12.15.2007
12.14.2007
T'boli
I felt so honored to have a homestay arranged with one of our National Artists, Lang Dulay. Beh (grandmother) Lang, as she is fondly called by her populous grand children, is hailed national artist for t'nalak weaving (indigenous loomweaving out of abaca fibers). Since I couldn't speak with her in her native tongue, I chatted with her grandchildren.
Perhaps one of the most interesting conversations in my life, I learned that in the early days, T'boli men can have many wives. The main reason for that is they had to enlarge their clan. That way, the head of the family can become a datu. How can a man be a datu if he has no constituents (or a small family)? So, from only 2 sons of Lang Dulay, one son married 6 wives, the other 9. Just think of how many grand children and greatgrandchildren she has now. They also practiced arranged marriages. So a teenage girl can already get married, have kids, and populate the clan. Can a woman marry out of love? Sadly, arrangements can only be turned down if you're rich enough to return back the dowry which the male's family has given--which is very rare.
Asked how the younger generation are taking it: they're sick and tired of the tradition and would want to find love by choice. The same goes with t'nalak weaving. To them, the entire weaving is a tedious process and is too complicated for them to keep. Most of them would rather get good education and become professionals. Does it mean that as they turn their back, their tribe's culture would die a slow death? I hope not. As I've personally witnessed, there are still many ways they're known for, like their music:
Perhaps one of the most interesting conversations in my life, I learned that in the early days, T'boli men can have many wives. The main reason for that is they had to enlarge their clan. That way, the head of the family can become a datu. How can a man be a datu if he has no constituents (or a small family)? So, from only 2 sons of Lang Dulay, one son married 6 wives, the other 9. Just think of how many grand children and greatgrandchildren she has now. They also practiced arranged marriages. So a teenage girl can already get married, have kids, and populate the clan. Can a woman marry out of love? Sadly, arrangements can only be turned down if you're rich enough to return back the dowry which the male's family has given--which is very rare.
Asked how the younger generation are taking it: they're sick and tired of the tradition and would want to find love by choice. The same goes with t'nalak weaving. To them, the entire weaving is a tedious process and is too complicated for them to keep. Most of them would rather get good education and become professionals. Does it mean that as they turn their back, their tribe's culture would die a slow death? I hope not. As I've personally witnessed, there are still many ways they're known for, like their music:
lake sebu
and so my adventure begins at surallah, where my coordinator Danny Antenor agreed to meet me at the terminal. "are you afraid of riding a motor bike?" came his text. i replied, "No."
as expected, he came with a single motor. and i, with a 10lb-ish pack on my back, was about to experience the bumpiest ride of my life!
not wanting to waste any more precious time, we made our way uphill to Lake Sebu-- a good 30min to an hour trip-- exchanged quick pleasantries with a few locals and headed to the famous??? Seven falls. Two of these are easily accessible to any tourist. I was here to see the other 5.. through an unexplored trail. "Which trail?," you may ask; to which I asked myself, "What trail? There's no trail at all!!!"
It was like that hike to kampung Semuti somewhere in the jungles of Sarawak (Malaysia), but this one is multiplied to the 3rd degree of difficulty!!! I slipped more, fell more, brought home more bruises and insect bites, and my knees were shaking halfway through.
my guides (the Dongon brothers, whose family own the land bordering the falls) were merciless! they just kept on going and going.
There were moments when I wanted to give up, rest for a whole hour, or use my non-existent supernatural powers to fly, but every single time we stopped to enjoy each waterfall, I was instantly invigorated. the view was just glorious.
my favorite would be #5 and #4.
the water fell so strong (i'm not quite sure which words are proper to use to describe it) that it created mists. imagine a giant evian. imagine it spraying not just your face, but your entire body, like a free shower. it was so refreshing. i wasn't totally prepared for it since i expected to take a dip in a pool it would create. so, note to travellers, waterproof everything. get a waterproof camera as well. and if you're planning to take the unexplored "trail", eat a lot. and ask your guide to take lotsa break. i was amazed it only took us 4 hours back and forth. locals said it was a feat! even seasoned climbers couldn't cover it that quickly. also, if the idea of climbing a steep 90deg angle clinging only to roots and crossing rivers don't scare you, then by all means, take this challenge!
my waterfalls exploration was finished off with a trip to one of the easy falls (#1). there, we were met by the other Dongon family (who managed and maintained the falls) and were eager to see photos I took of the other falls. they haven't gone there. after showing them some shots, they were happy that somehow they had a glimpse of it.
as expected, he came with a single motor. and i, with a 10lb-ish pack on my back, was about to experience the bumpiest ride of my life!
not wanting to waste any more precious time, we made our way uphill to Lake Sebu-- a good 30min to an hour trip-- exchanged quick pleasantries with a few locals and headed to the famous??? Seven falls. Two of these are easily accessible to any tourist. I was here to see the other 5.. through an unexplored trail. "Which trail?," you may ask; to which I asked myself, "What trail? There's no trail at all!!!"
It was like that hike to kampung Semuti somewhere in the jungles of Sarawak (Malaysia), but this one is multiplied to the 3rd degree of difficulty!!! I slipped more, fell more, brought home more bruises and insect bites, and my knees were shaking halfway through.
my guides (the Dongon brothers, whose family own the land bordering the falls) were merciless! they just kept on going and going.
There were moments when I wanted to give up, rest for a whole hour, or use my non-existent supernatural powers to fly, but every single time we stopped to enjoy each waterfall, I was instantly invigorated. the view was just glorious.my favorite would be #5 and #4.
the water fell so strong (i'm not quite sure which words are proper to use to describe it) that it created mists. imagine a giant evian. imagine it spraying not just your face, but your entire body, like a free shower. it was so refreshing. i wasn't totally prepared for it since i expected to take a dip in a pool it would create. so, note to travellers, waterproof everything. get a waterproof camera as well. and if you're planning to take the unexplored "trail", eat a lot. and ask your guide to take lotsa break. i was amazed it only took us 4 hours back and forth. locals said it was a feat! even seasoned climbers couldn't cover it that quickly. also, if the idea of climbing a steep 90deg angle clinging only to roots and crossing rivers don't scare you, then by all means, take this challenge!
my waterfalls exploration was finished off with a trip to one of the easy falls (#1). there, we were met by the other Dongon family (who managed and maintained the falls) and were eager to see photos I took of the other falls. they haven't gone there. after showing them some shots, they were happy that somehow they had a glimpse of it.
11.20.2007
10.23.2007
manaoag
wanderlust strikes again. it's one of those moments when i just had to break away from my routine.
having just finished my monthly audits to several systems, i had an urge to go somewhere else. this place in Pangasinan suddenly roused my curiosity and i had to see it for myself. Manaoag is a place where Catholic devotees offer up prayers when they have a special need. Vigils are common specially during the Holy Week.
From the main road, the sign says 5km to Manaoag. I took a mental note of how much time it would take me to get there so I can estimate how long i should linger before i head home and before it gets dark. slowly, i rolled down my windows, put on something upbeat in the player, and just began soaking up the beauty of the journey.
Reaching my destination, i was quite disappointed at how commercialized it has become. The town is teeming with followers and the road is lined up with vendors selling their wares from religious articles to local handicrafts to cheap clothing and native delicacies. Where's the reverence in all this?
Amidst the chaos, my eye caught another sign that read "This way to the Virgin's Well". Somewhere, there must be some place more serene. Turning right, the road inclined and the concrete path turned to broken concrete, then unpaved rough road. 3kms later, I made it to the well that was said to have healing powers.
I am no Catholic, and going there didn't mean anything special to me. but it filled the need for me to have a destination so I can have a closure to my aimless wandering. I've arrived and now I need to get back. leaving Manaoag, i have yet again ticked off another destination in my "Places to visit in the Philippines" list.
cows grazing
a barangay of goats
having just finished my monthly audits to several systems, i had an urge to go somewhere else. this place in Pangasinan suddenly roused my curiosity and i had to see it for myself. Manaoag is a place where Catholic devotees offer up prayers when they have a special need. Vigils are common specially during the Holy Week.
From the main road, the sign says 5km to Manaoag. I took a mental note of how much time it would take me to get there so I can estimate how long i should linger before i head home and before it gets dark. slowly, i rolled down my windows, put on something upbeat in the player, and just began soaking up the beauty of the journey.
Reaching my destination, i was quite disappointed at how commercialized it has become. The town is teeming with followers and the road is lined up with vendors selling their wares from religious articles to local handicrafts to cheap clothing and native delicacies. Where's the reverence in all this?
Amidst the chaos, my eye caught another sign that read "This way to the Virgin's Well". Somewhere, there must be some place more serene. Turning right, the road inclined and the concrete path turned to broken concrete, then unpaved rough road. 3kms later, I made it to the well that was said to have healing powers.
I am no Catholic, and going there didn't mean anything special to me. but it filled the need for me to have a destination so I can have a closure to my aimless wandering. I've arrived and now I need to get back. leaving Manaoag, i have yet again ticked off another destination in my "Places to visit in the Philippines" list.
cows grazing
a barangay of goats10.18.2007
enchanting india
when i went to india 3 years ago, i could never explain in words what attracted me to that mysterious country and what, for the most part, kept it interesting.
today, getting a dose of my blog-reads, i chanced upon one traveller whose post puts it well:
Travelling in India is not an easy or comfortable experience. There will be times when you’ll be nervous, and times when you’ll be thrilled, times when you’ll be freezing
cold, and times when you’ll be melting hot, times when you’ll be in awe, and times when you’ll be in disgust, times when you’ll be homesick, and times when you’ll forget where you came from, times when you’ll be angry, and times when you’ll practice compassion, times when you’ll feel lonely, and times when you’ll feel you’re part of a new family, times when you’ll be exhausted, and times when you’ve never felt so alive. It’s best not to go with our first inclination to label these experiences as “good” or “bad” but simply recognize each experience for what it is -- an experience. For ironically enough, it’s rarely the memory of a comfortable couch that we treasure, but exactly those experiences that push us out of zones of comfort and put us on cold and sharp ledges, that transform our lives and perception of it.
www.solbeam.com
today, getting a dose of my blog-reads, i chanced upon one traveller whose post puts it well:
Travelling in India is not an easy or comfortable experience. There will be times when you’ll be nervous, and times when you’ll be thrilled, times when you’ll be freezing
cold, and times when you’ll be melting hot, times when you’ll be in awe, and times when you’ll be in disgust, times when you’ll be homesick, and times when you’ll forget where you came from, times when you’ll be angry, and times when you’ll practice compassion, times when you’ll feel lonely, and times when you’ll feel you’re part of a new family, times when you’ll be exhausted, and times when you’ve never felt so alive. It’s best not to go with our first inclination to label these experiences as “good” or “bad” but simply recognize each experience for what it is -- an experience. For ironically enough, it’s rarely the memory of a comfortable couch that we treasure, but exactly those experiences that push us out of zones of comfort and put us on cold and sharp ledges, that transform our lives and perception of it.www.solbeam.com
8.26.2007
8.24.2007
radar
June 4, 2007. the reason why i insisted on climbing the mountain that Monday was because i wanted to remind myself of something--that a task is never big enough that i could not conquer it.
i remember trekking the ranges of bordering Malaysia and Indonesia (um, almost Indonesia) last March and i clearly recall not even being daunted by it. the entire hike (one-way) took almost an entire day, the trail was tough & challenging, we had to cross rivers, slog up and down the mountains, all under the sweltering heat of the noontime sun, and yet i hardly broke a sweat (metaphorically speaking)! but the whole time, i really had a blast and never considered it such an arduous task.
that trip taught me a few things:
- never look too far ahead of you, lest you be overwhelmed and decide to turn your back
- take one step at a time
- enjoy every moment
you see, my father recently took over the management of existing systems in 3 more towns. you can equate that to more work for me. there's just too much to do since we're also upgrading our billing system. and my sister still isn't here to give me a hand. it's just overwhelming!!!
i needed something to remind me of that precious lesson i learned a few months ago which i almost instantly have forgotten.
the local energy station announced that there would be a province-wide power outage that day, so i grabbed the opportunity since i couldn't do much work in the office without electricity anyway. next was to find me a buddy for the day's climb. my cousin Maki was also perfect since he's a bouncy energetic teenager who was up to any action. he picked me up at 6am and we set off with our day packs and a determination to reach the peak.
along the way when i started to whine (which was more than occasionally), Maki would cheer me on and say, "We're almost at the bridge" or Just a few meters more or You can do it! Three and a half hours and countless breaks later, we reached the summit and stayed in this rundown office-cum-resthouse with a spectacular view of the town.
that was all i needed.
i came back home with throbbing joints & muscles and a sore body, but the task ahead of me did not seem so enormous anymore.
i remember trekking the ranges of bordering Malaysia and Indonesia (um, almost Indonesia) last March and i clearly recall not even being daunted by it. the entire hike (one-way) took almost an entire day, the trail was tough & challenging, we had to cross rivers, slog up and down the mountains, all under the sweltering heat of the noontime sun, and yet i hardly broke a sweat (metaphorically speaking)! but the whole time, i really had a blast and never considered it such an arduous task.
that trip taught me a few things:
- never look too far ahead of you, lest you be overwhelmed and decide to turn your back
- take one step at a time
- enjoy every moment
you see, my father recently took over the management of existing systems in 3 more towns. you can equate that to more work for me. there's just too much to do since we're also upgrading our billing system. and my sister still isn't here to give me a hand. it's just overwhelming!!!
i needed something to remind me of that precious lesson i learned a few months ago which i almost instantly have forgotten.
the local energy station announced that there would be a province-wide power outage that day, so i grabbed the opportunity since i couldn't do much work in the office without electricity anyway. next was to find me a buddy for the day's climb. my cousin Maki was also perfect since he's a bouncy energetic teenager who was up to any action. he picked me up at 6am and we set off with our day packs and a determination to reach the peak.
along the way when i started to whine (which was more than occasionally), Maki would cheer me on and say, "We're almost at the bridge" or Just a few meters more or You can do it! Three and a half hours and countless breaks later, we reached the summit and stayed in this rundown office-cum-resthouse with a spectacular view of the town.
that was all i needed.
i came back home with throbbing joints & muscles and a sore body, but the task ahead of me did not seem so enormous anymore.
6.02.2007
watchdog
exercising my right of suffrage. Precinct 1-A, Bantay, Ilocos SurMay 14, 2007 Election
i got an invite to a most unglamorous and risky job.
you get a few hours of shut eye the entire week, and i heard that in the southern part of the country, violence is expected. in Manila though, each person is insured up to P50,000.
i'm talking about volunteering to be an election watchdog.
why not? the last altruistic thing i ever did for my country was join the Edsa Dos which ousted Joseph Estrada.
my IDs say i am a LENTE (Legal Network for Truthful Elections) and PPRCV (Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting) volunteer. the group i joined in is an "accredited citizen's arm of the Commission on Elections whose task is to monitor the canvassing of tallied votes in cities, municipalities, and provinces around the country."
together with other volunteers, i took up to the task of encoding election returns (in my province Ilocos Sur) to come up with a quickcount which we can compare against ComElecs' and other entities' results.
along the way (our second day perhaps), we were surprised that there were massive election irregularities. some election returns were tampered, others had no thumbmarks and no official seal, there were conflicting totals, and several ERs were noticeably written by just one person. one cheater's attempt came accross as hilarious by sending a copied ER and typing at the back, "this is a certified true photocopy"!!!
i was appalled. and deep inside, i was screaming "dirty politics". these "spoilt" entries shouldn't even be counted! but what can an ordinary volunteer do? i wanna tell our chairperson to do something about it. to not just stand there and witness all these crap happening. that's what we're here for, right?
being an election watchdog is not a walk in the park. for all the effort i did, all i got was a shirt, a week's free lunch (and breakfast), some multi-vitamins and new-found seminarian friends. i never volunteered to expect financial remuneration. all i was after was clean elections. and i can't believe i witnessed cheating first-hand.
i went back home dejected thinking this massive cheating is a desecration of the people's right to choose who they want to rule over their nation.
May 27, 2007. tonight as i watched the news, PPRCV Ilocos Sur was featured. Our chairperson actually had the media with her and exposed these irregularities. i let out a sigh of relief. by making the people aware, at least now i can say that my time was not wasted. it was for a good cause after all.
5.23.2007
urban pleasures
not wanting to have my hair done by a stranger, i opted to forego going to the salon. back in manila, Arcy alone can cut my hair.
being in the rural province has its setbacks.
so i dared to do what no woman would dare do. standing in front of a mirror, i picked up a pair of scissors, muttered a little prayer, and snipped away. at least if it didn't turn out well, i've no one else to blame but myself.
as it turned out, i managed to create a soft layer with bangs and an uneven trim. haha.
in college, my university stood in front of a row of eateries ranging from fast food to pastry shops to semi-fine dine restaurants.
one of my fondest memories was a particular shop called hmm, what was it again?
anyhow, it has the word "angel" on it and what makes it special actually, is one comfort food i discovered there-- lemon squares.
now, what do you do when you suddenly crave for it and you find yourself in a rural place without shops offering that specialty?
google it and bake your own. good thing there's a recently opened supermarket here that offered lemons. otherwise, i guess i'd have to improvise and recreate it into calamansi (green local Philippine lemon sized a quarter of a golf ball) squares.
here's the recipe...
LEMON SQUARES
A recipe for lemon squares, a popular bar cookie dessert made with a cookie crust and lemony topping.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cups flour
* 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
* 2 sticks butter
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 tablespoon flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 4 eggs, well beaten
* 1 heaping tablespoon grated lemon rind
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
PREPARATION:
Sift flour and powdered sugar together. Cut in butter until well blended. Press mixture over bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan. Bake about 25 minutes at 300° until lightly browned. Combine remaining ingredients and spread on top of the baked crust. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Makes about 12 servings.
being in the rural province has its setbacks.
so i dared to do what no woman would dare do. standing in front of a mirror, i picked up a pair of scissors, muttered a little prayer, and snipped away. at least if it didn't turn out well, i've no one else to blame but myself.
as it turned out, i managed to create a soft layer with bangs and an uneven trim. haha.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
in college, my university stood in front of a row of eateries ranging from fast food to pastry shops to semi-fine dine restaurants.
one of my fondest memories was a particular shop called hmm, what was it again?
anyhow, it has the word "angel" on it and what makes it special actually, is one comfort food i discovered there-- lemon squares.
now, what do you do when you suddenly crave for it and you find yourself in a rural place without shops offering that specialty?
google it and bake your own. good thing there's a recently opened supermarket here that offered lemons. otherwise, i guess i'd have to improvise and recreate it into calamansi (green local Philippine lemon sized a quarter of a golf ball) squares.
here's the recipe...
LEMON SQUARES
A recipe for lemon squares, a popular bar cookie dessert made with a cookie crust and lemony topping.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cups flour
* 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
* 2 sticks butter
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 tablespoon flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 4 eggs, well beaten
* 1 heaping tablespoon grated lemon rind
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
PREPARATION:
Sift flour and powdered sugar together. Cut in butter until well blended. Press mixture over bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan. Bake about 25 minutes at 300° until lightly browned. Combine remaining ingredients and spread on top of the baked crust. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Makes about 12 servings.
5.09.2007
shaken, but not stirred
..MAY 8, 2007..
at 2.30am yesterday, the earth shook. it lasted an intimidating 15-seconds. but i was not scared, really. as i lay there by myself, three things came to mind.
epilogue:
that same day, the earth shook again at around 10.30pm.
at 2.30am yesterday, the earth shook. it lasted an intimidating 15-seconds. but i was not scared, really. as i lay there by myself, three things came to mind.
- i uttered a prayer for my parents who were just by the next door. i asked for God's protection to be upon them.
- the construction!! of all the things, i could think about, my thoughts were racing: were the foundations built strong enough to stand any more earthquakes? was their work futile? after these shaking, would the posts still be secure? would the architect / foreman notice any changes? what if the ground shook again after a few years? will it be sturdy? or will it have the same fate as the hotel in Baguio which fell after a major quake?
- uh-oh. what have we done again? forgive the sins of our nation, Lord. forgive us for every abominable sin we committed. have mercy on us.
epilogue:
that same day, the earth shook again at around 10.30pm.
5.03.2007
5.02.2007
5.01.2007
badoc island
Happy Birthday MOM!!!For the third time this month, I went to the beach. And for the third time, we celebrated another April birthday on an island. We celebrated Mom's __th in Badoc Island, off the Badoc town in Ilocos Norte.
I had guests from hospitality club who tagged along. Franziska is a Swiss nurse while Jo is a Belgian who works with computers; they're both working in Singapore.
Jo and Franziska are seasoned travellers who've been to most countries in SouthEast Asia and Latin America. They're a lovely couple and such adventurous ones because they hopped on a plane not knowing what to expect from the Philippines. To them (and to most Europeans), the Philippines is a black hole. Nobody knows anything about us. And when they tell friends they're going to North Luzon, they almost always get questioning looks, "What are you going to do there? What's to see there?"
It gladdens my heart that there are a few who brave coming to my country, despite of the news, and despite of not knowing anything. I hope that in the short span of time they spent here, Jo and Franziska would tell other nationalities about us... that they'd tell about the people they met... the local cuisine they tasted... the unique mix of culture... most especially, that they'd tell the Philippines is a beautiful country waiting to be explored.
4.26.2007
my star for all seasons
Lola (Grandmother) Mariamy lola cannot read. the most she can write would be numbers and her signature. yet, she (together with her husband) raised up 4 successful children and put them to school.
my lola only has an eye, yet she's sensitive enough to give you a blanket when you feel cold.
lola's a bit hard on hearing, yet she manages to drop her punch line (and sarcasm, i should say) at such a precise timing.
my lola survived lolo, yet she handles widowhood with such grace and confidence that you never see her on a weak moment. you'd always find her strolling in the nearby village where almost everyone is her cousin.
4.24.2007
my P6 Pancake House experience
April 24, 2007
Martin Lorenzo
CEO
Pancake House
Dear Mr. Lorenzo,
Last April 21, 2007 my dad and I were on our way home to Ilocos from Manila and decided to pay a little premium for breakfast instead of the usual fast food. Hands down, our choice was to eat at your reputable branch in Luisita, Tarlac.
Overall, it was a delightful breakfast experience except for the part where we had to pay the bill. I gave P400 for our P393.60 meal and was supposed to have a measly P6.40 change. Normally, I would've replaced it with a higher amount to leave a good tip. The client next to our table got his bill a few minutes after ours and got his change back right away. I was still waiting for ours. A good 10-15 minutes later, when the change didn't come, I had to ask for it. That's when I saw one of your staff open the tip box to recover my change and official receipt.
As a client, several things come to mind:
Is it ethical for Pancake House staff to do that? Is that how you usually conduct your business? Maybe it's time that you review your policies because it definitely shouts "unethical" to me. Or maybe I wasn't dressed as smartly as your staff expects me to be. Maybe they think I wouldn't care and I wouldn't notice and I wouldn't take the extra mile to report this incident to the "big boss".
All I am saying is, I am an entrepreneur myself, and if you (higher management) don't hear about the little business practices your people is doing, you'll slowly be going down the drain.
I never bothered getting the names of your staff, but if you have to sanction them, just check who were on shift from 7.30-9am last April 20, 2007 (Friday).
You may choose to act on this incident or totally ignore it. As far as I’m concerned, Pancake House would always be flashing “rip-off” and “unethical” on my mind.
A delighted-turned-sour customer4.23.2007
thinkin' of...
scientists have proven that human minds are linked with each other through neuron activities. so, if you're thinking of someone all day long without any reason at all, that person is probably thinking of you too, in any sense
-time magazine
(fiction to reality)
4.22.2007
...
When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, when the tender grass springs out of the earth through clear shining after rain.
- 2 Samuel 23: 3-4, Amplified Bible
4.21.2007
on pursuit of happyness
talk about resilience.
watch this movie, and you'll never see problems the same way again.
favourite cousin
photo taken by Mikmik, Bene's amateur photographer sister (hmm, doesn't sound right, but you get the picture).we just couldn't get enough of the island! for the second time this month, we went back and discovered its snorkel-potential. saw schools of blue tiny fishies and some striped kind. stunning underwater beauty!
4.12.2007
como estas
on different occasions this week, i asked three people the usual, "Kamusta na po kayo?" (How are you?)
for some strange reason, i didn't elicit the well-known "Fine thanks, and you?"
there must be something about the way i asked it that made them, um, elusive.
they must've sensed that i was genuine in asking and was not after the superficial pleasantries. i then understood that when confronted with this simple, yet meaningful phrase, people tend to shy away in fear of exposing the real them. they don't want to show the world how vulnerable they are. and almost instantly, they change the topic and divert it to something "safer".
how are you?
for some strange reason, i didn't elicit the well-known "Fine thanks, and you?"
there must be something about the way i asked it that made them, um, elusive.
they must've sensed that i was genuine in asking and was not after the superficial pleasantries. i then understood that when confronted with this simple, yet meaningful phrase, people tend to shy away in fear of exposing the real them. they don't want to show the world how vulnerable they are. and almost instantly, they change the topic and divert it to something "safer".
how are you?
abstinence
some people observe the lenten season by skipping any form of meat except for fish and seafood. others pass up on alcohol.
but for someone who doesn't eat pork nor drink (like me), what difference does it make? it isn't even sacrificial.
if anything, i'd have to give up internet and computer time.
come to think of it, that virus came in timely.
but for someone who doesn't eat pork nor drink (like me), what difference does it make? it isn't even sacrificial.
if anything, i'd have to give up internet and computer time.
come to think of it, that virus came in timely.
unprotected
it was the familiar "Ate, pakopya ng songs." (Can I copy your songs?)
having gotten most of my songs free, i willingly shared.
she handed me her thumb drive and i began transferring the files.
while waiting for it to be completed, i noticed a file i've known from a previous dreadful experience (Brontok.a.htm). right away, i knew it was a virus. dang! i'm in trouble.
even if i was all boiling up inside, i managed a calm, "Girl, your thumb drive has a virus!"
apparently, she wasn't aware. and apologized profusely. i assured her, "let's just hope it doesn't spread."
but i knew. i just knew, that i've been hit.
and i had been.
3 grueling days. my folders were multiplying and running applications. my network connection could not be detected. my sound driver wasn't functioning.
until finally, i had to face the truth: there's no other cure except to format my laptop. *sigh*
gladly, a friend taught me a nifty trick, which proved to be very helpful (and which, i'm glad i did before this virus hit my unit):
partition your hard disk and save your data files in one of the other drives.
that way, even if you have to format, your data would go unharmed. =)
having gotten most of my songs free, i willingly shared.
she handed me her thumb drive and i began transferring the files.
while waiting for it to be completed, i noticed a file i've known from a previous dreadful experience (Brontok.a.htm). right away, i knew it was a virus. dang! i'm in trouble.
even if i was all boiling up inside, i managed a calm, "Girl, your thumb drive has a virus!"
apparently, she wasn't aware. and apologized profusely. i assured her, "let's just hope it doesn't spread."
but i knew. i just knew, that i've been hit.
and i had been.
3 grueling days. my folders were multiplying and running applications. my network connection could not be detected. my sound driver wasn't functioning.
until finally, i had to face the truth: there's no other cure except to format my laptop. *sigh*
gladly, a friend taught me a nifty trick, which proved to be very helpful (and which, i'm glad i did before this virus hit my unit):
partition your hard disk and save your data files in one of the other drives.
that way, even if you have to format, your data would go unharmed. =)
Thank God it's Good Friday
while perhaps the entire philippines was in a pious mood observing the 'holiest' day of the holy week, my cousins and i were out celebrating my sister's birthday.
we're not being sacrilegous(? irreverent?) or anything, but for us, remembering the death and resurrection of Christ isn't a "Holy Week"-only affair. it's remembering Him every day of our lives.
anyhow, out we went for a day of adventure. we've been hearing about this island off our favorite beach in cabugao and decided to go find it and spend the day there.
getting to the island proved to be a challenge since there were no road signs and the directions the locals gave us were vague. we were running in circles and were going back where we came from until after 3 rounds, we finally found the right route. i remember Kamera saying something about their place in New Zealand, "we do not build nice roads on purpose to prevent intruders from coming!"
i'm guessing these Sabang locals' line of thoughts were running along the same line.
once we reached the port, we hired 2 boats to bring us to the island. i was charmed at how clear the waters were and i just couldn't believe that this paradise has been here all this time!
i was like a kid whose parents got her a brand
new bike for a present. i was all the more thrilled when i saw there was a trail for hiking. my excitement must be infectious because i got my "sheltered" cousins to join. it was a short 20-minute trek and we just held our breath when we reached the top. we were atop a cliff overlooking the shores below.
except for the five other tourists in the island, it was just us.
Thank God it's Good Friday.
Thank God Sabang isn't tourist-laden.
4.03.2007
before sunrise
today, i woke up at the crack of dawn (5.38am).
it's been a while since i caught a glimpse of the sunrise. i guess my body has now adjusted and am now back to being an early riser.
situated on the east, my side of the bed lets me witness the most amazing and spectacular backdrops at the break of day.
but with the construction of our new 4-storey office building, my sunrise days are numbered. *sigh*.
unfortunate pinay
it was my turn at singapore's immigration. the officer gazed at me, took a close look at my passport, and started bombarding me with questions:
"how long are you staying in singapore? when are you leaving? do you have a return flight?"
..and demanded for my ticket.
since i planned on coming back and spend 2 more weeks in malaysia, she started scribbling my itinerary.
15 minutes later and probably proving that i have no intentions of prolonging my stay in the lion city (as most pinays do), the officer finally let me in.
when i met up with my Maori friends Kamera and Harley in Kuching, i told them about what happened in singapore. i also gave them the background that the reason why immigration officers are stern about letting Filipinas in is that most of these Pinays overstay, hoping to find a job there before their 14-day visa expires.
"no wonder our line was held up in brunei immigration. there was a filipina in jeans and shirt who was ahead of us. she looked like a typical househelp."
kamera then continued her advice by telling me to dress appropriately when i go to brunei. this will tell them that i respect their customs and am not there to find a job.
fast-forward to brunei immigration. the lady officer was dutifully doing her task reviewing my
passport and i was all-smiles. donning a long-sleeved kurta and a lengthy sarong, doing my best to look prim and proper, ready to show her my flight out to the philippines in a few days, and ready to recite my itinerary, she handed my passport back to me. stamped with a 14-day stay. no questions asked.
:) delightful.
it's a sad reality that Filipino women are discriminated against.
that's why whenever i run off to a different country, i try my best to give the Philippines a good name.
"how long are you staying in singapore? when are you leaving? do you have a return flight?"
..and demanded for my ticket.
since i planned on coming back and spend 2 more weeks in malaysia, she started scribbling my itinerary.
15 minutes later and probably proving that i have no intentions of prolonging my stay in the lion city (as most pinays do), the officer finally let me in.
-- & --
when i met up with my Maori friends Kamera and Harley in Kuching, i told them about what happened in singapore. i also gave them the background that the reason why immigration officers are stern about letting Filipinas in is that most of these Pinays overstay, hoping to find a job there before their 14-day visa expires.
"no wonder our line was held up in brunei immigration. there was a filipina in jeans and shirt who was ahead of us. she looked like a typical househelp."
kamera then continued her advice by telling me to dress appropriately when i go to brunei. this will tell them that i respect their customs and am not there to find a job.
fast-forward to brunei immigration. the lady officer was dutifully doing her task reviewing my
passport and i was all-smiles. donning a long-sleeved kurta and a lengthy sarong, doing my best to look prim and proper, ready to show her my flight out to the philippines in a few days, and ready to recite my itinerary, she handed my passport back to me. stamped with a 14-day stay. no questions asked.
:) delightful.
it's a sad reality that Filipino women are discriminated against.
that's why whenever i run off to a different country, i try my best to give the Philippines a good name.
shoestring traveller
if you're one of those lazy to do a bit research, utterly clueless about South-East Asian geography, and baffled that i got to visit 3 countries in one go, then stick around. i'll let you in on a little secret.
the malaysia-singapore-brunei route is absolutely attainable and you don't have to be moneyed to be able to do that. but it will definitely be helpful if you brought out a map now (or google it) as i explain the routes.
oh wait, here's the map to save your precious little time.
my original itinerary is as follows:
* clark - Kuala Lumpur
* Kuala Lumpur - Johor Bahru
* Johor Bahru - Kuching
* Kuching - Kota Kinabalu
* Kota Kinabalu - Clark
while i was clicking away and booking my online flights, i strategically located them in such a way that it will let me explore nearby countries. now if you take a second look at the map, you'll see that JB is near to Singapore. and if you look at KK, it is in close proximity to Brunei. i could've also included indonesia in my itinerary but that's another story, and that'll require another few weeks to explore!
so how did i do it?
JB-SINGAPORE
Coming from Senai Airport, I didn't waste any more time by getting a bus that would bring me to Kota Raya.
cost: RM 8
From Kota Raya, buses would frequent the terminal picking up passengers headed to Singapore. make sure you know and specify your destination. otherwise, you'd have to pay double.
[as for me, i thought they only go to Kranji MRT. it was only after i got out of Singapore immigration that i found out that they NOw service Woodlands Bus Interchange, which should be the best route for my destination. ergo, i had to pay again. so, make sure you know where you're going.]
also, make sure that you keep the ticket the bus driver issues. that way, you won't pay twice. remember, you'll be on and off the buses to go through immigration exiting Malaysia and entering Singapore.
cost: RM1.1
* NOTA BENE: on our first drop off, i found it odd to spot a desk positioned by the road. on it, 3 indian-looking locals were queued while another man sitting behind the desk were filling out immigration cards. since there were no signs in english, i waited patiently for my turn. but when i saw the men shelling out a couple of ringgits, my instincts tell me something was off. this guy was pulling a scam on them! so i immediately went pass them and straight up the stairs. and right there, i saw the official booth.
travel tip
the best way to get around Singapore is to get yourself an EZLink. it'll be your ticket to all rides--bus, MRT, LRT. that way, you won't have to fumble through your purse looking for loose change.
cost: S$15
travel tip
if you're a filipina going to Singapore, read this
KK-BRUNEI
This leg has only one itinerary:
KK-Labuan ferry: 3hrs
Labuan-Muara ferry: 1 hr
Muara-Bandar Seri Begawan bus: 30 mins
The ferry always leaves KK at 8am. If you want to get guaranteed seats, you can purchase your ticket a day before. Their booth (in Jesselton Point) is open until 1.30pm.
travel tip
it's always cheaper if you get a straight-through-ticket from KK to Muara than buying KK-Lbn & Lbn-Mra.
cost: RM 53 + RM 3 (Terminal fee)
Once you reach Labuan, and assuming you got a straight-through-ticket, you still have to go to the Ticketing Counter to pay for another Terminal Fee (for Labuan). you can't get away with it, because they check it before letting you in.
cost: RM 5.
From the Muara ferry terminal, you can catch a bus that brings you to Bander Seri Begawan. Just walk straight out the hall. you won't miss it, there's only one Bas Express parked there.
cost: B$2
travel tip
since singapore and Brunei have practically the same exchange rate, you can use your leftover Singapore dollars as tender in Brunei. it is widely accepted.
travel tip
if you're a filipina going to Brunei, read this
the malaysia-singapore-brunei route is absolutely attainable and you don't have to be moneyed to be able to do that. but it will definitely be helpful if you brought out a map now (or google it) as i explain the routes.
oh wait, here's the map to save your precious little time.
my original itinerary is as follows:
* clark - Kuala Lumpur
* Kuala Lumpur - Johor Bahru
* Johor Bahru - Kuching
* Kuching - Kota Kinabalu
* Kota Kinabalu - Clark
while i was clicking away and booking my online flights, i strategically located them in such a way that it will let me explore nearby countries. now if you take a second look at the map, you'll see that JB is near to Singapore. and if you look at KK, it is in close proximity to Brunei. i could've also included indonesia in my itinerary but that's another story, and that'll require another few weeks to explore!
so how did i do it?
JB-SINGAPORE
Coming from Senai Airport, I didn't waste any more time by getting a bus that would bring me to Kota Raya.
cost: RM 8
From Kota Raya, buses would frequent the terminal picking up passengers headed to Singapore. make sure you know and specify your destination. otherwise, you'd have to pay double.
[as for me, i thought they only go to Kranji MRT. it was only after i got out of Singapore immigration that i found out that they NOw service Woodlands Bus Interchange, which should be the best route for my destination. ergo, i had to pay again. so, make sure you know where you're going.]
also, make sure that you keep the ticket the bus driver issues. that way, you won't pay twice. remember, you'll be on and off the buses to go through immigration exiting Malaysia and entering Singapore.
cost: RM1.1
* NOTA BENE: on our first drop off, i found it odd to spot a desk positioned by the road. on it, 3 indian-looking locals were queued while another man sitting behind the desk were filling out immigration cards. since there were no signs in english, i waited patiently for my turn. but when i saw the men shelling out a couple of ringgits, my instincts tell me something was off. this guy was pulling a scam on them! so i immediately went pass them and straight up the stairs. and right there, i saw the official booth.
travel tip
the best way to get around Singapore is to get yourself an EZLink. it'll be your ticket to all rides--bus, MRT, LRT. that way, you won't have to fumble through your purse looking for loose change.
cost: S$15
travel tip
if you're a filipina going to Singapore, read this
KK-BRUNEI
This leg has only one itinerary:
KK-Labuan ferry: 3hrs
Labuan-Muara ferry: 1 hr
Muara-Bandar Seri Begawan bus: 30 mins
The ferry always leaves KK at 8am. If you want to get guaranteed seats, you can purchase your ticket a day before. Their booth (in Jesselton Point) is open until 1.30pm.
travel tip
it's always cheaper if you get a straight-through-ticket from KK to Muara than buying KK-Lbn & Lbn-Mra.
cost: RM 53 + RM 3 (Terminal fee)
Once you reach Labuan, and assuming you got a straight-through-ticket, you still have to go to the Ticketing Counter to pay for another Terminal Fee (for Labuan). you can't get away with it, because they check it before letting you in.
cost: RM 5.
From the Muara ferry terminal, you can catch a bus that brings you to Bander Seri Begawan. Just walk straight out the hall. you won't miss it, there's only one Bas Express parked there.
cost: B$2
travel tip
since singapore and Brunei have practically the same exchange rate, you can use your leftover Singapore dollars as tender in Brunei. it is widely accepted.
travel tip
if you're a filipina going to Brunei, read this
pinoy fame in malaysia
when the female Malaysians i met learned that I am Filipino, they almost always squealed with delight.
"Oooh, I love Kristine Hermosa. Do you know Jericho Rosales? And, how do you say, 'deet? dayet? Diether Ocampo'? "
imagine my surprise. the Filipino soap "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" hit the Malaysian TV sets and the ladies are going berserk! i never knew they were that famous in Malaysia--and in all states: Peninsular, Sarawak, specially Sabah!
aside from the soaps, Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" is topping the charts when it comes to popularity among locals. get this:
i went to Bako National Park, an island away from the city to go jungle trekking, monkey-spotting, bird-watching, and i was astonished that one of the staff there actually has an mp3 of that song stored in his office desktop! sensing their fondness of it, i offered to teach them the song--get the lyrics and translate it for them.
my thrilled students Salmiah and Lihos
"Oooh, I love Kristine Hermosa. Do you know Jericho Rosales? And, how do you say, 'deet? dayet? Diether Ocampo'? "
imagine my surprise. the Filipino soap "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" hit the Malaysian TV sets and the ladies are going berserk! i never knew they were that famous in Malaysia--and in all states: Peninsular, Sarawak, specially Sabah!
aside from the soaps, Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" is topping the charts when it comes to popularity among locals. get this:
i went to Bako National Park, an island away from the city to go jungle trekking, monkey-spotting, bird-watching, and i was astonished that one of the staff there actually has an mp3 of that song stored in his office desktop! sensing their fondness of it, i offered to teach them the song--get the lyrics and translate it for them.
my thrilled students Salmiah and Lihosjust how safe is brunei?
it could be their strict law enforcement.
or it could be the fact that most of brunei darussalam's people are well to do and well-educated that committing a crime doesn't even cross their minds.
i've been reading from travel books that it's generally "safe" in brunei. but being the ever skeptic that i am, i don't usually buy into those stuff unless i experience it first-hand.
here's how brunei fared:
i knew i wouldn't be meeting my host Gillian right away since she was teaching and won't be able to slip away from the university until about 5pm. i got to bandar seri begawan two-ish and figured it would be difficult to fluff around the city with a huge bag slinging on my shoulder. so i texted her asking if i could leave my baggage outside her flat. "it should be safe for you to leave it there," came her reply.
"sweet," i thought.
when i came back 5pm, i was greeted by Gillian and saw my bag inside. after exchanging short pleasantries, she showed me my room and toured me to different parts of the flat. i immediately noticed that her place was surrounded by sliding glass doors/windows. coming from a country where it's not safe to leave windows open and "security" is a major concern, i almost instantly inquired, "what time do you usually shut the windows?"
"i dont, it's safe to keep it ajar. i don't totally close it but leave a bit of space to keep my papers from flying because it can get windy during the night," she answered.
great, here i am worried about security and she's concerned with flying papers!
well, that's good to know!
[the view i wake up to each morning]
previously, i wrote how rare it is for people to walk since most locals are expected to drive their own vehicles. thus, if you're not "most locals" and wanna go and visit the Places of Interests, you either have to take a bus or walk. luckily, the one i wanna see (Brunei Museum) is accessible by bus. glancing at the map, i surmised the nearby places of interests would be walk-able.
it took me 2 hours to wander around the museum, and by the time i got out, it's almost past lunch time. the receptionist said that there's an eatery in the vicinity. after walking a few hundred meters and still no sign of the eatery, i decided to stop at the nearest (and ONLY) grocery store. i got myself a cup of yogurt and isotonic drink. the middle-eastern-looking shop owner and his friend eyed me as i downed my yogurt. i told them i was a filipina touring brunei, and asked how far my next destination was from the shop.
"15 minutes, 15 minutes," they replied.
"i can handle that," i judged.
"where are you going? bandar seri begawan?"
i nodded and repeated my next destination.
the shop owner offered i ride with his friend. "He's going to bandar. He'll take you. bandar you said?"
hesitant me responded, "no thanks, i can walk."
but the friend insisted, "i go to bandar. come."
stealing a look at the scorching road, i caved in.
and prayed, "Lord keep me safe from this stranger".
this should be quick. i reckon if it's a 15-minute walk, we'll get there in 2 or 3 minutes. i learned that he was Pakistani and that he had a Filipina friend before named Rosario Garcia. then we sat awkwardly the entire time. nothing scary happened. soon i realized that the 15 minutes they were talking about was not a 15-minute walk but a 15 minute drive!
i am just so glad that i hitched.
i got off and was endlessly saying thank you in all the languages i know
Terima Kasih!
Shukriya!
so is it safe in brunei?
you bet!
or it could be the fact that most of brunei darussalam's people are well to do and well-educated that committing a crime doesn't even cross their minds.
i've been reading from travel books that it's generally "safe" in brunei. but being the ever skeptic that i am, i don't usually buy into those stuff unless i experience it first-hand.
here's how brunei fared:
i knew i wouldn't be meeting my host Gillian right away since she was teaching and won't be able to slip away from the university until about 5pm. i got to bandar seri begawan two-ish and figured it would be difficult to fluff around the city with a huge bag slinging on my shoulder. so i texted her asking if i could leave my baggage outside her flat. "it should be safe for you to leave it there," came her reply.
"sweet," i thought.
when i came back 5pm, i was greeted by Gillian and saw my bag inside. after exchanging short pleasantries, she showed me my room and toured me to different parts of the flat. i immediately noticed that her place was surrounded by sliding glass doors/windows. coming from a country where it's not safe to leave windows open and "security" is a major concern, i almost instantly inquired, "what time do you usually shut the windows?"
"i dont, it's safe to keep it ajar. i don't totally close it but leave a bit of space to keep my papers from flying because it can get windy during the night," she answered.
great, here i am worried about security and she's concerned with flying papers!
well, that's good to know!
[the view i wake up to each morning]previously, i wrote how rare it is for people to walk since most locals are expected to drive their own vehicles. thus, if you're not "most locals" and wanna go and visit the Places of Interests, you either have to take a bus or walk. luckily, the one i wanna see (Brunei Museum) is accessible by bus. glancing at the map, i surmised the nearby places of interests would be walk-able.
it took me 2 hours to wander around the museum, and by the time i got out, it's almost past lunch time. the receptionist said that there's an eatery in the vicinity. after walking a few hundred meters and still no sign of the eatery, i decided to stop at the nearest (and ONLY) grocery store. i got myself a cup of yogurt and isotonic drink. the middle-eastern-looking shop owner and his friend eyed me as i downed my yogurt. i told them i was a filipina touring brunei, and asked how far my next destination was from the shop.
"15 minutes, 15 minutes," they replied.
"i can handle that," i judged.
"where are you going? bandar seri begawan?"
i nodded and repeated my next destination.
the shop owner offered i ride with his friend. "He's going to bandar. He'll take you. bandar you said?"
hesitant me responded, "no thanks, i can walk."
but the friend insisted, "i go to bandar. come."
stealing a look at the scorching road, i caved in.
and prayed, "Lord keep me safe from this stranger".
this should be quick. i reckon if it's a 15-minute walk, we'll get there in 2 or 3 minutes. i learned that he was Pakistani and that he had a Filipina friend before named Rosario Garcia. then we sat awkwardly the entire time. nothing scary happened. soon i realized that the 15 minutes they were talking about was not a 15-minute walk but a 15 minute drive!
i am just so glad that i hitched.
i got off and was endlessly saying thank you in all the languages i know
Terima Kasih!
Shukriya!
so is it safe in brunei?
you bet!
3.30.2007
brunei walking tour
it is quite uncommon for people to walk along the streets and roads in brunei.
so when i was pottering around Bandar Seri Bagawan, i would get weird stares. passing drivers would even take a second look! sometimes, i just wanna scream, "keep your eyes on the road!" i definitely don't wanna be the cause of an accident.
later, i learned that people in brunei are classified into three: royalty, working class (which would be the maids or cleaners), and everyone else.
Royalty and everyone else would definitely have their own cars. So if you're walking, moreso alone or under the rain (which was my case occasionally), then you belong to the working class.
no wonder. these passersby would be thinking, "what is this pretty woman doing walking in the streets by herself?"
[humor me please. but truth be told, in my three days in brunei, i never saw any human being prettier than me, given that i consider myself an ugly duckling. haha.]
so when i was pottering around Bandar Seri Bagawan, i would get weird stares. passing drivers would even take a second look! sometimes, i just wanna scream, "keep your eyes on the road!" i definitely don't wanna be the cause of an accident.
later, i learned that people in brunei are classified into three: royalty, working class (which would be the maids or cleaners), and everyone else.
Royalty and everyone else would definitely have their own cars. So if you're walking, moreso alone or under the rain (which was my case occasionally), then you belong to the working class.
no wonder. these passersby would be thinking, "what is this pretty woman doing walking in the streets by herself?"
[humor me please. but truth be told, in my three days in brunei, i never saw any human being prettier than me, given that i consider myself an ugly duckling. haha.]
my Skybridge pass
view from the Skybridgei could never understand the hype about getting a Skybridge Pass. some of my local hosts said that KLCC only gives out approximately a thousand passes to visitors per day. and for you to get one, you should be there early, like 8am. if not, you might miss the opportunity.
NOT in my case!
since i got there around 10am already, i wasn't really keeping my hopes up. i told my host not to even bother because they might've given out all their tickets. we reached the booth where they give out the passes, and to my surprise, we were still given one! our viewing was scheduled 3.15pm.
they had to set a schedule to limit 15 visitors per trip. that was ok because that gave us enough time to go around KL.when our time came, they gave out red ID tags and let us in an AVR where they gave out slightly-tinted aviator shades. cool, i thought. then i learned that today was the first day they were showing the Petronas presentation in 3D. yay!!!
after the 3D show, we were then led to the elevator that brought us to the much coveted Skybridge.
and 15 minutes is all we had to savor the moment.
THE Skybridge empty of visitorstourist spotting 101
some of the things you can do while at Bako National Park is to spot wildlife (monkeys, birds, exotic plants) and do some trail hikes.
but the one i find most amusing is tourist-spotting. you usually see them clustered together, heads tilted upwards as if quietly looking for a prey. they also carry with them metallic gadgets that they bring up to eye-level as you can see here:
and they come in groups everywhere. here's another in Semenggoh National Park. i think they're keeping their eyes peeled for the Orang Utans.
another special group is found in a mosque. the female species are garbed in blue long robes and a piece of cloth over their heads. male species on the other hand are found in their normal state.
but the one i find most amusing is tourist-spotting. you usually see them clustered together, heads tilted upwards as if quietly looking for a prey. they also carry with them metallic gadgets that they bring up to eye-level as you can see here:
and they come in groups everywhere. here's another in Semenggoh National Park. i think they're keeping their eyes peeled for the Orang Utans.
another special group is found in a mosque. the female species are garbed in blue long robes and a piece of cloth over their heads. male species on the other hand are found in their normal state.
s.w.t.
the reality of what i've been doing never really dawned on me until i met Zahid.
Zahid is a Bangladeshi linguistic researcher who joined our jungle trek to one of the villages in Sarawak, Malaysia. Eight hours trek, one river crossed, numerous hills traversed, and one rainy night after, we had a small "chat". He discovered that I've been to several countries and was mostly travelling on my own. Amazed was he when I could keep up with their hike, and ate whatever (and with whatever) I was fed.
All this time, he thought solo women travellers are confined to European females only. He never saw any Asian woman do it. He thought all Asian female travellers are finicky and "sheltered".
I definitely broke his mindset.
After we dropped him off, he simply uttered, "You are unbelievable!"
*gasp* it's official:
I am a solo woman traveller.
Zahid is a Bangladeshi linguistic researcher who joined our jungle trek to one of the villages in Sarawak, Malaysia. Eight hours trek, one river crossed, numerous hills traversed, and one rainy night after, we had a small "chat". He discovered that I've been to several countries and was mostly travelling on my own. Amazed was he when I could keep up with their hike, and ate whatever (and with whatever) I was fed.
All this time, he thought solo women travellers are confined to European females only. He never saw any Asian woman do it. He thought all Asian female travellers are finicky and "sheltered".
I definitely broke his mindset.
After we dropped him off, he simply uttered, "You are unbelievable!"
*gasp* it's official:
I am a solo woman traveller.
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