I finally moved to a new place. I left Horshoe Village to move to Teachers Village further North in Quezon City (am still looking for a good map). At the risk of causing you all to have some bad cases of dejavu- I have to say that I am very very thankful with the new place. The location is sort of in the middle between work and langauge class. It is fairly close to the University of the Philippines (UP). About 40 minutes walk from Thomas Morato avenue...that is for me...others might prefer the more convential, tricycle, jeepney or taxi-way of moving around. Thomas Morato is a street with many restaurants and I had some good Singaporian/Thai there last week:). Also Cubao -Quezon city's main commercial and entertainment hub- is still pretty close, as is Quezon Memerial Circle (Park). So yeah the broader location is great.


The Neighbourhood itself is also very good. Not overly busy, but still a real neighbourhood which is kinda the way I like things. But for as good as the location, the neighbourhood and all other surounding things are, the house is probably the best part - the people have been very hospitable and I am pretty confident that I am going to like it a lot. I live at the rooftop...which has been great. I have a one-room place and then a small bathroom attached to it. It is great when at night I need to go to the bathroom i go outside and see the moon and the stars and some lost planes. It is a great way to wake up as well with the sunrise or like yesterday with a nice rainbow.

I have started to get some herbs as well, but am tempered in my enthusiasm by the lack of time and my lack of multitasking skills. I was telling a couple people that with the last few weeks my respect for mothers has increased even more, and I don't even have little kids to take care off, but if I would not make a list I would not only not know what to do, but even where to start.

I am still in the process of getting to know just who all lives in the place - since all the rooms on the floor below me are rented out to other people, but the main owners of the house i at least know and like I said they have been very welcoming and i'll probably end up sharing a meal with them every week once I get my schedule in order.

ps. sorry the internet has been very slow and i could only upload one picture

Story Number 2: Marcos and Me

Before I came to the Philipines the general reaction of people was very postive. Whenever the topic came up, stories would come of friendly and helpful Filipinos they had met. And as most of you will know you dont have to visit Manila to meet some Filipinos. Other remarks pertained to the natural beauty of the Islands, Karaoke and other generally positive things.

Added to these remarks there was always one that was well lets say not overly positive - and most of the time said with a grin on the face. Imelda Marcos's Shoe collection. [Photo]

I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the museum that holds many of her shoes, but early on I did have the opportunity to go to Malacanang - the Presidential Palace. I have to say that I have never seen a Palace where you were allowed to touch, see and do whatever else so freely. And so it happened that I got to sit and have my picture taking on the chair from which President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in 1970's - and get this I don't know how it happened, but I was even smiling.[Photo]