Starting to turn the lights out

As my driver from the Sykes call center drove me home tonight, I was taking in the nighttime sights of Manila and reflecting on my trip. While sitting at a traffic light around the corner from my hotel I notice the shadow of a man sitting on a barricade. As we make the turn and our headlights fall upon him, I see that he is an armed security guard on watch. This will be my last night of armed guards sitting in the shadows of every corner.

Today has been a nice relaxing day. Jollie, Ron, and another girl from the Dominoes account – Nestle (I believe) picked me up. We went to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. It is a beautiful military cemetery and eternal resting place for over 17,ooo who lost their lives during WWII – mostly in New Guinea, the Philippines, and other areas of the Southwest & Central Pacific .

It is the largest in area of cemeteries built and
administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and the largest number
of graves and of those Missing who are recorded upon the walls of the
memorial. Most of them lost their lives in the epic defense of the
Philippines and East Indies in 1941 and 1942 or in the long but victorious
return of the American forces through the vast island chain. The cemetery and
memorial was completed in 1960. And the cemetery was dedicated on December 8,
1960.
http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ml_pict.pdf

This document contains detailed information on the design of the cemetery, various inscriptions, and details of each of the battle maps that were at the ends of the semi-circles. It was truly a beautiful and serene place. The walls contain the names of those who’s remains are not identified. However, several now have a brass flower brad before their name when they have been identified. I get the DOD e mails at work that contain General Officer recognition, installation of new vessels, and those who have died in the fight for freedom in the Middle East. Occasionally there is an e mail titled “Missing airman/soldier identified” and they are from Korean, Vietnam, or WWII. So those e mails will have a little more meaning knowing their name will soon have a brass flower and having a proper burial for their families. It was interesting looking at the ranks and jobs of those on the walls. There was no consistent duty that was listed. Everything from Machinist, Boatswain, and Seaman to Infantry, Yeoman, AVN Radioman, and even Weather RCN and Pharmacist’s Mate. There is even one listed as “Storekeeper”. No one was above the other.
The cemetery is kept in beautiful shape. While we were there a staff was out hand washing the white marble crosses. Other crews were meticulously tending to the grass while others tended to flowers, trees, and shrubs. At 10am the bell tower chimed announcing the top of the hour to those visiting.

We met up with some of the other team captains from the Telus call center along with Anna who is over the account. It was nice to get to spend a little more time with them. The past two evenings I have been at other centers training them on an application they are to launch next week. And honestly I missed seeing my new friends at Telus! So this morning was special to me. Now I am back in my hotel watching the tremendous rainstorm going on. I used to be able to see the buildings across the way, but it is a white sheet outside and the roads look like they are flooding over. I’ve just got to finish packing and then off to my back massage and foot reflexology at 5. I’m uploading the last of my pictures. So be sure to check them out! I did go back to the grocery store and found the powdered milk aisle. (I’m making a yuckie face) So that album will show up below – along with the photos around the hotel.

Here is my flight information –
Manila (MNL) – Seoul South Korea (ICH)
12:30 am – 5:20 am
Korean Air Flight 0624

Seoul – Atlanta
10:00 am – 10:50 am
Korean Air Flight 0035
(nice.. that is a LONG 50 minute flight)

Atlanta – Charlotte
2:45pm – 3:54pm
Delta Flight 1506

Hehehe a fire truck just drove by and there were 2 people sitting on top of the truck! How funny!!!!

I need to finish packing so I will be nice and relaxed after my spa stuff! J Today is bittersweet – I am looking forward to going home but sad to leave my new friends. I do hope I will have the chance to come back and work. But now, it is time to get back to work and classes. I had to abandon one of my classes due to being out here. I haven’t been able to get in to see what I ended up with in Statistics – should be an A. So I will be taking the Leadership class in the fall. And apparently there are rumors that there will be a graduation in December! One of Justin’s professors told him of this.. I will keep you posted. One can hope!!!!!!!! I will be in FL starting the 9th and returning to NC on the 19th. I am there for both work and time off. I get to meet my new nephew Zach on the 9th and will be staying with him and two of my best friends Kim & Clay. Spend time with my work team during the week and then off with the family through the 19th. Miss everyone and I will see some of you soon.

New Album
Manila American Cemetery
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/ManilaAmericanCemeteryAndMemorial

Updated Albums
Around the hotel
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/AdditionalPicturesAroundTheHotel

Grocery Store
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/TripToTheLocalGroceryStore

Pictures from the Call center
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PicturesFromTheCallCenter

New Photo Albums

Here are some albums to check out -

Updated with some other pictures at the hotel - The person doing the carving of fruits and vegetables is incredible!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/AdditionalPicturesAroundTheHotel

Pictures from the call center - this one will be updated more after tonight. It is my last night with the folks at Telus, so I am sure many pictures will be taken!
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/PicturesFromTheCallCenter

From Sunday at Hard Rock & Mall of Asia. This album goes along with my last post -
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/MallOfAsiaHardRock

How to control curly & super frizzie hair in 200% humidity

Yeah, I have no clue. But a pony tail seems to be the answer!

My sleep schedule is still crazy and this weekend I have probably made it even worse! I slept ALL DAY Saturday. And I do mean all day. Got off work at 8:30am and came back to the hotel… dropped off stuff and had breakfast. The usual routine. I checked e mail and IM’d with a few friends before crashing about 11am. I didn’t wake up until after 7:30pm. Watched a movie, went downstairs for a quick dinner at Circles, came back up and fell asleep again a little after 11pm. I didn’t wake up till 5:30am!!!!!! That’s a lot of sleeping!!

Sunday I had the hotel transportation service take me to Mall of Asia. Figure why not, nothing else to do. And it has been raining all day. From the looks of the radar, we were getting bands from Typhoon Igme that was WAY TO OUR NORTH (don’t freak out, it’s not going to hit me) It is about to hit Taiwan. But just like when a hurricane is going to hit South FL, how we can get some of the outer rain bands at home… the same thing here. This is just rain showers with a little wind. I promise!! http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ if you don’t believe me
The MoA as it is called, is well, just a big mall. I couldn’t find Hooters (Sorry Dave & Matt) so no pictures or t-shirts for you. I did look!!!! Honestly, I wasn’t that impressed with the mall; or maybe I wasn’t in the shopping mood. Who knows. But I got a few things and called the hotel about 4 hours later to come pick me up. It was still drizzling – so I grabbed the complimentary umbrella from my room and headed out again. Hard Rock for lunch sounded good. Usually good music, not so bad food, fun atmosphere, all that fun stuff. Yeah, at 4pm though – it is dead. HAHA Oh well. Food was, eh, okay. Certainly nothing to get excited about. The root beer was flat – and when I asked him to change me to a Sprite, he said they can’t do that it is a different order. WHAT!?!? Fine, bring me another flat root beer. I’m not drinking tap water.

Something I did want to comment on was with the street peddlers. Now I have told you about them selling things, okay that is fine. But today was a whole different level. When the hotel taxi was bringing me back, we had stopped at a light. A young girl was pulling this older lady along who did not have her eyes open and they were holding a can to collect money. I watched her drag this old woman around from car to car waiting for them to roll down the window and hand them money. I thought how horrible to use that as a ploy!! But when I got back to my hotel, I was looking out the window and saw it going on at the corner below me. And I counted 6 of them at one time!!!! Two sets on two of the streets and one on each of the other streets. I couldn’t believe it! So Nana & Mommom – next time I am in town, we’ll go pull you through the street asking for money. No, I am kidding. I would NEVER do such a thing!!

Came home and called my Aunt’s house. Congratulations again to Mike & Kindra. I hope your celebration at the house was fun and memorable. Yeah, Kindra, sorry there was no ‘Rollin on the River’ across the backyard. J I hope to see you guys when I am home in a couple weeks.

I feel horrible because I passed out early last night – last thing I remember is 7:05pm – and work up just before 5 this morning. However I have 3 text messages and 3 missed calls from Aimee about Jollie picking me up last night. I hadn’t heard back from her Saturday/Sunday and didn’t think we were going to be able to do anything. I just send Aimee a text apologizing that I had fallen asleep. Apparently I was tired because I slept a crazy amount this weekend!

Well, tonight I actually get to teach. I’ll be teaching the post paid work group an application called CTI (those Alltel people who are reading this know what I’m talking about). However – it is not complicated so I am trying to figure out how to fill the time!!! Maybe I can pull in some calls to show it in action. The computer based training part they take is only 10 minutes. And there isn’t a training environment for them to use. So, I am not sure how this is going to work. Especially given when I teach it back home, it takes like 30 minutes!!! Hmmmm I’ll figure something out.

I’m looking forward to coming home. The Philippines has been nice and opened my eyes to a lot of things I would never have experienced back in the States. I will miss my bed being turned down, laundry done & pressed for me, being driven everywhere, and greeted by 8 – 10 people saying “good morning” or “Good evening ma’am”.

Miss everyone and I will see you soon!

The sight was almost a Corona commercial

I am slacking, yet again, on my journal. Sorry about that! I still need to tell you of the trip to Boracay. Hopefully you looked at the pictures and saw my future husband. (AHHAHA KIDDING!) It was a nice relaxing couple of days down on the island. My brother commented on one pic asking where my Corona was. I wish! Needed that with a couple of limes. It was so hot that I would have even had a few Coronas!!! And ya'll know I don't like beer.

The trip was certainly an adventure. That airline..... o h m y .... is all I can say. Honestly we were both a bit nervous. There is justification behind the joke "Leave Asia and come back a Spirit". The domestic airport is very small and fairly unorganized. Not much for air conditioning, but there are massive fans all around. One man sitting next to us had just returned from Boracay and said it was a rough flight... greeaaaattt... Another small group of four came and sat in front of the fan which would be blowing on us. We decided to move. Two of the men were huge, both height and width, and so sweaty that they looked like they had been standing in the rain. Honestly, I wanted to get a picture (imagine that huh?) So, we scooted to another seating area cause we did not want to be downwind. Finally... Melissa was able to hear through the accent and say hey, we're boarding. I kept looking at her saying how did you understand that!! Oh well, she could have been speaking Tagalog for all I know! But the plane... was little. It was a Dash 7. And as we walked up to our little 4 prop plane we notice the left tire is low in air. Enough that it is flat along the ground - almost the entire diameter! So, terrified/paranoid me said something to the flight attendant. "Ummm the tire is flat!" She peeks out the window (which is all scratched up and not real clear - as you can see by my pictures) and says "No, it's fine". And she watched me like a hawk the whole flight. That was one loud & very bumpy flight. I guess when your flight is $107 it's likely to be interesting. But one person told me the dash planes were retired from most of the US fleets a while ago and when they are retired, they are sold to other countries. Apparently they don't do anything aside from duct tape them up and put them in the air. I wonder if they have some FAA safety regulations... hmmmm (joking - they have to have something)
Thankfully Mel had already arranged our ground transport before we left. That could have been a bit chaotic! Had to take a van (many others took those fun trike mopeds or piled in a jeepney) to the boat which would take us to Boracay Island. We landed on Caticlan. OH, I forgot to tell you about the Caticlan airport - hahhahaa yeah, it was a single runway, that is not designed to have lights, and an airport that is smaller than Key West, if that is possible!! But there is a picture of the landing strip/runway from the air. hehehee So the boat across and look for another man in yellow who knows we are coming. Granted, he spots us before we see him. (We kinda stand out from the rest of the crowd) Now we have a jeepney type transportation that will take us to the "resort". No one else is in the back of the truck with us. So that is as close to riding in a jeepney as I will come. The ride there took us again through rather poor areas. And to think this was an undiscovered island until the 70's!! I think much of it is still in the 1950's.
Our resort is nice, nothing overboard. Simple and quiet. We were in the beach front room. So we dropped our stuff, put the flip flops away for the weekend, grabbed the cameras and went wandering.

The sand lived up to everyone's description - white and powdery. When wet it felt like you were standing on soft wet blankets. The water was warm, crystal clear, and had very little wave action. There are more waves in the Gulf of Mexico on a calm day than here. The shore is scattered with palm trees and unfortunately, peddlers wanting to sell you everything from sailing excursions, sunglasses, seafood, and pearls to carvings on wood. Even the kids are selling cut fruit in plastic bags! Or they just walk up to you and say "Donation ma'am". Cute kid, but really... On our walk we were joined by two guys who invited us to a party with them that evening. I have no idea what their names were but they were from Israel. One of them was sporting a serious uni-brow and the other was quite hairy. We’ll see! Hehehehee

We went to Discovery Sands and had lunch – and this is where we would eat several of our meals. And we met Greg, our waiter, who Mel thought would be a cute match up for me. HAHA She already had the phone conversation planned back to my mom and dad. "Hi Mrs. & Mr. Rotundo. Denise has met a local Boracay guy who lives with his brother, has a nice smile, a great tan and a job. Granted he doesn't make very much money and we're not sure how he will support Denise, but I'm sure she can sell things too."

After our wandering around, we decided to head back to the chairs at our “resort” and soak up some of the rays. But first.. when looking at crystal blue water and sitting on a beach, it is a requirement to have a frozen fruity umbrella drink in hand! So, we hit the outside bar about 100 feet from the chairs… and ask for him to make up a frozen fruity concoction that will allow us to say “Alak pa!” (more booze) Well, it was frozen and fruity.. but… missing the alak pa part. Oh well. The sun was hot, the drink was refreshing, and the salty water was calling my name.

The sunset Saturday evening was beautiful. While watching the sun sinking into the water there were kids poking into the sand and digging holes all over the beach pulling worms out. We aren’t sure why or what kind they were, but they were gross! We called an early night and didn’t go to the party.

Sunday was spent on the beach pretty much all day. Mel did break the base of the beach umbrella when trying to change the angle as the sun moved. She is the Princess of Power. HAHA OOPS! Greg came down to our resort that afternoon just as I was headed into the water. I hope he didn’t think I was rude in not standing around and chatting. Later that evening we decided to try something else for dinner and headed out. As the rain started to fall, we found Aria which was recommended to us by one of the managers at the call center. It was a little Italian type place – we saw pizza and realized that we could do this place!! The rains started harder and we were glad to be under the tarps and umbrellas for dinner. However, the little coffee shop across the way lost power and we watched them try to figure out what happened and how to resolve it. Yeah, I don’t think everyone has seen the warning “Do not use electrical cords in the rain” because they were going to use this solution had it actually worked. THANK GOODNESS it didn’t!!! The rain stopped enough for us to see a sunset that topped Saturday night. All shades of purples, pinks, and oranges danced across the sky getting deeper as the sun dropped lower in the sky. The rain couldn’t decide what it wanted to do and was off and on through the evening. It stopped for a little bit and we wandered around through more shops bargaining for things and even running into Greg again. This time he asked if we had boyfriends. Melissa is married, so that was a quick answer for her. I told him yes I was dating someone too. Hahaha well…

Monday was our last day on the island. We had to leave for the airport around 3. So we were sure to soak up the sun before having to put our shoes on. A local school came to the resort next to ours for a small field day. They were so cute to watch. We’re not sure if the lady who was in charge was Australian or from New Zealand but they were fun to watch. Wheelbarrow, spoon and golf ball, potato sac races were all part of the games on Day 1. As they left she told us they would be back the next afternoon for more games. We thanked her for allowing us to watch and snap pictures but that we were leaving that afternoon. The trip home was uneventful. Well, the plane rattled a little more on the way back to Manila. And when the air was pumped into the plane, you could see it coming out of the vent as a white smoke. That was “The Spirit” and we were telling it today isn’t our day. It was a LONG night at work Monday night/Tuesday morning. Everyone was saying as we came in “Ohhh you’re.. ummm.. tan!” Yeah, how about sun burned! But it was worth it.

If you haven't seen the pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/BoracayTrip

Don't forget your sunscreen and drink koozie!

Some how the salty air just soothes her soul

Last weekend Melissa and I went to Boracay. It was beautiful! I need to get some sleep now, but I promise I will post about the trip very soon! I have pictures up - so check those out. And a warning for some of the guys in my life (family, friends, maybe even co-worker) you may get a bathing suit like one seen in the pictures. hehehehehehe He was certianly getting second glances and was a popular photograph.

http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/BoracayTrip

Expatriated American

Down to the Banana Republic

Down to the tropical sun

Go the expatriated Americans

Hoping to find some fun

-- Jimmy Buffett Banana Republics

Grumble grumble grumble.. Okay, I had a great post and accidentally hit a button and lost it all. :( I will see what I can do to somewhat recreate it.

The past few days my mind has been running and I cannot belive that the sun is setting on my time here in Manila. I am the last one from our little group who is left. Melissa left this morning for the States and I will do the same on Aug 1.

Some of you may not know what I have been doing while here. Honestly I feel like it hasn't been much - I have been observing and assisting reps while they are taking calls. I haven't done much teaching at all. Tomrorow I will run a conference call and next week I am conducting 4-hour classes at the 3 centers. But here is a typical day for me (yesterday/today actually)

• Up at 7:30pm to be downstairs by 10pm. I am greeted by many Shangri-La staff members "Good evening Ma'am". The driver picks me up and takes me to Market Market. This is a large 5 story mall where the call center occupies 3 floors of one of the wings. The training rooms are on the 4th floor and production floor is on the 5th.
• Before going up to the call center, I go to Starbucks where two sweet guys, Brian and Phillip, greet me with laughter and smiles. They are sad to see that I am alone tonight. Pam left a couple weeks ago, Russell last week.. and Melissa left last night. So it is just me. But we chatted for a few minutes and I learned that Brian is well traveled and is a chef! Said he loves to cook. I sign the receipts, gather my things, and start my maze up to the call center. But as I leave, Brian and Phillip say "Good night Miss Denise! Have a wonderful shift and we will see you tomorrow!" I return the salutations and head on my way.
• Once I get to the 5th floor, the men in white security jackets greet me and hold the doors "Good evening Boss." Now I am not going to lie - this one I have not been able to get used to. Some seem to enjoy being called boss, but I am simply working on a project with them to accomplish a common goal.
• Ahhh Magandang Umaga! Magandang Gabi! Good morning! Good evening! Regardless I still cannot get that ng sound out and say magandang correctly!!! Leo & Ron's teams are ready to go. They wave and smile as I come in. The prepaid reps always seem to be smiling and appear to have a good time. Looking over at the other side of the building the postpaid reps don't seem to be as lively. The shifts are staggered and come in anywhere from 9pm - 1am and get off at 6am - 10am respectfully.
• 3am is when I generally meet up with the trainers, Cha and Aleck, for "lunch". Unforutnately the only options are Red Ribbon or McDonald's. I am tired of McD's and my stomach chastises me daily for my small cheeseburger/small fries and sprite. Oh yeah, and a McFlurry too. Cha and Aleck are super nice and very funny. Aleck is picked on because she is a neat freak - so much that she has the garbage from her lunch folded and set on her tray in 90 degree angles and equally balanced.
• 8:30am I head downstairs to meet up with the driver and we begin our 5 mile drive which takes about a half hour. Gotta love traffic. There is one particularly busy corner where busses converge with jeepneys and motocycles renting the "seat" on the back moving the locals. The street guys sell a variety of random things - lately it has been the Groucho Marx glasses, fuzzy dice, cell phone chargers, shell necklaces, and feather dusters. I wasn't kidding when I said random!! They are not shy and come right up to the window - sometimes you have to knock twice on the window to get through to them. Simply shaking your head no doesn't work.
• Back at the hotel, my door is opened and about 7 or 8 people greet me with "Good morning ma'am!" Certianly makes your morning when hearing it and returning the greeting. It's time for breakfast (well, dinner for us) and after about an hour head back to the room. I've got a couple hours to relax, shop, hit the gym, do homework before bedtime at 1 and getting up at 7:30 to start it all over again. Not much time for sight seeing.

The man sitting at the table next to me during breakfast is from Texas. He too is here to work with a call center client supporting his company, Dell. He has been here a few weeks and is happy to leaves tonight to go home. We chatted for a bit about some of the funny things we have seen while here and he was comparing their other outsourced call center in Panama.

This afternoon I did a little shopping at the Glorietta across the street and found myself lost in a bookstore. There is something comforting about a bookstore - the smells, sounds of jazz music, and the opportunity to get lost in a place that may or may not exist. Here bookstores have their books sealed in plastic. I am not sure if this is to keep customers from reading and thumbing through them in the store or if it is to keep the books from curling in the humidity.

I have enjoyed my time on this trip, but I miss home. I realized during my walk back from the mall that I have become comfortable here. I have learned a few Tagalog words and when I hear people talking I can pick out some words - yet not enough to piece together their conversation. The people are very nice but the polution is miserable. The smog. Ugh. You feel it on your skin after being outside for a while. But as I was walking back, I passed many security guards standing post along the street. Some holding leashes to their guard dogs and others with guns strapped around their chest. I did not flinch at the sights and it did not even phase me until I was almost at my hotel. It was only a few weeks ago that I was amazed at this very sight and shocked how even a small child was not distracted by this and how I could not imagine growing up and these images considered normal.

There is a book I want to get. "Lost Horizon". Quotes from the book are on all the toiletries in the hotel becuase it has to do something with Shangri-La. I doubt the actual hotel, but this book may have been the inspiration for the corporation.

Tomorrow Jollie and I are going to Greenhills. I still have a few things to buy before coming home. (Let's hope customs doesn't question too much! HAHA) We are leaving from the call center in the morning. I am both eager to get home and sad to leave the new friends I have made here. But I think she is getting a bunch of people together sometime this weekend to go out. I won't be trying any of the foods Leo & others are telling me about. Congealed pigs blood cut into squares completely grosses me out!

Sweet dreams and hugs to all

Spending those renegade pesos

On a bottle of rum & a lime

Singing, 'give me some words I can dance to

Or a melody that rhymes'

Delilah after Dark

So many of you know the cheesy radio show called "Delilah"... people tell this random woman a sappy story and she chooses some song that is supposed to be reflective of their story - which generally has nothing to do with anything. Well, Melissa and I laugh because as we are driven around or anywhere that pipes in music it is always sappy cheesy soft rock/adult contemporary music from the 70s/80s and 90s. It's hilarious. It's a guarantee that you will hear Roberta Flack's "Killing me Softly" when out in public, though not always by her! hehehehe In fact, one of the radio stations here is 90.7 Love Radio. They love their American soft pop. hehehe

Today is a horrible smog day. It's only 10am and it is a yellowish-grey color out. You can't see buildings that are too far away. With the living conditions and health conditions as I have seen.. plus the amount of food and fried food they eat, it lead me to wonder about life expectancy and things like that about the people of this country. So, I googled it. (I love google) Shockingly, it is 71 years old!! Would not have thought that at all! The UNICEF site indicates this country at a 93 for adult literacy!

It's hard to believe that I am half way through this trip. It is going by fast. Melissa and I leave in the morning (umm, Saturday morning here) for Boracay. We are on Asian Spirit leaving at 9 something in the morning and will leave there at 5pm on Monday to come back. So, lots of beach time!!! I am currently charging iPod and camera batteries. I do plan on spend my nights with the sunset, taste the salty air on my lips, and squish the sand between my toes... :) Maybe even find my hemisphere dancer boat. :) My idea of paradise. I think I will see if I can find a little jar or plastic bottle to bring home some sand.

I am going to call down to the spa in the hotel and see if I can get a pedicure before the trip then on to statistics final. Glenn.. where are you when I need you!

Smooth Sailing!
~ Denise

This weekend's adventure is.....

BORACAY!!!!! Yes, we are going to be able to head down there. It was up in the air, and then out of question because Melissa was going to have to work Sunday evening. But George so graciously said he would fill in for her so we could go. YEAAAA!!
Russell is headed back to the States so he won't be with us either. And this should be quite an adventure. hehehee We are flying on something called Asian Spirit for $100 each. And well, the joke with that airline is a lot like US Scare as it was known.. You leave Asia and come back a Spirit. Yeah, Melissa told the girl who is over the project at Telus (the center we have been in the past few weeks) that clients being killed in air crashes is not a good thing for them. So Mel booked the flight and we went to the office this morning to pick up our tickets. Apparently you can't do this stuff online... hmmm.. should be interesting. Oh and they asked if we wanted to have a tricycle pick us up or have transportation for us from the hotel... yeah, hotel transport please. So we leave Saturday and come back Monday early evening. Oh yeah, we HAVE to leave that airport no later than 6:30pm because the runway doesn't have lights. (I know, this is getting better right!?!) hehehehee should be quite an adventure. We are picturing small puddle jumper like the one from MIA to EYW (Key West). Many pictures will be taken and I am sure we will have lots of stories.

Here are a few things that are currently making me laugh from the boracay.com website:

• Where is Boracay?
  A dumbbell-shaped 7-kilometer speck off the northwest corner of Panay Island, Boracay is located in the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. First rumored as a paradise isle in the 70s, it is now a favorite international vacation destination.
  Prime among its beaches, White Beach stretches for 3.5 kilometers on the west side of the 'handle' of the dumbbell. A dazzling expanse of "talcum fine" white sand, it is considered by travel connoisseurs as the world's best tropical beach. Tiny Boracay, the Apple of our Isles, is big on everyone's lips.
• Travel Attire. From Caticlan, the only way to reach the Island is by boat. Be prepared to get wet, from the occasional splash, rain, or the quick wade to the beach. Shorts, T-shirts and slippers are de rigueur on boat trips
• Helpful Hands. If you're lugging heavy gear, porters at the Caticlan and Kalibo Airports, the Jetty Ports and the Boat Stations are ready to help
• "Human Baggage". If you don't want to get wet, the porters are more than willing to carry you (yes you!), via sitting on their shoulders, to and from the boat and shore. Important Reminder. Entrust your luggage/bags only to porters in proper uniform (men sporting a colored T-shirt/Polo with a "Porter" logo and wearing an I.D.).
• Getting Around
  Boracay is criss-crossed with a network of roads with one Main Road traversing centrally the island's 7-km length. The many minor roads that intersect it lead you to any of the beaches, resorts and other points of interest. The ubiquitous "tricycle" (motorized pedicab) is the classic mode of transport. Daytime fare per passenger is P7 for any trip on flat area, or Main Road, between Boat Stations 1 & 3. Fares are higher for trips beyond these Stations. Nighttime rates are doubled, and often negotiable. If you don't want to be confined to the Main Road, you can rent a mountain bike to explore the Island away from the beaten path. Rentals vary

Human Baggage... hmmmmm I don't think I want some random stranger carrying me on his shoulders like I am about to chicken fight in the pool. I think I will get a lil wet. :) It looks beautiful in pictures... go google it and check it out! :)

So looks like I will get to sit "Under my lone palm"

Gusto ko yung balat ng isda

“I love fish rines” in Tagalog. HAHAHAA okay, so Russell and I went to the market this morning after breakfast to get some Diet Coke (well, Coke Light) for Melissa and wandered around the market and found ourselves laughing hysterically. I swear we were getting dirty looks from people who were actually trying to grocery shop. It was certainly an experience! Melissa had told us about the crazy wall of hot dogs, and he had been in there before but said he didn’t notice. So, we ventured to check it out. Holy cow – how can you NOT notice! It was a full wall, and had 2 side walls along with a center case full of hot dogs. I didn’t know you could do so much with processed meat! Granted there were a couple little sections of bacon, but I would say that 95% of that area was hot dogs!!! All shapes, colors, sizes and “flavors”. Fish hot dogs was probably the grossest sounding one. There were people restocking the cases, so we didn’t loiter too long, but we did get pictures!!
Then walked along the “fresh meat” section. I like that our cut meats are in a glass case with LOTS of ice to keep things off of it and keep it fresh… not so much here. It is all out for display. Everything from ground meat to pig legs with toes still on just laying out for display and for you to pick up and toss in a plastic bag.
We were headed to the fish section when we were distracted by the canned/jarred meats… Oh yes, we must! Well, this is where the Balut was found. Now we both thought this was something that was “fresh” and not found pickled in a jar. I guess you can get it both ways. Not real sure. But Russell did pick up a jar to bring home as a gag gift. He’s hoping it doesn’t break in his suitcase or he will have to throw out everything!!! I don’t know if there are enough zipper baggies to protect it!!! There were all kinds of canned/jarred seafood type stuff that took up both sides of the aisles!!
We did find the seafood section – and it was not that we had to look real hard, you could smell it. Much like the fresh meats, the fish was also out without glass casing. And there are full out fish laying there. Head – eyes – fins - scales and all. Yick! Shark fin is commonly sold here, which is sad. I thought that was illegal and Melissa said it is, but there are still many restaurants and places to purchase it. We’ve seen it in both the Philippines and in Hong Kong. Neither of us are fans of this practice and are both fine with eating at establishments that do not sell this. Might be a bit environmental sounding, but to have seen many shows on Discovery and such about the common practice of them taking the shark simply for the dorsal fin is horrible and cruel. My friend and coworker Brian has brought a whole new respect and appreciation to sharks. Now, don’t get me wrong, I won’t be crazy like him and go swim with them, but they are graceful in the water.
Back to our grocery store adventure –
Russell said George had talked about some chips that were wretched and he had as a kid (his mom is Pilipino) and we weren’t sure exactly what chips they were – but we found many that were quite gross! Tuna skins fried like pork rines had to be the worst! Between that and squid jerky – which Cha, one of the trainers, said is an “acquired taste”. I think I will pass on trying this one, wait - not I think, but I will pass.. It is certainly different. Now don’t get me wrong, they have normal stuff here like Heinz & Hunts products, fruits & veggies, even Daddy could get Miracle Whip. Sorry Susan and other southern folks – no Dukes Mayo here.
I primarily eat at the hotel and haven’t ventured out to try much local cuisine. My tummy can’t quite handle that. It’s already having a hard time with the number of McDonald’s cheeseburgers! I have had more of those since being here than I have in the last several years!!! Granted, that is pretty much the only thing open we take our “lunch” break at 3am.
Enjoy a glass of milk for me. I cannot wait to get home and have some!!!! That is something I really really miss. I will probably eat cereal for a month when I get home.

Be sure to check out the pictures from the market!! Hehehe
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/TripToTheLocalGroceryStore

Thank goodness for Starbucks! That’s a big Buddha!

DAY 2 in HKG... start time 8:30AM
We leave Starbucks with our coffees and hop on the subway which takes us to a cable car that will bring us to the Po Lin monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. Melissa and Russell still have their coffee and we cannot figure out why people are staring at them. Then an announcement “Food and Beverages are prohibited on the subway and in paying areas” WHOOPS!!! Let’s hide those and we promise to take them to the trash can on the way out!
The subway is full of people with iPods, cell phones and these hand held video games. There was a kid next to us who was frantically moving a pen across the screen. We tried to sneak a peek at what he was doing but he had it so close to his face that made it difficult to see. Plus we didn’t want his dad to think we were nosey American tourists! Bad enough we were photographing on the subway.
The cable car was amazing. The transition pole areas always made me nervous when riding those things – just because they are generally bumpy and you can feel the swing through. Not these. VERY smooth!!! I wasn’t quite as bold as the others in the car to stand up and take pictures out of the open windows. Which would explain for some of the reflections in my pictures. Sorry! Oh well. As we climbed in altitude, we went into the clouds and eventually could not see anything but the cable immediately infront and behind us. It was a little eerie! When we arrived, it was still raining but that did not stop us from climbing the 268 steps to get to the Buddha. Ryan had been here before we arrived in Hong Kong and was able to see it before you climbed the steps. Hopefully I will get his pictures soon and post them so you can see the difference a day makes.
The Buddha was incredible! Even in the cloud and drizzle there was a peacefulness that encompassed you. I do not know much about the Buddhist beliefs and certainly respected the request to not photograph their sacred areas inside the Buddha itself. There were several books opened to various pages
that were kept in glass cases. Unfortunately all writing and signs were in Chinese, so I have no idea what these were. I would imagine some of the oldest texts about the religion, but cannot speculate any further. The higher you went the more winds you encountered. I wish we had better weather, but it was still an amazing experience.
The Jade market closed at 2:30 so we had to hurry back. It was the fast track through Tian Tan and we were not able to see the monastery. But the Jade market was cool… however unlike pearls we had no clue how to tell if it was real jade or if we were overpaying for greenish colored glass. So, we’ll go with the hope they weren’t trying to screw tourists (riiiiiiiiight!)
Next on tap – the Star Ferry & then to Hong Kong Island for the Peak Tram and Victoria Peak. Well there was a great package for 2 people that was $160 HKD for the Harbor tour & Peak Tram. NOT BAD! (or so we thought) The Star Ferry was neat – however a bit overpriced. Granted it was an hour long tour, that you could not hear the recording unless you sat INSIDE, which kinda defeats the purpose of a BOAT tour! HAHA But we rode around for a while. I was a little disappointed that we did not see any junk boats that day. Only saw them one time when we first arrived. Maybe they are trying to clean things up for the Olympics. Who knows. After the Ferry we asked okay, now that brought us back to Kowloon and we purchased this “All inclusive pass” for these tours. Is there a separate ferry to shuttle us across? The guy said no, you need to purchase a regular ferry shuttle pass to get to Central dock.. then you will need to purchase a bus fare to get you to the Peak tram. Wait a minute… we thought it was all inclusive. Well, live and learn. So, we grumbled a little but really had no choice in the matter. Got our green token hustled back across the Harbor to find this bus. Paid that fare, which did not give change, so you had to have exact or lose some. We lost a little in it but no biggie. And stood in a queue line. This is probably the only time we felt like “tourists” this trip. Completely unorganized – but it’s all part of the adventure. And believe me, when we got up the Peak, which was at night, and went through 3 more queue lines, we forgot all about the things not included. WOW. It’s no wonder you can see Hong Kong from space! The pictures do it NO justice – in fact, I think we look like we are standing in front of a backdrop for the pictures! But I promise we really were there!!!!! Beautiful.
The evening was finished off with dinner at a French style café (look, we needed somewhat normal food) another queue line to get to the Tram followed by a taxi to the subway. We couldn’t take the ferry back across – it had stopped running for the evening. It was a long day but we saw a lot!!!! FINISH TIME 11PM
Sadly the next morning we would be leaving. Well, me, Melissa & Russell would – Ryan didn’t fly out until that night. And we thought Russell was going to be stuck in Hong Kong Airport. We didn’t know we needed to have our flight information that showed we would be leaving Manila for the U.S. with us. They were able to look up my flight and Melissa’s flight – which we are both on Korean air… Russell’s flight was not able to be completed. Now keep in mind, our flight from HKG to MNL was on Philippine Air…. Russell’s flight from MNL to USA is on Philippine Air! “Why couldn’t they do his flight?” you ask… well… apparently it was not shown as “ticketed” just yet. He doesn’t fly for another week and a half They show a confirmation number but not ticketed. And since he didn’t have his statement proving that he had already PAID for that ticket they couldn’t book based on the confirmation number. Again, making no sense since he flew from Charlotte TO MNL on the front leg of that flight. So his first comment to them is “I know I have paid because you would not allow me to fly from CLT to MNL without having paid for this ticket.” After several trips back and forth, Russell with the passport and the manager… then just his passport and the manager… then just the manager… he ended up having to BUY a refundable ticket from MNL to HKG so he could prove he was leaving MNL! How crazy is that!?! Thankfully he was able to get on the flight – but only because our initial flight was delayed. It was ridiculous and they were not easy to work with. So, the thought of our corporate using this airline based on his suggestion – since it is less than Korean Air – is pretty much gone. Oh well. Korean is nicer anyway!!! The plane, the food (our food was disgusting – hence the clear rubbery noodles in the picture) and the service on Korean is better.

So, be sure to check out this last album on our Hong Kong adventure!!
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/LantauIslandHongKongDay2InHongKong

“We’re ether going to crash or land” – Russell Leader

Yeah, we landed! The flight from Manila to Hong Kong was probably the bumpiest flight I can recall I have been on! And that includes flying with Brad Varnum in Hurricane Gordon! Not to mention we did a circle for some reason over the water and a jig-jag pattern when coming into Hong Kong airport.
We stayed at the Shangri-La Kowloon and a driver picked us up at the airport in a NICE Mercedes. The driver was great in pointing out various sites along the way – including the new suspension bridge that takes drivers to mainland China or to the New Territories. Buildings are VERY high and many are apartments! It is amazing that an area that is impacted by so many natural disasters – typhoons & earthquakes – has so many people and high rise structures! Hong Kong Island alone has over 7 million people! And it is only 51.5 sq km!
I have never had much interest in the Asian culture – to come visit, food, etc – like I have for Europe. But that has changed after visiting Hong Kong. What an amazing city!!!!! Granted, my thought on the food has NOT changed; if nothing else it confirmed my lack of interest. Street vendors selling all kinds of fried stuff – from shark fin, octopus, snails, liver, stomach, etc – even breathing through your mouth you could still taste/smell it. YUCK!!!!!!! Ironically, there were large crowds of people waiting to buy this stuff like Americans at a fair wanting to get funnel cake!
Our whirl-wind tour of Hong Kong was lead by my cousin Ryan who had been there for a couple of days before us. He already had the layout of the subway system and how to quickly get to various places. So a new nickname for him – Julie our cruise director! J We had already established some places we wanted to check out and did pretty good at hitting the majority of them.
I was amazed by the signs, lights, and number of people! There are bright signs hanging everywhere competing for attention. The subways are incredibly clean! Later we learned they do not allow food or beverages on the subway. There is an entire underground system that makes it very convenient to walk everywhere. However it is very misleading when you think “Oh next stop” then have to walk almost a mile through the underground maze to your exit. The most interesting thing I noticed is how quiet it is – even when walking through during rush hour – no one is talking. All you hear are the footprints and the wind as the trains pushes through.
The “Ladies Market” which has nothing to do with being specifically for ladies. So I am not sure how it got that name. The knock offs are all over the place. However those in Manila are much better quality!!! Coach bags that have the “C” all over it as the pattern had either “G” or “O” not believable at all!!!! For the “better quality” you had a laminated sheet to look at and then could go around back to a dark alley and purchase there. Yeah, we passed on that idea! But Ryan was saying these items are regulated, so I guess the “better” knock offs are more undercover.
The flower and bird markets were next on track. The flowers were amazing! So many I would love to take home, but I think customs might frown upon that. I had never seen orchids so big!! They were BEAUTIFUL!!!!! The bird market was interesting. We followed a man who was carrying a little cage with a small finch looking bird inside. It started off with a couple small cages hanging and as we got to the actual market there were shops of all kinds – selling empty cages, grasshoppers, millet, and food along with other items that I could not identify. Ryan was hilarious with one of the birds. He was making noises at it and the thing poofed up and they were rocking back and forth at each other. We didn’t know if Ryan made some random mating call noises to it or what happened. But that bird was going crazy! In the pictures, you will see the white bird with the giant eye – that is who he was talking with. I think Melissa got it on video too!! Will let you know if it ends up on YouTube!! Hehee
The Night Market followed – they had many items like the Ladies Market did. But there were merchants selling replicas of paintings. Ryan purchased one, and Melissa & Russell came home with 3 for their new home.
Now if you go to Hong Kong, you hear people say that you must go along the Harbor and see the light spectacular that starts at 8:00pm. Yeah, well…. Ryan had warned us that it was nothing spectacular but if we wanted to see it he would understand. We should have listened to him. It was really bad!! And for a city like this, with all their technology and bells & whistles one would think Disney may even get involved to make an impressive laser show. Not so much. But do go to the Harbor side to look at Hong Kong Island at night. That is a spectacular sight itself. They do have a statue of Jackie Chan in their Walk of Hollywood Stars – which we only recognized a couple of these stars.
It was a LONG day for us; we came right from work, so three of us were on only 2 hours of sleep. Sunday was going to be another jam-packed day!

The albums –
Flight - http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/GoingToHongKongTheHotel

Day 1 around Kowloon - http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/AroundKowloonHongKongDay1InHongKong

Nathan was right..

My boss kept telling me.. it is not like anything you have ever seen. And he was right on the button. Wow.. Hong Kong is INCREDIBLE!!!! Absolutely amazing!!! And unfortunately, I need to take a nap before work tonight or I am going to pass out while Cha is teaching - not cool.

I will write about our whirl wind tour in Hong Kong and I really hope to go back someday.. incredible. Lantau Island & the big giant Buddha... the subway system... Melissa & Russell breaking the law...the markets... Victoria's Peak & tram... Star Ferry.... scary foods on a stick accompanied by horrendous smells of them being cooked.. But I am back in Manila and listening to something I haven't really heard in 2 days, cars honking. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Sweet dreams!

This is on the way up to see the big Buddha on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. and they super-imposed the back... it was very cloudy and raining. My cousin Ryan, Me, Russell, Melissa http://www.ridephoto.com/Pages/showpic.asp?ID=NPNP713C0176

**be sure to say in a low raspy voice** DVD....need a DVD

HAHAHA so we went back to GreenHills today. How funny! I cannot tell you how many times I was approached by sketchy looking men to buy a DVD. hilarious!! But I am now the proud owner of a knock off Louis Vuitton purse & wallet. I am sure it is blaring that it is a knock off but shoot, I have no clue! I thought the pattern was cute and I got them both for 1000 Philippine pesos. (Aimee & Jollie said it was a good deal) Don't worry Jamie Jo, you will be getting something in the mail from me. I just hope it's the right one and doesn't look too obvious that it is a knock off. :) (wow, I just realized I paid $22 for both my Louis...wow)

Sadly Pam will be leaving us later tonight. So, we are all going to dinner at the restaurant inside the hotel called Red. She had been wanting to try it - neat concept that everything on the menu is centered around the color red. And it's apparently one of the more expensive ones in here. Who knows. I have been a frequent visitor of Circles - which has an awesome buffet for breakfast. You already know of my new addiction to mango - and I am going through withdraw - no mango today. But I am going to miss hanging around with Pam. She's been fun to shop with! :) I have uploaded pictures she took from the trip. These have my new husband - the guide from Tagaytay. PLEASE check these out.. I promise you will laugh.

Tagaytay - http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PamSPicturesFromTagaytay
Intramuros & Fort Santiago - http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PamSPicturesFromIntramurosFortSantiago

The training class I have been observing is certainly different. The HR rules we have and follow to a T are certainly not here!! AHAHA The trainer, Cha, has renamed one guy - Fritzz (I believe that is his last name) she calls him the adopted one. Another guy she constantly teases about him not washing his hands. A couple of curse words have been spoken in class and I forgot how she was an angry customer in a role play she did with the quietest girl in the room. I apparently had HUGE eyes cause they were laughing at my expressions. But they are such nice people and really very genuine.

Oh, another thing that we encountered this afternoon that would have you thrown in jail back home... on the way back to the hotel apparently Jollie crossed into a lane and there was a yellow line. Now keep in mind the traffic laws here - there are NO rules.. we saw the guy run over.. a pregnant woman about get run over... a big charter bus is like a big giant dog - they think they are toy poodles and can go anywhere like the big dog thinks it can curl up on you. You practically risk your life riding jeepneys if they don't run you over, the smog in the air will get you. People walk and ride in vehicles here holding cloths over their faces due to the smog. OH.. back to my story.. so there are 5 cops standing on the side of the road and she gets flagged to stop. We are thinking it is a random bomb search or something since there was an immediate alert put up for them. No, he was going to give her a ticket for crossing the line. Me, Melissa and Pam are in the back seat looking at each other and quietly whispering "is he really giving her a ticket??" "hmmm maybe she can pull some tears out, that might work back home." So Aimee and Jollie begin negotiating with the cop. Yes, negotiating.. and she bribes him with 500 pesos!! AND GETS OUT OF THE TICKET!!! I seem to recall a kicker from FSU (Janikowski) attempting to bribe a cop and about get deported!! For those who are curious of the conversion - 500 pesos is equivalent to $10.92 in USD. TEN BUCKS!!! HAHAHAHA Back home, yeah, she would have been tossed!! We couldn't believe it.

Well this weekend is Hong Kong. My cousin Ryan is already there anxiously awaiting travel partners. So, me, Mel & her husband Russell are going over in the morning. We will be staying at the Shangri-La on Kowloon, so if you need to reach us. The reservation should be in my name. We come back on Monday early afternoon.

I am not sure I am bringing my laptop - so I won't have VOIP phone. Speaking of, if you have tried to call and it just rings and rings.. the voice mail is not working on this just yet. Hopefully soon!! So please don't think I am ignoring you. Chances are I am in class or I don't have it pulled up. I do have other pictures to upload, but just haven't had a chance. I will try to get those up tonight - or it may have to wait until post HKG.

I hope you are doing well and having a great week. The only reason I know what day it is was because someone said oh you leave for HKG tomorrow!! HAHA Sad.. I know. I am really having a hard time adapting to this sleeping thing. In fact it is nap time for me now. Hugs to all and I will talk with you soon!

Denise

My garden is filled with papayas and mangos

Hello everyone! Nothing too exciting is going on right now. I have become addicted to Mangos. The yellow ones... mmmm yummie!! In fact, I have mango with my breakfast and dinner... Pam says I have a problem. There is even a bowl of fruit that is left on the coffee table with mango in it... mmmm housekeeping just refilled it!!!
Sunday (which was the 6th) Pam & I ventured out. Across from our hotel is this massive mall (imagine that) called Green Belt - there are 5 of them. Stores ranging from drug store and Ross/TJ Max type places to Prada & Kenneth Cole. You name it, that place has it. We were on a mission - to buy shoes for Pam's older son. He wears a size 13 shoe and the looks everyone has given us has been hilarious. Well, let me back up - Pam is already being looked at. As you have seen by the pictures she has her hair braided and we have learned that is not a normal thing around here. As we walk, or even drive anywhere people watch her go by. We have both started to laugh about it and I keep telling her they are jealous that she is so exotic! HAHA So now when we walk into the stores for shoes as she asks for a size 13, they immediately shake their head no and look right at her feet! Crazy woman with crazy hair and HUGE feet! HAHAHA So, it's been amusing. She even noticed when our driver was taking us around Sunday that stopped at a light, the passenger in the van next to us stared at her, turned to the backseat said something to them and suddenly 2 people were staring at her. We just keep laughing. It's been really nice to have someone to venture out with and Pam is super nice! I hope to get to work with her on other projects.
So after our getting lost in the big mall, we walked back to the hotel and opted to have a car take us around for a couple hours. Our driver was great - he took us to Intramuros, which is the historic part of Manila. We drove through here past the San Agustin church. (I'd like to go back to it and walk through - it was completed in 1607!!) He took us to Fort Santiago and we got out and walked through that. I will say it is nicer than Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine with some crazy history attached to it. Though it is missing the story of dad telling us about him marching around and in that corner (pointing to it as we walk in the square) he was almost hit with a bayonet while doing some Navy thing. sorry Daddy!! Walking through there was kind of surreal. We both had a grandfather serve in WWII and knowing that location had been with General MacArthur and the stories those walls could tell was eerie. There appears to be an labyrinth that was used to house and torture prisoners. Cannot even imagine what it must have been like. Today the steps leading to those areas is all grown over with moss and the walls are cracked and have vines creeping through. All kinds of flowers and blooming trees surround the exterior walls making it seem much friendlier than its past.
After leaving Fort Santiago, he drove us through China town. And Pam said it best - "Poverty has no face." Wow... those images you see in National Geographic and on Discovery Channel are real. We drove over one small bridge, which I am guessing was an off shoot of the Pasig River and the shacks/tarps held up with bamboo posts lined the banks. Clothes were hanging all over and there was garbage floating in the water. We saw families bathing in the streets where puddles remained from afternoon thundershowers. I felt guilty knowing that I was in an air conditioned car being driven around a city which eventually would take me back to a 5 star hotel when only a few kilometers away were people living like this. In fact, this area was probably no more than 2 miles from the U.S. Embassy. Sights like this are indescribable and truly make you appreciate what you have at home. I really think the hardest part is seeing the little ones running around. But like all communities, there are make shift basketball courts and kids are playing street ball having fun.
Monday I relaxed and did homework. Unfortunately, that has not gone away. So much fun dragging text books across the globe. I have really neglected my leadership course (isn't that ironic) yet I have an A in my stats class. So... here's keeping my fingers crossed. I am excited for this coming weekend! Our trip to Hong Kong!! Pam will be leaving us Saturday morning to head back to the US. But Melissa, Russell and I will head to HKG and my cousin Ryan is going to meet me out there! So our whirl-wind tour will begin early Saturday morning. No need to fear - there will be LOTS of pictures as I have so far. And yes, Mr. Clark - the Cow will be traveling to China! I'll be sure they don't attempt to eat him. Real beef is hard to come by! ;-)
It was back to work Monday evening and it was not an easy night for me. I was sitting and observing the trainer Cha all night. I was struggling to keep my eyes open. Not sure if it was content, the warm room, working overnight shift... who knows. But I had to stand up a good 6 or 7 times to stay awake. I felt horrible! But I had feedback for her on some things to improve and work on. Especially if Melissa was the one going to be observing her! She taught most of the class from behind the computer -- yeeaaahhh that's not going to fly in our training department. So I hope I was able to give her some good advice and that she will work that in for her class tonight. We came back from work, had "breakfast" and I went to the fitness center and spent some time with the treadmill. I miss doing that!!! So I will be headed down there more. I feel kind of awkward because housekeeping is in here while I am typing. She just asked if I work nights, I guess they have gotten used to the "do not disturb" light being on during the morning/afternoon. So she will do my room about 730am from here on out. How sweet is that!!! :)

Well, I am off.. need to shower and head to bed. Here is the link to the pictures from Intramuros and around Manila.
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/TourOfIntramurosFortSantiagoAndManila

Sleep tight!!

Be sure to take the tired old horse

Saturday morning, Jollie, Ron & JM took me and Pam to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Lake Taal tah-all and Taal Volcano in Tagaytay tah-gay-tie.

We left work about 7am and piled into JM's car. Stopped at the hotel, so we could change, and then headed on our trek. Keep in mind this is only about 55km (34 miles) away from Manila, yet it took us over 2 hours to get there. One word - Traffic. I guess in a small country that has over ~90 million people, and 14 million living in Manila, you are bound to hit a few traffic jams. (I'll be sure to talk about the driving "rules" here in another post) Tagaytay is in a province called Cavite and is considered third world. The drive had both of us in shock. Neither of us had seen such poverty. It was amazing to see first hand images we had only seen in National Geographic or on TV. These really do exist. We have poverty in the US, but this is an entirely different level. Not only are they without a home with walls, clothing or much food, but they are relying on water in the streets as their means to wash themselves and clothes. There is disease here that doesn't exist at home, malaria, yellow fever, tuberculosis, typhoid, schistosomiasis and rabies. Animals found on the streets are killed and eaten only spreading the disease to those who consume it. In comparison, our poverty back home is actually pretty wealthy because of many government subsidies or aid that is available.

---- Enough depressing stuff -----

We arrived and found a man with a sign for boat rides... Jollie begins her bartering. We follow them to a parking lot and take pictures of the area. Breath-taking. She negotiates a price, not sure how far she got him down, but she was satisfied with it and we then begin to follow a local on a red motorcycle. I felt like I was in a movie trying to keep up with a guy dressed in all black riding down this mountain to get to the lake. Hair-pin turns and a long winding road that was often blocked by jeepneys loading people or those passenger scooters zipping in and out of the road. Finally turning into the driveway of what appears to be some one's home. hmmmmm I am getting a little nervous, I will not lie. But since JM, Jollie & Ron do not appear to be nervous I must rely on their 6th sense that everything will be okay. Next on tap - bathrooms. Yeah, I decide to hold off but Pam tries to convince me that if nothing else it is a great photo opportunity in there and wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. There was a sort-of potty in there.. with a bucket that was filled with water and a cup/ladle for you to pour water down the potty to "flush" everything down the hole. Yeah... I will wait.
I am not sure what I was thinking the boat would be, but being a girl from a peninsula state I am thinking small john boat, wooden dock.. we will be fine. Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh, not so much. The boat is almost gondola looking with bars extending out to bamboo that is resting on the water as I guess you would call them runners. I don't know of any other term at this point. So basically, the hull is beneath us and 6 pieces of bamboo (3 on either side) is what we are riding on. My stomach is churning and I think the fear is starting to show on my face. Oh, and the dock - is bamboo resting on the water.... yeah.. not feeling so good. I make it across and onto the boat - at this point Pam and I are both saying our prayers!
The lake and surrounding area is amazing. We come up to the volcano island and make it off the boat safely. Met by smells and sounds that are indescribable. Local people suddenly trying to get us to buy bottled water, what appear to be surgical face masks, sombreros, and cloth arm length gloves saying all the tourists buy them. Constant "Ma'am.. ma'am" holding goods up at our faces, we just keep shaking our heads no and Pam & I are holding our bag/pockets close to ourselves. We walk up and more negotiations begin for the horse ride. Now, the Lonely Planet guide had in there "for the full experience be sure to take a tired old horse up the volcano" And they are not kidding when they say tired and old... but they left out smelly! Two of our other co-workers had done this same adventure a few weeks earlier. George is a bigger guy and said that he kept apologizing the whole time to the horse and knew it was going to go over the edge taking him with it. Flies and mosquitoes are all around and we did not think to put bug spray on... which is worrying me and Pam a little too. Jollie negotiates for us to go would be 500 pesos each, which was down from 900. JM, Pam & I buy water, that was sealed, for 25 pesos... Jollie & Ron get hats for 30 pesos.. So, we walk up to this step area and mount on the horse - keep in mind these are smaller than normal horses... kind of a step above a mule... and they are not fed the best of food, so what they leave behind smells worse than normal! My "guide" is named Zandy or something like that. It was very difficult to understand - he was an older gentleman with only a few teeth. On the trip I learned he is in his 50's and has a child who is a year old. His living conditions have weathered him to look well above his 50's. I don't have Pam's pictures just yet, but please be sure to check back to the picture link for those -- there are pictures of him and of me on the horse.. I have the ones of her and her guide. So we're going along and suddenly the terrain gets to be rough & steep and it is customary for the guide to hop on the back of the horse and ride up. Yeah... this is unnerving for both me & Pam, but what are we going to do? I am laughing to myself and thinking of my Uncle Randy. He has always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon and ride a donkey down, while my Aunt Donna says she's not riding an ass down a big hole. The terrain is very rugged and I am beginning to apologize to the horse at this point! But the view is absolutely amazing. As I look around nothing but pineapple groves, banana trees, and coconut & mango trees are around. There ground cover has all kinds of things from the fun posion ivy to basil which fills the air. We pass a horse that was tied to a tree and it was very thin. I asked Zandy if it was sick and he said yes and was sure to guide my horse to the other side of the trail. Oh, and my horse was hungry - he kept stopping and eating which was not making Zandy happy. Once at the top, I hop off the horse onto sandbags that are stacked as a step and immediately have a young boy holding a soda saying, "Ma'am soda for the guide? 50 pesos". Zandy is standing there looking at me and turns to walk up the remaining steps to the volcano edge. It was a tough trek up and very hot, so I buy one for my guide, Pam's, she didn't have small enough currency and also for Ron's. Little did I know this is a scam.. because they have drinks for the guides. I looked at the boy as my guide walked away and said hand me the soda so I can give it to Zandy. I want to be sure he gets it and see Zandy and the other guides drinking. Ohhh I'm not happy. But whatever, they are trying to make a living and are certainly not living like we do. So, I am out 150 pesos. Our group reconvenes and we walk up the steps to the top.

Incredible.

Inside the volcano is a small lake called Yellow Lake. Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano in the world. There are hot spots showing signs of activity. Steam is rising from various areas around us and there is a smell of sulfur - thankfully not too overbearing. But we are basically looking at a lake within a lake. We take many pictures and make permanent images of everything around us sights, sounds and smells. After a break, we decide to head back and find our guides to take us down the volcano. Zandy brings my horse over and we begin the ride down. He hops back on at one point and this time I am much more uncomfortable. We have broken off from the group I was with and his arm is resting on my hip and he is up a little closer behind me. We get to a point where he hops off and hands me the rope to guide the horse down - and takes my bottle water and puts it in his front pocket of his shorts. This makes me uneasy again but even more so when he walks a good bit up ahead of me and I see both hands messing with that one pocket. Thank you, I am done with that bottle of water! I don't know that he did anything to it, but I am not going to chance it! We get to a rocky point and I hand him the rope to guide the horse through... well, once below that and agian, there is no one around - coming up or down the volcano, he stops and decides to go to the bathroom on the trail. Not saying anything to me about it - just stops and HELLO... yeah.. I am thinking okay, give me warning here! So I'm looking opposite of him and in shock that he didn't even apologize or say anything about it! We make it back to where we started and the smell of all the horses overtakes you. I see Pam & Ron waiting for me, Jollie & JM have not arrived yet. So I get off the horse, he hands me my water, and says "Tip". Seriously!? After this? Well, I don't know what is customary to tip him... the smallest denomination of bill I have (after handing over 150 pesos earlier) was 500. And I don't think so!! It's not like I can ask for change - so I give him the peso coins I have. Which apparently was not good, and two girls there laughed. But he wasn't deserving of a 500 peso tip (which I believe is about $25) So I walked off to meet up with Ron & Pam trying to find a place to dump off the water bottle. We also learned at this time that the hat was rented... not purchased. And Ron & I shared his hat... ugh! He and I both looked at each other and had disgusted looks on our faces.
We found our boat to ride back across.. but while waiting, notice a woman standing about hip deep in the water with her clothes on, washing and she had washed clothes too because she came out of the water as we were leaving carrying a basket with wet clothing. Again, another scene I had never experienced. Once back at the car, we all pulled out the hand sanitizer and headed back up the mountain to find lunch. What a day!!
Jollie had a great little place in mind that has Hawaiian style BBQ. The place was beautiful and was an open lanai overlooking Lake Taal. I do not know the name of the restaurant, but you can see pictures in there.
Oh, one other thing - we stopped at a bakery for Jollie & Ron to pick up some items for their families and there are security guards - at a BAKERY - carrying guns... yeah. There is a picture of that in there too. Small kids aren't even phased by the sight, Pam & I were more than anyone else. It is normal for everyone else. Wow. There was also a man walking across the road who had a large knife in a carrier on his hip. It was long, almost to his knee. JM is thinking he is a worker at one of the pineapple farms and that is used to cut the crops. At least that is what she is hoping (and so were we!)
We got back to the hotel about 5pm, so we had been up for 23 hours and were EXHAUSTED! I showered and then slept... ordered room service - had a cheeseburger and fries in honor of our Independence Day, called some family and headed back to bed until Sunday morning.
So that is Tagaytay! Amazing in so many ways. It is breakfast time, so I need to go eat. We have to work tonight. I believe Pam and I are going to try to head to Mall of Asia to check it out along with Manila Bay today before taking our nap prior to work.
I have another day, Sunday, to tell you about as well.. but will work on that blog entry tonight.

Paalam Pah-all-am (Goodbye!)

Link to the Tagaytay pictures -
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/TagaytayPhilippines

"Bag Ma'am?" "Pearls Ma'am?"... "Magkano?"

Magkano? How much? I have become very good with that word along with "salamat" Thanks. (By the way, it is pronounced like salami but with an "it" on the end . So we all will get a little lesson in Tagalog

Some of the team captains and the manager of the center I have been at took us to an area called Green Hills. It is a mall, and they have malls EVERYWHERE, where the knock offs are found and people barter for everything!! It looks like a huge indoor flea market. If you go, it is best to have someone who speaks Tagalog with you. Otherwise you won't get as good of a deal. They will still go a little below price, but no where NEAR what they will if a local is with you. Aimee, Ron & Jollie were our local support. Pam & I would get the "Magkano" out and when the person at the booth gave a number, often we would hear a response from Aimee or Jollie with a lower bid. If they didn't like the response given by the sales person they would make this low grumble. It was hilarious!!! They were cracking me up, so much that I had to walk away from one "bidding war" over a set of pearls for Pam for fear of ruining the deal. I had never seen anything like it. And Pam has learned that if you have big feet, you won't be able to find knock-off shoes of any kind! Her son wears a 13 and everyone looked at us funny when she asked for a 13. So the post card back to her son is "I'm sorry hon, but don't plan to move to Asia because your feet are too big and you will have to have shoes special ordered." Even in the regular malls, we found ONE store that had ONE pair of shoes in his size!

Here is the link to the Green Hills experience!
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/GreenHillsShoppingCenter

This is the ride back from GreenHills -
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/OnTheRoadFromGreenHills

Everything is going well, I am breaking up the blogs to tell of different stories I have experienced through the week. Sorry for the lag in writing. Working 12 + hour days doesn't leave for much time when you get back to the hotel at a goofy hour, have to eat something, then get to sleep and start the whole cycle all over again. I still keep asking what day it is, because I am all messed up. We work from 8pm - about 8/8:30am (so far) local time. Eating patterns are out of whack too. And I have had more McDonalds in the last week than in the last year, possibly more! But when you eat "lunch" at 2am, the options are pretty slim - McD's or Red Ribbon (a local fast food chain). I am thinking of going to the market and getting something to take in with me so I can avoid the fast food thing. Doesn't do nice things to me and I don't like eating that much junk food.
Hope everyone is doing well and that you had a wonderful Fourth of July!!!
I have another couple of blogs to post.....

It's like Hawks Channel...only bigger!

Hello everyone! I think today is Thursday (??) I had to ask several times what day it was. This has me totally backwards! :)

It will be a short post, simply because in 9 hours I have to be back downstairs to go back to work. Flight over was fine......VERY long....but it was great. The staff of Korean Air was fantastic. I prefered the crew from the ATL-ICN flight over the ICN - MNL. That group wasn't quite as friendly (and the food was certianly not as good on leg #3) Flying on a 747 was certainly interesting! I got to a point where I forgot I was even flying, or that could be because I was on the plane so long! I'll have to tell you about the flight tomorrow (or later..or whenever the next time I get on here) But I was trying to think of the best analogy for the landing...and all I could come up with was trying to gracefully put an elephant down. I felt like we hit the ground with a big thud. So for those who are pilots reading this, keep that in mind if you get to fly the big bus! hehehe

Seoul was an incredible airport. SO much shopping that could be done there! I sat at my gate and it turned out the girl I sat next to was working on this same project! So that was nice, we had a chance to get to talk (and go through customs for the first time together) We were both quite excited about the first stamp in our passport. However it's not quite as elaborate as I had hoped. Not sure what I had expected but more than that. Maybe Hong Kong will be more exciting!

The hotel is AMAZING! I was greeted at my vehicle by both managers on duty that evening and felt like I should have been walking on a red carpet! Unfortunately I had been traveling for well over 20 hours and felt like I looked and smelled funky. They escorted me to the desk and made sure the young lady at the counter took care of me and had everything set up properly. Even had a young man take my luggage to my room. I am not used to this kind of treatment! The room is beautiful (I took pictures)... by my bedside were slippers on a little mat... my bed was turned down and there was a bookmark on it...big terry cloth robes in the wardrobe closet.. I could really get used to this! HOWEVER... I will never complain about humidity in Florida or North Carolina again. That is NOTHING compared to what is here. WOW. I didn't know that kind of humidity existed! It took over 2 hours for my hair to begin to dry -- and that was in my room!!! I finally found the hairdryer, so I will give that a shot with the defuser. However, I fear I will look like Monica on "Friends" when they went to the Bahamas for Ross' conference...my hair will keep growing. Ahhhh the joys of natural curl! So it has been in a little pony tail (which after the humidity gets done with it appears to be nothing more that a little curly poof on the top of my head) They said this is the end of their summer and about to get into their rainy season.....ummm... the sun hasn't been out yet but okay.

I'll have to tell more tomorrow. But I must get some sleep now. We're working 12-14 hour days, so it's sleep...work...eat something at the hotel...sleep and start all over. Food has been fine, "dinner" this morning at 1am was okay, not something I want to eat on a regular basis. So I think I will try to find something to eat before we leave or grab something to go from the hotel. Options are a place called Red Ribbons or a place you may have heard of..McDonalds.

Here is the link to the pictures from the flight over -- http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/TripOutToManilaPhilippines

I have taken a couple others today at the hotel that I will put up tomorrow. Miss everyone! Sweet dreams.

Paalom