Thailand: Bangkok & Chiang Mai.

Cover photo is the world largest reclining Buddha in Bangkok.

Bangkok

We spent a couple days in Bangkok seeing Buddhist temples and toured the  grand palace which is now  the  ceremonial compound for the King.  King 9 died last October and lays in state for 1 year.  10,000 people a day are allowed to walk past the Kings body so the lines are very long and hot. The king is honored in thousands of billboards and signs throughout the country.  Here are a few pictures of Buddhist Temples. In one temple we joined the blessing ceremony of a monk where he sprinkles holy water on the group and then you receive a string bracelet to keep you safe.

Temples consist of one or  more primary buildings where you pay homage to Buddha and the monks chant every  morning and night. Many times the primary temple is surrounded by a gallery wall containing  many copies of the Buddha image. Buddha is always and "image" while all other statues are "statues" and must be placed lower than the Buddha.

All temples also have pagodas where important stuff is kept including part of the ashes of important deceased monks. One Pagoda in Cambodia was raided after Thailand gave up the land for Cambodia was said to contain several tons of  gold. The pagodas some in varied architectural styles ranging from bell shape to tower shape and  corn cob shape coming from Cambodia architecture. They are covered with paint, gold leaf, one was gold sheet or many tiny pieces of tile.  

Tradition is that every young man should spend time as a monk to find himself and learn the difference between right and wrong before marriage. Our guide in Bangkok spent one month and decided that was enough for him.

Bangkok Canals

Bangkok has a series of canals built years ago to allow people access to water and for transportation.  A long tail boat ride down the river and through some canals was fascinating to see how  the people build houses into the canals.  We also have lunch at an exclusive restaurant.  It was a set menu of variety.  In these countries the guides and drivers have to eat in a different room than the  guests.

Chiang Mai

We decided  to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.  The  first class compartment  was totally full with our 5 suitcases.  They kept coming by and giving us orange juice and breakfast, then came by to collect 700 bats (about $21 USD) for our free snacks. When we arrived in Chiang Mai, our car was #1 at the end of the train and of course the end of the platform.  Guides are not allowed to wait inside the station so we dragged 5 suitcases plus our shoulder bags down the platform and into the station.  The locals were laughing at us. Once we found our guide, he was allowed to come in and help us to the car.

Our guide was born in the mountains and speaks many local dialects. After the university, he taught school for a couple of years and then started guiding. He often does high adventure "survivor" type treks into the mountains since  he knows  how  to live off the land.

Thailand is a pleasant surprise of fairly modern, clean, good roads and good food.

We took another longtail boat ride in the river, walk through the market and a rickshaw ride to the old town about 1 kilometer away.  The  rickshaw drivers were huff and puffing by the  time we arrived.

These guides have everything down to a science.  He calls the  driver, boat and rickshaw from  his  mobile and  by the time we step out of the venue, our transportation is waiting. The  van driver has cold water and cold towels waiting  as well as we jump in.  We managed to find the only LDS chapel in Chiang Mai and introduced the Guide to another religion...although he did recognize the missionaries on their bikes.

More Temples in  Chiang Mai

We visited  a variety of Temples  in Chiang  Mai. The  Buddhist Temples in the northern part of the country are a mixture of Chinese and Hindu and Thai Buddhism so they have many statues of the hindu and chinese gods mixed into the architecture.  I guess you just stop at which every place that appeals to you to worship and meditate. 

One was built in the  1700s and still stands.  Temples consist of one or more buildings with an image of Buddha where people come to meditate and leave offerings. Offerings may consist of food for the Buddhist Monks or money. People come to pay homage to Buddha with incense, candles or flowers or birds and fish. They release the  birds to the sky and if the temple is by a river, there  is a dock to release the fish.

One of the  temples is on top of a 4,000 foot  mountain and  the biggest tourist stop.  They have added several new small buildings with the altar area for people to worship.  Our guide bought us candles and flowers so that we could participate and wish for good luck.  The first candle is for life now and the second you make a wish for the future.  The wind was blowing just enough that you couldn't light the candles. This location has a donation box every 10 feet.  The donations are used to build temples, feed the monks and the one on the mountain was also an orphanage.  

Another temple was built as 3 tunnels with several shrines inside the tunnels and a pagoda on top.

Cooking School

The highlight in Chiang Mai was the cooking school.  We started at the market to discuss the herbs and ingredients and then on to the school.  There were 3 couples.  Newly weds from Chicago, 2 Anniversary couple from Bejing and Gary/LouAnn on 2nd anniversary too.  The bulk of the tourists are from Europe or China.  This is the  first US folks we have met on this trip.

The Next Adventure: Phuket

We  were officially released at missionaries when we left the mission on March 3, 2017.  The next few blogs will documents our  adventures getting home.

American Cemetery Manila

After we left the mission office, the area driver took us to our  hotel in Manila.  We stopped by the American Cemetery on the way.  It honors the thousands of soldiers who were killed in the Philippines during the 2nd world war.  After the war, the remains of soldiers spread all over the country were moved to this cemetery.  The marble walls show the name of each brave man  or women who perished.

Morecea Resort Phunket

Saturday we flew from Manila to Bangkok to Phuket where a driver picked us  up and drove another hour and one half to Morecea Resort in Koa Lukland on the  west coast of Thailand.  It is a great resort on the beach.

Sight  Seeing

We spent a day sight seeing about Phuket including the great budda.  We stopped at McDonald's to see how they localized the menu.  Gary tried to enjoy the curry chicken and rice but it was super hot spicy and couldn't finish it. We also went to the Cashew factory where we saw cashews growing on a tree out front.  The ladies were shelling them by hand. Then of course you sampled all the flavors and bought some to take with you.  After we left, our guide explained that they don't grown cashews on Phuket island.  The factory was created as a tourist draw and they ship the cashews down from the mainland.  That and the fact that McDonald's doubles the prices in tourist areas tells you that tourism is the #1 industry in Phuket.  Most of the tourist are europeans since the flight is only 10 hours.

Pha Nu Bay

Monday we visited Pha Nu Bay where the incredible limestone mountains stick straight up. In many places, the  rain washes limestone down and creates stalagtites on  the outside walls.  The  most famous island is "Jame Bond" island.  It was featured in the opening credits of James Bond The man with the Golden Gun.  They milk it for millions of tourist dollars each year making boat trips to see it.  Our guide brought a great picnic which we ate on a sandy beach.

The boats are called "long tail" boats.  They have a big engine mounted on the back without any cover.  The long drive shaft extends out with a propeller on it.  They can maneuver through shallow water by raising the drive shaft.  At first we thought this will never fly, but our boat had a 400+ horsepower V8 and was outrunning almost every boat on the bay.

Farewell Philippines

Note: This is our final blog because our Mission will be completed Mar 3 and we'll head home. The cover photo is just one of many farewell photos with new friends and missionaries in the Philippines.  This blog is short because we need to head to our last transfer assigned then back to power clean the apartment and return the phone/modem to PLDT this afternoon.

Sunsets in Neuva Eclija

The sunsets in our area are amazing.  One evening the moon was rising as the sun set.  This panorama doesn't really capture the essence, but we'll remember this and many beautiful skies.

Public Market

The public market is an amazing place. It's the original department store before Walmart and Target were invented. You can purchase all the basic items the population needs.  In smaller cities, the public market is the only store.  Cabanatuan Public Market is surrounded by several blocks of stores as well.  The traffic is usually congested and we often take a trike to solve trying to find a parking place for the car 3 hot blocks away.

Click the button below for double speed walk from the car, to the big market and zig zag through the maze of shops.

Fun with Kalikid Branch

Saturday (Feb 18) was a fun day with the Kalikid Branch.  It started with a Family History Party.  13 people attended to learn more about FamilySearch.org from Brother and Sister Mejia, specialists who live in Tarlac.

Then in the evening, we joined the branch Valentine party.  Elder and sister Dansie had a small part on the program sharing ideas about working together as a family.. Then the fun began. The group dancing got pretty intense until food was served. The kids enjoyed movies in another room. Everyone tried the photobooth. Kalikid has great parties, great food and great people.

The following day was Sunday and we attend the Kalikid Branch meetings for the last time to say goodbye to new friends in the Gospel.

Family Search in Gabaldon

Saturday 9:00-12:00  we held another family search party in Gabaldon Branch.  15 people plus 5 young observers (playing games on the managers computer) packed the small 5 station internet cafe. We added 2 laptops on laps. The Mejia's are Family History missionaries and have helped us train at 3 locations. They live in Tarlac and for this event that meant a 2.5 hour drive and early start from them. It's amazing the dedication that the Church Members have for genealogy despite limited access to computers.

Going to Work

This photo demonstrates a group of hardworking people.  3 in the cab and 5 on top. I doubt that any were wearing seat belts :)

 

 

Laundry

We wondered how large facilities like a hospital did their laundry.  We found out what we drove around back.

Customer Service

The Filipino people are very service oriented. We stopped at Jolibees for rocky road sundaes and the security guard opened the door with a smile and "hello po." "Po" is added for respect too someone older. Then every team member says hello po. When you are finished another team member clears your table and you get another dozen "Salamat" (thank you) as you head out the door opened of course by the smiling guard again. They really understand customer service in the Phillippines.

More Goodbye's

It's always tough to get a group of missionaries to smile for a goodbye picture when we attend the last District Leader Meeting in Bongabon on Wednesday.  It's easier to get a goodbye picture with Sister Clark (President Clark's Wife) since she is always smiling. Sister Dansie shed a couple tears as she said goodbye to many Sister Missionaries. The group photo is all of the missionaries who are departing in this batch (except President and Sister Clark are staying of course.)

Time to Wrap Up and Pack

These shoes were purchased for Ben and Natalie's wedding almost 20 years ago.  The Philippine rainy season finally did them in.  Farewell shoes and farewell to all our new friends in the Philippines.

Elder Dansie tried to get his hair cut by his favorite barber but after 4 visits to find he wasn't there he allowed another non-english speaking hair stylist cut his hair.  His request for "cut off a little" was interpretted as "leave a little."  Oh well, it will grow back by the time we get home. 

 

 

 

 

 

More Adventures

As our Mission is drawing to a close, we continue to have more adventures in both  the mission work and living in this society.

Zone Conferences

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It's been zone conferences again.  They are always a spiritual and learning experience.  This time the mission was divided into three areas and held conferences Wednesday in Cabanatuan, Thursday in Tarlac and Friday in Munoz.  

We were asked to present a workshop on apartment maintenance and cleanliness.  Sister Dansie recited a modified story about Cinderella as Cinderellas' Fairy God Mother. It was complete with angel wings and magic wand. After Sister Dansie we talked about rats and mice, mold and toilets.

Zone conferences are always fun to see all the missionaries that we've met as they shuffle around the mission.  It's impressive also to recognize those who have met their goals and receive recognition.  One of the recognition goes to missionaries who baptize weekly for the entire month.

Lunch is catered by local catering.  The caterers in Tarlac are five star outstanding in both their menu and their presentation. After lunch, the group signs a fun song thanking the caterers for lunch.  Here's a short video of most of the song. 

Pied Piper?

Everywhere we go, we large white american's (and LouAnn's blonde hair) attracts a young fan club.  Many young children follow a custom where they take the right hand of the elderly person and press it against their forehead as a sign of respect.  Elder Dansie also gets the high fives as well.

Festivals

Every Barangay (neighborhood) has an annual festival.  The one in our neighbor centered behind our apartment.  They put colorful flags and strings of wire with plastic strips tied on them from tree to tree.  The festival day began with Video Karaoke at 7:00 am. Anything and anybody give it a try. They only have one volume in the Philippines...as loud as it will go. Distortion is OK.

Since the weather is so pleasant all the windows are open so the noise echos through the neighborhood.  About 10:00 am paraded the marching band.  More band music every hour or so which gave us a break from Karaoke. At night another candlelight parade and more Karaoke.  Next morning 6:30 am...more Karaoke. 

Corrigedor

The Senior Missionary took another trip this week to Corrigedor, an island off the Bataan Peninsula.  The US military fortified the island in the early 1900's to defend Manila Bay. During the 2nd world war it was the last holdout as the Japanese took over the Philippines. After the surrender of the US and Philippine forces on Bataan, the US forced held onto Corrigedor for 28 more days before running out of food and ammunition and were forced to surrender also.

Since the primary defense was outfitted with long range mortar and guns to defend the harbor, there were useless against the Japanese bombers in 1942.  Only 2 of the 23 huge mortar batteries were ever fired.  The huge long gun which fired a 4,000 lb shell 17 miles (remember this was early 1900s) was only fired one day.

The US bombed the island in 1945 to retake it. By then the island was entirely bare of vegetation and most of the concrete buildings damaged.

We drove to the bottom of the Bataan Peninsula and boarded a 45 passenger long boat/ferry at 9:30 am.  The trip across the bay was uneventful. After the tour and lunch, the seas were so rough that the Coast Guard banded all small boats from crossing back to the mainland. So we sat around and waited.  The island manager was working on plan B.  The only small hotel is being renovated so they couldn't offer rooms for the night.  So instead, plan B was a single hostel room where they were prepared to pull in extra mattresses and organize sleeping for 20 people in one big room. (our group of 10 plus other tourists also stuck.)  Sister Dansie and I were eyeing 2 hammocks near the dock.  Cutoff was 5:00 pm because the boat has no lights and had to ferry over and back before dark.  About 4:50 pm we were cleared to leave and we piled in the boat, tightened life jackets and had a fun, wet ride across the channel. It wasn't quite like the movie "Perfect Storm" but there were times that those of us in front could see a wall of water about 15 feet high in front of us.  The captain and all the mates were in the back staying dry.

This video doesn't do it justice but take a look anyway.

After the Corrigedor trip, we stayed overnight in Clark City (Valentines Day) at a very nice business hotel. Hot Water. Quiet AirCon (AC) and nice staff.  Then fought the traffic to the huge SM Mall and had incredible pizza at the New York Pizza restaurant. 

WWII Museum

The next morning, we drove an hour to visit the best WW II museum on Bataan.  It was located in Balanga, the site that the surrender was signed.  The highlight of the museum was one of the tour guides.  She was 7 years old when the Bataan death march occurred.  She told us about her family watching the 80,000 soldiers walk by. When they tried to give the soldiers food or help them, the Japanese would push them back.  She talked about the horrors of the war that she and her family suffered through during the Japanese occupation.  When the US returned their bombs destroyed most of the city.  The museum is a "no picture" zone but we did get photo of the statues outside representing the signing of the surrender.

The museum and statues are inside of an elementary school compound because that is where the signing occurred and later became the headquarters for the Japanese Army in the area.

We spent the rest of the day at museums in Clark City and then the long drive back to Cabanatuan.  The drive was super fun for us because part of it was on the toll road where you can drive 110 KPH!

18th Birthday Party

Girls enjoy a "coming of age" party when they turn 18. Boys get nothing at 18.  The scope of the event depends on how much the family wants to spend. We were fortunate to be invited to one cute girls' party.  The party was held in a local hotel and set for 100+ dinner guests.  Every detail was immaculate.  The family had assembled a really fun setting and spent many man-hours decorating. The band had a serious sound system with road cases stacked high.  2 still and 2 videoographers (1 on steadycam) covered the event with thousands of photos and continuous video.  It reminded me of "The Bachelorette" on TV because she danced with a long line of boys from school, each delivering her a rose.

Until next blog, take care.

Elder and Sister Dansie

Super Fun. Super Bowl!

Note: Our mission will be wrapping up soon. We arrive back in Salt Lake at the end of March.

P-Day Fun

Monday is preparation day (P-Day) for missionaries here. A day to wash clothes, clean apartment, shopping and get ready for the week.  Senior Missionaries can be flexible and so we made Tuesday our P-day and visited 100 Islands with the Whitings, Pughs and Spungs.

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It was a long drive of 166 Km (106 miles) 4.5 hours each way so we could only spend a few hours at the islands.  We rented a longboat with Captain (father) and Mate (son.)  It was fascinating boating through the channels of undercut shoreline.  You can rent a small Island for your family vacation and include one small building and several open air huts.  There is no concessions on the islands so if you vacation you either take your own or order food delivered from the main land each day.  We all took coolers with snacks and water.  They still charged us $2 per table to sit down.  Two of the islands had ziplines across the water to and smaller island.  The price was good at $2 per ride.

BYU Philippines?

As we were returning from 100 islands, LouAnn jammed on the brakes as we passed a building painted blue with a BYU logo on it. What is going on. So after exploring a couple of alleys she found her way into the Garb Athletics manufacturing plant where dozens on people sewing clothing with the BYU logo. One of the owners is from Provo and hence the visual presence of BYU in the philippines.

Family History

We launched family history training in the Palayan Branch on Saturday. So that everyone could have hands on experience, we rented Clickers Internet Cafe.  13 members participated and for most of them, their first time on familysearch.org. The Mejia's from Tarlac came and helped everyone. We're holding a similar event at the Kalikid Branch on Saturday the 18th.

Apartment Inspections

We have started another round of apartment inspections.  Seems like 50% of the apartments need some repair or another.  All part of the fun in the Mission.

Super Bowl

As  you know, we jump through hoops trying to connect to BYU football and other US sporting events.  It's a combination of slow, unstable internet and the idiosyncrasies of the different channels and international copyrights.  So today was the Superbowl!  It started at 7:30 am Monday in PHT. Last night something weird started happening on the laptop with dish anywhere and Malwarebytes not liking something that Dish Anywhere was feeding.  

Sister Dansie had her heart set on watching on our huge 24" monitor plugged into the laptop.  So 7:30 am Elder Dansie tried to fire up Fox Go sports using VPN to Seattle to get US access.  Fox Go sports was maxed out.  So switch to dish anywhere iPad. But the old iPad 2s we have don't work very well upstairs. So while Sister Dansie was watching the end of the 1st quarter, we moved downstairs next to the modem/router and fired up her iPhone5 with an HDMI adapter to the 24" monitor.  All was great until 5 minutes into halftime when the internet died.  A quick call to Sister Alene and asked her to record the game while we reconnected to Alene's Dish Anywhere via the DVR so we could access the entire game, even with hiccups.  So in the end, Sister Dansie was able to watch the entire game and overtime although 5+ minutes delay.

 

A New Year

New Years

New Years was very spectacular.  It's a major celebration.  Fireworks are legal and plentiful.  By dark, the firecrackers were continuous and then the aerial displays began. By 11:30 pm the skies were a continuous burst of color as far as you could see. The entire panorama alive from left to right.  Our 2nd story back window looks into some vacant area and give us an almost unobstructed view of 20-30 burst at any moment.  Finally about 12:15 people started to drift off to bed and things slowed down.

Watermelon

Most produce is trucked from the region during season. Pineapples were piled high at the street stands when we arrived last summer.  Now you can only buy them in the grocery stores, trucked in from a dole plantation someplace at 5 times the price.  Watermelons started about 6 weeks ago and were pretty good.  A few days ago, we bought a small seedless melon from a trike driver loaded with fresh melons grown about 2 hours away.  It turned out to be almost as good as the infamous green river melons.  We devoured in so fast that we drove back to where they were selling a couple days later and they weren't there.  Snooze you lose.

This week the Mango season started.  There are mango trees in many yards and so mangoes have suddenly become cheap and fresh. We'll be enjoying mangoes now for a few weeks unrestricted.

Pop Bottle Art

We commissioned a palm tree sculpture from an elderly Pop Bottle artist. She was making Christmas Decorations and selling them from a booth in front of her house. When we received the piece, it was an amazing amount of detail.  Take a look below.

Transfer Day Lunch

12 pizzas consumed in 12 minutes flat by 30 people.

12 pizzas consumed in 12 minutes flat by 30 people.

This week Thursday was transfer day again. Instead of fixing P&J for the transferring missionary's lunch we opted for pizza.  Shakeys 2 for 1 pizzas has long been a missionary favorite. So the night before transfer we drove to the other end of town in rush hour traffic, fought a crazy parking lot to find that Shakeys' at Robinson Mall had closed. So we reverse our route and went to the Shakey's at SM City.  We need to preorder 6 orders of pizzas on the 2 for 1 rewards card = 12 pizza.  We were informed that we could only buy 2 orders. We persisted and finally the manager agreed to 3 orders. So we purchased 3 orders. The girl said we could come back later and place another order.  We wandered the mall for a few minutes and returned to place another order. This time we were told we couldn't order the other 3 until the next day. So we walked 50 feet to Pizza Hut and preordered the rest of our pizzas on their 2 for 1 special.  We learned that (1) you can't trick the Philippine system, (2) missionaries like Pizza Hut better than Shakeys and (3) pizza hut 2 for 1 are cheaper than Shakeys.  Next time, where do you think we'll go?

Cute Kids

The other night, Elder Dansie walked a couple blocks to an in-home shop to buy "load" for his mobile phone.  Along the walk, we accumulated a small group of followers.  Kids this young know very little english and so you talk with smiles and high fives.

 

 

Trike and Jeepnee Loading

Here are some videos of missionaries loading into a Trike and Jeepnee.

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Top 10+ Trivia of 2016

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This blog will be a summary of the things we see and experience every day.

#1 -The Bridge to Nowhere 

This is our favorite story of 2016.  The bridge was built several years ago to replace the crumbling one way bridge over the stream.  Apparently, the highway planners haven’t had time to connect the highway to the bridge.  The old detour bridge is collapsing on one side. A large truck crossed in front of us so we decided it was safe for the corolla.  Down the road was an excavator and dump trucks laying new concrete.  They too must have crossed the old bridge because it’s the only way to travel the road that dead ends about 5 miles further.

#2 - "Not Available"

"Not Available" is the catch all phrase for  out of stock, we don't have that item, machine broken, out of service, being repaired, item has been discontinued, etc.  Here's an example. We went to Pizza Hut and...

 

I'd like the mango salad please.  Sorry Sir, Not Available
How about the Caesar then. Sorry Sir, Not Available.
What salad do you have? Sorry Sir, No Salads Available.
OK, I'd like the fettuccine pasta with...Sorry Sir, Not Available.
You mean there is no pasta either? Yes, Sorry Sir, No Pasta Available.
How about the Fish and Chips? Sorry Sir, Not Available.
The Chicken? Sorry Sir, Not Available.
What is Available?  Let me show you which pizzas are available.
Thanks but we'll come back another time....

So we went back a couple days ago. We tried to order the #2 special for 2 people for 249 pesos ($5.)  It included mushroom soup (Unavailable and can't substitute the french onion),  pasta (unavailable) and you couldn't have the 2 separate personal pizzas as shown in the picture.  You had to have the larger Christmas Special pizza. What, they couldn't divide the dough into 2 pieces?  But they did have the Mango salad this time which was not part of the #2 special.  

Also it's impossible to modify anything on the menu.  Like we've ordered Canton Panacini several times and asked the waiter to hold the meat and make it vegetarian.  Last time we ordered "without meat" they doubled the meat.  Try ordering a Big Mac without lettuce?

#3- Dance Contest

One of the zone activities included several contests.  Elder Dansie won for holding a singing note the longest.  Sister Dansie won for her energetic Dancing. You can view it here.

#4- Tip the Garbage Truck

We are lucky.  Garbage pickup is every other day at our apartment.  Many of the missionaries have no garbage pickup and must bury or burn their garbage.

You hang the wet garbage on a fence, off the ground, so that the cats and dogs won't eat it. The dry stuff can sit on the ground however, some one will come by and tear open your bag and remove the plastic bottles and cardboard. We put our plastic and cardboard outside the bag. But that doesn't stop bag robbers. Some mornings kids as young as 5 or 6 tear open your dry garbage looking for bottle and don't clean up the mess.

Before Christmas they ring your bell or bang or your gate and hand you an envelop asking for a Christmas gift/tip for team in truck #3.  Two days later, they rang the bell again.  I told him I donated last time.  He pointed to the truck #14 with the envelope extended in his other hand.

#5- You Can Stay in Our Guest House

The small shack on the right is plywood and tin roof with dirt floor. A family lives there. They have electricity because (1) there is a wire strung from the house on the left and (2) they play their boom box very loud.  Don't know about the plumbing other than there is a large field behind.

#6- Ice Cream from 7/11

The best ice cream is the Belgian Chocolate Ice Cream cones at some 7/11.  It’s super delicious, 18 pesos ($.36) and melts before you can get out the door.  I say “some” because one day in Clark City, we went to five 7/11 before we found one with an ice cream machine.  Or one night, we were traveling up the highway from the other end of town and stopped at every 7/11. The machines were either broken, out of materials to freeze or cleaned for the night.  Finally about 3 kilometers past our house we found a large gas station with 7/11 who had our cone.  The picture is of Sister Dansie dodging rush hour traffic in Zaragoza with our ice cream cones.  Elder Dansie was double parked in the street with hazard lights on holding up traffic (like every else does!)

#7- Basketball Everywhere

Basketball is the primary sport to the exclusion of almost all other sports. Basketball hoops show up everywhere.  Each neighborhood has a large pavilion with basketball standards at each end.  Every LDS church has 2 basketball standards in the parking lots. So a lot of hoops but few nets.  Elder Dansie was shooting baskets with a boy on the street one morning and the rim was made of rebar but barely the size of the basketball.  The pole was so wobbly that each time you hit the backboard, the pole tilted back and changed the angle of bounce.  Successful baskets were about 1 in 20 shots.

#8- Growing Rice

Once the rice is harvested, the fields are burned or plowed under, rest for a couple weeks, flooded again and the process starts again.  Rice takes 128 days from germination to harvest so most fields only get 2 crops a year.  This shot includes a “calickney” tractor plowing and a Caribou pulling a leveling drag.  The rice field workers, planters and harvesters are among the lowest paid jobs making 150-200 pesos a day. ($3-$4) Fast food and gas station attendants average 300-400 a day. A graphic designer job advertised at 400 pesos a day.

#9- T-Shirts

It’s just about impossible to buy a plain T-shirt in town. I don’t know who comes up with sayings but they run the course.  There are a lot of 2nd hand and liquidation shirts from the USA.  One fellow was wearing a John Stockton / Jazz Jersey.  Sister Dansie tried to talk to him about the Jazz but he didn’t have a clue about Stockton or the Jazz.  Many shirts have American references. One said “support the troops in Desert Storm” with an American flag.

#10- Typical Rush Hour

We were just finding out the rush hour times so that we could avoid the highway, then the holidays hit. All the kids are out of school for 2 weeks so the rush hour is pretty much whenever we get on the highway to drives.

#11- Alleys

If you look at the aerial maps, you’ll see clusters of roofs behind other houses with no apparent streets to get to them.  Actually, there are many alleys that wander back to the structures behind. Families also live together in quasi compounds.  You’ll often find that the alley zig zags back through several houses, all belonging to the same extended family who watch over and care for each other.

Christmas Arrived!

Does Santa Come to the Philippines?

Yes Santa does come to the Philippines on Christmas but the photo ops are few.  The Malls are all owned by Chinese companies who don't celebrate Christmas but they do close on New Years Day.  So on Christmas Day afternoon, you can visit a weary Santa at SM City Mall and have your picture taken.  

But there were a special few who had their picture taken with Santa aka Elder Dansie at the Kalikid Branch Christmas Party.  The lights went dim, the music blarred "Here Comes Santa Claus" and Santa arrived with Apples, Candy Canes and treat for anyone who would sit on his lap.  It was the first time that Santa had attended a Kalikad Christmas party ever.  There were no less than 10 cameras trained on every child as they visited Santa.  The 25 apples were gone in 20 minutes.

It was a chore to find a Santa suit, but we found a dress rental shop on the 2nd floor of the public market who also had some Santa Suits.  The largest one almost fit so we rented it for 500 pesos ($10) for 3 days.  The beard looked like it was made out of the twisted fibers of a mop so hard to fool anyone over 4 years old.

Christmas Conferences

Two Christmas Conferences were held on the 23rd and 24th.  One for the missionaries on the Cabanatuan side and the other for the Tarlac side missionaries.  The morning was filled with instruction.  Lunch was catered and it's amazing how quickly 100+ missionaries can fill a plate heaped with rice, chicken, vegetables and more. Afterwards, each zone brought a contribution to decorate the Christmas tree.  Decorations ranged from tree topping stars that were half the size of the tree to pop bottle ornaments to a fully lighted "Merry Christmas" placque.

Then the senior Couples took over and created 4 stations for 4 groups to rotate.  The Dansie's set up 3 activity do-it-yourself areas (1) Decorate and eat a sugar cookie, (2) Christmas coloring and (3) Photo booth with Elder Dansie being the photographer. We had an assortments of hats, leis, flowers and props for companionships to don making the photos light hearted keepsakes.

The missionaries from America spread the icing and sprinkles so thick the first day that we had to go buy another 2 kilo bag of powdered sugar.  Many of the local missionaries found the sugar overload surprising and their American companion finished them off.

More program and when ready to leave, the entire cultural hall floor was covered with Christmas packages from home.  The largest came on DHL and measured 30x30x30 inches. The freight must have been pretty steep. Ironically, it was for an Elder in Baler who got to lug the package to the terminal and a 4 hour bus ride home.

Birthday Party

The Cabanatuan zone missionaries, including the Dansie's were invited to a spaghetti / chicken lunch for a cute 6 year old member.  Everyone ate fast and were back to work in 30 minutes.

 

 

 

All I want for Christmas is a Power Saw

We needed 2 sheets of plywood cut to go on bed frames to keep the mattress from sagging. The plywood wouldn't fit in the Corolla so Elder Dansie jumped in Brother Alan's trike and headed for the lumber store.  The first three stores didn't have a way to cut the sheets to size and we didn't have a saw.  Finally we found a small back alley shop that sold a limited selection but most important they would cut it for us.  We bought 2 sheets, hoisted one on an outside bench. The carpenter drew a line and cut the sheets with amazing accuracy....for about 40 linear feet by hand.  We strapped them on the trike and delivered to the missionary apartment.  Check that off the list.

Christmas Omelettes

Christmas Eve, we returned from Tarlac Conference about 6:00 pm and decided to stop by Kenny Rogers for a Christmas eve dinner. Their roasted chicken is tasty and plump.  Most fast food chicken is breaded deep fried skinny chickens.

A Dansie Christmas tradition is Omelettes and Scone brunch on the 24th.  Elder Dansie found some yeast at a specialty baking store and Christmas Day we enjoyed Omelettes and Scones for lunch after attending Church.  Our cooking equipment is limited and so the yeast was inadvertently doubled.  But when the scones cooked, they were amazingly fluffy. Anyone holding the infamous scone recipe should double the yeast and stand back as they expand in the pan.  These may be the first western style scones ever cooked in Cabanatuan.

Chrismas is Coming

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This will be our first and last Christmas in the Philippines!  Even though the stores started selling Christmas Decorations and the Malls played Christmas music in September, houses were not really decorated until December.  We have a couple of pop bottle decorations outside, a small artificial Christmas Tree and a hand carved wooden nativity.

Elder Dansie has been invited to be Santa at the Kalikid branch Christmas Party on the 21st.  He asked if he was cast because he is the fattest in the branch.  The answer was, "Santa is white." We've been here long enough that we forget we are in the minority. We get around, shop and maneuver like a local now. So now we are on a quest to find or improvise a Santa outfit in 2 days. We'll start at the huge public market and go from there tomorrow.

Christmas is a Time for Tipping

Tipping is not expected in the Philippines. Most restaurants add a service charge to cover the tip.  But for public services, that's different.

Garbage Truck #3 came by ringing everyone's doorbell and handed out envelopes that say "Merry Christmas Garbage Collection Team #3." So either give some money or your garbage may not get collected.  Garbage collection is every other day. So Sunday morning the door bell rang again and I said, We gave money 2 days ago to truck #3.  He pointed to the #14 on this truck. So tip again.  Tuesday will be truck #? and we'll tip again I guess.

Then the doorbell rang again and a bunch of guys were canvasing the street.  This time the Barangay Police (community police.)  I didn't know we had police but a generous tips should ensure that they watch our house. 

Tonight when we drove into our parking and 2 young boys rushed up to sing a Christmas Carol. So "We wish you a Merry Christmas| cost us 10 pecos and they were off to another car pulling in.

Baler

During the week we made another trip to beautiful Baler on the ocean.  This time we made time for a full day of exploring the Dicasalarin Cove further.  What was different this time was that the tide was out and uncovered hundreds of feet of rock shelf.  The rain stopped for the entire time we explored and began again that night. There was a group of Porsche owners staying at the hotel. Each day they would journey off for a day trip and back. It was very unusual to see history Porsche in this part of the country.

7 Wonders Engineering Feat

We love this bridge as an example of planning ahead.  Notice that the old bridge is caving in.  Hope they figure out how to connect the road to the new bridge soon.

 

Finding A New Apartment Fast!

The Elders in a Cabanatuan ward have been living in a less than desirable location and searching for a better house. During transfer on Dec 8, President Clark decided to switch the area to be served from Elders to Sister Missionaries.  The house was unsafe for two sisters living alone so we needs a new apartment fast.  That night we looked at one and Thursday morning during transfer time we checked out more.  None of them were right.  The Sisters were already on the bus from Tarlac and no place to stay. So we prayed and asked the Lord to give us a hand.

We had been trying to text a good brother in the ward  to get suggestions but he didn't answer the text.  10 minutes later he showed up at the Stake Center and said that he was out of load and wasn't getting text.  

As we chatted he said that there was one new apartment built as the caretakers apartment attached to a nice new house. But he had talked with the Landlord two weeks before and the Landlord wouldn't rent to Mormons.  I asked him if he would take us (Zone leader and Elder Dansie) after transfer lunch anyway.

So about 2:00 pm we drove over to a perfect, quaint, private street lined with very nice large houses. It’s only wide enough for a car and trike. 2 cars won’t fit. We parked and Elder C and Jay went down the street to get the Landlord about 200 feet.

Landlord came out, they chatted while I walked up and introduced myself.

He said, I’ve met you (someplace I couldn’t Understand)

We shook hands as he said, Do you want to rent my house?

Across the street from his home, he built a beautiful 2 story house for rent.  It has a “servants” apartment attached.

I said I couldn’t afford his house but we need an apartment for 2 sister missionaries.

He said, let’s me show you the new apartment.

Then we went to the apartment next door. Newly constructed, paint buckets still on the floor.

We discussed needing screens and some paint touch up.  He agreed to all.

There is a nice small couch sitting in the living area. I asked if it could stay.  He said “sure.”

Then we talked contract and he insisted on using his own lease papers.

We chatted for a few minutes and he was suddenly OK with the normal Church provided lease and payment terms.

So 4 hours after we ducked in to the classroom in prayer, we have a new, beautiful apartment for sisters in the nicest street in the ward. Directly behind the chapel.  We moved furniture from the old house on Saturday and the Sisters moved in Monday. They bunked with some other sisters for a few days.

The Lord watches over Missionaries and softens hearts when needed.

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What Do Senior Missionaries Do?

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What Do We Do?

Senior couples are called to a variety of mission activities such as:

  • Service (Work in Church Programs Part Time, usually near when you live)
  • Humanitarian  (Internationally, Build wells, schools, teach agriculture)
  • Specific Program Oversight (Perpetual Education Fund, Self Reliance, etc.)
  • Temple (Work in temples)
  • Specific Assignment (Public Affairs, engineering, IT, Medical, Etc)
  • Office Couples (Work in the mission office, finances, apartment leases, correspondence, VISA)
  • Member and Leader Support (MLS)

Missions can be part time or full time. Live at home, same country or foreign. Senior Couple missions are 6, 12, 18 or 22 months.  Senior couples pay all of their own expenses including travel, rent, utilities, food....just like living at home.

We fall into the "Member and Leader Support" category. So what do we really do?  Anything that is needed to help the wards, branches, mission and missionaries. President Clark assigned us to the following assignments and asked us to use our initiative to figure out where we can be of most help.

Support the Bongabon District and it's 5 Branches

We attend the Kalikid (25 minute drive) and Palayan (35 minute drive) branches on alternate Sundays. The other branches are Bongabon (60 minutes), Galbondan (90 minutes) and Dingalan (2 hours drive) by the Ocean.  Look at the google map in satellite view and you will see that there are very few highways and rice fields as far as you can see.

The District Primary President recruited Sister Dansie to talk at the District Primary commemoration program.

Next the District President asked Elder Dansie to serve of the District (high) council with specific assignment of Family History and Sister Dansie as a Family History Specialist. So we're working with branches to get computers installed, branch family history specials called and trained, and motivate members to do genealogy. Because of the geographical distance between branches and most members do not have their own transportation (Trike, Motorcycle or Car) we will be setting up a family history area is each branch.

Elder Dansie and two other District Councilors are also putting on a Home Teachers training program at each Branch. Last week it was at Dingalan (2 hours drive).  It was supposed to start at 1:00 pm but actually started at 2:00 pm.  So we left home at 7:30 am for Church in Galbondon, then on to Dingalan at 1:00 returning home at 5:30 pm.  We take plenty of water and snacks along.

When national family week came along in September we joined the district in celebration and taught the Kalikid ward a couple of American games during a branch party.

We have also gone Home Teaching a couple times with Branch Members.

From the Mission side of things, we support the Missionaries in these branches also by attending their baptisms, district meetings and go with them to visit investigators and members.  Working with the missionaries gives us a first hand glimpse of the dedication and hard work they do.

Support Cabanatuan Stake

Since we live in Cabanatuan Stake, we also get involved with the activities there.  We put on a stake training for all ward councils and missionaries on how to be a team.  Sister Dansie talked about teamwork and commissioned one of the ward mission leaders to be the team captain of his ward...complete with a Detroit Pistons jersey we found at the public market.

We also support the 20 Missionaries in Cabanatuan Stake by attending their district meetings and their zone activities.

Missionary Apartment Checks

We also check the Missionary apartments to ensure that they are safe and healthy.  This includes filling the car trunk with spare parts, toilet seats, light bulbs, irons, ironing board covers, locks and fans. Each stop includes minor repairs like installing locks, fixing electrical problems, installing light fixtures, and fixing toilets!

The most use part in our spare parts is the handle on toilets.  Some toilets have broken handles that have not functioned for years. Locals just use a ladle of water from the shower bucket to flush the toilet. Yes it gets all over the room.  Getting toilets to function correctly can be very gross.

Also some bathrooms in older homes have built up with hard water deposits, especially the toilets.  But we found that if you squirt Muratic Acid on the walls and toilet then brush, you can clean almost everything.  Bathrooms in Philippines are "wet rooms" with tile and 2 or 3 drains. Showering in most apartments in a faucet about 3 feet up to fill a large bucket of water.  You use a ladle to pour over yourself.  They all have hand sprayers coming off the toilets so after the Muratic Acid it's easy to hose down the entire room and into the drains. WARNING:  Muratic acid is dangerous. Not good to breathe.  Splatters of concentrated acid eats holes in your pants as Elder Dansie found out one day.

We also get involved in relocating apartments when current locations are unsafe or unhealthy. One changed because the mold gave an elder pneumonia. Another because the owner sold the house. So life is interesting in the Philippines.

When we first arrived, we checked all of the apartments/houses on the Cabanatuan Side of the mission which was about 45 units and 6 tanks of gas. Another senior couple arrived and so our territory has been reduced to about 30. Fortunately we still get to go to Baler, a beautiful ocean community only 4 hours drive.

Mission Support

Sister Clark solicits our help in various ways like helping missionaries obtain special medications or once, evacuate a missionary from Dingalan because of a medical problem.

One fun quest was to find a regular supply of affordable white shirts for Elders.  In the Philippines the trend is to wear white shirts with a lavender tint.Getting the official missionary pure white is a challenge.  We finally found a vendor at the Public Market who was willing to drive to Manila and pickup from her supplier.  We held our breath until she returned with shirts that were pure white. The price was right also...about $6.50 USD.

Then there are zone conferences and other events we attend wherever they are.  The senior sisters put on a skit about gossiping at a Sisters Conference in Tarlac in October.  Sister Dansie was the biggest grapevine in the skit.

Each 6 weeks is transfer day.  Some missionaries complete their missions and leave. Others arrive. Others are reassigned.  Our job is to support the Cabanatuan side of the mission on transfer day.  This means feeding those who wait for the bus from tarlac and those arriving.  100 P&J usually covers the lunch. Then we get involved dealing with the fall out like suitcases left behind, packages not forwarded, etc.  One transfer day the only key to a house was left in Cabanatuan and after lunch we drove to LaPaz about 70 minutes away to deliver the key.

Twice  we have been the pizza delivery service to zones who achieve their standard of excellence award.  We order a stack of pizza from Shakeys (2 for 1) as soon as they open at 10:00 am, wait while they cook and race to the award party 90 minutes away.

We are also invited to more events than we can attend...especially at this Christmas Season. President and Sister Clark hosted a Christmas social for all of the stake and district leaders in the mission at the mission home Dec 2.  All senior couples earned our dinner by being on the program along with a 20 missionary chorus. Since the Mission home is 1:40 drive, we stayed overnight in Tarlac instead of a midnight drive home. Next day we took the long way home via Clark City (old Clark Air Force Base) to look around and have great pizza at the huge SM mall nearby.

Best of All

Best of all, every day is filled with a feeling of being guided by the holy ghost in everything we do. Missionary needs and work come together with amazing efficiency overcoming seemly insurmountable tasks.

To hear detail of some of the events, read the other blogs...

 

 

 

Thanksgiving? Just Another Day!

Thursday: Thanksgiving

Most Filipinos have never heard of the American Thanksgiving holiday so it's just another day in the Philippines. We drove to Penancia for an Apartment Check and then to San Leanardo to make some repairs. Then we joined the San Leanardo Elders for a birthday lunch of a new member.

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Along the way we stopped at a lady who makes items out of pop bottles.  We bought a Christmas Star and ordered a custom palm tree.  The tree went through the internal missionary handout from one elder to another and then got caught in transfer.  We have no idea which apartment is enjoying our pop bottle palm tree.

The birthday gentleman's extended family lives in 3 dwellings on a small farm where they grow beans, okra, papaya and rice.  They cook outdoors in a shared cooking area. The roof overhead is perfect for shorter Filipinos but Sister Dansie and I had to watch our heads as we walked around.

When we arrived, there was a table set with tablecloth, their finest dishes and a row of silver warming dishes like you would see on a buffet.  The table was set for we four guests. The rest of the family was already eating on other tables spread around the compound.

The meal was great, especially the deep fried spring rolls. The drink was RC Cola. Have you had any RC Cola lately? They sent a huge papapya with us fresh off the tree.  We enjoyed it along with all the other fresh fruit we buy at the market or roadside stands.

After we went with the Missionaries to teach another family.  It was a daughters birthday the following day and the extended family was making coconut flan in an outdoor cooking area.  The flan was super tasting.

Then we were off to visit another Sister and her daughter. The people we visited didn't know it was Thanksgiving but we were Thankful for them and their hospitality.

Friday: After Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving all of the Senior Couples were invited to the Mission home for Thanksgiving. We were asked to bring our favorite side dish.  The problem is that we couldn't find the ingredient for the things we wanted to fix like Yams.  We ended up making a fresh fruit salad mixing yogurt with a super thick cream that comes in a box.  It's the closest thing we could find to whipping cream.  It was delicious.  Sister Clark surprised us with real turkey and ham. And for desert, R&S in San Fernando (Costco affiliate) had some pies and so we all enjoyed pumpkin and pecan pie.  Locals have never heard of "Pie"  and you would never find a pie tin to bake one for yourself.

We took a shortcut to save 40 minutes of driving, only the road through the little community was under repair so we had to detour down a picturesque farm road following a tractor. There was only one major mud hole but our trusty little corolla made it through. The sunsets on the rice fields are beautiful everywhere we drive.

 

 

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This and That...

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Fireproof Houses?

The typical construction for buildings up to 4 or 5 stories is concrete block walls and cement floors.  So when smoke started coming out of the house next door, it was a neighborhood curiosity.  We've wondered if there are fire trucks around. We found out...  

Turns out that the contents of a back room caught on fire. The people were not home and Elder Dansie could see the flames on the floor and curtains. A neighbor had already called the fire department and two trucks showed up with a partial volunteer crew.  The flames were out quickly.  Biggest problem was that we had wash outside on the cloths line drying and now smelled like smoke.  The neighbor came home, moved their furniture outside to wash off the smoke, aired the house out and everything was back to normal again.

 

Car Show

We were overnighting in Tarlac after a conference and so decided to take a quick run to see Clark City, the WW II air force base.  It's only 40 minutes from Tarlac on the wonderful toll road.

We tried to visit the museum but it was "not available" because of a car show going on in front. Total cars were about 20 but there were some pretty classic cars and impressive Jeepnees.

Open Air Haircut 30 Pesos ($.60)

Art or Necessity?

Not Sure How (If) This Works?

 

Visiting With the Elders in Dingalan

The Ash from Mount Pinatubo Eruption Makes Excellent Lightweight Concrete

Great Pizza in Clark City

Scene from Morning Walk in the Neighborhood

And Finally....

Sister Dansie winning the dance contest at a Zone activity.

Remembering The Dead

Day of the Dead Holiday

In the Philippines, All Souls' Day is known as Araw ng mga Patay (literally meaning Day of the Dead). November 1st and 2nd are two of the most important days in the Filipino calendar. Those two days represent a celebration that has close ties to the Catholic Church and the Spanish occupation.

People do literally honor their dead.  Cemeteries contain family plots with room for several generations. We stopped by a newer cemetery that does not allow much out of ground monuments.  Families setup a canvas canopies for protection from the sun or rain (we had no rain), chairs, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and whatever it takes to be comfortable. Since they stay all afternoon and into the evening, there's a table loaded with food and in some cases, a propane cook top. Some even have fans with extension cords running to nearby power outlets.

It's a true day of remembering ancestors as family members hang out, visiting and enjoy being together.

We seldom see fresh flowers for sale in the market but someway thousands of fresh flowers replace bananas and mangoes in the roadside stands that day. We have no idea where they are grown since every inch of land is growing rice, beans or squash. The flowers become elaborate works of art. It's serious business for the families to adorn the grave sites with flowers.

Then we went to the oldest cemetery in Cabanatuan.  This one is a mixture of family plots defined with hedges and family mausoleums.  The mausoleums range from a century+ old to new buildings that look like a local housing development.  The two story duplex in the pix below contains marble and granite vaults and looked like a floral shop inside.

We tried to go back after dark to see the thousands of candles burning but the traffic around the cemeteries was grid locked and so we worked our way back home.

Chad and Kathy Dansie were experiencing the same holiday in Oaxaca, Mexico and were invited to create one of the tapestries for someone these honored.  They created one in behalf of Chad's mother, Judy.  It's interesting how these countries really honor their deceased more than dropping off some flowers while the car is still running.

Christmas Lights

Even thought the stores started selling Christmas decorations and playing Christmas Chorals in September, only now are the people getting around to decorating.  One Brangay (neighborhood) is advertising Christmas Lighting celebration for Dec 1.

We pulled up to one of the Elders apartment buildings and noticed what looked like Christmas lights wrapped around the railing.  Upon closer inspection, it wasn't Christmas Lights :)

Obeying Traffic Laws

When we went to get our Philippine drivers licenses, the posters listed "obey all traffic ordinances and signs."  Of course, nobody does.  Some of the best parking places are in front of the "No parking" signs.  It helps to turn on your hazard lights then it looks like you are only double parking for a minute or so.  However, we haven't found the hazard light switch in our Corolla. Can't find the heater or speed control either:)

Senior Couple Outing

President and Sister Clark invited all the Senior couples to spend the morning together and lunch at the mission home.  The sisters went to the quilt factory in Angeles and bought elaborate hand stitched quilts at wholesale prices. (Add the freight to ship home and they may not be such a bargain.)

The Elders Explored some sites around Clark, the old US air force base.  First was to visit a hanging bridge across the river used by locals to cross the river. First had to get through a makeshift security gate on the road.  Most of the security stops and really make work jobs. After filling out a form, they let us continue up the road.  We reached a point where some equipment was pushing dirt around.  It may be a landfill, not sure.  More security and people hanging around. We parked the car and asked them for direction to the bridge, even though we could see it on Google Map about 1/2 mile down a dirt road.  President Clark recruited a guide from the group and soon we were headed to the bridge with 3 security personnel.  they didn't have anything else to do and were happy to accompany us.

When we got to the bridge, they said that the boards were rotting and recommended that we not try to walk out on it.  Our guide about 90 lbs, ventured out a ways until the boards were rotting and stopped. 

Then we went to see the new (Korean money) master planned golf community being built. 27 holes, houses and a huge hotel.  18 holes are public and loaded with players.  They play in 6-somes and everyone has a cart on the defined cart path.  Well the guards at the gate didn't know how to let us in and just wander around.  President Clark had to exchange his DL for a pass. Then we had to drive up to the sales office.

The nice young Korean sales guy met us in the street and wanted to ride up the hill with us to give us the tour.   There was no room in the car for him so he decided we should come into the sales trailer/construction office.  I was expecting big screen video pitch and maps  Instead there was an empty conference table.  He invited us to sit down while he figured out what to do with us.  As I (Elder Dansie) moved a swivel chair to sit down, the top half of the chair fell on the ground and they were all panicked that I had been hurt.

At that point, one of the engineers said in Tagalog, "They are missionaries, they don't have any money so don't waste your time."  (President Clark understands tagalog)  So we got back in the car, the sale guy got in his car and we sent up the hill to the clubhouse for our sales pitch.  They have 4 models under construction and he hasn't sold any yet.  The entire course is hillside and playing in 6-somes was moving slow, but Vans were rolling in with more players. Green fees with cart are about $80 US.

This may not seem funny to you, but we laughed about the "security" all morning. PS, we were told to wear casual cloths but only Elder Dansie got the message.

And finally, have you heard the joke, "how many missionaries does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Seniors helped put up Christmas Decorations at the Mission Home.

 

 

 

 

 

Another Week

(Cover picture is stickee rice with coconut desert on banana leaf served after a baptism in Kalikid)

Today's Update

We've had very little rain since the Typhoons passed over.  Today its 92 degrees with 64% humidity creating a heat factor of 102.  No showers predicted until next weekend.  It's HOT! We have 4 plants on the balcony and 2 out in front of our gates.  The ones in front of the gates gets intense afternoon sunshine and nearly died until we watered them.  Imagine needing to water your plants in the tropics :)

It's Halloween day here which isn't getting much attention. All missionaries are on lock down at 6:00 pm for the night. Tomorrow is "The day of the dead" like memorial day but with vigor.  Both days are a holiday so schools out and traffic is delightful.  Everybody is hanging out at the malls with AirCon (Air conditioning) and loud music.  Tomorrow the celebrations moves to the cemeteries with all day parties, food and fireworks.  We'll swing by the largest cemetery and grab some photos for next blog.

Sister Dansie's Trike Got Busted

Sister Dansie was headed to SM Megamall on a trike last week with a nice young driver.  They passed by an infrequent police checkpoint.  The driver had no registration, no drivers license and the license plates belonged to someone else.  "Are you in trouble" asked Sister Dansie.  "Yes" was the answer.  She paid him his P 20 for the ride and walked the last block to the Mall. The police were removing the license plate when she looked back but no handcuffs yet:) 

Passports Are Finally Back

Missionaries arrive with a 90 day VISA and we applied for 2 year VISA the first day in Manila. (See blog) Immigration finally delivered it to Manila and Manila office sent to Tarlac for us.  We need it to get our Filipino drivers licenses. Tarlac informed us early Tuesday that it arrived so we headed for Tarlac to pick them up.  Manila headquarters keeps them safe in their vault during our mission. So we sent them back once we got our DL. With 21 missions and 160-200 missionaries per mission, that's about 3,500 passports to keep track of.

Tuesday was also the day that 18 missionaries were heading home after completing their missions. So we joined the farewell lunch and testimony meeting at the Mission home while we were there.  It was sad to say goodbye to several new friends we have met but proud to know that they have unselfishly served the Lord for 2 years and heading home. After 2 years of dedicated focus and grueling schedule, they are fully ready to pursue their dreams.  Here are some pics of them loading in vans for Manila. They stay overnight in Manila at the Microtel by the area office and then fly out Wednesday.

On our way back from Tarlac we detoured to Jaen to take a replacement fan and to hang some curtains that Sister Dansie made for the Sister's Apartment. By then it was dark.  Sun sets around 5:15 and with no street lights, minimal house lights and many trikes not having working headlights dark is really dark for the drive back. Took about 40 minutes using the bypass around the main highway traffic. We try to minimize driving at night.

Drivers Licenses Finally

With our passports and 2 year VISA we were able to go to the Land Transportation Office and apply for a Drivers License.  We had to wait for the 2 year VISA because you must have at least 1 year left on the VISA to get a drivers license. The process was very well organized as we went from station to station. Everyone was very kind to help the English speaking Americans. About 45 minutes later we had our official temporary permits.  The department has a shortage of laminate to make permanent cards so they said to check back in 3 or 4 months to see if they have the materials to print the permanent version.

Thursday was transfer day again. 

Every 6 weeks transfers occur.  This time 18 missionaries completed their missions, 16 new arrived and many shifted areas to assume the roles left by the departing missionaries. Those companionships (remember missionaries always stay together as pairs 24/7) effected by the transfer arrive at the Cabanatuan Stake Center at 8:30 am to switch around.  Those moving to the Tarlac side of the mission head to the bus terminal and go to Tarlac as a group.  This time 15 were switching sides.  The companion-less companions wait as a group at the Stake Center until their new companions arrive.  They use the time to study and watch church movies.  But this time something was wrong with the TV sound and so an impromptu sing along of church hymns spun up.  This download may take a while but it's worth watching the movie.  (Took an hour for us to upload on our great internet!)

The new senior couple, the Spungs who now live in Munoz joined us for the transfer and after we gave them the quickee tour of Cabanatuan and lunch at Greenwich Pizza.

Saturday Change of Plans

Saturday we received a phone call at 6:38 am from the Bongabon Zone Leaders.  There was a last minute shuffle of a couple missionaries on Friday and could we help shuffle?  So Elder Dansie make a quick trip to Apartment in Ward 1 to fix an issue then we headed to the bus terminal to pickup a missionary who was on the bus coming from Tarlac (Mission  office)  

We picked up the new Missionary at the bus terminal then drove to Palayan to meet his companion (who was with the Zone Leaders temporarily) and then deliver them both back to Kalikid. They had to prepare for a baptism saturday night at 6:00 pm.

When companionships are short elders or sisters, the stakes often provide a 17 year old young man to be a temporary companion for 6 weeks until the next transfer day rolls around. The new missionary just turned 18 and is waiting for his own mission call.  He's spending the next 6 weeks in Kalikid as the temporary companion.

Then we returned to Palayan to a Baptism at 3:00 pm.  This gentlemen is 78 years old and has been waiting to hear the Gospel all his life.  His wife had a stroke and will be baptized in a couple weeks when she can get around better.

Since nothing starts on time, we missed visiting the Baptism on Bongabon at 4:00 pm but did make it back to the Kalikid baptism at 6:00 to enjoy the stickee rice desert after.

New Glasses

Sister Dansie couldn't resist the sale and got some new glasses, with frames and eye exam for P 1,400 (about $30.)  If anyone needs new glasses, send over your prescription and we'll facetime from the store for you to pick out your frames!

 

 

 

 

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OYM

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OYM

OYM stands for "Open Your Mouth."  OYM reminds missionaries to visit with everyone they see and find individuals who are interested in learning more about our loving Father in Heaven. While we as Senior Missionaries don't actively proselyte or teach lessons, we still have plenty of opportunities to OYM every day.  Elder Dansie carries a small bag with pamphlets to share with anyone who asks for more information.

Saturday we were at the bus station to pick up a missionary coming from Tarlac. Of course the bus was late so while waiting, Elder Dansie visited with one of the security guards.  The conversation went something list this: (This is short version)

Guard: "Are you a Mormon Missionary?"

Elder Dansie: "Yes, we are sometime called Mormons but we represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

G: "I have a neighbor who is a Mormon."

ED: "I hope he is a nice person (ha ha)"

G: "He is (ha ha). My sister is also a Mormon"

ED: "Have they shared with you our beliefs about Jesus Christ and his Gospel."

G: "No they haven't.  But I'd like to learn more about God."

ED: "I have some pamphlets that you can read.  Would you like some?"

(he took three:  The Restoration of the Gospel, The Plan of Salvation & The Gospel of Jesus Christ)

G: "Thank you, I'd really like to know more."

ED: "Where to you live? Which Barangay? (neighborhood)

G: "Over there in _____" (ED couldn't understand)

ED: "We have the young sister missionaries who live in your area.  Would you like for them to visit your house and tell you more?"

G: "Would they do that?  I really would like to know more about God."

ED: "They would be happy to visit with you. Would it be OK if I call them now on my mobile and let you speak with them."

G: "Now? Sure"

ED then guessed which area he might live in and call the sister missionaries.  There are 4 sister missionaries living together that cover 2 wards.  He lives in one or the other.

The sister missionaries spoke with him, got his address, phone and made an appointment to follow up.

While ED had the pamphlets in hand, another fellow who works at the terminal walked over, listened to the conversation, took 2 pamphlets and left before ED could speak with him.

G: "Do you have a companion?"

ED: "Yes, my wife is my companion. She is across the street in the car waiting for the bus.  I'll go get her so you can meet her."

Sister Dansie visited with the gentlemen for a minute and then the missionary stepped of the bus and we said goodbye.

Let's Go for a Trike Ride

Elder Dansie took a trike to pickup the Corolla from the dealer after it was serviced.  The driver looked like 12 years old but he got us there safely.  Click this button to see part of the ride.  PS:  Nobody every signals to turn or change lanes. The download may take a minute or so.

 

Answers to the Quiz

Here's a few more pictures to enjoy before you read the blog.

 

The last week was a lot of this and that.  We are (were) going to put on training for ward missionaries on Sunday but it was postponed to Nov 27 because the Typhoon cancelled church last week and the training was not publicized sufficiently.   We did spend more time exploring the city to find props,  a shop to print a large poster and a copy shop to print the handouts. Turns out that there are many choices.

Tarpaulan and Billboards

Printing a tarpaluan (Vinyl) banner is available in many shops. The price is so inexpensive that we see vinyl banners all over. Many hang across the width of the road congratulating that so and so just passed the bar exam of earned their RN degree.  We have a 4x3 foot vinyl printed for the training and it cost $7. 

All of the billboards are actually Tarpaluan on metal frames.  And the bigger the better, there seems to be no sign ordinance.  A typical billboard may be 40 feet tall.  During the last typhoons the vinyls were taken down and reappeared a couple days later.

Public Market

In our quest to find the props for our training seminar, we wandered the large public market in Cabanatuan.  The main building is a full block packed with interior stalls with vendors selling their goods.  Around the edges are the vegetable vendors and one end the meat.  The aisles inside are so narrow that we American's can hardly get through.  The variety of booths is incredible.  It's almost like a super stacked Walmart loaded for Christmas.  We were trying to find a basketball jersey and we found just what we needed.

OYM

One of the missionary terms is "OYM" for "open your mouth."  It reminds us to talk to people everywhere.  We get many opportunities and curious questions.  For instance one of the booth vendors wanted to know more about how long we'll stay and how much we are paid.  This launched a fun conversation for 10 minutes and he now has a couple of the printed booklets that missionaries pass out--The Restoration and The Plan of Salvation.

Elder Dansie was waiting at the digital print shop while they printed signs for our training. A cute family of three arrived to have their picture taken since it was their 6 year old boys birthday.  My order was holding up the line so it gave us time to chat about why senior missionaries are in Philippines.  He also now has some new reading materials.

Answer to Photo Quiz

We only had 2 replies to our photo quiz.  One world traveler was 99% correct. The other didn't know where to start.  So here's the answers.

Advertising CR (Bathrooms)

Male CR is down the stairs

Cost is 5 Pesos to use the CR

Put 5 Pesos in the box on the table

Grab some toilet paper by the box if you need some.

 

 

 

Monuments, Typhoons and More

Sister Missionary Conference

Monday we drove to Tarlac for the Sister Missionary conference.  They had a great day together. Sisters Dansie, Whiting and Pugh put on a skit and training about gossiping at the end of lunch, just before the fashion show.  

The mission Assistants to the President drove the mission van to Gapan and Cabanatuan to pickup sisters so that they would not need to ride the bus.  Two of the sisters got car sick on the way over.  The mission rented a Jeepnee to pickup the sisters from San Jose and Guimba. All the sisters from the Tarlac side are closer and they took the normal transportation.

We gave a ride to one of the car-sick sisters (and companion) who live in cabanatuan thinking that the car would be smoother than the van.  It almost worked. We were about 4 minutes from their apartment when she got sick again.  Fortunately, everyone carries a small towel to wipe your face in the heat.  The towel doubled at the car sick bag.

New Senior Missionaries

Thursday we drove to Munoz (only 1 hour with no construction delays) to meet the internet installers and do the final cleaning on the house for a the New Senior Missionaries.  The installers were due at 10:00 am and called to get better direction to the house.  Houses do not have consistent addresses like we are used to.  By noon they hadn't come so we headed to their office up the street.  Of course it was closed for lunch. So back at 1:00 pm and the girl told us between 2-3:00 pm maybe.  When we quizzed her further it was obvious that she had no knowledge of what the installers schedule. So we went back and waited.  They showed up about 2:30 pm. We left the Zone Leaders to lock up after the installers and headed to Tarlac (1.5 hours) for dinner at the Mission Home with all of the Senior Missionaries include the Spung's who just arrived.  Since it was late and raining after dinner we stayed at the Microtel  in Tarlac that night. Friday we visited the WW II memorial at Campas

WW II Memorial

During WW II, about 74,000 Filipino and 11,000 American solders were trapped on the Batan Peninsula with no hope of rescue, no ammunition and food running out.  So the decision was made to surrender to the Japanese who according to the Geneva Convention would to provide food and medical care.

History records that the Japanese assumed that there were 10,000 or so POW and accepted the surrender. The Japanese troops were also low on food and were overwhelmed with the actual numbers.  The Japanese planned to move big guns onto the Bataan shore to drive the American forces off on the Island of Corregidor in Manila Bay---so they needed to evacuate the POW quickly.  The infamous Bataan Death March began and soldiers had to walk to San Fernando about 90 miles in 5 days. They marched without food or water or medical help from the Japanese who were also destitute. Discipline failed and the Japanese soldiers inflicted cruelness and neglect on the POW during the March as the casualties mounted up by the hour. Local civilian's lined the way trying to give food and water to the soldiers and they were stopped by the Japanese. 

"We march to the San Fernando station where we were herded into crowded boxcars like cattle getting ready for the slaughterhouse.  Each box car could accommodate about 50 prisoners. There must have been 150 in our car."  "In a mater of minutes we were suffocating for lack of air and were being cooked alive in a 110 degree oven."

The train to Camp O'Donell was only 4 hours and 30 miles but many died in each car during the short ride. About 10,000 patriot soldiers died on the march and ride.

After reaching Camp O'Donell, many were sent to Japan to help with construction projects. Some of the most sick were moved to a camp by Cabanatuan.

The conditions in Camp O'Donell were so poor that another 20,000 died of disease and malnutrition. POW doctors were seeing diseases that they had never seen before resulting from simple lack off basic nutrients.

The monument includes 31,000 trees planted in rows to commemorate those who had died. 

Camp O'Donnell was originally commissioned by FDR and built by American's to train Filipino youth to be soldiers.

 

 

 

 

The American prisoners at Camp O'Donell were given some cement and so they made a cement cross to honor their fallen comrades.  That cross was later relocated in 1992 to a National Historic Site in Anderson, Georgia and a replica stands in it's place at the monument.

 

We drive by the POW campsite outside of Cabanatuan regularly.  It became famous when over 500 POW were rescued near the end of the war.  There is a movie on NetFlix about the rescue and a book called  "Ghost soldiers." Movie is pretty good. There is another monument at this campsite and a 2nd monument next door honoring the graduates of West Point who were at this camp.

Our 1st Typhoon

Typhoon Karen was the first Typhoon to hit our part of the country.  It was rated as a hurricane category 1 possibly building to cat 2.  It hit the coast town Baler (where we were last week) early Sunday morning with winds of 85 mph and tide surges.  The 8 Missionaries assigned to Barangays (towns) around Baler moved into Cabanatuan friday night and are bunking with the Zone Leaders here.  10 Elders in a 2 story apartment a little smaller than ours.  We took them 2 extra fans and a watermelon to go with their spaghetti on Saturday.

All missionaries were told to stay in their apartments until 2:00 pm Sunday or later if the rain was bad. All church meetings were cancelled today.  The heavy rain/wind started at our house around 11:00 pm and was slowing down by 9:00 am this morning.  Fortunately the Typhoon stayed Cat 1 and so it wasn't anything news worthy.  We're spending the day inside too and some of the afternoon thunderstorms have been short but heavier than the main part.  It's 3:00 pm Sunday now and the clouds are just a normal rainy season day.

The biggest problem will be flooding later Sunday and into Monday as the rain fills the river from the mountains.  This photo is our street at 5:00 pm Sunday.  Our street leads to another street which floods easily.  If we go the other direction there is another sunken area that will also be flooded, so we're just staying home until Monday. All Missionary apartments are out of the flood zones and so except for some leaky roofs, everyone should be OK today.

The flood waters carry a highly contagious bacterial disease called leptospirosis. So the Mission Presidents wife asked us to buy a supply of doxycycline antibiotic to have on hand for any missionary who has to wade through flood waters. Fortunately, we have a member friend who works at a pharmacy and she helps us with issues like this without a prescription.  In Philippines you only need a prescription for antibiotics and pain meds.  Everything else is OTC. But when you deliver a prescription, they don't record your name in their computer and they hand the prescription back to you since it has the instructions.  They only give you a sheet of blister pack pills.

Misc

We heard a plane flying overhead a couple days ago. First time we've heard a plane. Never even see vapor trails. There are no commercial airports or rail lines in this part of Luzon Island. Produce is only trucked a short distance so we really are eating "locally grown" vegetables. For instance, Pineapples and Mangos are out of season now and hard to get. 2 months ago, Pineapples were 3 for $2 at the road side stands. 

Below are some photos with titles for your perusal with captions.

Fall General Conference

With the 14 hour time difference between Salt Lake and Philippines, watching General Conference live isn't practical.  And since very few people have internet at home, watching sessions on demand also difficult. So on this side of the world, general conference is delayed a week. 

On Saturday, we drove to Bongabon Stake center (Hour's drive) to watch the sessions. Since people are coming from other communities, they shorten the gap in between to one hour--which gave us time to lunch with several of the missionaries at Nanny Eli's, the only real restaurant in Bongabon. 

It was an amazing experience to be sitting on the other side of the world, listening to the words of the prophet and apostles.  The spirit in the little Chapel was just as strong as sitting in the conference center.  Saturday sessions are not well attended because people need to do their work.

On Sunday, Elder Dansie drove to Bongabon for an early morning District Missionary Meeting and back to Cabanatuan for the morning session. That session was overflowing into the side rooms and also broadcast into the institute building next door.

The messages given were just as timely and appropriate to the members in the Philippines as the members in the United States. 

Baler and More

Baler on the Ocean

We spent 2 nights in Baler, a popular local tourist town on the ocean.  Baler is the coconut capital of the Philippines and the coconut orchards stretch on and on.  Combined with the tropical weather, afternoon rain and it's a beautiful area.  You do have to pass over a mountain range on good but windy roads which takes about 2 hours (another 1.5 hours from Cabanatuan to the mountains.) Highway engineers don't worry about maximum grades or snow so the roads follow the hills, up and down. The little corolla was often in 1st gear climbing the steeper hills. It's also a perfect place to gear down and save brakes.

The Costa Pacifica is the only major hotel in town. The others hotels go downhill fast and range from hostel rooms to local sleeping gazebos on the edge of the water. Baler is famous for surfing but while we were there, the waves with only breaking a couple feet and too close to shore to get a good ride.

The Costa Pacifica room faced the ocean with black volcanic sand.  We were looking forward to the wood fired pizza at their restaurant but discovered that their fish tacos were perhaps the best on earth so we had tacos twice and pizza only once!

Part of our visit was working with the Elders and doing apartment checks.  The four apartments are spread across 4 Barangy (villages) about 20 minutes apart.  This is rice harvest season and after the rice is harvested, it's spread on any flat concrete around to dry.  When we went to the Church for Zone training, the Church's driveway was being used to dry rice.  We just drive over it slowly and do our thing.

Roads in the Philippines are typically concrete and pretty much just lay on the ground without any cuts or grading.  They seldom back fill the edges and so the shoulder could drop of 10" or even into a deep drainage ditch. Below is a truck who missed the turn and will probably be there for years to come. There is no highway department to cleanup slides or fill pot holes.  

Typically when a side road comes in, the two lanes don't line up height wise so they just leave out 20-50 feet of concrete and you drive through the potholes and dirt to reach the concrete again.  Or you may be going down a great highway at 100 KPH and suddenly 50 feet of concrete is missing. Oh! 

This picture is called planning ahead.  A new 15 ton bridge was built over a creek but it's blocked off with a pile of dirt.  Cars have to drop over the edge of the new road, down a dirt hill to the old bridge.  The reason?  This end of the new bridge is 15 feet higher than the road and no plans to build up the road to meet the bridge.

 

 

One of the missionary apartments is in Marie Aurora. After a quick check, we drove down the highway heading to zone training meeting. There was a sign that said "Oldest Balette Tree is Asia.  So we made a quick U turn and drove down a beautiful road to the tree.  Of course there was concessions, souvenirs and a P 10 entrance fee ($.22 per person)

 

 

The #2 tourist attraction in Baler is the hanging bridge.  It's a pedestrian bridge over a river.  We parked at the end and paid the P 10 parking fee ($0.22) collected by a young couple who lived at the end of the bridge.  Parking fees and souvenirs sales is probably their primary income for them and their family.  Filipino families tend to be large even though the government is suggesting a family size of 3.

Here are some more pix of the Baler area for you to peruse.

With the time change, General Conference is postponed one week so Saturday and Sunday conference will be repeated in the stake centers via DVD.