Asia Adventures

just a little update on my findings and adventures here in the Philipines. things here really are great and seem everyday to get better even though as i live one day i can't imagine it being topped by another.
i can't say enough about the people. my new friend Richard and i trekked into a starbucks looking for directions for Manila Bay proper and from behind the counter came a manager who said he was currently living over there and would guide us when he got off work in 15 minutes. it turned into a local bus ride that lead into riding in a "jeepney" (i almost got sick from the smog and smell) that took us to the bay where he (while asking for nothing in return) showed us where to go and where not to go and different restaurants and all the while carrying on casual conversation about his wife and family and of course how he loves Lea Salonga. who doesn't?
now living in new york and knowing it's people...i don't think that that would ever have happened. in fact, i had to question whether or not i myself would have trusted in humanity enough to either go with someone i didn't know around a city i didn't know or to lead them through the city that i call home. people here have commented on "culture shock" and how it is very hard to get used to, but the "shock" here is how outwardly warm and cordial people are... and i'm used to it. :-)
the night was brilliant- there was a spectacular lightning storm over the bay that held my attention for a solid hour. what can i say...shiny objects.. haha.
yesterday was a spontaneous day off and again my adventurous friend richard and i decided that there were things to do and see. we were up before the sun, took a taxi to a bus which lead to a boat that took us to paradise and the sun and beach on the island of mindora in the puerta galera bay on white beach in the south china sea. all in all we traveled for 4 hours, but once the boat beached itself on the bay, it was all worth it. the sand was white, the lucious green mountains dipped directly into the ocean by way of rock formations no painter could imagine. we rented ocean kayaks for two hours (9 american dollars...amazing) and hopped from cove to cove to cove diving in periodically to cool off. the people were again friendly and the day very memorable. i took my first picture in the morning and the batteries died instantly, so there are no photos to share...bummer.