Well the picture taking has really slow down, many things seems just regular to me (rosters in the street, the tricycles, many people packed into a jeepney, everything green and growing.... I even saw a little bearcat yesterday (It's a bit like a badger, eats fruit). It was staying on an abandon lot by a friends place. somehow it ended up in town and hasn't found it's way back to the wild). The picture of the mountain and water is called the bay walk. They are just working on making it nice so I thought an early picture would be interesting to then compare it to before coming home. I'm hoping the trees will be well on their way to making a bit of shade. It is a very nice place to walk. In the evening it is fairly busy with people just hanging out to see the sun set and in the morning there are runners and walker strolling along. It's about a 15 minute walk from my place and right by the market so I usually can pick up something on my way by.
The little wooden bridge is a pathway to a patient's home. This young girl with CP lives with her family that farm rice. We went to see how things were going in her home . She is very motivated to go to school and had her family carry her (it's about 5 to 8k I'ld guess). We went to check on her because the clinic was able to provide her with a bike and carry cart that her father can use to take her to school. Much easier than the walk. Anyways it is very cool to do the home visits and see some remote places. little homes and a few animals in the yard. The trips seem to always end up somewhere peaceful and peaceful.
Well just had a bit excitement at work as a rat came running through the office...
I think it's very cool to come to work on rainy days and see all the umbrella out front. Instead of winter boots and coats and stuff, just umbrella's. the pretty blue one was mine till I lost it!! my count is 4. I've lost 2 and one broke since I've been here. (Umbrella update. number 4 is just starting it's quick slippery slide to coming apart after about 3 weeks!!)
I hear there is a storm coming to Palawan in the next day with 60K winds so that should finish off the umbrella!! Palawan doesn't get too many storms but the odd time it rains very hard I get a bit nervous (my fear is the the snakes will get desperate for a dry place to stay and make their way in. The other night I heard this hiss sound. nothing in the apartment but kept me wondering for a bit). Overall Palawan is a safe place with regards to natural disasters. Their are no active volcanoes or earthquakes on this Island and it is in fairly sheltered waters so the typhoons are mellowed down.
So life is different but now I am in the routine I will think things strange at home I'm sure.
A few weekends ago I went out to Sabang. It was a fun jeepney ride about 3 hours in a crowded jeepney (the only way to shift positions was to make a deal with the person beside and trade leaning forward or back. Well it isn't as bad as it sounds the drive was beautiful and there was a nice breeze. There were stops on the way and they sell food like deep fried sweet bananas or potatoes on a stick, rice cake things, pancakes in a bag (my favorite!!), peanuts and such. Then just when we got excited about 3 or 4 people getting off at the stop, 4 or 5 came on. I tried to take a picture but it's pretty hard to capture the moment.
The pictures of the scenery show the limestone cliffs that we pass on the way to sabang. there is a picture of the sun set and also the Peace Core volunteers that I travelled with. It was great to wake up in the morning and have the ocean waves to swim in. I also did a great hike the trees and by the ocean, reminded me to sign up for the west coast trail one day when I get back.
My evenings have been busy with drawing. I am making a few sketches for an art show in the local gallery in December. It's kind of exciting. My art teacher says to just slowly work away at a few pictures and we will get them framed and finished looking. I'm definite nervous about my drawings being in a gallery with professional artists but it's definitely a one in a life time opportunity and I'll get a bit of a right up to explain I've only been drawing for a month or so. The gallery show will be mostly local artist and the ones I have met are very nice. I don't have much to draw in my apartment so I have been creative in my still life sketches!! I have to update and make some of the pictures nicer for the showing but it's a start.
take care and hope to update you with some good stories in the next few weeks.