526+A.JPG" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZnJJL-jnd8/USleVfUY-dI/AAAAAAAAE5k/fsKggYs020M/s1600/2013-02-23+Norwood+Cares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZnJJL-jnd8/USleVfUY-dI/AAAAAAAAE5k/fsKggYs020M/s1600/2013-02-23+Norwood+Cares.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
It’s the third Saturday of the month and time for Norwood
Cares Feeding the Children in Brgy. Atabay, Hilongos. Alex, Anita and I took a
van to Hilongos and then pedicabs to the feeding site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEtgiwlFeU/USleTtK8PdI/AAAAAAAAE5c/_OFNcqgdI_8/s1600/2012-02-23+28+graduates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEtgiwlFeU/USleTtK8PdI/AAAAAAAAE5c/_OFNcqgdI_8/s1600/2012-02-23+28+graduates.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the 28 graduates</td></tr>
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The program is for kids up to eight years old and 2012 was
the first full year of the program. Today we graduated 28 kids. They received
gifts and special recognition.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOPD-tX8ZSg/USleNbAq42I/AAAAAAAAE48/9v0rR_T4wvA/s1600/2012-02-23+gift+for+the+grads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOPD-tX8ZSg/USleNbAq42I/AAAAAAAAE48/9v0rR_T4wvA/s1600/2012-02-23+gift+for+the+grads.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub_XdxhVfTc/USlePNRQvXI/AAAAAAAAE5E/JrINdzGpKKA/s1600/2013-02-23+moms+and+a+dad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub_XdxhVfTc/USlePNRQvXI/AAAAAAAAE5E/JrINdzGpKKA/s1600/2013-02-23+moms+and+a+dad.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's mostly moms and kids but there was one dad tending to his child.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IhJwEOHG8Q/USleQRL5UFI/AAAAAAAAE5M/0-FHYyHQET0/s1600/2012-02-23+waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IhJwEOHG8Q/USleQRL5UFI/AAAAAAAAE5M/0-FHYyHQET0/s1600/2012-02-23+waiting.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they're patiently waiting to be served</td></tr>
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Four older boys were hanging near me rubbing their stomachs,
saying they were hungry, not so subtly asking for food. One of them was so
animated he was in an ongoing dance move and then he started doing gymnastics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5d4zY4i8DjU/USleWy9VXfI/AAAAAAAAE5s/H5BvNpk-Rjk/s1600/2013-02-23+hamming+boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5d4zY4i8DjU/USleWy9VXfI/AAAAAAAAE5s/H5BvNpk-Rjk/s1600/2013-02-23+hamming+boys.JPG" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four dancing acrobatic hungry boys</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GREGEnd_0Q4/USleZNAW-hI/AAAAAAAAE50/2t3pcj2J8iM/s1600/2013-02-23+acrobats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GREGEnd_0Q4/USleZNAW-hI/AAAAAAAAE50/2t3pcj2J8iM/s1600/2013-02-23+acrobats.JPG" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
I was happy when there was enough leftover food to give them
some.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i72exe-uQBM/USlecNnsY9I/AAAAAAAAE58/H04lLZfuuJU/s1600/2013-02-23+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i72exe-uQBM/USlecNnsY9I/AAAAAAAAE58/H04lLZfuuJU/s1600/2013-02-23+me.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bMaPwEdIIc/USleercFIoI/AAAAAAAAE6E/kPVaOEL7Fxk/s1600/2013-02-23+serving+drinks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bMaPwEdIIc/USleercFIoI/AAAAAAAAE6E/kPVaOEL7Fxk/s1600/2013-02-23+serving+drinks.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx6xWcaAZoQ/USleRw62DrI/AAAAAAAAE5U/bG-XvVwVtbs/s1600/2013-02-23+green+lizard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx6xWcaAZoQ/USleRw62DrI/AAAAAAAAE5U/bG-XvVwVtbs/s1600/2013-02-23+green+lizard.JPG" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was hanging out above me. I haven't seen a lizard like this before. Alex said "yes its a 'green lizard'."</td></tr>
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My involvement with this program has nothing to do with my
Peace Corps Coastal Resource Management position. It’s about being included as
a family member of my host family. Actually it IS helping coastal resources
because at least for this ONE meal, these families do not depend on the day’s
fish catch. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zquQWlfeyhs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-80090473313237135162013-02-23T19:23:00.001-08:002013-02-23T21:13:53.535-08:00Lami Ana's BBQ<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February 18, 2013</b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b> </div>
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The Villarubins used to run a BBQ stand but closed it five years ago when Alex went to sea. They decided to reopen it and the renovations have been ongoing for a couple months. It sits adjacent to and can be accessed by way of the back courtyard opening to the main street.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbX3M5VU8O0/USlhq6pfcvI/AAAAAAAAE7E/1Y2oGEKG2rU/s1600/2013-02-09+sink+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbX3M5VU8O0/USlhq6pfcvI/AAAAAAAAE7E/1Y2oGEKG2rU/s1600/2013-02-09+sink+before.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>the sink area before</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KVB-HVm2c/USlhsO0-roI/AAAAAAAAE7M/IuTuxdMB7ik/s1600/2013-02-09+looking+toward+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KVB-HVm2c/USlhsO0-roI/AAAAAAAAE7M/IuTuxdMB7ik/s1600/2013-02-09+looking+toward+street.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>door to the street</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqDptYcjFIA/USlhtM1gvuI/AAAAAAAAE7U/5vIlPpCGzsw/s1600/2013-02-09+coat+of+green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqDptYcjFIA/USlhtM1gvuI/AAAAAAAAE7U/5vIlPpCGzsw/s1600/2013-02-09+coat+of+green.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">work in progress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egvW-BBszyg/USlhuSJEnbI/AAAAAAAAE7c/MOXl_mJcZ1Y/s1600/2013-02-11+Alex+on+ladder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egvW-BBszyg/USlhuSJEnbI/AAAAAAAAE7c/MOXl_mJcZ1Y/s1600/2013-02-11+Alex+on+ladder.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex prepping the awning</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipEFriGn0PE/USlhwpVZXWI/AAAAAAAAE7k/-QmbRU0AH7U/s1600/2013-02-15+thin+Buddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipEFriGn0PE/USlhwpVZXWI/AAAAAAAAE7k/-QmbRU0AH7U/s1600/2013-02-15+thin+Buddy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4qo4K0fgEo/USlhxkYuSlI/AAAAAAAAE7s/PpQrsYT1ylw/s1600/2013-02-15+sink+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4qo4K0fgEo/USlhxkYuSlI/AAAAAAAAE7s/PpQrsYT1ylw/s1600/2013-02-15+sink+area.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiling the sink area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tn1OHAKkhiw/USlhzsAqJCI/AAAAAAAAE70/IihseH22XUM/s1600/2013-02-15+goats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tn1OHAKkhiw/USlhzsAqJCI/AAAAAAAAE70/IihseH22XUM/s1600/2013-02-15+goats.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goats and chickens nearby</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRwVexyT9Ko/USliLCpQ_wI/AAAAAAAAE-M/JACbDHAbnEQ/s1600/2013-02-18+outback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRwVexyT9Ko/USliLCpQ_wI/AAAAAAAAE-M/JACbDHAbnEQ/s1600/2013-02-18+outback.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UVZFAfT9v4/USlh2Lk1vCI/AAAAAAAAE8E/_22-tQgicik/s1600/2013-02-15+tiled+CR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UVZFAfT9v4/USlh2Lk1vCI/AAAAAAAAE8E/_22-tQgicik/s1600/2013-02-15+tiled+CR.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Comfort Room got a mosaic tiled floor</td></tr>
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The roof had leaks so the first priority was repairing the
roof and ceiling. Alex is a Jack of All Trades doing the carpentry and
electrical work. Buddy painted everything and will be the head chef as he is
the excellent cook in the family.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUsY_rBfDpk/USlh3EvH8VI/AAAAAAAAE8M/Am45Zq0Mjo4/s1600/2013-02-18+opening+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUsY_rBfDpk/USlh3EvH8VI/AAAAAAAAE8M/Am45Zq0Mjo4/s1600/2013-02-18+opening+day.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsWF94mnmPE/USlh5xAnV1I/AAAAAAAAE8c/THGfhYzXTGk/s1600/2013-02-18+Big+Buddy+and+goat+BBQ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsWF94mnmPE/USlh5xAnV1I/AAAAAAAAE8c/THGfhYzXTGk/s1600/2013-02-18+Big+Buddy+and+goat+BBQ.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddy Villarubin, Head Chef</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvZSzE7bD7k/USlh67AShwI/AAAAAAAAE8k/hZ2ghXDitP4/s1600/2013-02-18+Little+Buddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvZSzE7bD7k/USlh67AShwI/AAAAAAAAE8k/hZ2ghXDitP4/s1600/2013-02-18+Little+Buddy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddy Lawagon, partner chef</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQib9OHfDJY/USlh8SvUVVI/AAAAAAAAE8s/P_wBZyiJ-F4/s1600/2013-02-18+BuddyLawagon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQib9OHfDJY/USlh8SvUVVI/AAAAAAAAE8s/P_wBZyiJ-F4/s1600/2013-02-18+BuddyLawagon.JPG" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuQKcdcYHsE/USliNuaNUwI/AAAAAAAAE-k/kojv5y_wMHg/s1600/2013-02-18+me+and+ana+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuQKcdcYHsE/USliNuaNUwI/AAAAAAAAE-k/kojv5y_wMHg/s1600/2013-02-18+me+and+ana+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Ana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn’t realize it was going to be a sarisari store as well
till the bags and boxes of merchandise started showing up and Aries was very
busy unpacking and arranging stuff on every available surface in the house.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCoYeinvFzk/USliGcVLY6I/AAAAAAAAE90/dSD36-6lIdE/s1600/2013-02-18+feet+and+intestines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCoYeinvFzk/USliGcVLY6I/AAAAAAAAE90/dSD36-6lIdE/s1600/2013-02-18+feet+and+intestines.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">things ready for the grill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SufUXrIfZFE/USliHpm7MzI/AAAAAAAAE98/evjqGFlpN5w/s1600/2013-02-18+pork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SufUXrIfZFE/USliHpm7MzI/AAAAAAAAE98/evjqGFlpN5w/s1600/2013-02-18+pork.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIKR3p-5qU/USliJY_BExI/AAAAAAAAE-E/rPpenMY-CnI/s1600/2013-02-18+Buddy+grilling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIKR3p-5qU/USliJY_BExI/AAAAAAAAE-E/rPpenMY-CnI/s1600/2013-02-18+Buddy+grilling.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
February 18<sup>th</sup> was opening day with a blessing
ceremony performed by priests for the new business with holy water sprinkled on
everything and reading of scripture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JatG3XIMTXs/USliAChAByI/AAAAAAAAE9E/eDvQqH1SzhU/s1600/2013-02-18+priests+arrive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JatG3XIMTXs/USliAChAByI/AAAAAAAAE9E/eDvQqH1SzhU/s1600/2013-02-18+priests+arrive.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fPtO4iSqVs/USliBPpR_WI/AAAAAAAAE9M/jUZiynqOQB4/s1600/2013-02-18+Aries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fPtO4iSqVs/USliBPpR_WI/AAAAAAAAE9M/jUZiynqOQB4/s1600/2013-02-18+Aries.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aries Villarubin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYQJhHLiJpo/USliCObqVeI/AAAAAAAAE9U/CMBctXH2YO0/s1600/2013-02-18+blessing+begins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYQJhHLiJpo/USliCObqVeI/AAAAAAAAE9U/CMBctXH2YO0/s1600/2013-02-18+blessing+begins.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIbLJN1h4rs/USliDJRBJ-I/AAAAAAAAE9c/Gurku4tlyj8/s1600/2013-02-18+sarisari.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIbLJN1h4rs/USliDJRBJ-I/AAAAAAAAE9c/Gurku4tlyj8/s1600/2013-02-18+sarisari.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nouVgWqTfOQ/USliENHkQeI/AAAAAAAAE9k/vvf6-MiqjkA/s1600/2013-02-18+Anna+and+priests.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nouVgWqTfOQ/USliENHkQeI/AAAAAAAAE9k/vvf6-MiqjkA/s1600/2013-02-18+Anna+and+priests.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3zFqAIgFbQ/USliE-W9NHI/AAAAAAAAE9s/fyBF7rF3Pw8/s1600/2013-02-18+holding+candles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3zFqAIgFbQ/USliE-W9NHI/AAAAAAAAE9s/fyBF7rF3Pw8/s1600/2013-02-18+holding+candles.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMZ1tQoul_s/USliQIBpSyI/AAAAAAAAE_A/DBacF7C5sEc/s1600/2013-02-18+A+%2526+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMZ1tQoul_s/USliQIBpSyI/AAAAAAAAE_A/DBacF7C5sEc/s1600/2013-02-18+A+%2526+A.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wNl1fij2dN4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Business has been very busy with people ordering take out as
well as filling up the seating.Its been fun to go out there and eat dinner or food in brought in the house from there.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjN-ZANRG54/USliOYJqpaI/AAAAAAAAE-s/wQwYvUGcyUA/s1600/2013-02-18+ana+and+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjN-ZANRG54/USliOYJqpaI/AAAAAAAAE-s/wQwYvUGcyUA/s1600/2013-02-18+ana+and+food.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2So5aOhOSZM/USliL1Y8GsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/VJdSwhMZpL8/s1600/2013-02-18+Anita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2So5aOhOSZM/USliL1Y8GsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/VJdSwhMZpL8/s1600/2013-02-18+Anita.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-3406987874594702892013-02-23T15:27:00.000-08:002013-02-23T15:27:34.841-08:00Wierd Sores and Christmas Package Arrives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">January 7, 2012<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpsxPw14LIw/USilk5MVWOI/AAAAAAAAE08/qSvN9kkL7nI/s1600/2013-1-9+what+is+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpsxPw14LIw/USilk5MVWOI/AAAAAAAAE08/qSvN9kkL7nI/s1600/2013-1-9+what+is+it.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I had a wonderful time in <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>
for New Years but as soon as I got on the boat in Ubay for the trip home I
started feeling pain on the right side of my face and forehead. When I woke up
the next day I had a huge oozing sore on my forehead and a smaller one on my
chin. It was very painful. The next day it had morphed into a bright blood red
scabby oozing mass and continued to be very painful.<br />
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After six days, no signs of getting better, infact signs of
infection, I went to the Rural Health Unit where Anita works to have the doctor
look at it. She prescribed antibiotics and an anti viral. Alex and Anita
suggested I go to a natural healer they knew of. They said they always took
their kids and themselves for this natural treatment for skin wounds like this.
I thought it couldn’t hurt.</div>
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Conception Pyote lives in Barangay Maljo, a five minute
pedicab ride away. She was sitting on the porch of her nipa hut with several
people milling about when we arrived. She told me to sit next to her and looked
me over. I could tell she was assessing my aura. She told me to put my head
down and placed her hands on top of my head and murmured a prayer. Then I felt
a strong poof of her breath directed at the top of my head. I felt a strange
wave of energy flow down my spine and then a slight tingling all over. Then she
told me to look up at her while she unwound a length of lavender sewing thread,
broke a two foot length off, ran it through her mouth, laid it on the sore on
my forehead and drew it up and off my face. That was it. She told me to cleanse
it with warm salt water and come back two more times.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXn5N6YOHjQ/USAjoWYnQ3I/AAAAAAAAEzU/aMYVIBKzma0/s1600/2013-1-9+Conception%2527s+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXn5N6YOHjQ/USAjoWYnQ3I/AAAAAAAAEzU/aMYVIBKzma0/s1600/2013-1-9+Conception%2527s+house.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhdylOhMmV0/USAj00X60yI/AAAAAAAAEzc/3qdohgjEZ00/s1600/2013-1-9+my+ride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhdylOhMmV0/USAj00X60yI/AAAAAAAAEzc/3qdohgjEZ00/s1600/2013-1-9+my+ride.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gKgGIQp02o/USilnnMJOCI/AAAAAAAAE1U/89LsI_mNgLI/s1600/2013-1-9+me+and+Conception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gKgGIQp02o/USilnnMJOCI/AAAAAAAAE1U/89LsI_mNgLI/s1600/2013-1-9+me+and+Conception.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did go back two more times and then I came down with a
nasty cold/flu. This made me think maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have
Conception putting a thread saturated with her saliva on my open wound. What
kind of viruses had I exposed myself to?</div>
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Now I’d been sick for nine days and it was time for my call
in with Boni, my regional manager. He asked me how I was doing. When I told him
he admonished me a bit for going to a natural healer and directed me to go to
the hospital in Tacloban immediately the next day.</div>
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Tacloban is a three hour van ride from here. By the time I
got home the trip had taken 12 hours. Being seen at the hospital was a
challenging process with lots of waiting, being sent here and there for proper
paperwork, the lab for blood work, waiting for results, back to Dr., to
pharmacy, etc. Doctor said the sores were related to chickenpox and shingles.
She prescribed meds for my cold/flu symptoms and told me to continue with the
antibiotics and anti-viral meds.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVGSqz-oVHc/USAg_tF1riI/AAAAAAAAEvw/y8-ACzg4fvU/s1600/2013-1-11+waiting+in+the+hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVGSqz-oVHc/USAg_tF1riI/AAAAAAAAEvw/y8-ACzg4fvU/s1600/2013-1-11+waiting+in+the+hospital.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When I got home it was 9:00PM and Mark and Anita were
excitedly waiting for me. It’s January 11<sup>th</sup> and my Christmas box
from home had finally arrived. It was sent nearly two month ago. I’d almost
given up hope it was ever going to arrive. Everything was in good shape and my
spirits were lifted a great deal by the balsam & cedar Yankee candle giving
me peaceful healing scents of PNW home, a little curly white stuffed puppy to
cuddle with, new underwear and enough coffee to last me a couple months.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yMHpUrLRjU/USAhHgESLFI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/fXmE3QWVifo/s1600/2013-1-12+the+box+arrived+a+little+worse+for+the+wear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yMHpUrLRjU/USAhHgESLFI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/fXmE3QWVifo/s1600/2013-1-12+the+box+arrived+a+little+worse+for+the+wear.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aX6YvJe6_yI/USAhMGUPwUI/AAAAAAAAEwY/y52PpjmFmlA/s1600/2013-1-12+this+was+the+worst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aX6YvJe6_yI/USAhMGUPwUI/AAAAAAAAEwY/y52PpjmFmlA/s1600/2013-1-12+this+was+the+worst.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHnAlV00yac/USAhN3kpw-I/AAAAAAAAEwg/1EirygWbcs8/s1600/2013-1-12+scabby+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHnAlV00yac/USAhN3kpw-I/AAAAAAAAEwg/1EirygWbcs8/s1600/2013-1-12+scabby+me.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAamZNky5Bc/USAhP9pPH6I/AAAAAAAAEwo/_9ISje61Png/s1600/2013-1-12+coffeed+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAamZNky5Bc/USAhP9pPH6I/AAAAAAAAEwo/_9ISje61Png/s1600/2013-1-12+coffeed+up.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Two months later the sore on my forehead finally healed
leaving me with a nice battle scar as a reminder of my Peace Corps days in the
Philippines. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<img height="72" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqG9Univ4t8/USAhEu-pQkI/AAAAAAAAEwI/QERRvZ-Wfg8/s1600/2013-1-11+waiting+for+labwork.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 332px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2508px;" width="96" />
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My host family is involved with a ‘Feed the Children’
organization called Norwood Cares. On every third Saturday of the month we go
to a fishing community in Hilongos and host a feeding of children who are sighed up for the program.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq389yAZGhM/USAiGOg_FJI/AAAAAAAAEyA/7zuNfWvqQlg/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+in+the+program.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq389yAZGhM/USAiGOg_FJI/AAAAAAAAEyA/7zuNfWvqQlg/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+in+the+program.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7CV5p6UnxI/USAibxf-8OI/AAAAAAAAEyY/4KCgh-GCFM8/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+waiting+for+plates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7CV5p6UnxI/USAibxf-8OI/AAAAAAAAEyY/4KCgh-GCFM8/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+waiting+for+plates.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkQfSlGJInQ/USAihGwelAI/AAAAAAAAEyg/e9xZe7xti28/s1600/2012-9-22+no+disposables.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkQfSlGJInQ/USAihGwelAI/AAAAAAAAEyg/e9xZe7xti28/s1600/2012-9-22+no+disposables.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGdlE2OAQig/USAiqimhKfI/AAAAAAAAEys/QSg0DvSqWc0/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+eating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vGdlE2OAQig/USAiqimhKfI/AAAAAAAAEys/QSg0DvSqWc0/s1600/2012-9-22+kids+eating.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Today was the end of the year celebration for all the
families held in the Hilongos gymnasium.My extended family members have been busy for months with the preparations. We had a huge turn out and it was a
big success.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0cQER2cEXI/USAetoppZzI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/uM9_j6poceI/s1600/2013-1-4+Micheal+recognizing+my+family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0cQER2cEXI/USAetoppZzI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/uM9_j6poceI/s1600/2013-1-4+Micheal+recognizing+my+family.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael McEnroe from the states, one of the founders, recognizing Meanace Bisnar (Anita's brother),<br />
Sheryl Obguia Miraflor, Leornida Obguia (Anita's sister), Anita, Aries and Alex Villarubin,<br />
Addy Bisnar and Aline (Bisnar) and Jonel Reoma.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57K3ak3JeRk/USAfHEjvmkI/AAAAAAAAEsw/3bKgIuEivU4/s1600/2013-1-4+turnout+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57K3ak3JeRk/USAfHEjvmkI/AAAAAAAAEsw/3bKgIuEivU4/s1600/2013-1-4+turnout+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a> Buddy Villarubin dressed up like Santa Claus and Rene Miraflor as a clown. Gifts
of tee-shirts, calendars, flip flops, rice, candy and other food were given.
This was in addition to a buffet including all those roasted piglets we’ve been
fattening up at our house. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVMMC022iyM/USAfohW6AKI/AAAAAAAAEtY/QyBfegRU6Gk/s1600/2013-1-4+Santa+Buddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVMMC022iyM/USAfohW6AKI/AAAAAAAAEtY/QyBfegRU6Gk/s1600/2013-1-4+Santa+Buddy.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The mayor of Hilongos provided transportation for the Cebu
University Dancers to come and perform an incredible show of dancing, singing
and comedy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIXIkI6oAGo/USAgSnZyuaI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/plFg35kzUpY/s1600/2013-1-4+paddle+dance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIXIkI6oAGo/USAgSnZyuaI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/plFg35kzUpY/s1600/2013-1-4+paddle+dance.JPG" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maybe you remember those cute little pigletts we've had here, fattening them up for the Norwwood event. Here they are on their way to the feast. Bye bye.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRA6q6JOs08/USAg12sRA0I/AAAAAAAAEvc/3pEcmNXPmUk/s1600/2013-1-3+last+day+of+life.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRA6q6JOs08/USAg12sRA0I/AAAAAAAAEvc/3pEcmNXPmUk/s1600/2013-1-3+last+day+of+life.JPG" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EtW8qDtXwY/USAg8yFHNhI/AAAAAAAAEvk/8KyKPbusINY/s1600/2013-1-3+on+the+way+to+roasting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EtW8qDtXwY/USAg8yFHNhI/AAAAAAAAEvk/8KyKPbusINY/s1600/2013-1-3+on+the+way+to+roasting.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EQTEkBA329I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This was their Sinulog dance. I didn't make it to the annual Sinulog Festival, or Feast of Santo Nino (the Christ Child) in Cebu. 'The word sinulog means a dance simulating the rhythm of the river. It originated as an animist ritual but after the Cebuanos' conversion to Christianity it morphed into a dance to honor the image of Santo Nino.'(Lonely Planet). I watched some of it on TV. It went on four hours and hours. There's a huge parade and every group performs a dance to the same music, always involving carrying a little Santo Nino statue throughout the choreograpy.</div>
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These guys were great. They did many numbers and skits between costumn changes of the dancers.</div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-53884458337480763792013-02-11T04:50:00.000-08:002013-02-11T04:50:43.670-08:00New Year's Day
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHNuDo3Rpb0/URWUBfRRW4I/AAAAAAAAEoU/oqec6V6xoXI/s1600/2012-01-01+cool+beach+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHNuDo3Rpb0/URWUBfRRW4I/AAAAAAAAEoU/oqec6V6xoXI/s1600/2012-01-01+cool+beach+place.JPG" height="320" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the venue where the fire dancing was last night.</td></tr>
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Everybody left and I stayed in Alona Beach another day. I
spent a blissful day on the beach and walked around taking some pictures at a
couple of the resorts. These are too expensive for me on PC wages but fun to
think about staying at.</div>
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Inside this resort were displays making the place like a cultural museum with old artifacts, of mostly religious figures.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5rQ6RBG7Eo/URWTmvh5OQI/AAAAAAAAEn8/axNvixQ8AvI/s1600/2012-01-01+hanging+plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5rQ6RBG7Eo/URWTmvh5OQI/AAAAAAAAEn8/axNvixQ8AvI/s1600/2012-01-01+hanging+plants.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7zFaQ0bkww/URWTuab4BwI/AAAAAAAAEoE/M1tYg13KVg4/s1600/2012-01-01+resort+pool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7zFaQ0bkww/URWTuab4BwI/AAAAAAAAEoE/M1tYg13KVg4/s1600/2012-01-01+resort+pool.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accidently left my
special Peace Corps issued water bottle at the Bee Farm so took a trike back to
pick it up. I was able to get some pictures of the place during daylight and
have some more organic ice cream. Yummy in my tummy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4pRcjdBJWM/URWUbzIFgPI/AAAAAAAAEo0/JHqLCZDFufk/s1600/2012-01-01+Bohol+Bee+Farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4pRcjdBJWM/URWUbzIFgPI/AAAAAAAAEo0/JHqLCZDFufk/s1600/2012-01-01+Bohol+Bee+Farm.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UP8u5NqvX2s/URWUPRMmq2I/AAAAAAAAEok/OAKz5u0Yg70/s1600/2012-01-01+Bee+Farm+pool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UP8u5NqvX2s/URWUPRMmq2I/AAAAAAAAEok/OAKz5u0Yg70/s1600/2012-01-01+Bee+Farm+pool.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bxw1ax2ltI/URWUkp7yKHI/AAAAAAAAEo8/9G1OfiYXqbw/s1600/2012-01-01+dining+by+the+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bxw1ax2ltI/URWUkp7yKHI/AAAAAAAAEo8/9G1OfiYXqbw/s1600/2012-01-01+dining+by+the+sea.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_afpnwTWaqU/URWUqPyVHDI/AAAAAAAAEpE/cq7IwfyrWxQ/s1600/201-01-01+seating+by+the+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_afpnwTWaqU/URWUqPyVHDI/AAAAAAAAEpE/cq7IwfyrWxQ/s1600/201-01-01+seating+by+the+sea.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh yes. I got what was advertised as a ‘henna’ tattoo. Later
Melissa said, “It’s not really henna. They use permanent black ink”. Oh. I
wondered why they were black and not the brownish red of all the other henna
tattooing I’ve seen and done. <br />
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-29790337963445053802013-02-09T21:35:00.001-08:002013-02-09T21:35:31.729-08:00New Year's Eve in Bohol<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE7i3IRBCKs/URWNWss5bvI/AAAAAAAAEh0/60Gpqowu9KM/s1600/2012-12-31+Xavier%252C+Fredrick%252C+Joan+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE7i3IRBCKs/URWNWss5bvI/AAAAAAAAEh0/60Gpqowu9KM/s1600/2012-12-31+Xavier%252C+Fredrick%252C+Joan+and+me.JPG" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xavier, Fredrick and Joan</td></tr>
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Vickie has made some friends in <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>,
Fredrick and Joan, who run a stand up paddle (SUP) board business. Fredrick is
from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Belgium</st1:country-region> and has been
living in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for about 12 years. They made arrangements for a snorkel, ‘island hopping’
(really just a stop at a sand bar) excursion to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Balicasog</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s
Marine Protected Sanctuary. A couple of Fredrick’s friends from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Belgium</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
Nicolas and Xavier, were visiting so we made a group of 11 for the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFcPk2fiN7w/URWNhGmquUI/AAAAAAAAEiE/cuygIh2q94c/s1600/2012-12-31+Balicasag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFcPk2fiN7w/URWNhGmquUI/AAAAAAAAEiE/cuygIh2q94c/s1600/2012-12-31+Balicasag.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balicasog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co9Ob4xKIjs/URWNzpMWXoI/AAAAAAAAEic/7lJSRvmSwuM/s1600/2012-12-31+Yara%252C+Nicolas%252C+Fredrick+and+Xavier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co9Ob4xKIjs/URWNzpMWXoI/AAAAAAAAEic/7lJSRvmSwuM/s1600/2012-12-31+Yara%252C+Nicolas%252C+Fredrick+and+Xavier.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yara, Nicolas, Fredrick and Xavier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TfK5vc-A20/URWNudgFJsI/AAAAAAAAEiU/H-Ls9qhoDOc/s1600/2012-12-31+clear+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TfK5vc-A20/URWNudgFJsI/AAAAAAAAEiU/H-Ls9qhoDOc/s1600/2012-12-31+clear+water.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's lots of tourists on this day</td></tr>
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It was about an hour boat ride to Balicasog which is very much like the
offshore islands of Apid and Mahaba, we have here in Inopacan. Even though the
island is a sanctuary many people live there who lived there before it was
designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). They’ve done a good job of
promoting it as an ecotourism destination which has given them an alternative means
of livelihood other than fishing. I couldn’t believe how many other boats were
there or the number of people partaking of the amazing underwater sights. It
was actually a bit too crowded. I was getting kicked and bumping into people
constantly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4U4zqukaKk/URWN_ny_HkI/AAAAAAAAEik/mX88MsrSTgk/s1600/2012-12-31+Chai+and+Vicky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4U4zqukaKk/URWN_ny_HkI/AAAAAAAAEik/mX88MsrSTgk/s1600/2012-12-31+Chai+and+Vicky.JPG" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia Kent, Chai Mendoza and Victoria Carberry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEtI7oPJi4o/URWOId3EyLI/AAAAAAAAEis/AAC6w46oYKw/s1600/2012-12-31+island+wares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEtI7oPJi4o/URWOId3EyLI/AAAAAAAAEis/AAC6w46oYKw/s1600/2012-12-31+island+wares.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can do this at our islands for sure.</td></tr>
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At first the swim out to where the shelf drops off was shallow, bare
substrate, broken rubble with not much to see but all of a sudden the shelf
drops offs to about 60-80 ft. It was like swimming into a clear blue sky full
of hundreds of fish of an amazing variety of species and beautiful diverse
corals and you can see the cliff of corals going down for what seems like
forever. Surprising was when scuba divers would come into view rising up from the
depths below. I’ll be doing that soon.<br />
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We not only hired the big boat and captain but once we got there were
informed we’d need to hire another guy to accompany us in his little fishing
boat. This was actually a good idea. We could put cameras and other gear on the
boat and it was reassuring to have him close by in case we needed to rest or in
case we had an ‘incident’ like getting kicked in the head.<br />
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He had a little gig on the side. When we were done snorkeling he led us back
a round about way so we’d pass by his home where family members had stuff for
sale. This was mostly jewelry and much of it was made of fresh water pearls.
Back at the main congregating spot they have stands selling more local
handicrafts, food and drink. You can order fresh seafood cooked how you want
it. We ordered a feast of grilled tuna, oysters, other fish and seaweed, fruit
smoothies and cold beer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I totally see this happening on Apid and Mahaba back in Inopacan</td></tr>
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On the way back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Alona</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype></st1:place> we went via a stop
at a sand bar. We got out and walked around being pestered by some aggresive guys trying to sell fresh water pearl jewlry. The Belgians were compelled to
walk out to a lone mangrove tree way out in the surf. Wouldn’t you know a storm
suddenly rolled in. We needed to get the heck on our way and Fredrick, Joan, Nicolas and Xavier were half a kilometer out taking pictures of themselves with the lone mangrove tree, not concerned by the storm. The trip back to Alona was a bit wet and choppy but our captain and his two sons kept everthing under control.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSHSh1ei2WY/URWP3bNy_jI/AAAAAAAAEkU/Uvo3oGOt-Nk/s1600/2012-12-31+coconut+anyone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSHSh1ei2WY/URWP3bNy_jI/AAAAAAAAEkU/Uvo3oGOt-Nk/s1600/2012-12-31+coconut+anyone.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut water anyone?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MteW-S1xQTQ/URWP8BtpodI/AAAAAAAAEkc/bywDja6aKrM/s1600/2012-12-31+me%252C+Yara+and+Amelia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MteW-S1xQTQ/URWP8BtpodI/AAAAAAAAEkc/bywDja6aKrM/s1600/2012-12-31+me%252C+Yara+and+Amelia.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PCVs Yara Sullivan and Amelia Kent</td></tr>
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It’s New Year’s Eve and we have a long night ahead of us. For dinner we all
went to the Bohol Bee Farm, an amazing organic farm, place to stay and restaurant.
Because there were 10+ in our group we qualified for a full smorgasbord meal
that was amazing. I especially enjoyed the salad of organic lettuces, edible
flowers and honey mustard dressing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrwutmQVq5Q/URWQWuAf_pI/AAAAAAAAEks/MgeTPc9WVPQ/s1600/2012-12-31+dinner+at+the+Bee+Farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrwutmQVq5Q/URWQWuAf_pI/AAAAAAAAEks/MgeTPc9WVPQ/s1600/2012-12-31+dinner+at+the+Bee+Farm.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an amazing meal with desset even, organic coconut ice cream</td></tr>
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The place sits on a cliff overlooking the sea.
The walk down from the upper parking lot goes through terrace after terrace
seating areas built of bamboo and salvaged trees and limbs, covered with open
timbered roofs thatched with nipa and draped with hand woven yardage. The hand
made native shades on hanging lights created a wonderful ambiance.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1GCMvTwajQ/URWQgrlz7ZI/AAAAAAAAEk0/fPA1JjwXFwQ/s1600/2012-12-31+rustic+by+the+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1GCMvTwajQ/URWQgrlz7ZI/AAAAAAAAEk0/fPA1JjwXFwQ/s1600/2012-12-31+rustic+by+the+sea.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x05c0KPqU3A/URWQrtRo_pI/AAAAAAAAElE/X78YdZ0ia5E/s1600/2012-12-31+homespun+lampshades.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x05c0KPqU3A/URWQrtRo_pI/AAAAAAAAElE/X78YdZ0ia5E/s1600/2012-12-31+homespun+lampshades.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xnL1LIJfiU/URWQnCwSlcI/AAAAAAAAEk8/XQaZAjCtPF8/s1600/2012-12-31+seating+by+the+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xnL1LIJfiU/URWQnCwSlcI/AAAAAAAAEk8/XQaZAjCtPF8/s1600/2012-12-31+seating+by+the+sea.JPG" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwA4SQWx8TM/URWQyPG8hGI/AAAAAAAAElM/lsjVGwgGl8E/s1600/2012-12-31+the+group+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwA4SQWx8TM/URWQyPG8hGI/AAAAAAAAElM/lsjVGwgGl8E/s1600/2012-12-31+the+group+table.JPG" height="320" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt4fIpe5K4Q/URWQ40BOYfI/AAAAAAAAElU/RyqpOYfjYB8/s1600/2012-12-31+natural+ambiance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt4fIpe5K4Q/URWQ40BOYfI/AAAAAAAAElU/RyqpOYfjYB8/s1600/2012-12-31+natural+ambiance.JPG" height="227" width="320" /><span style="color: black;"> This place has ambiance galore</span></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqGyFwpBBrI/URWQ--Si-1I/AAAAAAAAElc/Ii7kmNdlR0U/s1600/2012-12-31+wonderful+place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqGyFwpBBrI/URWQ--Si-1I/AAAAAAAAElc/Ii7kmNdlR0U/s1600/2012-12-31+wonderful+place.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_YUT_mTDuA/URWRLPlBdjI/AAAAAAAAEls/V9LrMGXGEFU/s1600/2012-12-31+i+like+the+ceiling+treatments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o_YUT_mTDuA/URWRLPlBdjI/AAAAAAAAEls/V9LrMGXGEFU/s1600/2012-12-31+i+like+the+ceiling+treatments.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After dinner we went back to the
beach where there were numerous outdoor venues with live music for dancing. At
the far end of the beach the fancy resort (can’t remember the name) had a full
blown dancing entertainment going on with fire dancers. So cool and then at
midnight the fireworks were spectacular over the water. Then the fun dancing
began and didn’t end for me till 3:00AM. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLurvr_1Cg8/URWRadOzfyI/AAAAAAAAEl8/B-uZa2UtAYA/s1600/2012-12-31+beach+performance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLurvr_1Cg8/URWRadOzfyI/AAAAAAAAEl8/B-uZa2UtAYA/s1600/2012-12-31+beach+performance.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgkyaC4u1rg/URWRoe8p00I/AAAAAAAAEmM/Z7JexM4Vmbo/s1600/2012-12-31+beach+works.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgkyaC4u1rg/URWRoe8p00I/AAAAAAAAEmM/Z7JexM4Vmbo/s1600/2012-12-31+beach+works.JPG" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdXdXzefbb4/URWRvycZR9I/AAAAAAAAEmU/-o_igtaXyWc/s1600/2012-12-31+silloettes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdXdXzefbb4/URWRvycZR9I/AAAAAAAAEmU/-o_igtaXyWc/s1600/2012-12-31+silloettes.JPG" height="320" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ornssjp5FE/URWSDcFQDxI/AAAAAAAAEmk/lV4-gjkVPg0/s1600/2012-12-31+fun+fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ornssjp5FE/URWSDcFQDxI/AAAAAAAAEmk/lV4-gjkVPg0/s1600/2012-12-31+fun+fire.JPG" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!</em></span></strong><br />
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-79150625767520662632013-02-09T02:39:00.002-08:002013-02-09T02:42:32.485-08:00Trip to Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 29, 2012</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPZJ98uy-qY/URNHVKYuLKI/AAAAAAAAEfs/nTjITPdsGXc/s1600/2012-12-29+pump+boat+from+Hilongos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPZJ98uy-qY/URNHVKYuLKI/AAAAAAAAEfs/nTjITPdsGXc/s1600/2012-12-29+pump+boat+from+Hilongos.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go again on another pump boat ride leaving from Hilongos.<br />
CR is Comfort Room, what they call the bathroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’ve been looking forward to my first little vacation, New Year’s rendezvous
with other PCVs and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>headed out for the
trip to the resort town of <st1:city w:st="on">Alona</st1:city> Beach on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Panglao</st1:placename></st1:place>. <st1:placename w:st="on">Panglao</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype> is connected to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Bohol</st1:placename></st1:place> by bridge. It’s not that far as
the crow flies but getting around this archipelago is time consuming. I caught
a van from here at 9:00 AM for the 45 minute ride to Hilongos wanting to make
sure I got there an hour before the boat to <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>
was scheduled to leave. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7RxxmacE8w/URNHb1iXL8I/AAAAAAAAEf0/wzRi123RZCY/s1600/2012-12-29+boat+headed+to+Cebu+from+Hilongos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7RxxmacE8w/URNHb1iXL8I/AAAAAAAAEf0/wzRi123RZCY/s1600/2012-12-29+boat+headed+to+Cebu+from+Hilongos.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bigger boats leave from Hilongos for Cebu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
11:00 departure time became 11:45 and I was on my way
to Ubay on the NE end of <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>. From there I
caught a jeepney for the 2 ½ hour ride to Tagbilaran on the SW end of the
island. Tagbliaran is good sized and has a mall and a transportation center. PCV
Yara Sullivan met me at the mall where the first desperate need was a bathroom
and then a yummy coffee frappacino.<br />
<br />
We continued on together, catching a jeepney for the last leg of the trip,
crossing over a bridge to the <st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Panglao</st1:placename> and the hour ride to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Alona</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
I was finally there 11 ½ hours after I started. Getting a flat tire a few
kilometers out of Alona contributed an hour to the travel time. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTb_z4nWHbg/URNHi7recaI/AAAAAAAAEf8/eiTFU8R2MIM/s1600/2012-12-29+jeepney+flat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTb_z4nWHbg/URNHi7recaI/AAAAAAAAEf8/eiTFU8R2MIM/s1600/2012-12-29+jeepney+flat.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat tire</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HODIkfMSEN8/URNHvNmR0fI/AAAAAAAAEgE/bbHi25tEoss/s1600/2012-12-30+Citadel+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HODIkfMSEN8/URNHvNmR0fI/AAAAAAAAEgE/bbHi25tEoss/s1600/2012-12-30+Citadel+room.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Citadel Inn <a href="http://www.citadelalona.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.citadelalona.com</span></a>
was fantastic for Ph800/night. Yara and I shared the room so it cost only
Ph400= US$10. It was clean, had big windows we could open and look out onto the
street below, nice communal bathroom/showers, a nice communal kitchen with
refer, stove and all the dishes and pots you need for cooking your own meals, a
very nice outside eating/congregating area where you can order breakfast for a
couple bucks and use the wifi. It was 8:30 and we needed to eat dinner; so many
choices. We opted for Chinese, enjoyed each others’ company and crashed. The
rest of the group would be arriving at different times.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RF8GdzmatY/URNH0ySLT5I/AAAAAAAAEgM/zfFfXkBbIgo/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+Beach+with+Yara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RF8GdzmatY/URNH0ySLT5I/AAAAAAAAEgM/zfFfXkBbIgo/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+Beach+with+Yara.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beach with Yara</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oN75cnFhGyE/URNH6eN1q1I/AAAAAAAAEgU/V2stiS1IMSU/s1600/2012-12-30+Yara+Sullivan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oN75cnFhGyE/URNH6eN1q1I/AAAAAAAAEgU/V2stiS1IMSU/s1600/2012-12-30+Yara+Sullivan.JPG" height="284" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yara gets stared at alot because of her beautiful color</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62VGgrkneXI/URNH-pm_MzI/AAAAAAAAEgc/r1Gn4qbFP54/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+beach+left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62VGgrkneXI/URNH-pm_MzI/AAAAAAAAEgc/r1Gn4qbFP54/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+beach+left.JPG" height="144" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach to the left and right very nice, and some cloud cover</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okExsZwxH7U/URNIDB9_IdI/AAAAAAAAEgk/ToE51ToBOdU/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+beach+right.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okExsZwxH7U/URNIDB9_IdI/AAAAAAAAEgk/ToE51ToBOdU/s1600/2012-12-30+Alona+beach+right.JPG" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1ioAEQgIO0/URNIN7o3OPI/AAAAAAAAEg0/7zEZm6ziHOk/s1600/2012-12-30+me%252C+Yar+and+Amelia+getting+food+and+drink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1ioAEQgIO0/URNIN7o3OPI/AAAAAAAAEg0/7zEZm6ziHOk/s1600/2012-12-30+me%252C+Yar+and+Amelia+getting+food+and+drink.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia's the first PCV I met when we spotted each other at SeaTac airport. She's from Everett.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Amelia Kent, from Everett, WA, and Melissa Innskeep arrived the next
morning. They didn’t have far to travel being sited in Bohol and Candice Gibson
flew in from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manila</st1:place></st1:city>.
We all headed for the beach, a five minute walk. It was awesome to visit my
first ‘resort’ town. The beach is very nice, a long expanse of white sand lined
with palms and lots of trendy and not so trendy places to get food and drink.
The water was clean and clear AND <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">refreshing.
</i>I like to stress the refreshing part because often the water is so warm
it’s not refreshing. One time in Sabang the water was hot like a hot spring or
bath water. I’d been looking forward to mixing with an international crowd and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Alona</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype></st1:place>
definitely was that, especially for the New Year’s weekend. The weather was
perfect for spending all day at the beach. By this I mean it was overcast a lot
and not too hot and didn’t have to worry so much about sunburn.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJPAnLxgirU/URNITeHHpKI/AAAAAAAAEg8/TcEC8Wemwao/s1600/2012-12-30+Citadel+balcony+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJPAnLxgirU/URNITeHHpKI/AAAAAAAAEg8/TcEC8Wemwao/s1600/2012-12-30+Citadel+balcony+shot.JPG" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candice and Melissa arrived and this is on the Citadel's balcony before we went to the beach for a fabulous Thai dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30f35gNjY18/URNIfoHGzUI/AAAAAAAAEhE/9QfA3LRYSoA/s1600/2012-12-30+first+drummers+seen+in+the+Ppines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30f35gNjY18/URNIfoHGzUI/AAAAAAAAEhE/9QfA3LRYSoA/s1600/2012-12-30+first+drummers+seen+in+the+Ppines.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we're all here with Chai and Victoria too and the drummers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-6-3Vkf-EM/URNIt7G--iI/AAAAAAAAEhM/0MlJClq8Ees/s1600/2012-12-30+place+on+the+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-6-3Vkf-EM/URNIt7G--iI/AAAAAAAAEhM/0MlJClq8Ees/s1600/2012-12-30+place+on+the+beach.JPG" height="284" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Christmas in the Philippines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtovEFS4ITE/URWUInG5Q0I/AAAAAAAAEoc/h2EFyt2da40/s1600/2012-01-01+snowman+wind+sock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtovEFS4ITE/URWUInG5Q0I/AAAAAAAAEoc/h2EFyt2da40/s1600/2012-01-01+snowman+wind+sock.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Victoria Carberry, sited in <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>, and Chai
Mendoza, my CRM Technical trainer, arrived latter and we all went for a
fabulous Thai dinner seated a few feet from the lapping waves of the sea. With
lanterns hanging from the trees and candles on the table and a clear starry
night it was so much fun and made even more perfect when I met the first
drummers I’ve seen here in the Ppines. Perfect.Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-22113211208948775502013-02-06T22:07:00.001-08:002013-02-06T22:07:20.635-08:00Christmas Blur
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 24, 2012</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ETc6U31kU/URM5iE-7g0I/AAAAAAAAEeY/cjZvDvervSE/s1600/2012-12-14+Inopacan+Christmas+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0ETc6U31kU/URM5iE-7g0I/AAAAAAAAEeY/cjZvDvervSE/s320/2012-12-14+Inopacan+Christmas+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inopacan's Chrismas tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Christmas was a blur of activity that lasted weeks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y3G9-FbEyc/URM6rD9J80I/AAAAAAAAEfI/ODmcQb2QzQo/s1600/2013-1-9+Christmas+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y3G9-FbEyc/URM6rD9J80I/AAAAAAAAEfI/ODmcQb2QzQo/s320/2013-1-9+Christmas+tree.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barangay TaonTaon's tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WFIOdd7bfQ/URM5G6cSmYI/AAAAAAAAEd4/F0En4B-AgVQ/s1600/2012-12-22+Hilongos+xmas+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WFIOdd7bfQ/URM5G6cSmYI/AAAAAAAAEd4/F0En4B-AgVQ/s320/2012-12-22+Hilongos+xmas+tree.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilongos tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I don’t know how many parties I went to from Hilongos to
Ormoc and points between. The feasting never stopped and a roasted piglet rested
front and center of every buffet table.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfCwA4W_YaM/URM5BItjcbI/AAAAAAAAEdw/05GV7eKmaS0/s1600/2012-12-17+Baybay+dock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfCwA4W_YaM/URM5BItjcbI/AAAAAAAAEdw/05GV7eKmaS0/s320/2012-12-17+Baybay+dock.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baybay's decorations were by far the best.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ5PeyT-G1Q/URM5UtyP63I/AAAAAAAAEeI/Lz7hqdKJDc4/s1600/2012-12-8+Baybay%2527s+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ5PeyT-G1Q/URM5UtyP63I/AAAAAAAAEeI/Lz7hqdKJDc4/s320/2012-12-8+Baybay%2527s+lights.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they had hundreds of lighted pink stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBUk889TQek/URM5aeRN3wI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/PDQq3dajjzQ/s1600/2012-12-8+Baybay%2527s+lights+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBUk889TQek/URM5aeRN3wI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/PDQq3dajjzQ/s320/2012-12-8+Baybay%2527s+lights+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I didn’t get many pictures and of course wasn’t to keen on
being in a lot of pictures with my ridiculous blotchy red hair. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOzqYU2y4Vk/URM56PF41oI/AAAAAAAAEeo/YWNnf_hXdis/s1600/2013-1-6+Maasin+square.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OOzqYU2y4Vk/URM56PF41oI/AAAAAAAAEeo/YWNnf_hXdis/s320/2013-1-6+Maasin+square.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baybay's town square with stars that light up at night</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmWW5toPdBE/URM6F0RztjI/AAAAAAAAEew/LHdvdECvRIQ/s1600/2013-1-6+romblon+star.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmWW5toPdBE/URM6F0RztjI/AAAAAAAAEew/LHdvdECvRIQ/s320/2013-1-6+romblon+star.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made of bamboo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKcQZbTrc7A/URM6Ug64_vI/AAAAAAAAEe4/xPco-PEiW18/s1600/2013-1-6+recycle+star.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKcQZbTrc7A/URM6Ug64_vI/AAAAAAAAEe4/xPco-PEiW18/s320/2013-1-6+recycle+star.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made of bottle caps</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-52KTPPAWw/URM6jEs6FZI/AAAAAAAAEfA/YhlwFoqB5Wo/s1600/2013-1-6+star.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-52KTPPAWw/URM6jEs6FZI/AAAAAAAAEfA/YhlwFoqB5Wo/s320/2013-1-6+star.JPG" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">made of coconut<br />
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Next Post:<br />
New Years in Bohol</td></tr>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-70958506883931315152013-02-06T21:51:00.002-08:002013-02-06T21:51:35.302-08:00Ridiculous Hair for the Holidays
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 21, 2012</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6t_wya84jw/UQuzU5j3xNI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/I79X1L625Oo/s1600/DSCF8524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6t_wya84jw/UQuzU5j3xNI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/I79X1L625Oo/s320/DSCF8524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it doesn't look so bad here</td></tr>
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I decided I wanted to do something out of the ordinary to my
hair, something special, add some color. The intention was to look good for the
upcoming New Year’s gathering in the hip resort area of <st1:placename w:st="on">Alona</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype>, Panglao, <st1:place w:st="on">Bohol</st1:place>.</div>
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I want back to Tata in Baybay. She’s the one who cut my hair
when I made the big leap to short hair and I love it. I had pictures of how I
wanted the coloring done like my daughter Haida’s hair with three colors, a lighter
and darker ash brown and small streaks of dark burgundy as the third color.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1cDRx8Yzvg/UQuyEvuj3dI/AAAAAAAAEaI/1o5A8EBtiIA/s1600/2012-12-21+Anita%2527s+granddaughter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1cDRx8Yzvg/UQuyEvuj3dI/AAAAAAAAEaI/1o5A8EBtiIA/s320/2012-12-21+Anita%2527s+granddaughter.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seeing this little girl on my way to work made me feel better</td></tr>
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Things didn’t go well. I had that uncomfortable experience
of Tata seeking help from her workmate, shaking of heads, mutterings, wrapping
and unwrapping the foiled strands, put under hot air, out from under hot air,
unwrapping of foiled strands, more muttering and head shaking, reapplying of
goop and back under hot air.</div>
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Five hours later I had something NOT AT ALL like the picture.
It was horrible (sorry Tata) and now I had all sorts of holiday parties to
attend. My hair looked like someone had taken a can of red spray paint to it.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0d_yukqVek/UQu0hz-73GI/AAAAAAAAEbw/xKu6BadHQoI/s1600/DSCF8558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0d_yukqVek/UQu0hz-73GI/AAAAAAAAEbw/xKu6BadHQoI/s320/DSCF8558.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG this is awful and I'm stuck with it</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdmqS25gXWo/UQuxzNEU6RI/AAAAAAAAEZw/ir1q69I5jQ0/s1600/2012-12-21+the+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdmqS25gXWo/UQuxzNEU6RI/AAAAAAAAEZw/ir1q69I5jQ0/s320/2012-12-21+the+back.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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People here are very nice and polite. We all pretended I
didn’t look ridiculous. I avoided mirrors and was glad I didn’t have to look at
my self. </div>
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Know that I’m so vain I’m only sharing the so so bad looking pictures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qA0KPbhzXXQ/UQuypBLkepI/AAAAAAAAEaw/Xca9alQmmvY/s1600/2012-12-21+Jillboy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qA0KPbhzXXQ/UQuypBLkepI/AAAAAAAAEaw/Xca9alQmmvY/s320/2012-12-21+Jillboy.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GelBoy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CL3x0ve_eA/UQuzH3LYDOI/AAAAAAAAEbI/hpeDFrodbHo/s1600/2012-12-21+Katkat+tickles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CL3x0ve_eA/UQuzH3LYDOI/AAAAAAAAEbI/hpeDFrodbHo/s320/2012-12-21+Katkat+tickles.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet little KatKat. I loved her so much and miss her. She was given to a relative in Ormoc</td></tr>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-52265092197781857992013-02-01T06:06:00.000-08:002013-02-01T06:06:03.204-08:00These Guys Were GoodI'm jumping ahead here but seeing how I was able to post a video I want to try this one taken at the Norwood End of Year Celebration in Hilongos on January 4, 2013.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsYeRW85cRk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>In case you can't tell they are female impersonaters</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EQTEkBA329I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-54752408902487796222013-02-01T06:03:00.001-08:002013-02-01T06:03:27.686-08:00Ecotourism Planning and Trip to Guiuan, Samar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 14, 2012<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Chito, Lemin, Al and I attend a three day ecotourism management
planning workshop in Hindang for the Quatros Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape that spans the
municipal waters of Hindang and Inopacan. We did some fun role play being
tourists and guides. “Where’s the bathroom?” “I lost my hearing aid. What?”
“I’m thirsty.” “Where’s my husband? “ and whatever else he was saying had
people in hysterics. <br />
On the third day the group rode in a van to visit <st1:placename w:st="on">Guiuan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype>
in Eastern <st1:place w:st="on">Samar</st1:place> where ecotourism is being promoted.
They're on the <st1:place w:st="on">Pacific Ocean</st1:place>
with some surfable waves so surfing is bringing in some tourists.<br />
Traveling from Leyte to Samar is made easier by the longest
bridge in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-on_5b1_gEUk/UQuvPwVLe3I/AAAAAAAAEZE/pznLM6om0rQ/s1600/2012-12-15+the+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-on_5b1_gEUk/UQuvPwVLe3I/AAAAAAAAEZE/pznLM6om0rQ/s1600/2012-12-15+the+bridge.jpg" /></a></div>
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We left here at 3:00am. The trip was to take four hours but
it took six because the <st1:place w:st="on">Samar</st1:place> road was
horrible; more pot holes than road. But it was great to see the sun rising as
we drove along the coastline with impressive limestone formations all along the way.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfSCHtcnBQg/UQutISiSI5I/AAAAAAAAEWE/EZWQehszS8g/s1600/2012-12-15+morning+sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfSCHtcnBQg/UQutISiSI5I/AAAAAAAAEWE/EZWQehszS8g/s1600/2012-12-15+morning+sun.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHU8Jdn9Lo/UQus1Ig_VNI/AAAAAAAAEVk/24QF0EriMts/s1600/2012-12-15+river+crossing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHU8Jdn9Lo/UQus1Ig_VNI/AAAAAAAAEVk/24QF0EriMts/s1600/2012-12-15+river+crossing.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful spot at one of the river crossings</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>One thing I noticed was how close the houses are to the road
in <st1:place w:st="on">Samar</st1:place>. I’ve been getting used to the front
doors of homes in <st1:place w:st="on">Leyte</st1:place> being ten feet from
the edge of the road. In <st1:place w:st="on">Samar</st1:place> they are five
feet from the edge of the road. Children play in front of their houses with
traffic whizzing by; although with all the pot holes you’re rarely going over
35mph. We’d speed up to 30-35, go 50-70 yards and then come to a screeching
halt to lumber up, over and through the gaping potholes. Our driver was good. I
only heard the undercarriage scrape and bottom out once during the whole trip.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yg5epbu0pbI/UQus5-Y7ShI/AAAAAAAAEVs/I_2ZMDfcqO8/s1600/2012-12-15+houses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yg5epbu0pbI/UQus5-Y7ShI/AAAAAAAAEVs/I_2ZMDfcqO8/s1600/2012-12-15+houses.JPG" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
These pictures were taken before we got to the bad roads.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLw4Oh2VHZQ/UQutAPx7c1I/AAAAAAAAEV0/BQR_kyKoOxw/s1600/2012-12-15+more+houses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLw4Oh2VHZQ/UQutAPx7c1I/AAAAAAAAEV0/BQR_kyKoOxw/s1600/2012-12-15+more+houses.JPG" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1-45IIyMio/UQutFjogIZI/AAAAAAAAEV8/OuMCzHxajSI/s1600/2012-12-15+motorcycle+behind.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1-45IIyMio/UQutFjogIZI/AAAAAAAAEV8/OuMCzHxajSI/s1600/2012-12-15+motorcycle+behind.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because of the bad condition of the roads our trip was rush,
rush, rush if we wanted to make it home at a reasonable hour. Unfortunately we
didn’t have time to stop at the surfing camp <a href="http://www.calicoansurfcamp.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.calicoansurfcamp.com</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but it looked really cool with the biggest
native style nipa huts I’ve seen. </div>
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We were headed to the <st1:place w:st="on">Pacific Ocean </st1:place>beach and it was incredible to see. The group included representatives from Inopcacan, Matalum. Bato, Baybay, Hindang, Hilongos, DNR and the National Park. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEf4qxoZxLs/UQutZWPCdMI/AAAAAAAAEWg/4cRs3aJPwNQ/s1600/2012-12-15+the+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEf4qxoZxLs/UQutZWPCdMI/AAAAAAAAEWg/4cRs3aJPwNQ/s1600/2012-12-15+the+group.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKPSCKKacv0/UQutOvuAKoI/AAAAAAAAEWM/FWXsJTzpx_Y/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Absolon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKPSCKKacv0/UQutOvuAKoI/AAAAAAAAEWM/FWXsJTzpx_Y/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Absolon.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Absalon (Boy) from Hindang</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9Im71fjxMk/UQutUq9YomI/AAAAAAAAEWU/wpMc-qgBRW0/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Jorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9Im71fjxMk/UQutUq9YomI/AAAAAAAAEWU/wpMc-qgBRW0/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Jorge.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorge from Baybay, Mudge's boss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A long expanse of unpopulated white sandy
beach as far as the eye could see going north and south. This was a first for
me; seeing salt water waterfront with nobody living on it. I walked straight
into the water. It was clean, no trash, and clear and refreshingly cool. Snap,
snap, Kodak moment picture taking and on we went.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCxZbX29E-s/UQutdVOMNKI/AAAAAAAAEWo/77tKafBqh7s/s1600/2012-12-15+uninhabited+Pacific+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCxZbX29E-s/UQutdVOMNKI/AAAAAAAAEWo/77tKafBqh7s/s1600/2012-12-15+uninhabited+Pacific+beach.JPG" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big beautiul blue Pacific Ocean</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_MnNxmp3g/UQutifYP33I/AAAAAAAAEWw/XztDOKXhhVY/s1600/2012-12-15+nice+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_MnNxmp3g/UQutifYP33I/AAAAAAAAEWw/XztDOKXhhVY/s1600/2012-12-15+nice+beach.JPG" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
We stopped to hike up to what was planned to be a world
class yoga retreat center, Calicoan Ashtanga Yoga Retreat. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wlqlNiCYyc/UQutpfZCSMI/AAAAAAAAEW4/iGojyB5msQE/s1600/2012-12-15+steps+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wlqlNiCYyc/UQutpfZCSMI/AAAAAAAAEW4/iGojyB5msQE/s1600/2012-12-15+steps+up.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJmwMN856KA/UQuuMMs2QrI/AAAAAAAAEXc/KHEkiOy8QiE/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Mulz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJmwMN856KA/UQuuMMs2QrI/AAAAAAAAEXc/KHEkiOy8QiE/s1600/2012-12-15+me+and+Mulz.JPG" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulz from Hindang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The steep stairs go
up 100 feet with no railing and in some places it would be a 100 foot drop onto
razor sharp coral and limestone outcroppings. Once at the top there’s a huge covered
meditation yoga platform area with a spectacular view of the <st1:place w:st="on">Pacific
Ocean</st1:place>. The platform is in good shape but the roofing material and
screening was damaged and/or long gone. I don’t know what happened or why it’s
fallen to disrepair.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDxEEBDWxNc/UQutw5u4BaI/AAAAAAAAEXA/toIb-iKS4mA/s1600/2012-12-15+view+from+the+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDxEEBDWxNc/UQutw5u4BaI/AAAAAAAAEXA/toIb-iKS4mA/s1600/2012-12-15+view+from+the+top.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's a great view from up there and a nice breeze off the ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jgQxe5zrA4/UQut7nFDZfI/AAAAAAAAEXM/nalvZf-hMiE/s1600/2012-12-15+yoga+center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jgQxe5zrA4/UQut7nFDZfI/AAAAAAAAEXM/nalvZf-hMiE/s1600/2012-12-15+yoga+center.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MRXAb752Co/UQuuHIlnaFI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Vj2ElGRNWRA/s1600/2012-12-15+roof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MRXAb752Co/UQuuHIlnaFI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Vj2ElGRNWRA/s1600/2012-12-15+roof.JPG" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
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Twenty minutes of enjoying the platform in the trees and we’re rushing back down the trecherous steps so we can get to the next stop.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGZQxOLdqxQ/UQuuvNXUG2I/AAAAAAAAEYM/6WiC7GFtJ_g/s1600/2012-12-15+street+games.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGZQxOLdqxQ/UQuuvNXUG2I/AAAAAAAAEYM/6WiC7GFtJ_g/s1600/2012-12-15+street+games.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these boys are playing a game throwing their flip flops, kind of like a marble game</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uofqJAIWf64/UQuu6cUdnXI/AAAAAAAAEYc/3TIK6ypyiu8/s1600/2012-12-15+boys+playing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uofqJAIWf64/UQuu6cUdnXI/AAAAAAAAEYc/3TIK6ypyiu8/s1600/2012-12-15+boys+playing.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RESA_2az37c/UQuuaHz5_7I/AAAAAAAAEXs/cbYWnOseIhc/s1600/2012-12-15+flipflop+game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RESA_2az37c/UQuuaHz5_7I/AAAAAAAAEXs/cbYWnOseIhc/s1600/2012-12-15+flipflop+game.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>This is the little townn of Sulangan where the main atraction is the old church. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qBaHwkAiTk/UQuuT-Bf3MI/AAAAAAAAEXk/ROTPdmPuR_8/s1600/2012-12-15+Guiuan+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qBaHwkAiTk/UQuuT-Bf3MI/AAAAAAAAEXk/ROTPdmPuR_8/s1600/2012-12-15+Guiuan+church.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD__P9JYKao/UQuuhaLhSDI/AAAAAAAAEX0/OH3Ofb0AN3Q/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD__P9JYKao/UQuuhaLhSDI/AAAAAAAAEX0/OH3Ofb0AN3Q/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+church.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4S06MRMx2w/UQuul0pt3uI/AAAAAAAAEX8/6pEI-dU4fhU/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4S06MRMx2w/UQuul0pt3uI/AAAAAAAAEX8/6pEI-dU4fhU/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+2.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPD8HmyA7rY/UQuuplR-zgI/AAAAAAAAEYE/nxDCBLgZFwg/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPD8HmyA7rY/UQuuplR-zgI/AAAAAAAAEYE/nxDCBLgZFwg/s1600/2012-12-15+inside+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We spent
about an hour at the main square lined with venders’ booths offering an
assortment of souvenirs and snacks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
old church is undergoing repairs and renovation. All the people with me were
buying up bundles of little dried fish. They are so small and thin they look
like potato chips.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBpd_s-DI0s/UQuu_lWZLiI/AAAAAAAAEYk/6FtjrKbJ_qU/s1600/2012-12-15+everpresent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBpd_s-DI0s/UQuu_lWZLiI/AAAAAAAAEYk/6FtjrKbJ_qU/s1600/2012-12-15+everpresent.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all the variations of saints everywhere. This one looks like a little shepherd</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XfM0i0O2Ytk/UQuvGVNeohI/AAAAAAAAEYs/PYqSxkjZIkg/s1600/2012-12-15+sales+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XfM0i0O2Ytk/UQuvGVNeohI/AAAAAAAAEYs/PYqSxkjZIkg/s1600/2012-12-15+sales+area.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74MTCWafGEk/UQuuyq0nx5I/AAAAAAAAEYU/6I7OuC_lKQU/s1600/2012-12-15+souveniers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74MTCWafGEk/UQuuyq0nx5I/AAAAAAAAEYU/6I7OuC_lKQU/s1600/2012-12-15+souveniers.JPG" height="96" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STrIs2qdL1c/UQuvQpso2GI/AAAAAAAAEZM/lPJhxQSlOOw/s1600/2012-12-15+shell+jewlry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STrIs2qdL1c/UQuvQpso2GI/AAAAAAAAEZM/lPJhxQSlOOw/s1600/2012-12-15+shell+jewlry.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots and lots of shell jewlry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-5479767097489713092013-01-23T15:20:00.001-08:002013-01-23T15:20:32.069-08:00A Ride Home Down MainstreetLet's see if this works. I haven't tried inserting a video yet.<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/6PDf_AkJBxQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/6PDf_AkJBxQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/6PDf_AkJBxQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-1347903648290075392013-01-22T16:01:00.000-08:002013-01-22T16:01:25.774-08:00Be Careful Where You Swim
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 9, 2012</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyKne8hgnCY/UPvRjvaQWeI/AAAAAAAAETU/S-2BFBiYtZw/s1600/2012-12-9+making+river+shade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GyKne8hgnCY/UPvRjvaQWeI/AAAAAAAAETU/S-2BFBiYtZw/s1600/2012-12-9+making+river+shade.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b> </div>
This was a pleasant day to go for another swim at the river.<br />
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As usual there were many people doing laundry and bathing.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHqQj56vUwA/UPvQ77PtxCI/AAAAAAAAES8/An8pYVAfSfI/s1600/2012-12-9+laundry+bathing+time.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHqQj56vUwA/UPvQ77PtxCI/AAAAAAAAES8/An8pYVAfSfI/s1600/2012-12-9+laundry+bathing+time.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3or-OluzJg/UPvRLBexrTI/AAAAAAAAETE/01yZuzI0w6s/s1600/2012-9-8+wash+that+hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3or-OluzJg/UPvRLBexrTI/AAAAAAAAETE/01yZuzI0w6s/s1600/2012-9-8+wash+that+hair.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s a little bit disturbing watching mom combing and
picking lice out of the kids’ hair. I execute a quick exit from downstream of
that. It’s also disturbing the people leave the empty laundry soap plastic
sachets. My habit is to find a discarded plastic bag, they’re always around,
and pick up all the plastic trash along the river bank and along the road on
the way home. I’m always hoping when people see me doing this they will maybe
be more conscientious about their littering.<br />
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This woman was drying fish in the sun laid out on the rocks.
They’re very small and I don’t think they’re from the river, maybe caught in the
sea and brought here to dry as she’s doing her other domestic chores.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56Qug-_Are0/UPvQqsuz4kI/AAAAAAAAES0/sDrURTnztdY/s1600/2012-12-9+drying+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56Qug-_Are0/UPvQqsuz4kI/AAAAAAAAES0/sDrURTnztdY/s1600/2012-12-9+drying+fish.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RbryC5DwYk/UPvRVG6JjrI/AAAAAAAAETM/Cp-oirQ4V9w/s1600/2012-12-9+tiny+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RbryC5DwYk/UPvRVG6JjrI/AAAAAAAAETM/Cp-oirQ4V9w/s1600/2012-12-9+tiny+fish.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes the river is cleaner than others. Clarity while
snorkeling differs on different days. When I think about all the people who
might be using the river upstream for various things like laundry, bathing,
cleaning fish and butchered chicken as well as the caribou that laze around in
it I’m thinking the farther I go upriver for swimming the better. The only
thing is every time I’ve gone exploring there has been no end to human habitation.
Trails go off in every direction, well worn from motorcycle use. There are many
people live in the jungle in nipa huts with no running water or electricity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtrbkIEe29I/UPvRy6cXsdI/AAAAAAAAETc/KQaXjVK2B4g/s1600/2012-19-9+water+buffalo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtrbkIEe29I/UPvRy6cXsdI/AAAAAAAAETc/KQaXjVK2B4g/s1600/2012-19-9+water+buffalo.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-72175984297382383192013-01-20T02:55:00.001-08:002013-01-20T02:55:08.688-08:00Founding Day Celebration-A Long Day
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 6, 2012<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMQjVbfz8q8/UPu_hK4i0fI/AAAAAAAAEQo/ijXcJrbW14o/s1600/2012-12-6+Dennis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMQjVbfz8q8/UPu_hK4i0fI/AAAAAAAAEQo/ijXcJrbW14o/s1600/2012-12-6+Dennis.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis giving me thumbs up. He works in Solid Waste Management</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the 160<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the founding of
Inopacan. This is the day all of the frenzied preparations have been for and it
was a long day indeed. It began with a parade. I wore my new ‘Inopacan' tee-shirt and joined all the other LGU employees in the parade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My09C5BsW6M/UPu_oUKl61I/AAAAAAAAEQw/_mqBC_tkXGU/s1600/12-12-6+me+and+Anita+with+LGU+people.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My09C5BsW6M/UPu_oUKl61I/AAAAAAAAEQw/_mqBC_tkXGU/s1600/12-12-6+me+and+Anita+with+LGU+people.JPG" height="240" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is with nurses in front of the Rural Health Unit where Anita works<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9KRHLW64fA/UPu_EI6ExuI/AAAAAAAAEQA/RPGO3YItLjo/s1600/2012-12-6+Sheryl+at+Health+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9KRHLW64fA/UPu_EI6ExuI/AAAAAAAAEQA/RPGO3YItLjo/s1600/2012-12-6+Sheryl+at+Health+Center.JPG" height="240" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheryl Miraflor, the Villarubins' niece, a nurse and one of my close companions<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuwFvfiHxJ0/UPu_cKguf4I/AAAAAAAAEQg/7_GcDSLlSjo/s1600/2012-12-6+me+and+Lina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuwFvfiHxJ0/UPu_cKguf4I/AAAAAAAAEQg/7_GcDSLlSjo/s1600/2012-12-6+me+and+Lina.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lina is head of the Planning Department. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XE59IVQ7Ix0/UPu__FFZroI/AAAAAAAAERQ/WUBylbDEnuc/s1600/2012-12-6+lunch+with+mayor%2527s+wife+Sol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XE59IVQ7Ix0/UPu__FFZroI/AAAAAAAAERQ/WUBylbDEnuc/s1600/2012-12-6+lunch+with+mayor%2527s+wife+Sol.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nice smiling lady across the table from me is Sole Lamarda the mayor's wife.<br />
She's started leading Zumba at the baywalk.<br />
I thought the baloon table centerpieces were creative.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Festivities continued throughout the day including a priest
led procession throughout the building, blessing all the rooms, congratulating
speeches given by the Provincial Governor and mayor of Baybay, lunch and
evening meals for what seemed like hundreds of people with seating areas set up
throughout the new building.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeoidOw4PUw/UPu_uDwfsjI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/JEYlgl5DOe0/s1600/2012-12-6+Cito+paying+mangrove+planters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeoidOw4PUw/UPu_uDwfsjI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/JEYlgl5DOe0/s1600/2012-12-6+Cito+paying+mangrove+planters.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boss Cito writing checks for them</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEhhiFkxoaQ/UPu_zV_AvAI/AAAAAAAAERA/Chw8Qi43i14/s1600/2012-12-6+mangrove+planters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEhhiFkxoaQ/UPu_zV_AvAI/AAAAAAAAERA/Chw8Qi43i14/s1600/2012-12-6+mangrove+planters.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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In the midst of all this, all these people came to the office to be paid for their participation in planting mangroves as part of a Department of Natural Resources reforestation project.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FyWZaTR0ac/UPu_44funZI/AAAAAAAAERI/xD49CdG741s/s1600/2012-12-6+more+planters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FyWZaTR0ac/UPu_44funZI/AAAAAAAAERI/xD49CdG741s/s1600/2012-12-6+more+planters.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a very warm day. My arms were sore from fanning
myself for 15 hours straight.</div>
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I really wanted to join in the evening of dancing. I went
home to freshen up, showered, changed into party clothes and went back at 7:00
thinking the music would be starting up.</div>
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Oh no not even close. A man told the story of the history of
Inopacan, the architect gave a speech about his life and gratitude for being so
blessed, awards were given to barangays for good waste segregation practices,
different groups performed dances and a popular Filipina singer was brought in
to perform.</div>
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At 10:30 she was still singing and I was spent, went home
and collapsed with what I think was the second time I’ve suffered from heat
exhaustion.</div>
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Apparently the music and dancing started at 11:00 and went
till 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning.</div>
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Anita’s brother Menandro, we call him Menance like Dennis
the menace, runs a business providing the sound and light systems for big
events like this. It was the first time I saw the extent of his equipment. Two
huge trucks hold the banks of speakers and lighting equipment. A big air-conditioned
motor home houses the massive computerized sound and light mixing boards.
Everything is the latest state of the art and best quality. They use one of
those big lights that beams out a beam like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Gotham</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>
calling for Batman. Laser lights spelled out dancing words across the front of
the new municipal building “Inopacan’s 160<sup>th</sup> Anniversary”. </div>
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His employees are very skilled in setting up, running the
show and taking everything down and packing up. About 6:00 in the morning they
came here to eat a meal. They’d been working about 24 hours straight.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIim2HM361U/UPvAFaEUi7I/AAAAAAAAERY/zaBTo3063IM/s1600/2012-12-6+Menances%2527+sound+and+light+setup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIim2HM361U/UPvAFaEUi7I/AAAAAAAAERY/zaBTo3063IM/s1600/2012-12-6+Menances%2527+sound+and+light+setup.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menance's crew started setting up in the morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<img height="72" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My09C5BsW6M/UPu_oUKl61I/AAAAAAAAEQw/_mqBC_tkXGU/s1600/12-12-6+me+and+Anita+with+LGU+people.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 338px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 396px;" width="96" /><img height="72" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9KRHLW64fA/UPu_EI6ExuI/AAAAAAAAEQA/RPGO3YItLjo/s1600/2012-12-6+Sheryl+at+Health+Center.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 330px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 694px;" width="96" /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-My09C5BsW6M%2FUPu_oUKl61I%2FAAAAAAAAEQw%2F_mqBC_tkXGU%2Fs1600%2F12-12-6%2Bme%2Band%2BAnita%2Bwith%2BLGU%2Bpeople.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-My09C5BsW6M/UPu_oUKl61I/AAAAAAAAEQw/_mqBC_tkXGU/s1600/12-12-6+me+and+Anita+with+LGU+people.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_9KRHLW64fA%2FUPu_EI6ExuI%2FAAAAAAAAEQA%2FRPGO3YItLjo%2Fs1600%2F2012-12-6%2BSheryl%2Bat%2BHealth%2BCenter.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9KRHLW64fA/UPu_EI6ExuI/AAAAAAAAEQA/RPGO3YItLjo/s1600/2012-12-6+Sheryl+at+Health+Center.JPG" -->Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3600737108509592053.post-3904782176812409942013-01-20T01:51:00.001-08:002013-01-20T01:51:13.954-08:00Letter to Streamkeepers
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December 7, 2012
Letter to Streamkeepers<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Hi Friends,</div>
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I'm definitely ok with anything I communicate to
Streamkeepers being used and edited for the newsletter. </div>
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Today I attended yet another Integrated Coastal Management
Planning Workshop for IMFARMC (Integrated Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources Management Council) for the 5th District of Leyte. The 5th district
includes six municipalities of coastal <st1:place w:st="on">Leyte</st1:place>. <st1:place w:st="on">Leyte</st1:place> is the province (like a state) and municipalities
are like a county. The municipalities are broken into barangays which are like
barios. Or like <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> having areas such as <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wallingford</st1:place></st1:city>, Queen Anne,
University and Freemont but on a much smaller scale. At some point a muni can
have a 'city' with different government??? but I haven't got that part figured
out yet.</div>
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My <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">municipality</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Inopacan</st1:placename></st1:place> has 20
baranguys, nine coastal and 11 upland. The national gov. has relegated coastal
resource management (CRM) to the Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs). My
position is with the LGU. Each municipality is charged with developing a CRM
plan. As I said before ours is weak but at least we have one. Many don't. Many
PCVs are starting from ground zero at their sites.</div>
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We have many challenges. Today's homework is to prioritize
two project goals from our muni and get the write-up back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Visayan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>
next week so areas of focus and funding can be targeted. With municipal
resources and funding seriously lacking it's funding through the universities
that gets research, studies, assessments and recommendations done.</div>
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As in the US laws are passed at the national level such as
'municipalities will have sanitary landfills as of five years ago, ha, that is
not happening, or munis will establish 10% of their municipal waters as MPAs
and <em><b>enforce</b></em> regulations of these Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
but the national gov. provides no funding for this enforcement. Most munis have
no patrol boats or if they do they have no money for gas for the boats and the
only incentive for being an enforcer is a tee-shirt and a cut of the fine money
if they ever catch an offender and the charge actually leads to a fine being
paid. </div>
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The biggest problem and violation is commercial fishing in
municipal waters, a no no. But charges never hold up in court because of boundary
disputes. Things like political boundaries are decided by the elected
legislative body/(city council) through passing of ordinances and these people
are always looking out for votes, especially when its election time like now. I
don't quite understand why, but for some reason this is why we are having
difficulty in delineating our municipal water boundaries.</div>
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Politics are very interesting here. The same families stay
in power for decades. The provincial governor of <st1:place w:st="on">Leyte</st1:place>
is at the end of his third three year term. He can't run again. His brother is
up for election unopposed. His sister is the mayor of our neighboring muni of
Baybay and was a congress woman previously. They create dynastic power and if
they're corrupt which seems to be the case sometimes it is a bad situation. One
fellow CRM PCV from another area had a very difficult time. Her mayor owned the
commercial fishing boat that was doing illegal fishing using dynamite (destroys
the coral reefs). No body does anything about it. Everyone looks the other way.</div>
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Enforcement and support for enforcement seems to be the
going concern and at the forefront of all these management planning workshops.
The big joke at our first conference with our prospective site bosses and
counterparts was them asking if they could put us to work in CRM enforcement.
Answer: no</div>
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I would like to see us focus on monitoring, doing regular
assessments and establishing a centralized database so we can network and share
the information. </div>
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We need easy to understand visual representations, like pie
charts and graphs, we can present to fisherfolk that helps them understand the
importance and value of MPAs to their livelihoods. They may not be highly
educated but they're not stupid and they know fish populations are dwindling.
How can we tell them they can't fish here or there where they used to fish or
that we need to make the protected areas bigger without showing them why and
the proof that it is really improving their fish catch and will continue to do
so in the future?</div>
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I'll be proposing the idea of something like Streamkeepers
with volunteer fisherfolk trained to do assessments. We don't need expensive
instruments, just slates, snorkel gear and some gas for the boats. At first my
boss, Cito, asked me if the people aren't being paid what's the incentive.
After explaining the people would be those who care about the environment and
future and they would know they were doing important work providing valuable
information used in governmental decision making, he said yes, he thinks it's a
good idea we can propose. YES!</div>
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We'll see where it goes.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Valli Sanstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14643716877225970480noreply@blogger.com0