I have been in the Philippines since May 10th. I haven't really done any of things I came here to do. I was supposed to meet up with a herpetologist in Manila and volunteer at the National Museum. I was supposed to volunteer on some field work outings. I was supposed to get involved with some NGOs. None of this has happened. The herpetologist in Manila never emailed me back once I arrived. So in the recklessness of youth (and thanks to a perceptive Auntie Mirla) I disregarded my former plans and took a one hour flight and a 4 hour drive to Borongan, Eastern Samar...to stay with my grandfather (Filipino: Lolo).
As soon as I arrived in Eastern Samar I came down with some terrible flu...thing. At first I thought it was Dengue Fever and I was convinced I was going to die a horrible, but preventable death... if only airport security hadn't confiscated my bug spray. To my surprise I learned the symptoms didn't match up to Dengue and a few days later I started to feel better.
Since I recovered from my illness I have been able to accomplish quite a bit here (even if these so called accomplishments don't match up to my original plan). I have been to numerous fiestas, eating way too much food and certain things I never thought were edible (i.e - Pig intestine cooked in the pig's blood called dinuguan)
Ever since the first bite I have refused to try it again...for obvious reasons.In addition to immersing myself in the culinary culture of the Philippines I have also made several friends with the nurses and doctors at the provincial hospital (introductions made possible by my wonderful Auntie Marietta). I was even able to accompany some of them to a Medical Mission on an island near Guian. There I learned to decipher a doctor's handwriting, dispense medications, and to preform circumcision. The last of which my Aunt taught me how to do. However nothing could prepare me for one of the boys who had Rhino skin so an expert was called in to finish it up.
Last week I made my way to Baybay, Leyte where my uncle teaches Marine Biology at Visayas State University (VSU). I have since been SCUBA certified (overcoming my initial mistrust of the scuba equipment). I saw so many marine animals I had never seen before from a sleeping sea snake to a crown of thorns.
In addition to these strange turn of events I have found myself teaching English at a nearby elementary school where another of my aunts is a teacher.
I am trying to stay on track so that I'm not just having a vacation. Hopefully these experiences will come in handy for Grad School...
