Well...Beach life....hmmm....
It's not the life for me. I'm currently in Borocay, Philippines. My first experience at the true, picture perfect beach atmosphere, white beaches, teal blue water, fruity drinks, etc.
It's been nice to experience this, but it also lets me know that I prefer the mountains. I find nothing more relaxing than just walking and walking for hours thru trees, where peace and quite are easy to feel. I love the sound of the ocean waves, but I've come to truly hate sand! Sand in my hair, stuck on my arms, legs, sand in my shoes, in my camera, ugh..... I love the way the trees protect me from the sun too!
I am still really enjoying my trip and I am learning lots about myself and about the Philippines. Though, I've decided to head back to Taiwan early. I'm tired of being in a country full of dishonest people. Everywhere I go people seem to be trying to rip me off or just get the most money out of me as possible. It gets real old, so do the shitty conditions of places to stay, food to eat, water, etc.
Living and traveling abroad and working on the Indian Reservations has made me realize how lucky Americans are and they don't know it! (once again!) I miss being able to turn on my faucet in the house and just drink the damn water out of it! I miss being able to turn the shower on and have nice warm water come out of it. People in American don't realize this, but most countries don't have these water luxuiries. Americans need to wake up and say "thank you" to the fact that water is easy for them to have, use and get.
Really...when I travel I've learned that I prefer to travel with someone. It's so much more fun to have someone to share my experience with and a shoulder to lean on. I needed to travel alone to do this for myself, to tell my kids one day that I was able to step out of my comfort box, take a risk and do something on my own, to hopefully inspire them to do it was well. But, Backpacking is a tiring affair. By the time I leave I will have traveled for about 20 days. That is enough for me. Also, if I was a male I would feel completely different. I do not feel safe traveling alone in the Philippines. I don't like the looks I get from the Pilipino men....it is scary....
Another realization is that I truly am a "homebody". My heart has spelled out for me what is important to me, one is travel, but most importantly it is being in a place where it feels like "home" where I can relax, be around good people and just take my time. What is amazing is that I feel like Yuanlin gives me this. I look forward to going back to Taiwan where I have a family of great friends waiting for me and plenty adventure around every weekend!
It's been good to step out of the Taiwan forest and be able to see all the trees in my life. I've accomplished everything I've wanted to get out of this experience and I feel successful. Stay tuned for more insights.....this trip will bring many more to my mind......
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Plastic bags
May today there be peace within. May you trust the spirit that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of hope. May you use those figts that you have recieved and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of the spirit. Let its presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of us.
This prayer was sent to me by my 6th grade teacher recently. It is the only thing keeping my soul afloat as I just spent a saddening day in Manila.
Manila is a place of extreme poverty. It is also the consumer mecca of the world. It has the Mall of Asia, as well as at least 6 other malls, tons of street markets and mass confusion everywhere. From living in Taiwan to now traveling in the Philippines, I know where all this "stuff" comes from in the world.
How is it that these malls and markets are full of people buying all kinds of "stuff", but if you look on the streets there are children sleeping on cardboard boxes, slums full of families just trying to make it thru the day, pollution fills the air, it makes me sick to breathe.
Today, I was in the middle of some crazy market and I was watching at least 10 children on a Friday afternoon, when they should be in school, selling plastic bags on the streets. Yep! Plastic bags, the kind you get at every Wal-Mart store in America! 10 pesos per bag they sell. They are filthy dirty, no shoes, ragged clothes. Why is this happening?
My heart is sickened...saddened. I realize today how in-tune I am with my surroundings. My soul feels all the vibrations in the air. I realized today that my mission in life is to try and help create equality for all children. I am not sure how I am going to do this, but I had a good education today and my eyes are now open.
Though, I officially hate Manila now, I am glad that I spent the day here to realize why I am here on this earth.
On to Borocay, to read, relax, meditate and bring clairity into my life.
I ask you all one thing....Please, when you go to the store to buy groceries, clothing, or whatever it is you want to buy, bring your own bag. Buy eliminating even one bag, we are helping the children of the world. Thanks!
This prayer was sent to me by my 6th grade teacher recently. It is the only thing keeping my soul afloat as I just spent a saddening day in Manila.
Manila is a place of extreme poverty. It is also the consumer mecca of the world. It has the Mall of Asia, as well as at least 6 other malls, tons of street markets and mass confusion everywhere. From living in Taiwan to now traveling in the Philippines, I know where all this "stuff" comes from in the world.
How is it that these malls and markets are full of people buying all kinds of "stuff", but if you look on the streets there are children sleeping on cardboard boxes, slums full of families just trying to make it thru the day, pollution fills the air, it makes me sick to breathe.
Today, I was in the middle of some crazy market and I was watching at least 10 children on a Friday afternoon, when they should be in school, selling plastic bags on the streets. Yep! Plastic bags, the kind you get at every Wal-Mart store in America! 10 pesos per bag they sell. They are filthy dirty, no shoes, ragged clothes. Why is this happening?
My heart is sickened...saddened. I realize today how in-tune I am with my surroundings. My soul feels all the vibrations in the air. I realized today that my mission in life is to try and help create equality for all children. I am not sure how I am going to do this, but I had a good education today and my eyes are now open.
Though, I officially hate Manila now, I am glad that I spent the day here to realize why I am here on this earth.
On to Borocay, to read, relax, meditate and bring clairity into my life.
I ask you all one thing....Please, when you go to the store to buy groceries, clothing, or whatever it is you want to buy, bring your own bag. Buy eliminating even one bag, we are helping the children of the world. Thanks!
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Donsol, Philippines
I just had an amazing time in Donsol, Philippines. It's one out of two places in the world where you get to swim with the whale sharks. Google them! They are absolutley huge!
When we would jump into the ocean we would be right on top of the whale. so close I could reach out and touch it. Huge mouths, with little fish hanging out of them. My anxiety was high becuase I get a bit scared in the water especially when we are looking for huge whales! When we would see them, i just stopped in total awe and amazement! Everyone else kept swimming after them ,but i was so ful of awe that I would forget to keep swimming. It was a once in a lifetime experience and now I have a bad sunburn! Yikes! I am so tan though, it 's awesome!
Now I will be spending the next two days in Manila, going shopping for clothes and waiting to head to Borocay.
The most beautiful thing about this country so far is the children. Everywehre we go they say "hello" and they want thier pictures taken. I will have lots of beautiful photos of children! Well, I have to go....I 'll write more soon!
When we would jump into the ocean we would be right on top of the whale. so close I could reach out and touch it. Huge mouths, with little fish hanging out of them. My anxiety was high becuase I get a bit scared in the water especially when we are looking for huge whales! When we would see them, i just stopped in total awe and amazement! Everyone else kept swimming after them ,but i was so ful of awe that I would forget to keep swimming. It was a once in a lifetime experience and now I have a bad sunburn! Yikes! I am so tan though, it 's awesome!
Now I will be spending the next two days in Manila, going shopping for clothes and waiting to head to Borocay.
The most beautiful thing about this country so far is the children. Everywehre we go they say "hello" and they want thier pictures taken. I will have lots of beautiful photos of children! Well, I have to go....I 'll write more soon!
Friday, 8 February 2008
Banaue to Bontoc
Wow! I've already been to many places. It's amazing...but what is most amazing is that I believe someone was looking our for me while I was here. I think my Gramma Sahm sent me a guardian angel.
In the Manila bus station I met my traveling partner. He is a nice German guy named Kai. We have been headed in the same direction most of the time and we are good at traveling together. He is always getting the best prices and teaching me the ways to travel. It is very, very awesome! The Germans, they know where it is at!
So, the first place we headed was Banaue, home to the famous rice terraces, the 8th wonder of the world. The guide book said that the rice terraces in Batad were better, so we hiked up a mountain for 2 hours and then walked into town. Batad has barely any electricty, no hot water and the only way in is to walk. It was so awesome! We traversed through the rice terraces all day, saw a big waterfall and enjoyed talking with the local people. We stayed at Rita's. Rita is a very old, Ifuago Native of Batad. I had a beautiful evening with her. She told me all about her life and she taught me how to prepare the rice for the grinding. So we talked about life and shredded a bundle of rice together. I loved looking at her old hands, rugged feet, her smile with no front teeth and imagining what a hard life she has had. It has been the best part of my travles so far.
Then we woke up early the next morning and headed to Banaue. We walked out of Batad at 6 AM, up the beautiful mountain. THere is nothing better than waking up in the morning and the first thing you get to do is hike in the mountains! After walking almost two hours out, we hopped on top of a jeepeny and made our way back to Banaue. Then we hopped a bus to Bontoc on our way to Sagada.
Transportation is absolutely crazy here. The main mode is jeepeny. Google Image a jeepney, there is no way to describe them!
So, we took a beautiful bus ride through the mountains, with rice terraces everywhere. It reminded me a bit of Colorado! On the crowded bus we met up with 3 Spanish girls and we had a good talk with them. They were also headed to Sagada. So all 5 of us headed to Sagada on top of the Jeepney. I felt so free and full of life!
Sagad was a nice little mountain tomb, where we went hiking to see 500 year old coffins. It was pretty interesting...the landscape is the most amazing.
Now Kai and I are headed back to Manila. Manila is kinda of the hub. We half to go there to get other places. So we are waiting in Bontoc for a 12 hour bus ride to Manila. We just had a wonderful lunch of bread and a can of sardines next to the dirtiest river ever! But, there were beautiful kids swimming butt naked in the river with the cattle and they happily posed for camera shots. Then some more kids came by us, they are so interested in us and we did a huge photo shoot with them! They are so wonderful. This has been the second highlight of my trip, it makes me realize that I truly love kids!
So, onward ho to Manila. We may either go to a volcanoe tomorrow or just head down to the beach to swim with whale sharks. I will let you know how it all goes. Miss you all!
In the Manila bus station I met my traveling partner. He is a nice German guy named Kai. We have been headed in the same direction most of the time and we are good at traveling together. He is always getting the best prices and teaching me the ways to travel. It is very, very awesome! The Germans, they know where it is at!
So, the first place we headed was Banaue, home to the famous rice terraces, the 8th wonder of the world. The guide book said that the rice terraces in Batad were better, so we hiked up a mountain for 2 hours and then walked into town. Batad has barely any electricty, no hot water and the only way in is to walk. It was so awesome! We traversed through the rice terraces all day, saw a big waterfall and enjoyed talking with the local people. We stayed at Rita's. Rita is a very old, Ifuago Native of Batad. I had a beautiful evening with her. She told me all about her life and she taught me how to prepare the rice for the grinding. So we talked about life and shredded a bundle of rice together. I loved looking at her old hands, rugged feet, her smile with no front teeth and imagining what a hard life she has had. It has been the best part of my travles so far.
Then we woke up early the next morning and headed to Banaue. We walked out of Batad at 6 AM, up the beautiful mountain. THere is nothing better than waking up in the morning and the first thing you get to do is hike in the mountains! After walking almost two hours out, we hopped on top of a jeepeny and made our way back to Banaue. Then we hopped a bus to Bontoc on our way to Sagada.
Transportation is absolutely crazy here. The main mode is jeepeny. Google Image a jeepney, there is no way to describe them!
So, we took a beautiful bus ride through the mountains, with rice terraces everywhere. It reminded me a bit of Colorado! On the crowded bus we met up with 3 Spanish girls and we had a good talk with them. They were also headed to Sagada. So all 5 of us headed to Sagada on top of the Jeepney. I felt so free and full of life!
Sagad was a nice little mountain tomb, where we went hiking to see 500 year old coffins. It was pretty interesting...the landscape is the most amazing.
Now Kai and I are headed back to Manila. Manila is kinda of the hub. We half to go there to get other places. So we are waiting in Bontoc for a 12 hour bus ride to Manila. We just had a wonderful lunch of bread and a can of sardines next to the dirtiest river ever! But, there were beautiful kids swimming butt naked in the river with the cattle and they happily posed for camera shots. Then some more kids came by us, they are so interested in us and we did a huge photo shoot with them! They are so wonderful. This has been the second highlight of my trip, it makes me realize that I truly love kids!
So, onward ho to Manila. We may either go to a volcanoe tomorrow or just head down to the beach to swim with whale sharks. I will let you know how it all goes. Miss you all!
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Manilahh!
Wow! I'm here! I'm not quite sure what to think. I'm just trying to take it easy and once again, adjust to culture shock.
Manila is reminding me of what I picture a "spanish harlem" to look like. Colorful, lots of people, cars, jeepneys, dirtyness all mixed in together with KFC's, McDonald's and of course 7-11's.
Being here makes me once again feel like a wealthy westerner. I've been the only non-fillipino person at the bus station all day.
The people are absolutely beautiful! Beautiful skin, hair, smiles. . .hard working people.
It's 90 degrees here today and I am loving the heat and sunshine. Taiwan has been cold, damp and gray....only a couple more hours and I will be headed to my first destination, Banaue.
Stay tuned....
Manila is reminding me of what I picture a "spanish harlem" to look like. Colorful, lots of people, cars, jeepneys, dirtyness all mixed in together with KFC's, McDonald's and of course 7-11's.
Being here makes me once again feel like a wealthy westerner. I've been the only non-fillipino person at the bus station all day.
The people are absolutely beautiful! Beautiful skin, hair, smiles. . .hard working people.
It's 90 degrees here today and I am loving the heat and sunshine. Taiwan has been cold, damp and gray....only a couple more hours and I will be headed to my first destination, Banaue.
Stay tuned....
Monday, 14 January 2008
Life has been a blur for me these past six months. I really have had no control over what is coming in and going out in my life. I am living in oblivion. Which tends to be real nice for a while. But as I was laying in bed tonight finsihing a movie, I had a huge awakening. Where have I been? What have I been doing? My life has been going so fast I can't see it!
I'm idling, but I'm not. Taiwan is confusing me. I am not sure what to think at the moment. The craziness of life here cannot be explained, only experienced, thru a hands on approach. The hum of the scooters, the grey of the pollution, the way the Tao rainbow dragon lights up the eyes. The Asian mist has a way of encompassing a soul and holding onto it with a tight grip. It begins to squeeze the life out of it and then reprieves us with it's beauty.
Asia is a strong woman, with a big heart. She tries to impress our souls with all of her mysterious allures of temples, buddahs, mountains and freedom. It's not hard to get sucked into her world.
I've been so caught up in it and feel that I am ready to leave. But her hold is so mighty, that if I leave, I will be scared. No one will understand me. No one will understand what I have been through. I may be more alone than if I choose to stay.
Somehow I've changed. Taiwan has brought me into a new circle of life that I have yet to understand. I am looking, searching and trying to see, but the haze is blinding my vision. Hopefully tomorrow, Asia will be generous and bring a breeze to clear my mind.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Election Weekend
Wow! Elections in Taiwan! What an experience! Tomorrow the Taiwanese
will vote for their next president. It is very different than how things are done
in the states.
All day, supporters have been driving around in trucks and cars with loud
horns on them. Projecting from these automobiles is obnoxious Chinese
voices
telling us all who to vote for. It is noise pollution to the 100th degree!
Then in the middle of big interesections they stop traffic to light off firecrackers
by the brick full, bottle rockets, big fireworks, like we would see on the fouth of
July and parades of lights and flags of all the candidates! It is total craziness!
The Taiwanese would have it no other way! Why is this the craziest place I have even been? Why do they not understand what noise violations are? Why do the work and work and work, get taken advantage of by their employers and put up with this? I cannot understand it! All I can say is that it is "fong quang" which in Chinese means "Crazy!"
I have been living here for 6 months now. This picture I took last Sunday. It was the first time I ever saw this many mountains outside of my town. I never knew they existed. They are always covered by pollution. It is the Taiwan beauty hidden behind a culture that is struggling to emerge into the 21st century.
Craziness!
will vote for their next president. It is very different than how things are done
in the states.
All day, supporters have been driving around in trucks and cars with loud
horns on them. Projecting from these automobiles is obnoxious Chinese
voices
telling us all who to vote for. It is noise pollution to the 100th degree!Then in the middle of big interesections they stop traffic to light off firecrackers
by the brick full, bottle rockets, big fireworks, like we would see on the fouth of
July and parades of lights and flags of all the candidates! It is total craziness!
The Taiwanese would have it no other way! Why is this the craziest place I have even been? Why do they not understand what noise violations are? Why do the work and work and work, get taken advantage of by their employers and put up with this? I cannot understand it! All I can say is that it is "fong quang" which in Chinese means "Crazy!"
I have been living here for 6 months now. This picture I took last Sunday. It was the first time I ever saw this many mountains outside of my town. I never knew they existed. They are always covered by pollution. It is the Taiwan beauty hidden behind a culture that is struggling to emerge into the 21st century.
Craziness!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)