Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Passionfest
Celebrating Bonifacio's 150thYear

This past weekend Edi and I attended the Passionfest here in Bonifacio.  The festival celebrated Bonifacio's 150th year and commemorated one of the Filipino heroes, Andres Bonifacio...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Bonifacio

On Saturday there was a fun run where runners were given red bandannas and flag belts.  They had to dodge people trying to steal their flags, and they had to go through a couple of obstacles.  There were at least four waves of runners, so there was lots of participation.  There were games set up for the old and young alike.  Edi and I participated in a word game where we were given a word written in tagalog.  We had to say the word as many times as we could within five seconds.  I said my word sixteen times, so I got to pick a prize - a chocolaty snack...

Saturday night was Rock Supremo.  Several rock bands performed and included songs they had written about the hero.  Most of the words were in Tagalog, but we enjoyed the music just the same...

Of course listening to rock bands stirs up the appetite, so we had some pizza at Nolita's.  Turns out lots of people were in the mood for pizza. The only available seats were at a communal table and there were no stools to sit on.  That was okay as the table was high and we could stand; however this guy offered his seat to me which was very nice.  Then this lady behind Edi told us that we could share their table.  About that time some people left and Edi was able to pull up a chair but we thanked the lady.  Ah, nice people in the world, gotta love it...

On Sunday we went to the parade - La Pareda de la Kalesa.  There were bands...

Flags...

Drummers...

And decorated kalesas -  they were beautiful...

We had a lot of fun - it was quite the festive weekend!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Being Thankful

The Thanksgiving Holiday just passed, and even though it is not celebrated here in the Philippines, I was greatly aware of all that I have to be thankful for.  I am thankful for the opportunity of living in a different country and seeing how another culture lives.  Although traditions are different, people are really the same.  We all try and make a living the best way we know how, we take care of day to day responsibilities whatever they may be, and we try to have a little fun.  On Thanksgiving day, Edi had to work, so it was just a regular Thursday here; however, I am thankful for Chuck's Deli which is right around the corner.  They make great sandwiches and soups, and they just so happen to have a sandwich called the Pilgrim on their menu.  This Pilgrim comes with all the trimmings: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and gravy.  So, after running a couple of errands, we stopped by Chuck's for sandwiches and onion rings...

I keep seeing this post on facebook that just because Thanksgiving is over, being thankful needs to continue.  I agree wholeheartedly!  I am thankful that I get to share this experience with Edi.  It seems that whatever we are doing whether it is enjoying a festival here,  running to the market and trying to cross the street, or taking Kona for a walk, we are having fun and laughing an awful lot.  I am thankful for technology - email, facebook, skype.  Technology is allowing me to keep in touch with my family and friends back home.  I absolutely love that I get to skype Mom and Dad every day and actually get to see them!

Every morning I begin my day with a reading in my Daily Guideposts Devotional.  The Bible verse on this year's bookmark reads, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:18)  So, I give thanks for this opportunity, for all of the kind people who have helped us to get settled in here, for my family and friends that I love so much, for health and happiness... the list goes on and on :)