Where did Jan go?

Hi, I thought I would take advantage of some of Rick's photography to show you a little more about what Puerto is like. I realized that although things are very different here, I have become very accustomed to much of what goes on. Watching Rick absorb the newness of the place and people was really interesting. I think traffic and work safety standards amazed Rick; coming from the background of teaching defensive driving, the appearance of lawless driving was something. (look close in the one picture and you will see that there are vehicals from all 4 directions in the intersection). When there are no lights people just make their way, traffic adjust, no one gets too excited, and everyone seems to get were they are going. They do this sometimes against great odds! What about the visibility many tricycle drivers have? Does it count if you can see most of the road?
Rick doesn't have pictures of the many safety infractions he saw (like welding without goggles, standing on high scafolding with no safety gear, unorgaized cluttered work sites); Rick will be telling stories at his work for quite some time.
More about the pictures. There is a place called Bakers Hill that started as a little bake shop but now it is a very popular resteraunt, shop and has a playground area for kids. It's very odd to see bugs bunnie and friends (including Marilynne Monroe) hanging out in the middle of what seems like no were. Although the setting doesn't feel Philipinno they do serve a great Halo Halo (famous sweet ice drink filled with other sweet stuff).
Just up the road is a place you can get a great view of Honda bay and the Mountains looking north. (1 seniory pictures)
I have pictures of Kamarikutan, the gallery restaraunt were I took my lessons (I've showed pictures from here before, it's hard to capture the feeling in pictures, but I'm trying). I like the sign about the Bamboo, the sound of the bamboo in a bit of wind is very cool, the stalks rug against eachother and it is a creeking noice. The first week Rick was here, there was an opening (Even a cerimonial opening that Rick got to participate in). Check the sign, my name is last on the list with the other Artists; with 4 pictures framed I had my first showing with the local artists in town. How exciting is that! I had the option of putting a price on them but I opted for Not For Sale, it's like there priceless that way!! So I'll come home with the pictures to show you all at some time. You will have to look at them and make nice conversation about how interesting and inspiring they are or my feeling will be hurt. I'm spending some regular time drawing and it is very relaxing, even when I work on portraits. My first attemps at portraits were drawing myself from the mirror but I realized that I move too much and I've resorted to drawing from photos.
The pictures are from the first part of our holiday, early december (I don't have any pictures of the later part yet). I will work at getting them because that will include pictures from the volcano lake we hiked up to than swam in. It was amazing because the water was green like Lake Louise (only it was warm to swim in). The water was really boyant even though it was fresh water. I always find the water so tempting to swim in in Lake Louise (minus the minus temp) so getting in the crater lake was like fullfilling that dream.
- White Beach as the sun sets, a few cool shots of boats in the sunset (not something I see every day at home)
-There's a picture of the Jeepney loading for Sabang, Rick was amazed when he counted over 31 people in, and on the jeepey as we headed out. As we sat crowded in the back I had to break it to him not to get too comfortable! we had a 3 hour trip (barring no flats or other travel mishaps that are very common) and the jeep would pick up many more people on the way. Anyways it's a fun trip because on the way at a quick stop they sell things like roasted garlic peanuts, bananas (fried and sugared) on a stick, a pancake in a bag, (did I already write about this? I do love pancake in a bag! I probably told you this at some point but the repeating just emphasizes how cool these things are)
Well the picture of the road shows the country we travel and the cliff behind the trees is of one of the limestone cliffs that tower in the area. The boat is headed for the 45 minute tour into the cave. We go for about 1.5 Km, it's very cool. We hiked to the cave in the protected forest park. the hike is about 5 km as a round trip but even at a stead pase it takes about 4 hours with plenty of up and down. So far it is my favorite place to go when I have time off (as fast as time is going, I hope to make it out there again). This Saturday is already working out to be busy with a fun tennis tournament and picnic with local tennis players. It's my first attempt to actually play (I hear in real games you can't let the ball bounce 2 or 3 times and you have to hit the green box, that sucks, I think I'll see a lot of love in my games!!). If weather permits I plan to sail in the afternoon. The sailing lady is wondering whats up. I hope I remember what to do when the kids say Tak mam!
I better pick up my blog writing. at this rate of 1 a month, I will be home in 3 more stories. take care Angela