Bontoc, Banaue, and Batad

Mountain Province

1. Moma is a substance that reminds me of chewing tobacco except it is all natural plants and it makes your mouth red and people spit it everywhere
2. The ride from Bontoc to Banaue
3. I think this pump still works!
4. Its kinda hard to see but these fields with plants have designs. Magnificent!
5. Our jeepney after we arrived, it was a rough trip especialy with minimal view and the cold rain
6. Looking into Banaue
7. Incredible 3000 year old rice terraces
8. We have to hike into this valley and it is already 5pm and it is already dark at 6pm. Our hike is still 1.5 hours
9. Down there is Batad proper
10. A woman maintaining the rice terraces. Basically the women do most of the work for the terraces
11. View just before going over the ridge back at Batad
12. Dave and I taking pics of each other on the way up the valley to get over the ridge towards the waterfall
13. The waterfall
14. Crazy Dave and Katie swimming. Katie swam to the other side of the pool
15. Us with a local in the local clothing
16. Our hut
17. A view on our 12km trek – rice terraces everywhere!
18. The jeepney that took us back after our 12km trek
19. The swinging bridge on our way to Sam’s waterfall in the Ligawe area
20. Sam’s waterfall


I had the pleasure after another crazy Thanksgiving in Segada to head to the famous Banaue. We left Segada and caught a jeepney from Bontoc to Banaue. Us PCV’s decided to ride on top to have a view however 2/3’s of the trip it rained, covered with clouds and it was really cold. We grinned and bore it as we are tough PCV’s enjoying another part of our adventure.

Banaue is famous for its couple thousand year old rice terraces in the mountains. They are truly remarkable! Upon arriving we (Dave, me and Katie) decided to head to Batad with the help of a local guide. Batad is a 1½ jeep ride from Banaue usually. You get to the turn off and go up to the saddle of the mountain and hike into Batad. We left a little late, 3:30pm. Also there was a mudslide 1/3 way up the mountain to Batad so we had to hike up the saddle too. We did not realize the intensity of where we were going and with our 10kg bags headed up to the saddle. Upon arriving we viewed the incredible valley of Batad. Then a look at what we had to walk down. It was pretty much huge steps down followed by walking down into the valley. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad the uphill was out of the way all I did do was pray my knees didn’t give out. We managed to get to our homestay in one piece however there were many close calls when we were walking on very uneven tarriane without a light. Yes, we were in the natural darkness and all I said to myself was it is too cool for a snake to come out and bite my ankle.

Our home stay was a native Ifago hut. It was beautiful however we were bushed and just wanted a bath and our bed. The next morning we were able to look at our dwelling and recognize how ingenious it was. We used a ladder to get into the hut and many of the huts usually had a attic where they would store goods. In the main room were the beds and hearth. The hut is made of wood and the roof of local leaf materials. Under and around the base would hang the baskets, skulls of animals and various other tools. I know the area gets extensive rainfall and it helps to keep above it.

We headed out after breakfast downhill to the bottom of the valley to the town center. We then hiked all up the side through the rice terraces to the other side of the valley were we went straight down again to the waterfall. At the waterfall Katie and Dave were brave enough to take a dip but I’m a wimp and don’t like to be cold. Also give me a break but I was in jeans and a sweat shirt (okay Katie was too but as I said before she is tougher or crazier than I). We hiked back up to the top of the valley and took a different route around the rice terraces back to our home stay. Gosh we worked hard already.

Our plan was to make the most of this trip and that we did. After lunch we did the 12km trek through the mountain seeing more communities and rice terraces till we caught up with our jeep. Katie made a cute comment wondering who would be the first to take a tumble and yes it was me. I slipped and fell in some tree roots which made a nasty bruise on the side of my left arm. I was a trooper and did not complain.

On the way back the jeep ahead got a flat tire. This must be a regular thing as every jeep driver and guide from the 8 vehicles behind us got out to have a look, watch and smoke. The French visitors from this vehicle took the opportunity to walk ahead while the tire change took place. The Koreans also decided to watch and make comments in Korean. Us, three PCV’s popped a squat next to the locals and watched. It was complete and everyone was back on the road in 25 minutes. We got ripped off on the jeepney ride to Sam’s place in Ligawe but by then we were exhausted again and didn’t care. It never helps that your guide gives you one price upon departure and the driver gives another when you arrive. This is normal and honestly it was such a good trip I didn’t care to put up a fight.

Sam took us to another beautiful waterfall the following day in a neighboring community. The mountain province is magnificent. It is just as beautiful as some of the sites in a coastal community. We did about 25km in 36 hours and it was fabulous to stretch my legs. Doing all this hard walking increased my dedication to returning to my running schedule. The Philippines has superb costal experiences and contrasting high elevation excursions. Please visit and take advantage of so much fun!!

Magical Siquijor

Siquijor is another island in the Philippines we (Rachel and I) had a chance to visit. This interesting island is known for its love potions locals make and sell during Easter season particularly during Holy Week. Other remedies can be made for a variety of ailments. I was not able to attain one before I left however I hope to get back down there and explore the rest of the island’s wonders before I leave the country next July. We got to see a majestic sunrise and use most of the forms of transportation the island had to offer. I also want to see it’s waterfalls and other 2 coral church’s next time.

1. One of the many intoxicating beaches on Siquijor
2. My chance to “speak” to my congregation (if I ever had one heheh)
3. Yes there is a problem in the Philippines with rabies but be sure it is not in Siquijor
4. 5:20am looking outside our window in Siquijor
5. Speak to us Reverend Rachel!
6. The growth of the sunrise in our visit 5:50am
7. A crazy huge gecko on the wall in the church David lives at the back of. It is really cool!!!
8. Me and Rachel on our way out leaving a fun day in Siquijor
9. The piglets who were very curious about us, aren’t they cute
10. David Lumsden our host when we visited

Tropical Bohol, Philippines

Bohol is probably my favorite place in the Philippines so far and I only got to scratch the surface of the eco-tourism. It is incredibly beautiful, serene and the vibe is just calming. My only issue was every time Rachel and I went to travel to the next place on our list the rain came down in buckets and soaked us to the bone. Bohol is a tropical paradise and I want to go back!

1. Cute little alien looking primate the tarsier… isn’t he cute!!!
2. The Loboc River which I think looks like a chocolate river. It is beautiful
3. We stayed at a rustic backpacker's hot spot "Nuts Huts" off the beaten path on the Loboc River
4. The stairs were steep and I almost lost my head on the way down on the 277 steps!
5. One of the oldest churches in Bohol. We saw a wedding in progress
6. The actual steps heading down to the Nuts Huts and my nipa hut on the river
7. In Bohol the Filipino’s have taken advertising to a new level, using the animals J
8. Beautiful butterfly’s at the Bohol Bee Farm. Natural beauty is phenomenal here
9. A beautiful view of the ocean from the Bee Farm
10. Interesting architecture in the Philippines
11. The amazing Chocolate Hills of Bohol. In the dry season these remarkable mounds turn brown because of lack of rain. The island was originally a coral reef, over millions of years then it was pushed up and certain points were pushed together more so there are these mounds.
12. The tarsier yet again. Did you know its eye socket is larger than the brain cavity??? Yes those eyes are intense!

HIV/AIDS Training in Palawan

Roger invited 5 of us to help him teach his 1st year college students and a high school about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. We had a blast and hopefully these bright eyed teenagers will be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to intimacy with their partner.

1. Me and Cynthia – our arrival in Palawan
2. Rebecca and Ariel also just arrived in Palawan
3. I’m demonstrating how to put a condom on using my fingers before the actual condom came out, it was interesting.
4. Teaching 1st year college students about reproductive health (15 year olds)
5. A wonderful mural and about the most action 2 of the 3 of us have had since before arriving in the Philippines (May 2007), so sad L
6. Roger teaching his students about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health

The Underground River in Sabang, Palawan

One of the sights to see is the Underground River in Palawan. Truly the beauty of the area and seeing such an incredible natural wonder is breath taking. We traveled 2.5 hours to Sabang, a little town hosting transportation to and from the natural wonder through the national park. We rode a banka boat away from the town into a neighboring bay. From there we walked into the forest and saw some rather large lizards hanging around just below the walking path. There were lots of natural noises from the critters, creatures and animals living in the jungle. On our way to the Underground River we saw monkeys having lunch on some fruits on the jungle floor. They were in a troop and they were easy to spot.

We were given the brightest orange life jackets (they were just that clean) and green construction helmets. We felt oh-so safe. Helmets were there to protect us from the bat guano that may or may not drop itself upon us at any time. At least that was our rational for them ;-) We were strategically placed in the boat and for some reason our guide thought the best place for me was at the front and designated the official light provider. The car battery sat in front of me, my light had to clips that attached to the screws on top of the battery. The lamp would be used to keep us going in the correct direction into the black hole of the cave. At points the water was 27 meters deep and the water was alive with snakes, fish and various larvae looking stuff. The fruit bats above kept a constant chatter and we saw a sparrow every now and then lost in the cave. We only boated 1.5km of the 8km river but it was enough. Our guide kept us giggling with descriptions of various formations. We even traveled down the vegetable section! We bi-passed the bat cave to our dismay but we drove very slowly to catch a glimpse of another cave with a formation in the center of the round room.

On our way back to Sabang we chose to hike it 5km back through the jungle. It was beautiful and the trees would grow around, through or attach themselves to each other to reach water. All sorts of vines hung from everywhere. It was if each plant or tree was connected to the other in some fashion. I could only imagine how trying it must have been to walk through it without the nifty trail we were on. The trail lead to a few beaches and it was incredible to see hundreds of crabs walking up the beach away from the water. I have no idea why they were doing this but I got a kick out of watching them go. They are quick little suckers. About half a kilometer from the town a torrential down pour hit and 2 of us did not bring an umbrella not that it did much good anyway. Within 5 minutes I was soaked and cold, this was not a feeling I was expecting. Finally when we arrived back to town we were able to grab some grub before taking a break at our amazing nipa hut.

It was another great adventure here in the Philippines!

Mid Service Training

So officially I’ve survived the first half of my tour of service here in Peace Corps Philippines. It is so weird because it kinda feels like I just left. Really our COS date is August 6th (now Aug 7th) so honestly we have less than 11 official months left but who is counting, hehehe. It is rather interesting thinking about how much has happened in the last 15 months and what will happen in the next 11 months. Personally and professionally this tour has been exciting and challenging.

Challenges were losing a cousin and aunt within a few months of each other just after I arrived to a disease that also took my mother almost 4 years ago. Aunt Peg was the second most important person in my life after my mother. I put her in the “on vacation” box in my mind. When people die I find it hard to process the feeling and so I associate it with that of a person who is “on vacation.” My cousin also passed on but I was more prepared because I knew it was going to happen before I left. My family invested in a condo development project over 2 years ago and this year has been really tough for them and I haven’t been there. Sometimes I feel I left them but they have always been so supportive of my Peace Corps dream.

As for what I’ve learned since I arrived: I can write a grant proposal (well any proposal for that matter), I love being a trainer and presenting information to large groups, I however still don’t like being a teacher to students (below college level), empowering people is still a passion and I’m becoming more effective, I love planning activities for groups of kids and even though it is still tough I am better at working with teens. People are similar everywhere you go. They want to be heard, they will be invested in something they feel is necessary to them and they want to improve their lives to give their children better opportunities. I love the concept of family here: family comes first, families spend lots of time together and support each other on various levels, they are somewhat clannish. The relationship a person has is far more important than what you know or what you can do. If you want something to get done you better have a solid relationship with the stakeholders on a personal level or it can be very difficult. I know I want to continue my degree in social work and focus in the clinical realm specifically working with those in crisis. People are fascinating, wonderfully complex which makes them unique and challenging to work with.

What I didn’t expect is to realize what a control freak I am and even though I thought I was laid back, I’m more output orientated than I ever thought, work is very important to me, for me it somewhat defines me; weather that is good or bad I’m still figuring that out. Being in the Philippines has required me to recognize these traits in myself. I don’t get angry when things take longer than they should but I stress internally on what it should be like. I’m working on being more able to release it and let it go. I guess I’m also very time specific. For the first time I’m usually early to appointments or meetings. In the states I was always running 10-15 minutes late. It is weird and honestly I don’t personally like being early. I don’t really get frustrated when people are late only when they plan on not arriving to begin with.

I feel my contribution this past year has been just a drop in the ocean of life of those I worked with. I know the work I have done and relationships I have created have been important to me and the people who received the information but I am still concerned about how sustainable my work has been. On an individual level I think I have been valuable but I’m not sure if I’ve done the best to empower my coworkers to take on and grow what we have done together for the agency. I think during the rest of my time here I need to strengthen what I have worked on and make sure what I’ve been working on is what they want to continue when I’m done.

Let the adventure continue…

I NEED Help PLLLLEASE

Redlani Sports Fest Practice

Teaching Life Skills with my counterpart

I sent this e-mail out to various people in my address book but I also wanted to post it for anyone I may have missed accidentally.

Hi Everyone, How are you all??? I'm doing great, happy as a cricket on tuesdays. To be more specific there is a typhoon heading to pass a bit north of us so it is really cool here and i don't need to use my electric fan. You got to love life when your biggest concern is if you will need the use of the fan.

What I'm writting about is I'm putting together a peace corps grant proposal for my center. The grant is to start a card making livelyhood project that the kids at my center for them to make and sell for profit. Our basic goals are to give the children a skill they could utilize after they leave the center, a way to sustain and grow our small library room, and a creative outlet for our children.

I would like to have my grant prosal sent to you with the specifics with the hope you could help make our project a reality. Before it gets sent to you I need an address, phone number and e-mail address for you so I can have it sent to you. Your personal information is collected under the authority of the Peace Corps Act but it will only be used to promote my peace corps project through the Peace Corps Partnership Program informing you about my project.

So right now I need your full address, phone number and e-mail address so I can get you the information about our cool project and I hope you want more information about it too. Also if you know anyone who may be interesting in knowing more about my project please e-mail me or forward this e-mail. My e-mail address is katiepentz@hotmail.com

I am sending you lots of love, light and positive energy, I miss you,

Ingat (take care), Kate :-)

Life, where anything is possible... :0)

The Slaugher

There are so many things I love about the Philippines and here is just another example of how simple life is (and by the way this happened 2 weekends ago). Anyway it is Sunday morning and I am reading my book instead of getting up; it is about 9:30am. I hear my host cousins, host aunt and uncle and some other people. I take no notice, I live in a compound and I am really enjoying the book I'm reading. After taking a short break I hear they are right outside in front of my house. I meander outside and what do I see but one of the young pigs we are raising in the piggery on the side of my house. He has been drained of his blood, gutted and the head has been removed. The entrails are in a large bowl under the slaughtering table.

I was shocked to see Piglet in such a state. My little host cousin is touching the pigs cheeks and telling me how masarap (tasty) they are. His mom tells me his favorite part of the pig is the face. I am struck but at the same time I am getting used to these situations. Just 5 months ago I got my chance to kill a chicken and pluck it. I didn't have time to cook it but my host aunt would have let me if I was staying. Ok back to the pig... the family was surprised I didn't hear anything. That is not true, I heard the pigs squeal but they do that every time they are fed!!! I am still surprised I missed the killing, it would have been interesting to see. They will be repeating this activity for Tatang and Mico's birthday in November. They asked if I would be interested in killing it and the rest, I said sure why not, it will add to my cultural adaption. So what is the reason for this unexpected slaughter??? Well to sell the pigs to a slaughter house they would not get a good return on the raising of the pig so they will walk around the community and sell it in pieces. Ok sounds good to me even if my host uncle has got a huge knife hacking away at the thigh.

My host mom offered me sisig for dinner the next night and I was not feeling good so I just stuck with the veggies and rice. My host cousin wouldn't tell me what it was exactly. The way it looked put me off of it. I found out from my friend that it was parts of the head and face. I'm just not down with eating the face, ears, hoofs or internal organs. It probably sounds weird since I'm willing to slice and dice Piglet but I did dissect a cat in anatomy class so I have experience compartmentalizing these types of activities.

I'm sure I sound barbaric but I can't help it, while in Rome do as the Romans do. I'm in the Philippines and I find myself following the same credo. Just another crazy Philippines experience :-)

Sobra Init!!!

Sobra init - So very hot!!!! I have definitely noticed the heat since I have returned. Make no mistake about that. But today, we are talking heat at another level. The last ½ kilometer was like looking at an oasis; you know there is water you just got to keep your feet moving. I arrived at work drenched in my own sweat, disgusting!!!! Another part of living here that I have learned to live with. Before I took a shower this morning I had downed a liter of water.

To be honest I also ran this morning which already elevated my body temperature and I had to go to the elementary school before walking to work. Now if I had just gone straight to work I may have not pushed my body over the edge. It really has got hotter for sure because I’m using my fan throughout the night and that is like temp gauge. It will get hotter because I’m still turning it off about 5am; I’m waiting for the days when I NEED it. I think I could get by without it.

It makes me think that when my day revolves around the weather what does that say about me and my living situation??? The sun also drains your energy and I wonder why it has to be so greedy when it creates so much of its own energy. I think I’m a little heat delirious at this moment and after my lunch nap I will get back to normal; 2.5 hours from now.

Think positive for me please!!!!!

Lovely Puerta Galera

We (Rachel, Cynthia, me and Sue) have been planning this trip for a while and it has been canceled a few times. Rachel confirmed with me while I was in the US and I was up for it. It was kinda weird to be taking a weekend away after just arriving back in the county just a few days before. I however have no qualms with having a good time and now doing a 7 hour trip is cake.

We stayed at Tamaraw beach next to the infamous White beach. It was quiet and comfortable. The best part was they had lounge chairs on the beach instead of putting your towel out on the sand. The food was great, really reasonable and had a pretty good variety.

I was rather surprised with the small rocks that came up to the shoreline, they looked like river rocks and they are beautiful. It rained really hard the first afternoon and it made crossing an inlet rather challenging but we are troopers and make it across. It was a great place just to relax (I got to read a great book) and if you want a little more action White beach is only a 15 min walk away over a hill. I did not indulge that need because coming back to the Philippines has more jet lag and I partied my little butt in Lake Havasu.



It was so fun just hanging out with my friends, catching up and shooting the breeze, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and reading my book on a lounge chair. It was beautiful looking out from the deck over the water at the banka boats, the ship in the distance and an island off to our right. The clouds made the evening sky purple, blue and shimmered silver. It was wonderful!!!

My Visit Home

I got mixed reviews on visiting home, some said don’t until towards the end of your service, others said go because for them coming back was a blessing. I got to be honest, I was a little nervous going home cause I had a really sweet living situation, lots of great friends and a job I was doing pretty well in but I also wanted some adventure so I was off.

It was sureal and just comfy cozy to be at home with all my family and friends. We got to hang out, chow down at my favorite resturant, visit our favorite watering holes, see people I really care about and vice versa, a chance to revise my workout plan with a great friend and trainer, took a trip to Puerto Pensco (Rock Point) Mexico and stay at my dad’s house.

I never really appreciated Lake Havasu until I got back. I always loved the fact that 90% of my immediate family live in Havasu but I now love the weather (a dry 105 degrees) and the natural beauty of the desert. I always loved the desert but now it seems different, calm and still but not deathly. A place to recharge and energize and that was what I needed!

My family were totally excited I was home and I had to see everyone the first night I got back. Reajusting to the time zone was not as rough as I thought. My sister woke me the first morning I was there because we were off to a tube float race down the river and honestly I planned my trip to be there. There was 15 of us and we hooked up to various other groups and lazily went down the river. By the end I was fried but not too red, flying on cloud nine and totally reajusted to being back in Havasu.

My spring break crew also came to visit (a group of my friends that seemed so somehow conglomorate during spring break over 4 years). It was so fun just goofing off with them and knocking a few back and talking about how life has progressed. If I look at the group we are pretty much still on the same tracks we were when we last met with some slight variations of progression. None of us have kids, the same people are with significant others, and the same group members are hooking up. Gosh it is fun being single and alive.

When in Havasu it is expected that your good behavior may deteriorate and stupidity is expected. It is a town of few morals and a good time to be had by any who wish to endulge. Now what I am also saying is that if you choose to have fun you can do it with dignity and self respect. It is also a tough place to get deep and meaningful thought at 11pm at night. This was just what I was looking for when I wanted visit home. I needed to decompress and not work and that is just what I did. A couple times I had an incling “You could finish your late quarterly report… hummmmm not today.” I did this a few times but I was burned out by the time I left for my visit, really I didn’t want to work while I was home and so I didn’t. Not doing any work while on holiday was really refreshing. I don’t think that has really ever happended when I was employed.

Some of my highlights: My chance to have my first real argument with my dad (within the first week of being there), I got to see some of the natural beauty rhomping around in the desert behind town, I was told I was more assertive and it was a good quality, waking up to the sound of the waves in a soft bed all to myself, being given a minature pinapple, talking with my grandparents, doing an irish car bomb with crazy friends, having a three hour conversation about politics and the end of the world while enjoying a yummy grilled cheese, getting to know people who I was connected to but wasn’t really friends with and having fun, watching golf with my dad and going shopping with my other mother.

Who didn’t I get to see??? My crazy little brother! I would have loved to see him and hang out but he was off saving the world the other way… with the army. It is weird for my dad to have two kids working on behalf of the US but in totally opposite fronts. One day I’ll get him a t-shirt “My daughter is in the US Peace Corps and my son is in the Army… WTF!” I think it was my sister who suggested the “WTF” well that’s my family ;-)

Mount Pinatubo

Now this was a real hike!!! But don’t let me get ahead of myself… this is just one of the many trips us 3 Musketeers (Rachel, Cynthia and me. Niki was our D’Artangion on this trip) have planned but not really had a chance to implement. Even I was skeptical we would follow through. The weather was kinda bad and we didn’t really know exactly how to get to the beginning of the trip.

We rode a bus to somewhere in Tarlac where on accident we met a tour guide who’s group ended up not making it and we got to fill their spots. We proceeded off the beaten track to a Barangay close to some military base where we waited for another 4X4 jeep to take us to the beginning of the hike.

Our start began at 5:30am and our first bus left at 6am. By 9am we were on the jeep making our way to our drop off point. The hike there took about 3 hours and we were hungry and beat by the time we got there. We traipsed through water ways, over dried river beds with ash that turned into sand, up through the jungle over a ridge and ahhh a view of the beautiful lake within Mt. Pinatubo. I can’t even explain the exhilaration I felt when I saw the lake. I was awe struck by the size and the color of the water against the walls of the volcano. The water was not clear and even when we went to put our feet in you could barely see them. You could lose someone if you weren’t careful. The water was green signifying it was more alkaline. If it is blue it is more neutral (or do I have that backwards???)

I was told by a guide the water color was grey sometime ago causing an influx of volcanologists come in and take a look. Mt. Pinatubo is still an active volcano. The last time it erupted was in 1993 causing extreme devastation and death. In my province alone it caused damage up to about 45 min by bus towards my house. You can see an old church that only has the top sticking out because of all the ash and lahar covered the town. Instead of digging the community out, they built right over the preexisting Barangay (Bacalor). Because of the amazing building quality Pampanga has been able to quarry this natural resource left by the eruption. My host dad said the highway used to be much more built up between our house and San Fernando but not everyone has rebuilt. Many people relocated because their community could not be rebuilt. There are no fish in the lake but plenty of algae.

The way down also took us 3 hours. Once we got to the river bed we heard a hug swarm of bees above us but we could not see them. Our guide looked a little concerned which made him walk faster. Niki got stuck in some quick sand half way up her calf and I had to fish her foot and shoe out. Our guide on the way down was not the same and kept a rather fast pace. I’m not exactly sure of the mineral that was seeping out of the rocks but it was a goldish yellow. In one of the pools of water with algae the mineral caused the algae to be this yellow color. It was really interesting.

It was a really fun trip and a perfect time just before I headed to the US.

Holy Week

I had the opportunity to attend and even participate in Holy Week Celebrations here in the Philippines. Out here the Lenton season is extremely important and the Catholic’s take it very seriously. In Pampanga (my province) we take it to another level, we actually reenact the crucifixion. Not only do we do this but men in our communities will walk with a cross around the Barangay and arrive back at the church and continue to pray. Community members will follow the man showing support. Other men will actually flagellate themselves with a whip and pieces of wood. They have another man with a paddle (with shards of glass sticking out of it) and every so often he will tell the flagellator to stop and he will paddle their backs and they will then carry on. Layers of skin comes off and this is to bring them closer to God and feel Jesus’s sacrifice. There is a quite a bit of blood. This starts on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday is the reenactment of the crucifixion and the man who has been playing Jesus has been doing it for years. He was actually nailed to the cross. Now this show has become a yearly activity and people from all over come to witness the event. I wished I was local or international press because they got to sit under the large tarp and not get scorched by the sun. I did my penance and got fried and blood splatter that ruined my shorts by the end of the show. It was a really interesting experience and it will happen again next year. There are so many men who flagellate or carry the cross. On the way to San Fernando to watch the crucifixion the bus was so slow because it had to overtake men participating in one of these two rituals and walking on the highway.

It was just incredible the dedication these men have to be closer to god and penance. At the site of the crucifixion a man was selling a paddle and whip and I could not imagine getting hit or hitting myself with either. None of the women participated in the events. I believe they just do some extra praying. During Holy Week there are also processions in the Barangay’s that occur.

Below are some of the pictures of Holy Week.

Sometimes Being Far Away is Not All Its Cracked Up to Be

I know I have a long title but over the last 2 weeks I have been able to experience what that means in multiple ways.

2 weeks ago (March 3, 2008), I got sick with a stomach bug that kept me from work and not able to really prep for a training I was to do. I couldn’t eat without the feeling of wanting to upchuck what I ate so I was refraining. I had a virus that did things to me I can only discuss with my doctor and another Peace Corps Volunteer. I know this sounds pretty silly but here we talk about everything that happens to us inside and out and sometimes it can become a competition. By Saturday the stomach bug was still causing havoc and a throat infection (tonsillitis) had developed. I was having issues from every area. For the first time in my life drugs were not helping, I was not in my own bed, I was still working and I wasn’t being cared for by my family.

By Tuesday I was much better but participating in a training that had me sitting in a chair for 6 hours but my mind working like a race horse. I cannot express how intense the training was. Saturday my throat problem decided to come back but I finished my prescription on Wednesday. My medical officer said I was going to have to let it run its course. What does she mean??? I am actually going to have to take it like a tough girl??? Well I’m not a tough girl and I want it to go away. Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment but I’m letting this virus do its thing and hope to god it leaves my system soon cause this really sucks.

In the mean time I was away on the road for 8 days doing and participating in 2 trainings. I left Thursday March 6, 2008 sick and miserable but ready to show my will power, that mind over matter thing and conquer. By the following Wednesday I had received a few nice texts that I was missed from people and I was having withdrawals from seeing the kids at the center. I knew I was a homebody before I left the states but I have become really attached to my home here. I even missed my cat Harold, like no other. I wanted to be at home.

Friday I had the chance to stop in at work when I got home and found out 2 kids were sent to the National Center for Mental Health while I was gone and I was really upset since one of the kids I was really attached to. I think it hit me harder than normal because I was overtired and getting sick again. That night I was with some community members and I was totally culturally inappropriate but now looking back on it I can only think “Oops” and next time I’m in a emotional and physical crisis not to accept any invitations to visit with people, my social skills are terrible and I’m way to sarcastic for anyone to handle.

I felt very alone this weekend with my thoughts. I like to share how I feel because it helps me process but out here I’m not understood like I am back at home and the words are taken differently. My actions here are strange and misunderstood. Last Friday I didn’t want to go home because I wasn’t ready to be around people so I went for a walk down a side street I really like and sat at a gate just to think. It was near a councilor’s farm and he was alerted by some neighbors that there was a “tisay” (fair skinned girl – white girl) sitting by herself which is not normal. People here are rarely alone and if someone is sitting by themselves to think this is a very bad sign. My host dad was even alerted by an extended relative of my actions before I got home and wanted to know why I was there and doing that. Not being able to be honest is hard especially for me who likes to talk about my feelings.

I love it here and I love my job but it is really hard and the emotional rollercoaster is one wild ride. I get to learn right now not by being taught but by experience.

Girls L.E.A.D Camp 2008

These are the four participants and my really amazing counterpart from my center :-)

I love the saying from the movie Forest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” So many opportunities fall into my lap all the time being here and it is hard to choose, sometimes I will want to participate and commit to it but it is hard to do it all and then I back out. Today has been a tough day; yes I do have these and from what I’m told it is normal (I’m kidding I know they are normal). I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the amount of projects I have going and will be starting soon. I was telling my sister that one of my biggest challenges in my life is the lack of ability to pace myself which can lead to me becoming paralyzed until a deadline and then it gets done. I probably don’t sound very professional but I guess that’s life and I am human. I’m working on it but I think I’m also just hard on myself because it has been a very busy week and I’m over tired. I’ll get there.

I just helped facilitate a 4 day Girls L.E.A.D camp for 30 girls (4 were from my center) and it was amazing. In a way it was more like a conference because it was session orientated. My counterpart and I facilitated 2 sessions: friendship and understanding cause and effect. Other sessions were: past/present/future, career visualization, agree to disagree, goal planning, and communication. The second half of the camp the girls had to decide on one session, plan and prepare to echo it to some of the residents at their center. I think it went really well and we had 5 pairs of girls planning to replicate one of our sessions. It was really hard work, the first activity was at 6am and lights out was at 10pm with a very tight schedule. The facilitators were constantly on and encouraging the girls so by the end of the 4 days all participants and staff were totally exhausted.

It was nice to work with a group of girls who thought they had limited options, then to see them bloom over the 4 days and see there are options for them. This was the second time the camp had been conducted and not many changes had been made regarding the content and implementation. A few of us hope to do it again next year and make it an annual program. The counterparts that worked on the camp again this year had grown since the last one and their self confidence as facilitators improved. They are really motivated to see this program continue. I look forward to working with them on it next year.

One of my younger girls really came out of her shell and I am so proud of her. She is often the one who follows the stronger girls at our center without much standing up for herself. She is quiet and reserved; she is very polite and sweet. Over the 4 days she would give her opinion when asked, and would try to interact and have fun with the other older girls. I was concerned she and the other younger girl would not be able to replicate a session because of their timid persona but after practicing a few times she improved and interactive. I think her session will go very well.

Hot Air Balloon Festival, Pampanga 2008

Pics from the Day...

Last Saturday I went to the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at Clark base in my province with Rachel. It is about 2.5 hour trip from my house (using public transportation). Unfortunately we left late so we did not see the hot air balloons fly off into the morning sky but we did get a chance to see some really cool aircraft.

It felt like an activity my dad would find out about when we were kids and then he would pack us all in the car and we would be off for the day to a festival of some kind. Rachel and I took our time perusing the area, stopping at the Green Peace booth, talking with the staff about their promotion of clean vehicles (using bio-degradable waste as fuel) and them trying us to pledge some money. Rachel and I were not interested in giving money but we did try to find out if they had any info we could share and work with our barangay’s on but no luck. These vehicles they are promoting are pretty cool but the guy got kinda technical and I couldn’t keep up with the conversation (I was just too tired). There were booths selling charms, t-shirts and cool mugs (dad I got you a cool magnet) and other various things. The really nice part about the set up was any kind of fast food you could imagine they had there willing to feed the masses.

So back to the cool stuff… there were 21 balloons that participated in the festival this year and two were Filipino operators. They go up in the morning before 7am and then do another show at dusk (yeah we missed it; we can plan better for next year). We got to see some really cool 3, 5, and 19 passenger planes. We also saw a “kit plane” which is a plane that is put together like a model car, plane or any other model toy. 51% of the plane comes in a box and the rest has to be purchased separately (like the engine) and then people who know how assemble it. It is not approved by the FAA but it follows their standards. It is pretty cool looking but unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of it but basically it has 2 seats and looks like a plane but without the walls. Also there were so many air force officers from the Philippine military that were willing to take pictures with you next to their jeeps, guns, tanks and helicopters. We got a chance to see the kind of equipment and even touch it!!! Yeah they would explain the different parts and how they would use them in various situations. There were model planes, and model scenarios built and in cases. Lots of pictures from the previous wars were on display; situations the military aided in and some very gruesome and devastating situations with dead soldiers.

Lots of families were there watching people fly kites, watch the various aerial shows and learn about the military brought for show and tell. It was well put together and something Rachel and I want to see again next year.

Thanks a Bunch

Isn't my kitty Harrold cute???

Here in the Philippines there is no mailing letters from your mailbox, post box on your street or handing it to your mail carrier (if you can figure out who he might be). You are required to go to the post office in the closest town (which is a 15 min jeep ride or 10.50 peso ride each way) and then you need to make sure you are there before closing time at 4:45pm. The post office opens about 9am but they cannot sell stamps before 9:30 or 9:45am so even if you are there at opening time you best have a stamp already. This is the funny part your mail gets weighed if it is international (which mine are 99.9% of the time) so buying stamps ahead of time are kinda worthless cause my letters seem to be different weights all the time. Although, sending a postcard is a straight 26 pesos. I think I need to send more real mail in order to get this into an exact science.

Now as Ming (the cat who will live with me permanently) sits in my lap and takes a rest while Harrold is standing on my foot chewing at some part of my sock I think about the packages that I have received in the last week. I want to say a big THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for sending all the goodies. I get all sorts of warm fuzzies when I think of them and opening them. Yesterday, I received another package and my host mom asked if the packages I have received were from my boyfriend and I had to remind her again that I’m single (I think my host parents are in denial that I’m 26, single and this is okay at least by my standards) but from my relatives back in the states who love me so much and are willing to pay the outrageous postage to send me cute, fun stuff. Being far away and getting e-messages, e-mails, written letters and packages makes it all okay.

In conclusion thank you for taking the time to have any contact with me at all I really appreciate it. :)

Asking Me Questions

Hi Guys,

So this is a quick message to all those who send me messages, let me know what they think about my blogs and everyone else. Thank you for being interactive. I love hearing about what you think and answering your questions. My only comment is that if you have questions and you post it on my blogs please leave your e-mail address or a way to give you a response. If you need it here is my e-mail addy: katiepentz@hotmail.com if you are concerned about someone getting your e-mail addy. Ingat (take care) and I will blog again soon :-)

This a picture of a portion of a hotel that shoots a very popular t.v show called Mari Mar. It is an amazing hotel that has 2 status next to each other that just don't fit... the grotto with the virgin Mary and a dinosaur. Only in the Philippines!!!

Starry Night Surprise or Holiday Surprise

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Me and my Host Mom - Inang God the night sky was beautiful tonight. I think there are more stars in this sky than there are in Havasu if that is even possible. Not really but it seems so. Really there are minimal lights in the streets and even at points there should be there are none. Walking between the Somascan property and Mary’s place is a death trap. Pot holes are everywhere and you cannot even walk in a thin straight line. I wanted to stop in the middle of the road and just look up for a while but I was late coming home and needed to catch a bus if there was even one. Well I don’t want to get into how I got home because I’m home safe and writing this. I have experienced my first Christmas and New Years away from home and I survived. They were both great cultural opportunities and I’m so glad I got to participate in them; next year I hope to get new opportunity. My host family does not celebrate Christmas because of their faith - Iglesia Ni Christo so I was on my own to find my activity. A fellow PCV and I were spending Christmas together and we were invited to spend it with another PCV at her work site. Christmas here actually starts on Christmas Eve between 10pm and Midnight and it is called "Noche Buena." Families will get together the night before and welcome the birth of Christ. Food will be made and shared and spaghetti is definitely included in the menu. This is the start of gift giving, all could be given or some could be opened the next morning. On Christmas day neighbors will come to each others homes looking for a Christmas gift which would be a monetary gift. A coworker indicated that 20 pesos for children and 100 pesos for an adult was the standard. The family gets together which includes extended family and food is prepared and consumed. Food as you may have caught on is a huge part of the culture and any holiday, event or visitor will call for special dishes and consuming something. New Years eve was similar in preparation actually the day was restful and around 6pm the family began again preparing this time for the midnight feast welcoming in the New Year. My host cousin’s family prepared beef and broccoli, carbonara pasta, chicken wings, deep fried pork, sweet spaghetti (the classic), and a variety of deserts. Ate Nitz prepared kebabs, hotdogs on a stick, squid, chicken adobo, and deserts. By 10:30pm I was so tired and took a quick 1 hour nap. Just before midnight I was told to turn on all the lights in my house and to open my door even though I was not in my house (this is the first time I was allowed and advised to) this shows God the way to my house so he will bless it for the New Year. The family says a prayer for the New Year and by this time the whole neighborhood is alight with fireworks. Everyone has them and lights them in the yard or along the highway. Some fly into the botanical nursery across the highway and I’m concerned they will set the whole place on fire but it is not to be thank God. We then start at Inang’s house with the feast. Of course I’m told I have not eaten enough (especially since I refused rice) but I needed to save room for the other homes. We visited 3 other family members before heading home and by the time I climbed into bed it was 4am. Crazy!!! New Years day was a blur, I felt hung over but I didn’t even have a sip of any alcohol!!! I have come to the realization that if I lay my head down after 2:30am (with or without alcohol) I will be utterly useless the next day. I was discussing with a counterpart her Christmas and New Years and it was also very family orientated. I’m much more used to spending Christmas with my family but also visiting friends and New Years celebrating it with family and friends.

The Questions!!!!

Me and my Host Cousin - Diane at New Years

“Kate, is this your first Christmas (or New Years) without your family? Is it difficult for your family not to have you at home? Don’t you miss them?” These are the questions I have been repeatedly asked this holiday season. It is only because the person asking really cares but at the same time it can be difficult. When it is asked as often as I have received the questions it make me second guess why I would leave such a comfortable situation back home and come to a place so different from home.

Of course spending a major holiday like Christmas or New Years is tough but if I dwell on it I would be on a plane back home and would not be looking back. This is exactly what I want to reply with but it is too callous and would not be good. To leave your home and your family other than for monetary gain is unheard of and crazy. Why would I do such a thing??? I don’t know maybe for the adventure or knowing I could be making a small difference in the world around me. I guess the reason these 3 questions are more difficult for me is that they realize how special and wonderful my family back home is and I must be totally out of my mind to have left. I am a person who has to focus on the positive or I would fall off the wagon. The Christmas season is difficult enough with multiple people leaving this earth around this time, it is my favorite season (and I put up no decorations this year – big mistake) and my compound does not celebrate Christmas. Now that Christmas and New Years is over I figure that by the end of January any residual versions of these 3 questions will cease and I’ve just got to hold out till then. I’m tough, I can do it and still remain perky :-)

Some of the other constant and crazy questions with my responses:

How old are you? 26 and I’m still marriage material.

Are you married? Why not? No, cause I have not found my husband yet.

Would you marry a Filippino? Sure, I would marry any nationality.

Don’t you want to get married? Yes, when I find the right guy (as they chuckle).

Do you know…(a random Filippino) he lives in Arizona (or any other state) let me show you his picture? Hum, I don’t think so.

Where are you going (as you pass someone in the street)? Over there.

Will you help us build our church (the squatters asked)? I have a meeting right now but when I pass by later you can ask me again.

How much rent do you pay? Secreto!!! (Always a good response when it is nobody’s business).

Do you like it here in the Philippines? Yes, I love it!!!

Are you a missionary (the look is quizzical)? Oh no, I’m with the Peace Corps and we have no religious affiliation.

What religion are you? I was “raised” catholic but right now I’m taking a break from religion.