Philippines 2011/2012

Three nights ago we were looking at the moon and Jupiter with binoculars and drinking a few beers. Suddenly my left eye went blurry and I saw people in psychedelic colors and then nothing. Blind! I went to the eye doctor on Tuesday and got an appointment for yesterday. The doctor checked and said I had an inflammation that was effecting the optic nerve and cornia. He suspects it is caused by metastatic cancer but he needs an angiogram to be sure. I have to go to Manila for that. He also said he didn't think the vision would come back and I would probably loose my eye. He seemed pretty sure even without the angiogram. What a shock! I hope he is wrong and have decided to go get the angiogram. Please pray for me! Thanks!

Days 7-11 Philippines 2011/2012

We spent Monday having the car looked at at an Isuzu dealer. They agreed that the transmission is bad but didn't have one to put in it. Tuesday we went to SM to the movie. It was horrid so I left and cruised the Mall. Wednesday we took the car to San Fernando and they replaced the trany but it was defective also so yesterday they replaced it. They are picking it up today. I hope it works this time. Thursday Rizals Revenge finally caught up with me. I was horribly sick with a potty run every half hour. I thought I was going to die! I slept all day and couldn't eat or drink which made it worse. I started getting better late in the evening and slept all night. Up early today and had a shower and finally ate. I am drinking Gatorade and feeling much better. Tonight is a birthday party for Mary's sister Baltazara but not sure if I'm up to it. Gut is still slightly cranky. It's been a fun trip from the new foods point of view. I've eaten pamello, Logan fruit, sisig, none of which I've had before. With the car fixed we will begin to travel.

Days 2-6 Philippines 2011/2012

So our flight actually took off at 1pm and we arrived in Incheon in 11 hours.Then a short wait and off to Manila on Philippine Airlines. First time on a 747/400. On arrival it was wait for immigration and then for baggage. The immigration guy gave us 1year visas with a slight inducement. We were greated by the whole family and began the drive home. Of course we had to stop and eat and got home at around 2:30 am and stayed up until 3:45. 4 hours of sleep later, a new day. Highlights: Monday went to Baliuag and money exchange, women got facials and we cruised the mall (SM). Dinner and some drinking after. Tuesday I got my first pedi and mani cure. Went for groceries at SM and looked for a sim card. Dinner at Paul's. Wednesday not much going on. Thursday back to SM shopping and I got a sim card finally. Friday we took the car to a mechanic inn San Fernado. Needs a transmission for a total of around $1,000. Saturday they butchered a pig and made all kinds of dishes for New Years Day. Also prepared a small pig for lechon. In the evening we did the lechon and it sure was good! We drank some beer and had some more with the neighbor. At 11:45 all heck broke loose. I have NEVER seen so many fireworks nor hear so many guns firing. It was nonstop for 35 minuted and then more sporadic. Awesome! Happy New Year we ate a lot and many friends, relatives and neighbors came by to eat and visit. Everyone teased me about being Santa! My asthma was kicking my butt so I was in bead REAL early. I love it here!

Day 2 Phillipines 2011/2012

After sitting in the terminal for awhile, it was determined they were out of crew day so after a great deal of confusion, we were off to the Doubletree Inn where we checked-in and had dinner on Asiana. We were told breakfast would be at 4:45 and the plane would leave at 8am. After a couple of beers, it was off to bed. At 11:30 the operator called to say the new departure time was noon. Got up at 6:20, showered, dressed and breakfast. we took the shuttle to the airport and waited for 2 1/2 hours to get reticketed. Departure is allegedly at 1pm. So we are sitting at the gate again. More to come.

Day 1 Philippines 2011/12

What a day so far and I think it is far from over. Got up at 3 am and Linda drove me to the airport. Very quiet there and the Alaska Airlines check-in lanes weren't even open. When they did open at 4:15 or so, I was directed to another area for international check-in. TSA was very fast and off to McDonlad's for breakfast. Next the attendants were late in arriving and after de-icing, we finally left the gate 25 minutes late. No problem getting to Seattle and from D3 to satellite S and getting ticketed. Soon we were on the plane and they finally announced a maintenance problem. Much later we found out the main computer wasn't talking to the back-up computer. So we sat on the tarmac for the regulation 3 hours and then deplaned. So here we sit in the terminal 4 hours after the scheduled departure with NO word on what the plan is. It appears we will wait until this plane is fixed. There is no backup. The crew needs to get back to Incheon in order to fly back here tomorrow and then back again. Oh well, it's my vacation and has started with an adventure.

Philippine Daily Journal

I'm trying to decide whether to use this blog or Facebook Notes for my daily journal while in the Philippines. I'm thinking I'll use this because I can intermix photos with the dialog. Can't wait to go!

WUMB

Listening to WUMB public radio from UMASS Boston. It plays the music I love and the world would be an ugly place without it and stations like it. I hope they can all survive the Republican budget cuts!