The Morning After (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Ever been really hungover after not having much sleep? And you have to check out of your bungalow at 10 o'clock in the morning so you can't sleep in? And the reason why you're checking out is because you have to take a short bus ride, then a 2 hour ferry ride, and then a 12 hour bus ride to get to Bangkok? And all you wanna do is get some rest, but the only place to do that is on the beach where the burning sun is beating down on your body? And its so hot that it almost makes you wanna hurl?

Watch and Wonder (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Eye spy with my little eye:

A couple both wearing pink long sleeved shirts.
-Did they plan that?

Two guys wearing fancy dress shirts, strolling the bar scene.
-Trying a little too hard aren't we guys, everyone else is wearing t-shirts and shorts!

A thai lady with a light skinned child.
-Is that child a half breed? Where's the father, does he know that he has a child in Thailand. Is this lady a prostitute?

An elderly man walking hand in hand with a young thai girl.
-I hope that man doesn't have a wife somewhere! Poor girl, I hope that man's hands aren't clammy.

That guy from my guesthouse is flirting with that girl who hasn't spoken to anyone since I arrived.
-I betcha they hook up! (Morning after...) Yep, I was right.

A bright red faced man laying in the sun.
-That's so gonna hurt buddy, what are you thinking?

A Thai person with low rise jeans and their crack showing.
-What's new?

An Israeli girl asking the McDonald's manager to turn down the air-conditioning.
-No comment. Lower my head and shake.

A elderly caucasion women strolling the beach topless.
-What was she like when she was younger, maybe an activist or something? You go lady! Ooops, stop staring Dean!

A Thai... uh... a Thai... person.
-Is that a boy or a girl?

A ladyboy with too much make-up.
-Ouch, you need to hide your adam's apple or something.

A ladyboy riding on the back of that guy's motorbike.
-Does he know she's a he?

An elderly couple, walking hand in hand on the beach.
-Now that's sweet, I hope they're enjoying their vacation.

A young girl collecting the flowers from the Budhha shrine and returning them to her Mother who originally sold them in the first place.
-Hey!

Someone staring at me.
-I wonder what they're thinking?

Feet problems (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Painful Pedicure

So I got the pedicure I had intended on the other day. It was my first ever professional pedicure, other than the one that Jenny gave me a long time ago (which could be considered prof, but doesn't count cause it was free and from a friend). I thought I'd get one because many people do it in the Philippines on a regular basis and seem to enjoy it.

I should learn a lesson from it though. The esthetician at first asked for 150 Thai Baht for her services (this is before the actual pedicure) and I bargained her down to only 100 Baht. I sat down and put on my earphones thinking that I was going to being enjoying a nice pedicure with a long soak in hot water and a foot scrub to follow (the way Jenny did her's). No, I was wrong. After about 10 minutes, 2 tracks later and harsh jabbing and cutting away at my toes the lady was 'finish'.

Now, 2 days later my big toes still hurts. Every now and then I can see some blood peeping out of the cut that she 'accidently' made! I've put antiseptic on it a couple of times because I'm scared it might get frickin' infected!

Next time I won't bargain. Maybe there just won't be a next time.


Stained

And now, only an hour ago I was walking along the beach, a nice stroll as I listened to my discman and the waves crash to my left. Since I didn't recieve a foot scrub by that damn lady, I walked barefoot, hoping the coarse sand may do me some good. Anyway, after I had put my white flip-flops back on and started to walk around the town, do a bit of browsing. This one shop requires you to remove your footwear before entering, as with a lot of buddhist places, so I take my slippers off and see that my sandals are stained black in a few different spots. I look at my feet and I see this yucky gunk all over them! It has the consistency of gum or oil or something. I think that I may have stepped in squid ink or something. I snuck into a washroom and tried to rinse it off, I even used soap and my fingernails to try and remove it. No luck. Damn it, I was actually going to go for a foot massage, but now I'm too embarassed to walk in with black stained feet.


Azan from Oman

I've met many interesting people throughout my travels. Just thought I'd tell you about Azan. He's now the second person I've met from Oman, a wealthy country in the Middle East with a population of only 3 million. Both of them are quite interesting.

Anyway, Azan has been travelling for the last 2 years mostly through the Middle East taking proffestional photographs. There's a popular author that wrote 22 novels a long time ago and most of them are about his travels through different countries. So Azan has been approached by a magazine company to go and re-trace the steps of the author and take photos of his writings for one particular novel.

He's now completed it and is just on a month holiday in Thailand, without his camera. Well actually his 3 cameras, 2 tripods, 6 different lenses and countless rolls of film. He enjoyed the journey that he was sent on, however he said that patience was strongly needed. To try and find certain people, to sit their and wait for them to do the exact pose that's described in the book, to find certain places and objects, its really quite unimaginable.

Fully Booked (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Homesick

Maybe a week or so ago, while walking through yet another shopping mall in Manila, I bumped into a gorgeous book store. Staight away I sensed a certain ambience, and as I walked in I could smell that fresh aroma of brewed coffee, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and thought... 'Chapters'. I walked around the store and saw the different displays of new releases, bestsellers, Harry Potter, up and coming authors, etc, I couldn't help but think of my own days working at a book store. As I kept going through the different sections, fiction, music, photography, travel, etc, I realized that I really, really miss home. Its not necessarily the fact that I miss Chapters, because I don't think that I'd ever want to work there again, but it was just the comfort of being somewhere that felt like home to me.

Leaving Home

My last couple of weeks in the Philippines was spent with my relatives. The days were filled with activities such as playing the ever so addicting Mah Jong, singing with my cousins while RJ played his guitar, one huge 90th birthday bash for my only living Grandmother, one celebration of my grandma's 1 year death anniversary, watching films, playing with my young niece and nephew, sleeping, eating, shopping, etc. In short, I just relaxed.

After resisting many invitations to stay longer, mainly to see my one cousin get married in April and my other cousin to have a baby at the end of March, we sadly left. Yes, it was another sad goodbye to relatives that I got quite close to. It was as if I was leaving home all over again, taking off for another long journey and not knowing my return date. I actually had that feeling of butterflies in my stomach hours before our flight, that sense of insecurity inside. I can promise this; this is not a goodbye forever, I will come back to the Philippines.

My aunt texted me the day after we left and told me that Andre, the 2 year old boy, was knocking on mine and Jeremy's bedroom door in the morning and calling our names. Oh I can just hear his voice in my head... "Deannie, Deannie... Jemy, Jemy!". Lord, I hope that he remembers us.


Plans Always Change

And so here I am. In Thailand. Well, its not really home now is it? Jeremy has left me and reluctantly gone back to Calgary. His flight was 3 nights ago and arrived home yesterday morning. I've gotten word from him that all is well and that home is... home.

I myself am actually supposed to be in Indonesia right now. I had a flight leaving from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday morning to Medan, Indonesia. While in the Philippines I had gotten in contact with an NGO that is doing tsunami relief work in Sumatra, Indonesia. They welcomed me to join them and there lifestyle for 2 months, in a house where they practise yoga in the mornings, sleep on the floor, eat only vegetarian food and do various volunteer work from 10am - 6pm each day. As I've said before, I would love to do some volunteer work, I feel that I need to give back to someone, something, for blessing me with this great life that I lead.

The day before my flight I emailed them and said that I'm too homesick and I am regretfully not coming. The thought of me having to get settled in, make friends, deal with refugees who've lost their homes and families, and then, have to say goodbye. I wouldn't be able to go through the heartache once more. Even as I write this, I think of all of the horrors that these people have gone through and my heart cries for them. I don't know if I'd be able to witness it first hand. I sound really selfish for all saying this, I know. But perhaps I can help out in another form, donate more money or do some other form of volunteer work in Calgary.

Ah yes, Calgary... where does that leave me? Well right now I'm on a island in Thailand and its absolutley pouring rain here! I woke this morning frightened because the storming rain may bring my small hut crashing to the ground. I am enjoying myself though and I'll enjoy every day until I go home. Its actually nice to be on my own again, meet some other backpackers and just chill. (No offense to Jeremy). After I write this blog I'll hide away in a spa and get a nice long Thai massage and pamper myself with a pedicure or something.

So anyway, I've got 8 days. That's right, 8 days left on my trip that started in October, 2003. While in Bangkok, I booked my flight home. I'M GOING HOME!!!!

Only 2 people in Calgary know that I'm going home. I'm banking on the fact that no one will read this before I get there so I can do a bit of surprising. So don't tell anyone!

The End of a Sequel (Tagbilaran, Philippines)

Still here on the Island of Bohol. I'll be leaving tomorrow to go back to Cebu and then back to Manila the following day. Rented a bike again yesterday, this time it was bigger and better! I'm loving it. Went to an abosolutley gorgeous beach full of white sand and clear waters. Its on another island attached to Bohol by bridge, called Panglao Island. We tried to get accomodation there, we're supposed to be there right now (damn it!), but all the hotels were fully booked. Or, in my thinking, all the owners would rather have caucasian guests as opposed to a couple filipino guys with no cash. I don't know how I got that impression in my head, but I'm afraid it might be true. I guess I'll never know.



The Power of One

Last night I said goodbye to a great friend and travel companion that I first met while I was in Malaysia (Nov. '03). We were together up until Christmas '04 and they he went off on his way with my friend Alex from England. We then met up again while I was in Australia (Sept '04), he had changed a lot and seemed to have matured since I parted him last. And now, 5 months after re-uniting I've had to say goodbye for good.

His name is Peekay, he's from South Africa. He's studied at Oxford University in England and is a practising lawyer. What a hero he is, fighting for the love of all mankind, fighting rascism and predjudice that infect the world. Over the 7 months, out of the 15 that I've been travelling, I've gotten the chance to really get to know a lot about him. He's been through so much, a tragic childhood, a boxing career, a law career, etc.

I was so upset last night when I got to page 899 of my novel and realized that I would no longer have Peekay in my life. It was the end of a sequel with no other sequel. If ever you get the chance, read "The Power of One" and "Tandia" by Bryce Courtney. I often feel ashamed that I'm such a slow reader, but to have had a friend with me for this long, was really worth it.


The Movies

Latley, since there isn't much of a night life here, Jeremy and I have been watching a lot of films in the cinemas. They're quite cheap for us, ranging from $1.50 - $2.00. What strikes me as odd though, is that you can enter the movie at anytime of the day and stay there for 8 hours if you'd like. You can even get a stamp and return 4 hours later. However, its only for the one movie, you can't switch theatre rooms. What's even more odd is that a lot of the people will come into the movie to catch the 5pm showing but will arrive around 4:30 while the end of the movie is on. Why don't they walk around or something and wait until the film's over so they don't ruin if for themselves?

Why are theatres always so damn cold?


Sacrilege

"Those two aren't Catholic! They're eating Pork!" erpessed the elderly Filipino man to a couple of Jolibee restaurant patrons as he pointed to the two young, astonishly good looking Filipino-Canadians as they ate eggs, meat and rice.

The young men, look at each other in confusion, "Is today Ash Wednesday Dean?" asks Jeremy. "That man has black ashes on his forehead, not to mention he just said that we're not Catholics." Dean then glances over his shoulder and glimpses at one of the headlines of his neighbor's newspaper 'Ash Wednesday Services Throughout Bohol'...

....................................................................

For those of you who don't know, The Philippines is predominantly a Christian country, made up of mostly Catholics. I was raised as a catholic by my parents and attended catholic schooling for 12 years of my life. Why isn't there a guideline that states specific rituals for each devout catholic to do on certain days? Such as, 'On Ash Wednesday: go to church and get ashes on your forehead, fast all day, practice abstinence all day...'

You see, the thing is you're actually supposed to fast all day, not just deny yourself from eating meat. Things have changed I suppose. How do they change? Who says that its no longer fasting? The Pope? Why are there so many rituals and little tidbits that need to be done anyway? Why can't everyone just believe in God and Jesus and follow their will? Why do we have to do these little things? I know that they symbolize certain things in life, such as the ashes represent ash to ash, dust to dust, and gives us humility. But if we are already a good human being with a clear conscience, what will these ashes do for us?

I don't want to start a huge religious debate, just thought I'd throw some stuff out.

I'd also like to say that since I've gotten to the Philippines, I've never seen so many images, statues, shrines, etc of Jesus, Mary, and various saints. I think its actually really nice to see so many people devoted to their religion. In the budhist, Hindu and Muslim countries I've been to I've seen similar things and thought that you don't find this in Canada. When I think of Canada, I generally think of Christianity, although I can't quote you any stats. So when I got to the Philippines, I didn't think I'd see so many devotions to the faith. One thing I enjoy the most is on the back of the tricycles (a mode of transportation here) there's always some religious quote or saying, such as "Thank the Lord!" or "Teach me the way...".

I actually have a cousin here who has apirations of being a priest. Over the years he's created a huge collection of statues and figurines of various saints and religious figures in his house. Its actually like a museum inside. When Jeremy first saw the house he was frightened by all the surroundings. Jesus really is watching you when you're inside the house. Should you be frightened or comforted?


87

Happy Birthday to my late Grandmother who passed away almost 1 year ago. She would have been 87 today. God Bless you Lola!

Chocolate Hills (Tagbilaran, Philippines)

Imagine this...

One small anonymous island hidden within the thousands of other islands that make up the archipelago country called the Philippines. On that little island, called Bohol, lies hundreds of perfectly shaped hills all plotted within close range to each other, forming a beautiful landscape for anyone's delight. And on these hills are enormous trees that create cocoa. In fact, the ground instead of having soil, is covered in cocoa powder.

When it rains, that powder turns into a large slush, making the biggest, yummiest chocolate drink you've ever desired. The inhabitants of the island all come running out of their bamboo nipa huts and run into the puddles with mugs, pitchers, buckets in hand and scoop up the natural wonder that has blessed their lives. The little boys and girls know where the hidden treasure is, they all run down into the large pond that forms behind one of the bigger hills. As they run, they strip down to their underwear, ready to dive in and enjoy a chocolate bath and savor the moment because they're not sure when the rains will come again.

Each year the different villages throughout the island hold a chocolate scuplting contest. Anything from chocolate castles to dolphins are formed. The winner recieves a large ribbon and medallion covered in tinfoil. The best part of the prize is that if you unwrap the tinfoil, the medallion is made out of chocolate! Delicious...


Okay, we can all imagine right? The reality is, there truly is a place called chocolate hills, all the above is true except for anything that has to do with cocoa or choclate... oh, and the yearly contest part.

Yesterday Jeremy travelled 60kms to see the hills and they are pretty amazing. We also saw these tiny little primates called "tarsiers", cutest little things that could fit in your hand. They've got the hugest eyes, similar to the Gremlins' eyes. They can turn their head 180 degrees, like an owl. Unfortunatley they're endangered; currently they're being bred here.

Tarsier. Photo Courtesy of Ren, who influenced me to come to Bohol.
Originally uploaded by dean's quarter.

I rented a little Honda motorbike to do all the travelling yesterday. I've got the sunburn on my arms to prove that I was sitting on a bike all day with my arms outstretched reaching the handgrips. (I didn't think its still possible to get burned after all this time I've spent in the sun). I love riding motorbikes, I should honestly consider getting one. I haven't driven one since I was in India, its amazing I know what the hell I'm doing! I love how they just let anyone have it. For about 7hrs of use I paid about $5 CAD. When I returned it, they just take the keys and say 'thanks'.



Hired Help

What's with all the employees? I guess its good that jobs are formed for people, just so they can be employed. However, it can get quite annoying going into a store and being outnumbered by 10 staff members surrounding you and attempting to asisst you.

Something that I still haven't gotten used to is that most families here in the Philippines have some form of hired help. Whether it be a maid, nanny, cook, driver, laundry cleaner, personal masseusse, manicurist, etc. Its so weird to just have a maid come into my bedroom and make my bed and clean my bathroom, or have the live-in nanny set the dinner table, serve the food she's cooked and then collect my dirty dishes once I'm finished. The other day my cousin was asking why I always insist on clearing my own dishes. I guess when you don't know any different, everything else seems odd.

The sad thing is that they're poorly paid, I guess that's why most families can afford them. On the other hand, if you're a "live-in" the food and accomodation is an expense paid for by your boss. I feel sorry for them at times, it seems as though they never get a break. Jeremy's uncle has a driver who came with us to his family reunion. The whole time he didn't have anyone to talk to and he came out from hiding once to eat his dinner and then retreat again to his own privacy.

I'm not saying that these people are treated like slaves, because they're definitley not. I think that in a lot of cases, they become like part of the family. There's always that hidden fine line though and I don't think that the hired help would ever really want to test where the line ends. Maybe then, that's why they always end up being reserved and humble.

no title (Cebu, Philippines)

I feel quite speechless. I don't really have much to say.

Jeremy and I arrived here in Cebu yesterday afternoon and will be touring around the 'Visayas' region for the next 9 days. Our schedule's pretty tight, when we go back we have a concert hopefully to see. Its a Motown concert with the Temptations, AJ Walker and the all stars, the Supremes and the Miracles. Its a pity thought that they're not all the original groups that performed together back in the day, but its so awesome to think that I went to a real Motown concert.

On the 14th of Feb is my Grandmother's 90th birthday... wow. I'll also get to see my relatives that I visited in Sydney. Jeremy has to visit all his relatives one last time before he leaves the Philippines. We discovered last week when we visited his Dad's side of the family that Jeremy has 54 first cousins. Can you imagine growing up with that many cousins around you all the time? I now understand why everyone is somehow related to each here in the Philippines. If ever you need something, someone will have a cousin to help you out.

Afterwards we'll go north of Manila and do some more touring. See some cultural sights, whip back down into Manila and then Jeremy's off to Canada. As for me, well that's not 100% clear what I'm doing...

My mother left a few days ago. She's back at home in Calgary, back to work in the cold winter days of Canada. (Hi Mom!) Its a different feeling at the house in Manila now with her gone. I never knew that she could be the life of the party.


Sad News

I just received an email from Ken, the orphanage manager in Cambodia. He told me that as of 2 days ago the orphanage is no longer. Its been shut down. I can't really make out his broken english but I've got the jist that the kids are suffering. I feel helpless, what can I do?