Letter from the Philippines #2

Just came back from town. It is the only place that I can get internet. I have to go to a fast food place called Jolly Bee. It is like a McDonalds but with different foods. Jolly Bee is the nicest place in this small town. It is clean and more modern the other places that are more like shacks that serve food. It is a ten minute ride in a motorcycle car. They call it a strike. It goes only about 15 to 20 miles an hour. Jazie loved it. As we drove she saw oxen, sheep, goats, dogs, and all kinds of other animals.

We also went and met with the Priest that is going to marry us on the 29th. He was nice. He thought that he might be able to convert me to Catholic but found that I was just as stern on my religion as he was. I told him that I respected Ella’s religion and that she respects mine. He left it with that.

Tonight we are going to a party at Ella’s brother’s house. ( Neceto ) he is a high school teacher. Neceto and some of his students just added the new kitchen – dinning room onto Ella’s mom’s home. They wanted us to feel more comfortable. I say Kitchen mildly because they only do a little bit of cooking in the house. Electric coffee pot, rice cooker, and sink. The rest of the cooking is done out in the back yard. I will include more photos that will include the outside cooking.
The housing here is not what any of us Spoiled Americans could ever tolerate. Most of the people live in houses that are made of bamboo or tin, but together as to whatever way they can. The floors are mostly dirt or bamboo. If the owner is a little better off then he has concrete. We have been so spoiled by them. They even purchased an air conditioner and installed it in the room that we are using. I have to say that I am so glad. It is so muggy here. I have been dealing with it ok, but Ella and Jazzier are not doing as well with it.

We are looking forward to the wedding and the celebrations of the holidays to come. It is family get together that her family has not been able to have in many year. Ella is like a little girl. The smile has hardly left her face since we got here.

I will write again as I can. Jerry