It's more fun in the Philippines!

Oh, hey everyone!

Sorry I've been slacking on the blog posts...I wish I had a good excuse to offer, but I have none! Ahhhh and there's so much to update you all on!

Singapore was amazing despite the haze (illegal fires from Indonesia and Malaysia).  I ate a ton of ridiculously yummy food and was completely blown away by the harmonious fusion of cultures which makes Singapore such a unique experience.  I also went to my first cat cafe which was, of course, hilarious.  Two thumbs up for Singapore!

Garden by the Bay light show

From Singapore I flew into Manila for a week long orientation.  It started off a little rough when I discovered that all my jewelry was missing from my backpack upon arrival (I had stupidly put it in the top pouch of my bag), but thankfully it only took the daylight and a short ride around town to snap out of my pity party and realize that I have a million blessings in my life.

Manila is a frustrating city of contrasts.  Around one corner you have these beautiful, modern buildings and shopping centers that rival Hong Kong or Singapore and around another you have massive slums like I've never seen before.  Jewelry is a silly luxury and small loss compared to how a lot of people live in this world.  Hello, major wake up call for this girl!

The week of orientation was packed with information sessions, an embassy tour, visits to PNU and a national high school, a museum tour, and...traffic (Manila has the worst traffic in the world).  The highlight for me was definitely our visit to PNU.  The students had a welcome ceremony for us which included, in true Filipino style, singing and dancing.  The students performed this lovely traditional song, and then immediately transitioned into "All About that Bass" which made me choke on my water because it was so unexpected!  Filipinos are known around the world for being performers and boy, it's so true!  It's more fun in the Philippines, haven't you heard?

Love is a strong word...how about I'm indifferent about Manila?

Since I've arrived in Agoo (Pronounced Ah-go-oh), I have witnessed 3 beauty pageants, 2 dance competitions, and practically nonstop singing...I mean, seriously, everyone is always singing.  Which leads me to conclude....we Americans need to lighten up!  We need to sing and dance more because, why not?  It breeds happiness! (P.S. We can do without the pageants.)

Winner, winner chicken dinner!  (My soon-to-be student)

I've been in Agoo (my new home) for 3 weeks now and officially feel settled.  Agoo is small, quaint, and for the most part quiet (exceptions being karaoke, chickens, and goats around my apartment).  I like the walkability of the town.  I can get from my apartment to the university in a few minutes and "downtown" in about 15 minutes.  Tricycles, motorbikes with sidecars, are the main form of public transportation in town and are quite convenient when I don't feel like lugging my groceries for the 15-minute walk back home.  There's a small Dunkin Donuts, a 7-11, and a few Filipino fast food chains (Jolibee, Greenwich, and Chow King) when I feel like eating junk.  Otherwise I have to brave the market for my food shopping needs.  The market is still a bit overwhelming as I figure out which vendors to buy what from and where everything is found, but I will conquer it soon enough!

My home 

Typhoon Lando hit Agoo for three, long days taking out power everywhere.  The first day felt a bit exotic, the second day was when boredom hit (all battery powered devices were dead at this point), and by the third day I was actually starting to lose my mind.  I re-arranged the furniture in my apartment several times and danced around to tunes inside my head just to have something to do!  All the while praying that no goats would come flying through my windows.  I survived on bread and peanut butter and walked around by candle light.  True survivor mode!  The storm made a mess on campus and around town which is still being cleaned up.

I've been busy at school even though classes have yet to start.  I've spoken at several end-of-the-semester seminars/workshops and been active in the Faculty Olympics.  I played on the volleyball, basketball, tug-of-war, and sack racing teams--go DMMMSU!  I even tried my hand at some traditional games like coconut racing and kadang kadang...although I didn't try the greased pole racing.  I'll leave that one to the experts!  Anyway, it's been fun to get to know some new people around campus through the games.

DMMMSU men's basketball

Resume and cover letter writing seminar for seniors

400+ thrilled students :)

This week I need to prepare for all my classes which will start on the 9th.  I'm a bit anxious but also excited to get back in the classroom!  Before classes start though, I'll be traveling to Cebu to be the keynote speaker (eeek!) at a language conference for Filipino English language teachers...pretty big time, right?  I know!  I've only been here for 3 weeks, but I've already grown so much professionally.  I can't wait for what the next 10 months will bring!

My social life is a bit lacking at the moment, but I'm confident that will change with time.  I think back to my time in Korea and how lonely it was for those first few months as I was building friendships...it gives me hope that I will make friends as close as family here as well!  Filipinos are amazingly friendly and welcoming but the challenge, like anywhere, is finding friends my own age, with similar interests, in similar life stages (aka single, no kids).

One professor and his sons helped me buy a mountain bike and have invited me out the last two Sundays for rides.  These outings are without a doubt the highlight of my weekends!  It's great to be back on a bike again and adventuring through the beautiful mountains here.  Now I just need to find a yoga studio to maximize my zen activities!

A lil different from road biking in Iowa

Beautiful countryside

It's hard to imagine the cool temps you all are experiencing in Iowa as I sit here with sweat dripping down my face still, but I love seeing everyone's pictures on Facebook and Instagram.  Keep 'em coming! Also, please please please send me email life updates and/or let's set up a Skype date to chat.  I miss knowing what's going on in your everyday lives.

Miss you all loads and loads!  Sending lots of love from Agoo...

xoxo,

Kelly

Monkey islands

Today is my last full day in Vietnam--I really can't believe how fast the month as gone...sad face!  If you are tracking us on a map, Luke and I made it back full circle to Ho Chi Minh late last night. Today will be filled with working out logistical details (flights and hostel bookings, etc) for my short stop in Singapore before, finally, entering the Philippines on the 4th.  

But I need to catch you all up on the Ha Long Bay adventures...a beautiful ending spot in this beautiful land!

View from Surprise Cave     

We looked at an overwhelming number of options for Ha Long Bay cruises before deciding on the Fantesea (get it, SEA) 3 days, 2 night option.  Since we booked last minute, we were able to negotiate a deal to stay our 2nd night in a bungalow...ooooh, fancy!  The bus from Hanoi was long and bumpy.  We arrived to the port at lunch time, hopped on our boat with 8 other people, and said goodbye to mainland Vietnam.  The weather was perfect as you can see from the photos!  We stopped at Surprise Island first to walk through a cave.  After that, we cruised to a quiet bay for some sunset kayaking with monkeys hopping around in the island trees above us.  The evening on the boat was nice; I did a little reading, had a few cocktails, tried my hand at some squid fishing, and socialized with the others on the boat.

Breakfast was early (7 am!) the next morning and by 8:30, we were all hiking up 400 some steps to another island lookout point.  Five of us (Luke and I plus 3 others) said goodbye to the 2 days, 1 night crew when we docked at Catba Island (the biggest island in Ha Long Bay) and joined up with another pack for our day 2 options.  With the new group, we stopped at Catba National Park for an trek through the jungle, ending in an amazing view across the mountains.  I was completely drenched in sweat by the end, but we all were, so it was okay!  A local park guide nicknamed Monkey Man lead us along the path, and he was absolutely crazy!  He'd be at the back of the pack fanning people one minute, then at the front of the pack in a tree throwing down fruit at us the next.  He also liked slapping the butts of the males in the group...and for some reason, especially liked Luke...haha.

View after 400+ steps

Catba National Park mountain peak

From Catba Island, those who wanted to headed to Monkey Island for some beach time.  Little did we know when we booked our tickets, but Monkey Island was where our bungalow was located!  Everyone else was staying in a hotel on Catba Island.  We felt pretty elitist as we took a private boat ride to our private beach (away from the public swimming beach everyone else was dropped off at) for the rest of the day.

The beach/bungalow resort turned out to be amazing!  There were less than 10 other people there, so it was really, really quiet and the food was fantastic compared to what we had been eating on the boat. The only downside was the strict AC control (only from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) as everything was powered by a generator.

Monkey Island private beach

Sunset swim

View of our beach from a lookout pagoda
              

The next morning we were picked up and taken back to Ha Long Bay for the ride back to Hanoi.  We stayed at the same hotel each "layover" night in Hanoi, so it almost felt like returning home seeing the familiar, smiling faces at the door when we got back into town.  

With that being said, every stop throughout this whole trip we've encountered the friendliest people at our hotels, hostels, and restaurants.  Vietnam is beautiful in every way!

Leaving is sad, but I'm ready to get settled in the Philippines.  

More updates soon!

xoxo,

Kelly