I’ve been in Bicol for 7 days and I absolutely love it. The air is even fresher than Boracay. I don’t need to carry around my handkerchief anymore to block out the polluted air. There’s no such thing as smog checks here, but at least the Province isn’t as congested as the city life in Manila or the tourist attraction of Boracay. I’m not gonna lie though I’ve been so spoiled in Boracay and Manila. I had a hotel room with one other person, my own bed to sleep in, a bathroom, a refrigerator, AC. There’s none of that here where we’re staying in Bicol. My dad started building a house here but it’s a little undone which is normal here. It’s basically concrete floors and walls. Seven people, one room. The other night we were all laughing at our situation because we were like little sardines in one little room. On top of that my parents didn’t want to open the window because there’s no screen and they didn’t want mosquitos coming in. And there’s no AC! It was pretty funny though but I can’t help but to think that this is their reality. The other room in my Dad’s house is occupied by my Uncle and his family. Our house here is in a compound with other Floras, my dad’s siblings and there family. This is what I call hardcore community. I thought my family in America was tight-knit. It’s even tighter in the Philippines. Everyone helps each other out, even the little kids. They mature so much faster over here. My 11 year old cousin here in Bicol has seen more life than my 13 year old video playing cousin in the states. He walks and talks like someone who has been through a lot (which he has). He lost his dad a couple months ago. Its just him, his younger sister, and his mom now. He drives his mom around in a freakin motorcycle. Who does that at 11 years old? Only in the Philippines man. My Uncle Edwin (the one living in the same house) has 2 kids, a 2 year old & 4 year old. Sometimes they’re left alone in the house all by themselves but they know how to take care of themselves already. I would never do that in America but here they don’t have a choice because they have to work to keep they’re family alive. They’re such smart kids too. That’s just a few of them but they all have their stories. I wish I could give them everything. We are so so spoiled in America. And that’s an understatement. Life is much simpler here but its hard to get by with the small wages. The best part of this trip is spending it with family! If only we came straight here instead of Manila & Boracay. I can’t believe we only have two more days left here. I’m going to miss them so much!
