We grabbed our little Toyota Corolla at the Mission office and headed for Cabanatuan where we will be living. Cabanatuan is a sizable city on the east side of the mission and acts as the gathering point for the rural areas to the east. Elder and Sister Whiting (Mission office couple) lead the way in their car.
When we arrived President and Sister Clark drove to Cabanatuan and hosted a great dinner for us and the leadership of the Bongabon District where we are going to spend much of our time. President Clark lead the way from the stake center, took a wrong turn down a one way street and soon our little caravan of three cars was totally gridlocked by tricycles and motorcycles and unhappy Filipinos pointing the other way.
But we did make the restaurant and the food sampled about 8 items including rice:) My favorite was the squid. LouAnn (Sister Dansie) liked the sweet and sour fish best. After dinner the Clarks and Whittings had an almost 2 hour drive back to Tarlac in the dark. Dark roads include people walking, tricycles with no tailights, dogs and more so night driving is not fun.
We spent our first night in the townhouse we will call home for many months. It will only take a few days and we'll make the house our home.