Day 6: Filippino Coffee is hardcore.

Wow. Just had 4 8oz cups of regular coffee and I don't know how to control my energy. Im surprised I can type so well with all these jitters. For all you coffee adicts out there, this stuff is legit. Im brining a freakin suitcase full of the coffee back home. I would just like to say, over half of my pictures from this trip are of food. Everything is about food here. And boy is it delish. I am actually being conscientious about what I am consuming...which never happens.

So just to recap the past few days, for lack of better words, this trip has been utterly relaxing. I am basically waited on hand and foot, which I am not used to and don't think I'll ever get used to it. Also we have our own body guard, which is just so strange because he is just like my shadow. I would seriously hate being famous/that rich. But it is definitely necessary in some of these areas. The house we've been staying at is in a really poor province. Apparently this area has the most unregistered guns in all the Philippines. (sounds like Texas to me). I thought since Im asian and pretty dark complexion, I would fit right in. Wrong. People stare at my brother and I like we are famous. They even point at us! Yesterday we ventured by bus to the local market. It was such an eye opening experience. (Sorry all the pictures Ive taken are on my aunt's camera so I'll just have to make a photo album for later viewing). BUT, there was a group of guys standing around where I wandered off and they asked to take a picture with me. I just laughed and said yes. Then on our way back we stopped for lunch and this guy just walked up to me and took my picture! Seriously? I could not believe it. The best part is what happened to Alex. We went to the mall and this girl opened the dressing room for him, when he came out she spoke to him in Tagalog and the bodyguard had to translate, she asked "are you single?" to which he said yes and started introducing themselves, turns out he invited her and a few of her friends (for the bodyguard) to my cousin's birthday fiesta tomorrow at the house (the whole village is invited so it wont be weird...hopefully). OMG. Go little brother. I mean she was really cute so props to him. And she's a year older. Cougar on the prowl? And he's American? Score.

This is a Filipino specialty. No Thank you to the beans but the other one is quite tasty. So Alex and I have taken every opportunity to site see around the local area so yesterday we got these "tricycles" (which are really a motorcycle with a covered buggie) to drive us around town. I freakin love these things. Minus the polluants they release. They are super fun, plus they drive super crazy here, making them even more fun! (I hope my mom skips that part).

This is the view from my tanning spot by the pool in the backyard. It is just so beautiful here and the weather is perfect. Who would have thought I love Monsoon season? It rains mostly at night, which helps me sleep and then it cools off the morning just until it gets hot enough to go swim.

So the other day (My days are all mixed up so sorry to all you chronologically inclined people), we went to the movies to see Prometheus since it was raining. (freaking epic btw). Well their theaters are huge, like bigger than the IMAX. But of course we sat next to these damn fools whose cell phones kept going off (they do not have the no cell phone message at the beginning, in fact they dont have previews at all). But anyways, I hate to say it, but the people here are not friendly. They must have skipped that class in school because when you are in line, they will cut you, and look at you like you did something wrong. They will walk right in front of you while texting, bump you, and just keep walking. I was about to kill some asians. It makes me really appreciate the southern hospitality we do have. The culture is just sooo different here. High school kids still hang out at the mall though. But damn, I walked into a department store where apparently an all boys school was just unleashed and they were all in line waiting to cash their paychecks and every single one of them stopped and stared at me as I walked by. At this point I just stared back because it's past the point of flattering. Or maybe Im just not good at this kind of attention. But my aunt was dying laughing because she said it was like a domino effect of heads turning.

Okay, back on point. The movie theater. So my first time to use a public bathroom here, and it was the most bizzare experience I've had yet. When you walk in, you know how you form a line if all the stalls are full? Well not here. They stand directly in front of the stall they want to go in to. But unbeknownst to me, I tried to stand behind the chick in front of me and she looked at me like I was half retarded when there were stalls that had nobody in front of them, I quickly caught on and found my stall. Next problem, I get in the stall, and there is no freaking toilet paper, not even a dispenser! WTF. So I do the whole wiggle movement. Load and behold, there is only one toilet paper dispenser, and it's on the outside where the sinks are. > < Whatever, I guess it saves paper? So I go to wash my hands and people push their way to the sink, instead of normal "wait your turn" so I follow suit. I just can't get over how pushy everyone is. I thought asians were all polite?

This is how they have their popcorn. It's stale. And it's partitioned between the different popcorn flavors they have, like cheddar (frekaing gross). I got a lollipop and was completely satisfied.

It's funny how the little things you wouldnt even think about in the states are such big fiascos here. Like the bathroom. I am also easily amused by making note of all these differences (as you can see), one brilliant thing they have here is the parking lot system. You know how annoying it is to search for a open spot? Well here they have little lights above each spot that are red if it's occupied and green if it's vacant, so you dont end up driving around all over the place looking. BRILLIANT! Also, everyone here loves the NBA. Like ridiculous. Also at the theater they use cards (like credit cards) instead of tickets, so not only is it saving paper, but it prevents (people like me) from movie hoping! I privately (yet publicly) hope that does not get adopted to the states.