One of the first conversations I had in the Philippines was of course about the language. Averill was telling me that some words have two meanings, and depending the speed of pronunciation a word can have a different meaning. She said for example suka, vinegar if you say suukaaa it means vomit. But suka, means vinegar. I replied with, "Well I don't foresee myself ever ordering vinegar at a restaurant. I don't know why I would need it." WRONG. Vinegar is the equivalent to fish sauce in Vietnam. It is used in everything! Many dishes come with a side of vinegar or they will just be doused in it already.
When Filipinos eat they hold a spoon in their right hand and a fork in their left. Actually, it is more like they have a death grip on their cutlery. I am not kidding– they hold them in their fists and shovel as much food as possible into their mouths. People also never put their utensils down. The fork is used to push food onto the spoon and stays in the left hand the whole time– it never actually is touches the mouth. Meals don't really last that long, or I guess I should say the actual eating part doesn't last that long. Once the food is gone people will sit around and chat, but when the food is on the table it is strictly business, in the sense that all people do is eat. One more eating habit: people aren't gentle with their spoon– I can always hear spoons scraping against teeth. Yikes.
Sweet Spaghetti is primarily a food served at children's birthday parties. The first time I had it I was taken aback because it really is sweet– it has condensed milk in it. I definitely prefer savory spaghetti versus Filipino sweet spaghetti, but everyone here looooves it.
These are the main transportation in the Philippines. In Baler, it is the only form of local public transportation. Prior to my arrival I asked my contact about local transportation and she responded by saying I would ride tricycles. I knew she couldn't be referring to a child's three wheel bicycle, but I didn't really know what else to expect. They are called tricycles because there are only three wheels (whattya know?). The back wheel of the motorbike doubles as the left wheel on the sidecar. I take a tricycle everyday into the schools or into town. The price varies depending on what direction you are traveling. For example, from my house into town it only costs 15 pesos (30 cents) but from the town to my house it can cost up to 100 pesos. The number of people also changes the price. Tricycles are also shared– it isn't like a taxi in America where once you hail it, it is your own private ride. Nope, if someone else is standing on the road the tricycle pulls over and picks them up if they have room, and in the Philippines– there is always more room! Tricycle drivers always put as many people in as possible. The most I have fit is six plus the driver. I have seen some tricycles with people sitting on the roofs.
This is the most delicious dessert in the world. Halo-halo means mix-mix because it is a mix of so many different foods. Typically a halo-halo has sweet yam, mango, some type of jelly bean, flan, corn, beans, fresh coconut, jackfruit, ice, and milk. All mixed together. Even though there is milk and I am lactose intolerant I still eat it because it honestly is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.
Stray dogs:
Stray dogs up the wazoo. When I run I always keep a couple rocks in my hands in case any of them decided to come at me (haven't had to use the rocks yet). There is a dog that hangs out behind our house who I named Roger, only to find out that Roger is actually a girl but it was too late, the name stuck. Actually, it has been shortened to Rodge. I also have two kittens named Maurice and Mabel. They are precious.
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| Mabel & Maurice. |
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