Phillippines Vacation 2012: Day Two, was...

...was eventful in so many ways.  We are so blessed to have such an extended family here in the Phillippines, which has proven to result in constant invitations to tour the island with the company of some pretty amazing people.

Due to the jet lag, the entire family woke up at about 3 am, which gave Jerry a great opportunity to work in peace while the entire was asleep.  Well, I lied... we actually woke up to the roosters cock-a-doodling and it sort of freaked us all out from the dead sleep we were in, ha!

After we got ready, we headed out to my dad's little pig farm where two of his Mama Pigs gave birth to 19 little piglets. When my parents were visiting the States they had promised Matthew that they would show him the little piggies and like good grandparent's they delivered. 

After our short visit, we headed out to my Mom's hometown... a little province called Dingle about an hour away from the main city in Iloilo.  My cousin was having a small little gathering to celebrate their son's 1st birthday and I had a goal to go and visit my grand parent's grave site, since I was unable to make the trip out during their funerals.  We also wanted to visit the Rice Fields and Family Farm that my mom and her siblings grew up in... THAT was something the boys were excited to do.



When I was pregnant with Brandon, my grandmother fell in and had to return back to the Phillippines, I promised her before she left that if she wasn't going to be able to meet Brandon that I would one day come back to the Phillippines with my own family and visit her.  I made a similar promise to my Grandfather the last time I spoke to him a couple of years back. 

Keeping my promise, I brought Jerry and the boys to visit their gravesite.  I thought I'd be hesitant and scared being in a cemetary from such a small town, but the visit was magical and spectacular.  The moment we opened the gates to where they were it began to rain for about 3 minutes and then the sun came out for the rest of the day. I might be superstitious but I really feel like my grand parents were proud of me for keeping my word.  I never thought in a million years, I'd be able to keep my promise.



Traditionally, when visiting our loved ones that have passed you're supposed to light a candle and bring some flowers of some sort. As jet lagged and rushed as we were this morning I forgot both, but thankfully one of my Aunts had two that I could use.  

At any other time, I'd probably gasp at the idea of my boys sitting on a truck bed on route to a destination, but my boys were so elated to be given the opportunity to do something like this so we took the chance. Considering I trusted the driver, hesitation didn't last too long. 

We celebrated my nephew's 1st birthday at one of our cousin's homes near by and were able to visit a lot of the cousins I haven't seen in over 15 years.  What a joy it was to finally see them and see how much we've each growned. I really have to make the effort to not let that much time pass by for too long again.



After the birthday celebration we decided to visit the Family Farm that my mom and her siblings grew up in.  How exciting was this for the boys! We walked about an hour into the farmlands along side rice pads with nothing but a foot's width to keep us from falling into the water and mud.  We crossed about 6 man made bridges where I learned that I'm a lot more braver about bridges than I'd confess I have. 

We walked through super tiny groups of homes with kids amazed about us as we were about them. Which was great to see as the boys asked questions but politely waved when given the opportunity.

When we finally arrived on the family farm, we were greeted by beautiful greenery, a pond for cat fish, and rice pad fields surrounding us. The moment was surreal and it was overwhelmingly wonderful.

On our way back home, this interesting mode of transportation was right  beside us, what you don't see are the 6 people crammed behind the driver and in the little cart.  Pretty amazing how different our worlds are, isn't it?



When we got back to the city, we were so filthy from all the sweat and mud we accumulated during the day, so we all took showers and changed for dinner out in the city. We had a local delicacy. La Paz Batchoy. If you haven't had it, find a Pinay who could be trusted with making this wonderful soup! After dinner my Aunt and Uncle surprised us with a traditional Filipino massage called "hilot" and facials. My Dad kindly took the boys home so they could rest while Jerry and I enjoyed the evening.

It's a little past midnight and my eyes are starting to play tricks on me... can't believe I'm here! No, really I can't believe I'm blogging from the Phillippines! It's so amazing!

Some great moments today to cherish forever:

• Roosters actually do wake people up, who woulda thunk it?
• Piglets are super cute, their doo doo? Not so much!
• Small towns are pretty charming!
• Sometimes, being unsafe is the most fun - but don't quote me on this when my boys hit the teens.
• Family is Family, no time or distance can ever change that!
• I walked through rice pad fields for an hour and didn't say once I was going back to the car!
• I crossed 6 man made bridges made of bamboo and ropes without crying - THAT in itself is pretty damn impressive.
• Jerry still won't eat balut, boo!