17/03: Reporting from Ateneo HQ
You may have noticed that it has been three weeks since my last proper email. No, I did not get kidnapped on my twelve-hour-bus-trip from Butuan to General Santos City in Mindanao (although one could choose to escape in the beautiful countryside). No, I have not been adopted by relatives and forced to stay at home (although it would be great to spend more time with family). And no, I have not spent sleepless nights sitting in front of the TV, watching Korean soap operas dubbed in Filipino…
23/02: Sweet Inspiration
[Email sent on February 23, 2006]
“Magandang Gabi sa inyong lahat.” I have adopted the national tongue to wish you all a very good evening.
I have just enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Jollibee, home of the sweet spaghetti… Yes, you read that correctly, spaghetti with sugar! Filipinos are definitely guilty of having a sweet tooth and spaghetti, which is traditionally savoury back in Australia and around the world, is enjoyed with hotdog, meatballs and a truckload of sugar. I realise that some of you may now be concerned about whether or not I am eating right. But rest assured I am eating well (and still by the bowl!). My uncle will attest to that.
“Magandang Gabi sa inyong lahat.” I have adopted the national tongue to wish you all a very good evening.
I have just enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Jollibee, home of the sweet spaghetti… Yes, you read that correctly, spaghetti with sugar! Filipinos are definitely guilty of having a sweet tooth and spaghetti, which is traditionally savoury back in Australia and around the world, is enjoyed with hotdog, meatballs and a truckload of sugar. I realise that some of you may now be concerned about whether or not I am eating right. But rest assured I am eating well (and still by the bowl!). My uncle will attest to that.
19/02: Greetings from balmy Manila
[Email sent on February 19, 2006]
I thought I would touch base and let you all know that I have arrived in Manila and am settling into the Filipino way of life. This means catching jeepneys, tricycles, buses and taxis to air-conditioned shopping malls and hotels. But don't worry I haven't changed in the slightest during the last two days - still eating a lot, farting in excess and sweating profusely. Yes, I have not changed at all!
But to give you a run down of the last 48 hours: I had a massive night in Sydney on the eve of my departure (thank you to the individuals who thought that alcohol complements an eight hour plane trip), got home at 3am, packed until 10am, hence did not sleep, and arrived at the airport, after road closures on the M5, at 11am. Held the tears back at the airport; not because of emotion but because of the abundance of chilli in my (last) Bondi meal at Oportos. But thank you to all who saw me off on Saturday.
An electrical fault on QF19 rendered the plane unable to take off for an hour. They claim, "Safety before schedule". I say "a preview of Filipino time". Dozed in between meals and unfortunately missed a majority of the in-flight movies - Walk the line and Pride and Prejudice - due to heavy eyelids. But I arrived in Manila at 7:30pm (Manila-time, 3 hours behind AEDST), was picked up by my uncle and we traveled to the house in Bacoor (pronounced Ba-ko-or). Stayed up until 3am. Delirium had set in.
I thought I would touch base and let you all know that I have arrived in Manila and am settling into the Filipino way of life. This means catching jeepneys, tricycles, buses and taxis to air-conditioned shopping malls and hotels. But don't worry I haven't changed in the slightest during the last two days - still eating a lot, farting in excess and sweating profusely. Yes, I have not changed at all!
But to give you a run down of the last 48 hours: I had a massive night in Sydney on the eve of my departure (thank you to the individuals who thought that alcohol complements an eight hour plane trip), got home at 3am, packed until 10am, hence did not sleep, and arrived at the airport, after road closures on the M5, at 11am. Held the tears back at the airport; not because of emotion but because of the abundance of chilli in my (last) Bondi meal at Oportos. But thank you to all who saw me off on Saturday.
An electrical fault on QF19 rendered the plane unable to take off for an hour. They claim, "Safety before schedule". I say "a preview of Filipino time". Dozed in between meals and unfortunately missed a majority of the in-flight movies - Walk the line and Pride and Prejudice - due to heavy eyelids. But I arrived in Manila at 7:30pm (Manila-time, 3 hours behind AEDST), was picked up by my uncle and we traveled to the house in Bacoor (pronounced Ba-ko-or). Stayed up until 3am. Delirium had set in.
