Thrilla in Manila

Finally, my passport has new stamps in it. I have not used it since I traveled to Italy in 2005 with my high school. I had the opportunity to visit the Philippines at the end of April. All these months I have been talking to Jacob and I began to want to see the land he so inherently loved. As I voiced this desire to my dear friend and roommate, she at first told me I was crazy but then through her magical sources she was able to find me a buddy pass through her pilot brother-in-law.

I began my journey by flying to Seattle, where I was able to visit with my uncle and his family for a night. Then from Seattle I flew to Japan and then on to Manila. After exiting the terminal I figured it would be easy to spot a tall white American in Manila but it was actually a bit tricky. There were two exits from the terminal where people could meet with their friends/family. I went out one exit only to find myself wandering through a fenced off, dark, urine smelling, and densely populated area. I was not in Kansas anymore. I stood out as a tall white American girl. I searched endlessly through this crowd to spot Jacob. But there was no such luck spotting him. So I went back to the terminal and tried to call Jacob. Then a text popped up from him saying he was through the other exit I had not taken. So then I was able to quickly find him. That was the only time on the whole trip I found myself scared. I was proud of myself. I can be such a wimp sometimes.

We started our trip in Manila where we visited with Jacob’s friend Claire. She is super sweet! She made us this Mango Float (like a mango cake) for breakfast. It was tasty!

We then traveled to another city, San Fernando where a crucifixion ceremony was being held in honor of Holy Week. We took a taxi to a charter bus a jeepne to the central part of the city then we walked to site. As we walked there were people who were flogging themselves this whip like things. They were hitting their bare backs so blood droplets splattered everywhere. I received a drop to the neck, which was quickly removed. Yuck!

The city was quaint yet very lively. There were tons of cute kids who were super friendly to me. I drank a halo-halo, which is a delicious iced coconut fruit drink. Jacob and I purchased matching hats to keep us cool. It was soo freaking hot.

While waiting for the ceremony to start I began to feel a bit dazed by the heat. Jacob found us a bus to cool off on. The last thing I wanted to do was to pass out in the middle of crowded ceremony. So three men volunteered to participate in a processional and then be pinned to a cross. One of the men had his hands nailed to the cross, while the other two men were tied to the cross with ropes. It was quite difficult to watch. I made Christ’s sacrifice for us seem very real. I have to commend these guys for their faith but it also made me feel so bad that they were going to such great lengths to demonstrate their faith.

After the crucifixion event (never a sentence I thought I would say) we went back to Manila. After another night in Manila we went to another island called Camotes. This island was suppose to be incredible quite and secluded but since it was holy week it was like SPRING BREAK CAMOTES! It was really funny. There were tons of people at the beach and all night concert happening next to the little joint we were staying at. The ocean was beautiful though. I ate lots of yummy fish here. We were able to go to church on the island too. I also learned to use toilets, Filipino style, on Camotes. That was an adventure. We roasted pigs with some neighbors next to the hotel too. After a few days at Camotes we set sail to Cebu. We took a boat back to Manila and then flew to Cebu.

I was super pumped to see Cebu, which is where Jacob lives. The city was wonderful! I really loved Cebu. It seemed more navigable, newer and cleaner. We ate super yummy food. I loved this adobo we ate at this little place around the block from Jacob’s work. We got massages, foot massages and facials for super cheap. It was also nice to meet Jacob’s coworkers and just see all the places he talks about. Best of all he took me to this gorgeous restaurant. We ate ourselves silly with cheeses, pizza, lamb, and dessert. It was a great surprise!

After a few days in Cebu it was time for me to go back home. I flew from Cebu to Manila then Manila to Japan. Since I was flying on a buddy pass I was only able to fly on flights when there was enough space for me. So I ended up having to stay the night in Japan one night because all the flights were full. I stayed in an hotel and met some cool Americans. I was finally able to get out of Japan the next day. I flew to Hawaii where I spent the day with Demelza and Craig. I was so happy to be home in America. I missed our toilets. I also missed being able to blend into crowds, I definitely stood out in Philippines, people would stare at me a lot which starts to make you feel a bit awkward. The trip was an incredible adventure that was fun and interesting. I had no idea what to expect, but it was awesome! It will be nice to have Jacob back in the old USofA later this month. Then we will just have to have a normal relationship without all the crazy trips.