Return to Paradise!
I took the plunge, I broke free of the American chains of commercialism and the helldom that existed at Taco Mac...and returned to the Philippines! Haha, no I actually had a grand time in America, seeing friends and family, and earning pennies here and there. :-)
I am currently in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, resting for a few days after my 28 hour odyssey across the world. Ghay and I are relaxing at my favorite guesthouse, Banwa Pension, sipping on San Miguel Lights and watching movies on my computer. Truly bliss!
The odyssey was...not fun. 14 hour flight from Atlanta to Seoul, SK. I did take a sleeping pill and drank a glass of wine, so I really only had time to wake up to eat Korean Air's version of bibimbop, and watch 3/4 of Iron Man 2. I'll count it as a success. I arrived in Seoul at 4am. Thank God I brought my computer and thank God Korea is totally wireless. Spent a few hours doing diddlysquat, and then walked around with the aim to spend my 5,400 won (about $5) I had leftover from Korea. I was really anticipating getting my favorite dish, soondoboo jjigae, which I never spent more than 4,000 won on. Imagine my dismay to learn that it was 8,400!! What?!?! I walked the terminal, and was vastly disappointed to realize that I couldn't even afford the lowest of Korean dishes! So what did I do? Spent 5,300 at Smoothie King. Depressing. In case you're wondering, I hadn't cleared my debits cards for Korea, since I thought I'd have enough money for one meal. Stupid airport excessive prices. I didn't even find my banana milk, Mom! So sad.
The next flight boarded at 8am to Manila. Not too bad, either. Dozed a bit. Then I had another 5 hours to wait in the airport in Manila for my flight to Puerto Princesa. Again, thank God for computers, and thank God I was finally in the Manila airport at something OTHER than 12am, so coffee shops and the little food court was open. I hopped on the internet and talked to cousin Brandon for an hour or so, making the wait that much easier.
Finally, the hour flight to Puerto was over and we arrived...in the rain. Just like last time. Ha. I guess it IS rainy season. Since my arrival, I haven't done much, but sleep, eat, talk, and drink, and ride tricycles across the city. Nice. One of my good Norwegian friends that I met in El Nido last time, Moa, is in Puerto right now as well, so I've had a great time catching up with her.
In a few days we'll head north to EL NIDO! I am very excited, I can't wait to be back at the beach! (Puerto isn't right on the water.) Once there, I will begin my Scuba Divemaster Internship. I am a little scarce on details at the moment, so hopefully I can update ya'll in a few days. All I know is that it will take 1-2 months of training and diving to become a divemaster, and that Sea Dogs Dive Shop has agreed to train me. What more can I ask?? I'm sure my first attempts at training will be slightly horrific and grossly embarrassing...stay tuned!
Something I've already observed - it's been strange, yet completely familiar to travel through Seoul and now back in the Philippines. I see something, or look at someone, and immediately think: Yes, that's how it is. Just a weird feeling to be out of an area for so long, and find it eerily the same when you return. BUT I did kind of forget about my celebrity status...oh it's back! I have to take a few more days to get used to the extra looks, or curious glances. But it's kind of nice to be a sensation again! Ha.
Again, thanks for everyone's support, and I look forward to writing more in the blog and hearing ya'll responses. Ya'll keep me motivated!
P.S. In case you didn't hear, yes, I bought a one-way ticket. Geez, relax, it's just cuz I have no idea what's going to happen! I'll always have my credit card to buy a ticket home if I need it! Ha, living on the edge! Terrifying, yet exhilarating. Not a bad way to live, I think.
P.P.S. Sorry for no pics yet. Rainy weather is a deterrent.
I am currently in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, resting for a few days after my 28 hour odyssey across the world. Ghay and I are relaxing at my favorite guesthouse, Banwa Pension, sipping on San Miguel Lights and watching movies on my computer. Truly bliss!
The odyssey was...not fun. 14 hour flight from Atlanta to Seoul, SK. I did take a sleeping pill and drank a glass of wine, so I really only had time to wake up to eat Korean Air's version of bibimbop, and watch 3/4 of Iron Man 2. I'll count it as a success. I arrived in Seoul at 4am. Thank God I brought my computer and thank God Korea is totally wireless. Spent a few hours doing diddlysquat, and then walked around with the aim to spend my 5,400 won (about $5) I had leftover from Korea. I was really anticipating getting my favorite dish, soondoboo jjigae, which I never spent more than 4,000 won on. Imagine my dismay to learn that it was 8,400!! What?!?! I walked the terminal, and was vastly disappointed to realize that I couldn't even afford the lowest of Korean dishes! So what did I do? Spent 5,300 at Smoothie King. Depressing. In case you're wondering, I hadn't cleared my debits cards for Korea, since I thought I'd have enough money for one meal. Stupid airport excessive prices. I didn't even find my banana milk, Mom! So sad.
The next flight boarded at 8am to Manila. Not too bad, either. Dozed a bit. Then I had another 5 hours to wait in the airport in Manila for my flight to Puerto Princesa. Again, thank God for computers, and thank God I was finally in the Manila airport at something OTHER than 12am, so coffee shops and the little food court was open. I hopped on the internet and talked to cousin Brandon for an hour or so, making the wait that much easier.
Finally, the hour flight to Puerto was over and we arrived...in the rain. Just like last time. Ha. I guess it IS rainy season. Since my arrival, I haven't done much, but sleep, eat, talk, and drink, and ride tricycles across the city. Nice. One of my good Norwegian friends that I met in El Nido last time, Moa, is in Puerto right now as well, so I've had a great time catching up with her.
In a few days we'll head north to EL NIDO! I am very excited, I can't wait to be back at the beach! (Puerto isn't right on the water.) Once there, I will begin my Scuba Divemaster Internship. I am a little scarce on details at the moment, so hopefully I can update ya'll in a few days. All I know is that it will take 1-2 months of training and diving to become a divemaster, and that Sea Dogs Dive Shop has agreed to train me. What more can I ask?? I'm sure my first attempts at training will be slightly horrific and grossly embarrassing...stay tuned!
Something I've already observed - it's been strange, yet completely familiar to travel through Seoul and now back in the Philippines. I see something, or look at someone, and immediately think: Yes, that's how it is. Just a weird feeling to be out of an area for so long, and find it eerily the same when you return. BUT I did kind of forget about my celebrity status...oh it's back! I have to take a few more days to get used to the extra looks, or curious glances. But it's kind of nice to be a sensation again! Ha.
Again, thanks for everyone's support, and I look forward to writing more in the blog and hearing ya'll responses. Ya'll keep me motivated!
P.S. In case you didn't hear, yes, I bought a one-way ticket. Geez, relax, it's just cuz I have no idea what's going to happen! I'll always have my credit card to buy a ticket home if I need it! Ha, living on the edge! Terrifying, yet exhilarating. Not a bad way to live, I think.
P.P.S. Sorry for no pics yet. Rainy weather is a deterrent.
Comments
We do, however, miss you!
Love,
Mom
Barb Hanak