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

Happy new Years

I am settling in "home" after a very relaxing holiday. I feel very blessed with so many little things to enjoy. Happiness comes to me in the little things. So here are a few pictures from the last month to reflect some of my moments of joy. For new years my toast to you is "know happiness deep in your heart".

Commentary on Pictures:

1. Need I say more, What can be better than standing on a post at sunset working on the crane pose!!

2. stretching in the ocean

3. and 4. Smile for the Camera (not quite as good as the local kids yet)
5. So cute! and she didn't even cry

6. Now coconut juice, from the coconut, on the beach is grand (add rum and you have even more grand!)

7. Yes I'm drinking pop, hard to believe yes, but I didn't want to miss out on the oppurtunity to drink pop from a bag!!

I did say it's the small stuff :)

8. I just really like the colors of the picture with the statue (Blue makes me happy!) and I love the image of the sea breeze.

See you all soon. Happy new years from Philippines!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

I have been slow on writing and I am struggling to find the words to say merry Christmas. I hope the pictures will show the Christmas wishes I am having and will pass them onto you. Christmas is big and the city has been decorated for over a month. Dec 1 was opening night of the Christmas tree on capital square. It is celebrated with fireworks (not just a few, every half hour all evening and finishing with a blast), lots of lights and people; people all over. Every night the square is open to events like singing, concerts, a dramatized life sized puppet show, food, crafts, and people. Big christmas trees are done up (sorry about the sideways one :) I had a nice time at the party put on by the landlord. They invited us in like family. Yes Rick sang karaoke after a few Red horses! In true fillipino style the party invite said starts at 6:00. Rick and I were the only ones there for quite sometime, and by 8:00 the others arrived! There were a few jokes about our arrival time. The party was a great time to get to know my neighbors better and to get into the christmas spirit.
During the past week I have had some great holiday time. I took Rick to 2 of my favorite places here on Palawan. Cocoloco Beach (great sand for making sand cowboy hats! and swimming lots) and then in Sabang (I pushed one wrong button on the computer; now the great pictures of Sabang are floating in the world of lost computer stuff - like the picture of Ox on the beach, hike in the forest, Hanging on a vine like a less than graceful Jane, boat trip in the underwater river, Inukshuks made on the rock beach....)
Well, still have lots of pictures to entertain you all with when I come home. Like leg in the air (salt water is great for syncro), Rick and I posing on the beach, Pretending to be Bo Derek!...)
So have a very merry Christmas!! thinking of you at home :) Love from Angela in the Philippines

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.

went to Narra

Blog 2
Earlier this month I went to visit a Mayline in Narra. We had a nice time. Even though puerto is not really big city, it sure felt different to be out in a more rural place. The picture of the sun rise was taken as we waited on the side of the road for a ride to the hot springs for a morning soak. (I was amazed that the hot springs were so good even though the air temp gets me sweating at the best of times) The man on his carabo also past and posted for my picture.
I also spent some time at the market - fish, fruit, veggies, close, almost anything you can get at walmart. Well I do get a bit overwhelmed in markets and unless I have someone to take me to their regular vendor, I tend to just walk on by. I'm not use to choosing from 10 to 20 different sales people for a few bananas, it's overwhelming to say the least.
Another thing that I haven't got use to is seeing heavily armed guards, police, military guys. They all seem to walk about very casually with a huge gun over their shoulders. Happily they posed for me and asked me to show their pictures to any of my single friends that might want a friend here (it still amazes me how many people I meet that want to immigrate).
Mayline and her little boy were great tour guides. Although Dodoy, the little boy was very scared of strangers and spent most of his time hiding from me, I did get a great typical Philipinno pose, smile included when the camera came out!
My latest hobby is drawing. I am taking lessons with a great artist, in a wonderful location. The pictures with the trees and pathways is the grounds of the art gallery I go to. If I'm not inspired here, I wouldn't think of trying anywhere else. The place is called Kamarinkutan and is a wonderful setting for viewing native art and having a sip of coffee. The place was recently featured in a travel magazine. It tells the story about the founder and shows some great shots. (I'll try googling it)
I have many pictures of flower but I thought I would post this one of the Papaya tree. It's kind of an original shot because the flower is about 15 feet up a tree. I was able to get this shot because the tree was beside a lookout platform and so