musings

An exchange student from my Uni in Japan, who I spoke to once in the elevator, is here for internship. If you are the kind who believes in stereotypes, the Filipinos are supposed to be hospitable. Well, I'm not really the friendly kind but I always feel compelled when foreigners visit the country to tell them that the Philippines is not only Manila! There are by far more beautiful places with people more connected to life and their environment. A night out in Embassy with the pretty girl in a tawdry dress who spends hours in the toilet to throw up the expensive dinner and alcohol she consumed is not the real Philippine experience. I remember surfing this unheard of tiny island just off Vigan. We ate fish which we cooked over wood we gathered from the island. We brought fresh water in pails from the mainland for bathing. In the mornings, when nature calls we answer it next to the goats who eyed us suspiciously. One night while we were getting drunk on cheap Ginebra, one British guy claimed that that was at the top 5 best days of his life. I thought then that was the alcohol talking but after this weekend's parties I realized that was one of the best five days of my life as well.