Spot the difference 3 ...

One big difference here is that bulk buying is not cheaper.

In fact in some instances it is dearer.

Because wages are so low many things are packaged in small quantities: things like toothpaste, shampoo, facial creams, milo, hot chocolate, coffee etc.

You can buy 6 sachets of shampoo for approx. 24 pesos (depending on the brand) because to buy a normal size bottle would cost around 230 pesos.
 

 These Vaseline jars are so cute!

Perspectives ...

Sean met Venus in 2003 on his first trip to the Philippines, and then again on his next visit. At that time God put on his heart to help Venus by giving her the opportunity to see and experience another country and to strengthen her worship leading gift.

We all met Venus when we all came to the Philippines three years ago, and the plan was put in motion. At the beginning of 2012 Venus came to live with us and attended Hillsong College studying Worship leading. Although she did not stay for the 12 months, (only 3 months) I think she was able to see and experience things from a new perspective.

Venus lives in CDO so we were able to catch up with her a few days after arriving here. We met Venus at Robinson's (Supermarket) she works on the hotdog stand inside. She has a degree in Accounting. It was great to see her and catch up on how she is doing. We had her and her family over for a meal at the Marco Hotel and got to meet Clive her baby son. Very cute.

Last Thursday we were invited to her place for dinner. Venus's Mum, Jovenca, had invited family and half her church. ( She is the pastor of a small church held under their house.)

This is their neighbourhood and alley leading to their house.

 They have a little shop under their house

 Ps Tata's church under her house.

 Ps Tata

 Outside the shop

 The meal and guests

 Ps Tata and the kids loved these cupcakes X muffins

 Jonathan and some local children - they are laughing at him because he is white!

 

Three years ago CDO experienced a massive flood that killed many people. When we first arrived in CDO the rivers were rising rapidly and one day (unprecedented)many workers asked for the afternoon off and shops closed early so people could get home before their houses flooded. It stopped raining before it happened. Venus' town is situated right on the mouth of the river. She took the boys to have a look at the new dyke walls they are building to prevent the disaster happening again.

 

Forest Adventure Park ...

Our day started at 5:15am, Mandy was picking us up at 6:00am sharp. We were going to go last Saturday but with the threat of another typhoon we had to cancel. Then Mandy asked Sean to do a motivational talk for a visiting basketball team. As part of the Tagoloan Festivities a Cebu university basketball team was invited over Tagoloan to play the local team. The team was being shown a local attraction the 'Forest Adventure Park', so we got to tag along.

It took about 2 hours to drive there, but the scenery was very interesting. We drove through huge pineapple plantations and even saw the Filipino 'Big Pineapple'- I couldn't get a photo unfortunately. People dry different things on the sides of the road, seems so dangerous, but they go about their business ignoring traffic as it whizzes by.

We got their at 8:00am but the team was running late so we had Breaky.  The kids came and went eating and playing.

 There was an American Indian theme happening in the kids playground

 The Reid Family

 This was a great swing - we couldn't get them off it.

 Mandy.

Pancakes for me

 Omelette for Sean

 

Once the basketball team arrived, Sean went off to speak and the kids and I were left to amuse ourselves which we did very well. We had 3000 pesos to use so we had to plan carefully.

The Luge and the mini golf cost 600 each so they were the first activity.

 

 

Amy followed by Jonathan

 Second go.

 

After the Luge we played mini golf. There are life size animals located all over the park. We took pictures of heaps of them, too many to put in here.



Mini golf over the troops were divided. Amy wanted to go on the evil orange ball (the rest of us wanted to keep our breakfast in our stomachs), the boys wanted to go on the buggy.

 

Amy with the evil ball



 Strapped in and ready to roll

At the bottom!

 

Now for the boys! They wanted to go in the buggy.

 

After this we had lunch and went home.

Survived week 1 ...

We have been in our house one week! It is beginning to feel more comfortable ... I cannot say 'like home' just yet.

Still waiting for our house to rent in Sydney. We had some good news today from the agent, two possible applicants. Thank you Jesus! Our reserves are being hammered from Australia and here.

Our house is fully furnished which is an enormous blessing, however, there are a few things that we still need to buy before we are complete. We are watching our pennies (pesos) very carefully at the moment so we have to make do with what we have.

We now have a rice cooker, frying pan, large saucepan and sharp knife. Mandy was able to contact a gas supplier so now we can actually use the frying pan and saucepan. We have had scrambled eggs, fried eggs, fettuccini, and lots and lots of steamed rice. Nacho's makes the kids feel like they are at home too. Cheese is ... well ... different to cheese in Australia.

Fresh fruit, tonnes of banana's, pineapples (yummy)(more on pineapples later), watermelon, papaya and mango's (yuk). The fruit is beautiful but it does not last more than one day even in the fridge. So we are finding we have to shop every 2nd day at least. We are used to stocking up the fridge once a week and that is it. That does not work here.

I have looked at some popular Philippine recipes to see what we can try - there are some nice ones, and there are some ones that (sorry Mandy!!!) we are going to skip! (Anything that involves intestines) For goodness sake I'm a Science teacher, biology at that!) Ahh yes and fertilized duck eggs - I'll leave that one for the more adventurous too.

We will get a washing machine but until then it is washing by hand. Do not take your washing machine for granted anymore. Girls go to your laundry and give it a little loving pat right now! It is amazing how little things make a big difference. The sink plug! Filipinos don't use them. They just turn on the tap and let it run. Rub detergent on to the sponge, cloth (whatever) and wash the dish (no hot water), not sure with washing but there are no plugs to be found. Corey is now my plug engineer, we have devised a plug that does not let water escape too fast. In the kitchen for the moment a square plastic bowl filled will hot water from an over worked kettle is used to wash our dishes - just as well we don't have many! A big blue bowl was purchased to wash clothes. Yes Mr Kettle gets a good workout outside as well.

Sean helping with washing

 Amy doing some of her washing

One week of cold showers! When we looked at the house it just never entered our minds to ask about hot water - not that knowing there was none would have changed our minds as this house was a 1000 times better than the other house. That first moment I realised there was no hot water I swore! Sorry!
Having been to the Solomon's just a  few months ago where there was also no hot water, and showering for eight days - the thought of 300 days was just a little overwhelming.

Hey! My idea of camping is a four star resort! The water in the Solomon's was freezing first thing in the morning, refreshing in the evening. So I decided nightly showers would be the go here too. I am going to make it. To quote Corey " it takes me ages to get in and ages to get out" - weird hey. The water is not as cold as the Solomon's, and in the evening it is actually very refreshing. However, today Mr Kettle also got a work out for a once a week hot water hair washing.