F is for FamiRy

I made it to the Philippines.

I made it to the Philippines.

I. MADE. IT. TO. THE. PHILIPPPINES.

The best part of being in the Philippines is that everything is so Filipino. So familiar, yet so foreign—the big buckets full of water to shower with, the Skyflakes, the accents, the food. It’s just like going to Grandma’s house in Historic Filipino Town. Hearing people speak Tagalog is like being in the middle of a Filipino party again. The old people remind me of my grandparents and I can envision Dad walking around town with his brothers causing trouble. 

My grandparents brought the Philippines with them when they immigrated to the States; I wasn’t aware of it until this experience. Because I’m in in the Philippines, I can draw connections between how we (referring to anyone who was born/come to the States) were raised in the states and how my grandparents were raised here in the PI. Everything is SO FILIPINO. I know I'm stating the obvious, but our upbringing makes so much more sense. My grandparents’ house in Filipino town has similar characteristics to the ones here—the clotheslines, banana trees, the Santo Niños, and mini altars, even the sinks look the same (weird thing to notice, yeah?). And the clothes they wear, the clothes—mismatched, multicolored, and beanies or some kind of hat—I can’t tell you how much it reminds me of Grandma San Juan.

One of the highlights of this trip so far was traveling two hours south to Morong, Rizal, to see the roots of our family and where it all began. From the house Dad grew up in, to the elementary school he went to, and the Church where my grandparents on Mom’s side were married, we saw the history of my family before we were even a family. I’m so proud of my family, to see where they came from and to see what they have made of themselves.

Cheers to family and diggin’ through your roots…

two short stories

Short Story #1 – Manila, Philippines

First rule of budget traveling, look at all possible options.

Second rule of budget traveling, look at all possible options.

Airports are the places where savvy drivers looking for a quick buck (or Peso) have the best opportunity to rip off oblivious tourists. Exiting the terminal, I asked the airport concierge where I could catch a taxi to the  Bayview Park Hotel, he pointed to two gentlemen chatting across the way. They waved me over, asked where I was going, and said: “It’s a flat rate of P900, mum.” I asked for a metered taxi, he rebutted, “I’ll drive you for P800, mum. It’s a good price.” 

“No, thanks. I want a metered taxi”

I spent 200 pesos.
Jeeks and Ken spent 800. ha, suckas.

  

Short story #2 – Manila, Philippines

Almost everyday for the 5 months I was in Thailand, I had this or a similar variation of the following conversation:

-"Khun Thai?" (Are you Thai?)

-Mai Thai (I'm not Thai). America and Philippine.

-"You same, same Thai people"or "You same face Thai people.”

-I know (laughs). Philippine look same, same.

I flew into the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on Saturday and after the usual routine--immigration, baggage claim, and money exchange--I stood in line for a taxi.  I got to the front and the desk attendant said:

"You from Thailand?"

Even in the motherland, people still think I'm Thai. 

When in the Philippines...

...eat as the Filipinos eat.

It's the last night in Baguio City, I had to make it interesting. 

Doused in hot sauce and vinegar, I had me some baby chicks on a stick.

 

...Never doing that again.

McHale ain't got nothing on this...

Morong, Philippines

Did you know race is socially constructed?

Kasetsart University--Kampaeng Saeng, Thailand
Friday, March 4, 2011

Sitting four people to a table waiting for our Pad Thai--Zach and I on one side, Evan and Nick on the other. Four people having dinner.

We are four people having dinner.

1 of 2 Netherland travelers doing research at Kasetsart University recognizes Zach and comes over to our table of four. She greets him first, introduces herself to Evan and then to Nick, then reverts her attention back Zach. Three white guys and a brown girl having dinner.

In Thailand, we are three white guys and a brown girl having dinner.

Did you know race is socially constructed?

I'm brown with slanted eyes but if you want to get technical, I'm Filipino-American.

 

I've never been so aware of my tanned complexion and squinty eyes.  I know I blend in but who cares if I look Thai (or brown or Asian)? Or, so what if you assume I don't speak English? Some sort of acknowledgment would at least be respectful because, in reality...


if you REALLY want to get technical...

I'm also human.

From traveler to townie and back

After a five hour bus ride from the Mo Chit bus terminal in Bangkok to Aranya Prathet, a 15 minute tuk-tuk ride to the border, and about 45 minutes of visa/immigration business, we successfully (and painlessly) crossed the Thai/Cambodian border at the Poi Pet checkpoint.

Let's rewind.

Two months ago, I fancied the idea of staying in Thailand to teach for another semester--traveling every weekend, meeting new people, finding something new and exciting to do...I mean, who wouldn't want that?

Traveler.

I've lived and worked in Thailand, just like I've lived and worked in Monterey and LA. I hate to admit it but after 4 (almost 5) months in Thailand, it started to lose it's appeal. When I subbed out cultural explorations and adventures for Drunk Kristin on Khao San and weekend lethargy AND WAS OKAY WITH IT, I knew another semester wasn't for me (and I'm sure my liver would agree).

Thai Townie.

If there's one thing I don't want to be it's: too comfortable.
Change is in order, on to the next country.

Traveler.

Fast forward

Being in Cambodia is amazing because it's different and, well, because it's Cambodia. The second country stamp in my little passport. It will be a good day when I have to get more pages tacked on. There's something about being somewhere new that makes me feel good...high, in fact. There's nothing like it.

 

Siem Reap, Cambodia thus far...

• Well, i still look like everyone. "You look like Cambodian people" or "You sure you're not half Cambodian?" yea, dude, I'm pretty sure.
• What's up with the free transportation? I'm not complaining but seriously, why?
• The food seems like a less oily and less spicy version of Thai food. In the words of Rachel Ray, DEEEELISH. 
• I have to look right THEN left before crossing the street and the steering wheel is on the left side of the car!
• They accept the US Dollar. You know you've been in Thailand long when you convert everything you buy into baht. It's depressing that I'm paying 60-80baht a meal in lieu of 20-40baht.
• Cambodian customer service kicks the crap out of Thai customer service. 
• Angkor Wat, it's hard not to fall in love with the ancient ruins. Waking up at 4:30 doesn't even place a damper on the morning. To be touching and standing on so much history is something you have to experience. Ayutthaya, Thailand ain't got shizzz on these bad boys.

February Top Five

Alright, I'm sitting in my hostel and have already spent 40baht for using the internet, so this one is going to be short and sweet...

I know i've been on a blogging hiatus, gone AWOL, MIA...but it was one mentally draining February and sad to say, it was pretty quiet on the traveling front. So to get y'all up to speed with my Thailandish Februrary, here are the highlights...

5. The Beach by Alex Garland

Although I didn't have the energy or time to blog it up, I did manage to get lost in adventure and insanity with Richard in Thailand. A great read while traveling in Thailand.

4. Koh Samet

3 of 4 February weekends were spent in Bangkok...The only weekend I didn't pound Leos or Saangom on Khao San was the long weekend in Koh Samet. In short, this little island get-a-way, can be summed up with: drunken beachside shenanigans. 

3. "Welp, see ya later, Prachomklao College of Nursing"

This is a loaded one because finishing out the term also concludes that:

• all grading for all 155 students is complete. Note to self: after collecting an assignment, GRADE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
  
• teaching portfolio is complete. Note to self: when given a semester long task, don't wait until two days before it's due to start.
  
• homelessness, as is actually without guaranteed shelter to call a temporary home. I'm an official backpacker now. weird.

2. Cambodia & Vietnam

About 3000 baht later, I gots my visas and am hitting the road with Erin and Brie to countries I've only known through books and maps. We're catching a bus to the  border tomorrow morning at 7:30 to see Angkor Wat, the Killing Fields, and Tuol Sleng. Then it's off to explore Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam from March 13-16.

1. The PHILIPPINES!

This. is. MECCA. The trip of all trips. The freaking Philippines! I finally bit the bullet, and booked my trip to the motherland I've been dreaming about this since I was little and it's finally happening March 19-April 10. That's 22 days of exploring--plans include: the Banaue Rice Terraces, Chocolate Hills, the beaches--Boracay, maybe?, hiking, caving, etc. Holy crap. holy. crap. crap. I'm finally going! It's like Christmas only better.