Hello !!!! I have come to the end of my journeys for 2010. This has turned out to be more of an experience than I had ever imagined. I am coming down to the last 3 days here in Manila. I will be coming home after an amazing almost 4 month journey around the world and back. To recap.. Manila on Aug 4 until Sept 18, home to Philly for a few days.. then vacation to Greece with stops in Paris on the way and the return home...(Sept 23rd to Oct 12th) and then back to Manila from Oct 16th to this Saturday.

I don't know where to start. Life is so wild and crazy... I have made some wonderful new friends here in the Philippines that are both Indian and Filipinos. I have seen some amazing places, spent some wonderful times with friends both old and new, have worked my ass off like never before and yet found plenty of time to live life to the fullest all along the way.

Some highlights.. competed on a international volleyball team (came in 4th of 6th), an international 4 person bowling team (came in 1st of 6th and only by 7 pins !!!!! Way to go Hemi, Jeff and Raoul) went to Zambales on the China Sea, The Peoples Park in the Sky and Enchanted Kingdom, lived many Sunday's at "The Spa" Thank you Erick D... lived in a 5 star hotel where I even became one of their "Guest of the Day"... interview and picture.. and if you can treat a person better than they did before... they treated me like a king and queen even more after being their guest... This is a place that everyone knows my name. Went on a great vacation to Paris, Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos with best friends.

I met so many great people and some of them will be friends going forth. There are so many experiences that I can never explain or describe.. but know that my life has been changed forever on some level.

Now to try to catch you up on the last week or so and bring this blog to a close for now. More on that later.

Last weekend the folks at work wanted to go out on an outing and they wanted to make it special for me. We took a jeepney (finally got to go on one - google it and you can read and see all about it) to Tagaytay City to the People's Park in the Sky. You can also google this as well. This place was built for President Reagan and Nancy on their visit to the Philippines in 1984. The trip never came to be and the place was never finished. Today it stands unfinished, in ruins from neglect of doing nothing to it.. to making it tourist friendly. I remember the day Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown.. Today Imelda is in her early 80's and is technically a Congresswoman in one of the provinces in the north (lives in Manila in some mansion), her daughter is also a congresswoman, her son Ferdinand Marcos Jr is a National Senator (and major pain in the side to the current President Ninoy Aquino. The government is still trying to find the wealth, jewels, land, property and belongings of the Marcos clan that was stolen during his reign as dictator. I walked around and took some pictures of the place and view trying to see what it must have looked like back in 1984. You can see the tile where the pool is before it was filled in with dirt, you can see what was the pool house which now sells concessions, they had these beautiful pillars with round sconces and some are still there today in tact. The view is breathless from the 2 tiers of what was outdoor patios. Parts of the main building is closed down due to dangerous ceilings caving in as well as water and weather damage over the years.

When I say the folks from work, I mean to say it was a total of 24 of us.. mostly Filipinos, 4 Indians and 3 Americans.. mostly voice people and 1 guy from data. After spending some time at the Peoples Park in the Sky, we went to Leslie's for lunch. This was an open air restaurant that was huge and packed. The view was breathtaking over looking the volcano within a lake within a volcano.. We had a great lunch of all kinds of foods.. tried beef marrow, and also this shrimp sauce that went with this pork dish. Then we were off to Enchanted Kingdom which is a good size (I think the largest in Philippines.).. also can google this for more info. We rode the rides, got wet on the rides, got wet in the rain, and kept going back for more fun on the rides. It was one long day that started at 5:30 AM and ended back at Market Market by jeepney and then taxi to the hotel by 10 PM that night.

The folks I work with have turned out to be friends that I will have forever. They have truly taken me in as a friend and colleague. They have taken care of me in so many ways and always had the concern that I was having fun and a good time!.. I am not sure if they have ever met anyone like me... and I am so sure.. that I have not met anyone like them. I could name them all by name and all have a story I have gotten to know.

One of the best things in my life is the people that I have met through out my life. The people I have met here in Manila through work, living at the Shangri La Hotel not to mentions the folks in Europe on vacation, has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

The hotel.... I have to share some funny / crazy stories. Being a long term guest living in a 5 star hotel, is like living as a king and queen in your own palace. When I say that they know your name, I mean almost everyone from day 2 will constantly greet you my name. Good Morning Mr Thomas, Good Evening Mr Thomas... people from the men that greet you at the car, to the people working the door for security, the people working inside the door at the lobby, to the restaurant people, the front lobby staff, even to the young ladies working the elevators not to mention the K9 handlers of the bomb sniffing dogs to the dogs that work every day 12 hour shifts keeping us safe. I have treats I give 2 of them every morning when I return from work. I had such service that every evening after work for dinner, I didn't have to ask for my carrot and orange juice mixed (freshly squeezed) and my decaf cappuccino... they just brought it to me, they would bring my newspaper to me, I even had folks bring me my food to the table or help me carry my plates from the best buffet known to mankind. The staff here was the best ever known to the world.

Now the kicker is they even got better... and the folks that knew me but didn't know my name.. knew my name and started using my name with the greeting after I became their Guest for the Day. I was interviewed and photographed for this honor. One funny story that happened recently. This weekend when we got back from Enchanted Kingdom, I went to bed right when I got back to the hotel. I woke up about 4 hours later sicker than a dog. It was quick starting, painful in the stomach, and lasted for about 24 hours.. I didn't eat, go out, or get out of bed except to constantly go to the bathroom. By Monday night I was feeling like I wanted to die.. but had to get up and go to work. I had taken a pill for what was wrong... (my doctor in Philadelphia is the GREATEST DR in the world) and it was working for the most part. I hadn't eaten in 24 hours, hadn't really slept in 24 hours, and generally felt week and tired. But I thought I would get up and get my routine going for my work day.

I don't remember if I had told my routine before but quickly I get up leave the hotel and walk around the park across from the hotel. There are stores and restaurants and office buildings and malls everywhere. So I head out to the right and walk around until I am basically across from the hotel to the Subway Sandwich Shop. I stop and get my sandwich which I take to work for lunch. They they know me and treat me like a king as well. I continue on my way around the circle and stop at Starbucks where I get my coffee before work. They also treat me like a king and queen as well. Of course they know my first name (which they ask for the coffee) unlike everywhere else it is always Mr Thomas or Sir Thomas.

Well this evening I am feeling so sick but I put on my gym shorts, my Ptown yellow t-shirt, and Boston Red Sox ball cap and go downstairs. Well the Philippines celebrates Christmas like no other place on earth. They start almost in September in the malls with music, decorations and all sorts of lights all over the place. Now remember it is still averaging 90 degrees and it is the monsoon season during this time. Well the lobby they decorated this past weekend for Christmas. It is like Christmas threw up all over the lobby and surrounding areas in the hotel. This particular night they had this major celebration for lighting this huge Christmas tree in the lobby. It was a major gala that include singers from the University of the Philippines, The Ambassador of China to the Philippines (The Shangri La hotel chain is Chinese) not to mention all sorts of local and provincial dignitaries. EVERYONE was way dressed up and enjoying this Christmas Gala all over the lobby and front of the hotel. Here I come down looking like a bum, feeling sicker than a dog and I am trying to sneak out of the hotel to get my sandwich and coffee. From the time I got off the elevator and outside to the street there must have been at least 40 people (not exaggerating) that greeted me and tried to get me to stop to talk to me. I could have died. I just wanted to get out and get away.. I was so under dressed, feeling sick.. but you would have thought I was dressed for the gala and one of the honorees. I have had the pleasure to have met the general manager of the hotel a few times, head of security (for other funny reasons) down to Fabian, Henry and Noel who have taken care of me in my room, laundry etc. to all the folks in the restaurant and the hotel staff, and gym as well.

The nice thing about Subway and Starbucks and they knowing me is that when there would be a line at either place, the employees all knew what I wanted, and silently took care of me, and i was out before anyone even knew I was there. If I ever have to open a door besides my own hotel room which even times I had help on that, it would be amazing. I am not sure I even know how to open my own door.. being that of a building or a car.

Well I have done my last minute shopping, I am packed 4/5th of the way. I have 3 more work days, and a lot of goodbyes to say and pictures to take. I am sure I will shed a few tears on the goodbyes, not to mention a few hugs as well. I have had a great time and look forward to coming back in the new year. I am looking forward to returning home to my life, my family, my home and my wonderful neighbors and friends for which with out the generosity of them all, this adventure would have never been possible. To all that helped in one way or another, Thank You so much for what you have done for me, Tim and Molly.

So I leave the hot weather... which I will miss, Saturday for home, Tim and Molly and BellaLuna, the colder weather and the wonderful Holiday season... which I am way behind on the normal things. I can't wait to see everyone and try to spend some normal life times again.

It appears that I will be returning to Manila again in the new year for some time.. not sure exactly when or for how long. When it comes to pictures I have put most of the albums on facebook from all the journeys, vacation hot spots, and here in Manila. I am going to put some pictures here of the this past weekend, and the lobby of the hotel decorated for Christmas. The full album of last Sunday will be on facebook. I will put all the final pictures I will take up until the time I leave on Saturday in one final album on facebook. It will be pictures of mostly people for memories.

So this blog which was kind of crazy how it started was a great idea. I hope you all had a great time reading it as much as I did writing in it. I will bring it back to life again when I start to travel again which will be sooner than late I am pretty sure. I will let you know.

Until then.. I can't wait to see the folks back home very SOON, Good-bye to my friends here in Manila. To all.. live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment you can in all sorts of ways. Life is precious, short, and yours to do with what you will.. so seize the day... and live.

In life..

Craig

now the pics

Helloooooo.. Sorry to have been out of communication.. Last weekend we went to Zambales (a northern province) for the weekend.. and then came back late and have been running behind ever since. So.. with that I am going to start with a pic of last Sunday's flowers.... and then the story of "My Weekend to Zambales" or as we fondly called it.. "Zambales with 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians, and a 51 yr American Businessman ! " (that would be me.... I was a good 20 years older than all of them.

So background. The folks from work wanted to go on a Team building weekend away to the coast. So I of course was asked to go along. I jumped at the chance. They were going to Zambales which is a norther province in the Philippines. They were going to a conference and resort center right on the west coast on the beach. I was looking forward to this.. but knowing who was going and all the things that could happen.. I joked once that we have to be careful so we don't end up on CNN with Wolf Blitzer and the Situation Room.. Because the heading would be "Some incident involving 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and a 51 yr American Businessman. Well that just stuck and so it came a few times that weekend.. which we all laughed about.

Now the story.. We got off work on Saturday AM at 6:00.. and then we all went downstairs to the mall where we waited. Some folks went home to get their things and or showered. We all got back together around 7:30. The plan was to take 2 vans which was going to carry all of us plus a few other folks as well as our bags, our food along with the pots and pans and all items that we were going to need for the weekend. The trip was to take about 4 to 5 hours by transport to get up to the resort. I was looking forward to this trip just to get out of Manila, to see some of the provinces not to mention to be at the beach relaxing, having fun, and experiencing new things.

We started out ok.. 2 vans, 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and me... One of my folks that I work with arranged most of this trip and she did a great job. Her father is/was associated with the conference center which probably gave us a cut price not to mention he was the one that drove one of the vans and also coordinated all transportation. Love's younger sister came along as well as Ian's girlfriend and her best friend. Those folks didn't consist of the 14 Filipinos.. which were just from the office. We get loaded, and we are on our way. We had air conditioning and it was just a lot of fun. We stopped about an hour out of the city at a big stop to get gas and food. It was basically just like our highway stops.. even had a Cinnabon place which I DIDN'T get any. A standard bag of miniature Reeses which would cost us about 3.50 us dollars was approximately around 12.00 us dollars. needless to say we didn't get them either. It was warm but good in the van on the road. Well about 40 mins later we are beginning to have engine problems. The van was making weird noises and we were in the worst traffic.. mostly people getting away to the beach for the weekend.. That being said, the roads are only 2 lane.. 1 lane for each direction which we all share. WE being cars, vans, buses, jeepneys, tricycles, motorcycles and bikes. So constantly you are hearing horns, and constantly the van has been passing everything and everyone .... I think Love's dad was just hellbent on getting us there which is a good thing. There were some points I just had to stop looking.. I mean we came REAL close more than a few times from hitting a bus head on at 70 mph... Again.. we could see the headline.. "Bus Accident in the Philippines 17 killed.. 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and 1 51 yr American businessman.. ".

Well finally in this little town with LOTS of people and just shops of all kinds in the middle of nowhere... we finally pull into this furniture parking lot next door to this motorcycle shop and a car wash... which probably hasn't seen water in YEARS!!!! Luckily Love's dad knows how to work on car / van engines... The issue is he needed parts and all we could find were motorcycle shops.. We all got out to stretch our legs.. and it was now HOT and SUNNY!!!! which means just hotter. Again remember we had worked all night and not it was around noon on Saturday.. normally the time I am in bed for my day's allotment of sleep. We were walking around the nearby shops, and of course I don't think there had been an American walking around there in a long time. EVERYONE just stared at me like i was an alien from mars which happens a lot when in areas that Americans don't normally go.

Well after an hour and 1/2 or so, we decided that this was going to take longer than we would like. Since we only had the weekend time was a wasting. So the decision was made that we would pile all of us in the one van. Love and her younger sister was the only ones that didn't come along. They were going to stay with their Dad and his companion and get the van fixed and come along later on.

So here we go.. we load in this van 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians, the 1 51 yr American businessman, their bags, the food (which was fish that was thawing at this point not to mention the pork and EVERYTHING else.) and the pots and pans and utensils.. into one van. we were more than like sardines in that van. A jeepney ride would have been more comfortable. We had to turn off the AC since it wasn't keeping up anyway and we opened the windows.. more heat not to mention the exhaust from outside. Our tires could barely take the double load of weight.. and we all were silently praying that we were going to make it. The terrain was mountainous.. we had to go up and over to get to the other side on the west coast. I had one point was trying to teach the 14 Filipinos and the 2 Indians the song Kumbaya.. we thought anything that helps us get there would be worth it. The ride was in the long run successful.. and part of the weekend stories... we made it in one piece.. no breakdowns, no flats and no run ins with any other vehicle including the buses.. :)

We get there about 4:30 Saturday afternoon. We peel out of this van one by one.. no one looking pretty or smelling too awful. We walked around to get our legs from uncramping and to find our accommodations. We started out on a 3rd floor dormitory on the beach.. but then due to finances.. and they didn't want the 3rd floor and there was no cooking area.. we downgraded to a first floor dormitory with cooking facilities and outdoor sinks and a patio which we took over for our dining/living space.

The resort was beautiful. The resort was located on the west coast of Zambales in a town I have no idea what it was called. The body of water was the China Sea... The sand is black due to the ore but still fine and in its own way beautiful. It kind of reminded me of the black pearls vs the traditional sea water pearls. Beautiful in its own right. The accommodations were one dormitory ... bunk beds, with the bottom bunk being more of a full size and the top one being more of a single size. We had 17 people with I believe bed space for 18. So being the Philippines and very open society.. everyone just picked a spot.. and I got a spot with Donald. We had one bathroom consisting of a shower and toilet and a sink.. and a drain for both that didn't do a very good job. We had one light bulb to light the whole room which at night when it got DARK!!!!! we had to leave it on so we could maneuver. Yes Virginia.. it was on all night and people were coming and going constantly.

We unpacked our belongs, the food staples and utensils etc..., everything, we got tables and chairs from where ever we could and set up camp. We started making food ( a good tasting stew for a better word consisting of pigs feet, pigs brain, vegetables and seasoning which tasted good) and snacks etc, and walked around to get the lay of the land. We walked down to the beach. They had volleyball nets set up, 2 basketball courts, a trampoline to mention a few. There was a high school reunion going on with about 100 people. We were going to crash it and tell them that the Prashant and Diwaker (the 2 Indians) and I had been foreign exchange students at their school. but thought they wouldn't buy it... :).

This resort was basically nice but yet a 3rd world resort. It is not the same as in America but I have learned basically the Filipino way.... and once I understand it, I am flexible to be able to live the way and be grateful for the experience to learn and live the culture of the land.

I finally had to get some rest around 6 PM Saturday.. since I had no been up 24 hours, worked 11 of them and spent the rest of the day just getting there. I crawled over Donald put the sheet on me.. and I was so tired.. that the light and the moving around of people even a little bit didn't do a thing for me ... I was OUT to the world in about 3 seconds.. I work up later not knowing what time it was, what day it was, what country I was in.. to see some people sleeping, some outside with the background of music and singing in the distant background.

A note on the music.. Karaoke is BIG here... and everyone in the younger ages do it. constantly everywhere ... in public, or private. The resort rented the machines out and they also have a spot where you could pay 5 pesos a song. They always have video to match. A note of the VideoKareoke here.. unlike the places I know in Amerca, we get up on stage, look out on to the crowd while singing reading the words on monitors... and no video. Here you basically don't get up in front of the crowd, but just look at the monitor up front with the video and sing. Now no matter what the song is, American or Filipino, the genre of music, the video's are always girls in either cheer leading costumes or swimsuits.. moving around and have NOTHING to do with the song. It is kind of weird at first.. but then just a difference in culture. So different but not weird.

So I get up, go outside. I am s sleep stupor.. There are about 7 folks up eating, drinking, and talking having a good time. I join in the fun, the food and the drinking.. I only had 2 beers... we sat and talked til about 2 AM which upon they were headed to the beach. The sky was as dark as could be except for some stars.. but no moon. The reunion folks were the ones that were singing outside under a big tent which they were using. The good thing was at least the songs there were singing at 2 AM were ballads and somewhat quiet and nice to listen to as the sounds of the night came through the air. I was exhausted and there was no way I was going to the beach in the dark at that time. One of the rare moments my age difference was showing. I had to go back to bed. Donald was one that was out and not sleeping. he had walked off and no one knew quite where he was. He ended up singing with the folks from the reunion for a few hours. I went back to bed alone this time but yet on my side since I didn't know if Donald was coming back or not. I got a few more hours of sleep and woke up around 5:15. Daylight was coming, the crescent moon now out and shining, the the morning hue awakening the west coast of Zambales over the China Sea.. was just a feeling I will never forget in my life. By the time 15 minutes transpired.. Everyone was waking up or returning from the beach or in Donald's case from singing all night.

The day started early.. we had the charcoal pits getting hot, food reheated from the day/night before, new food started and all talking about the plans of the day. Everyone walking around looking like we had been up all night and no one cared. So when you see some of the pics it is not like we all look pretty or anything .. and it didn't matter to them.. nor to me. Also a note of reference for the folks that are friends on facebook.. I have downloaded the whole album of 175 pics of the weekend. The pics I downloaded here are just a few of the better moments.

So we ate and got ready. The day consisted of playing volleyball on the sand, going out on a banana boat snorkeling and just playing in the water, water polo in the pool, jumping on the trampoline (and stopping once when I almost flew off on to the ground... ok.. I was trying to get height so I could show them things I had done when I was a kid).... again.. Craig you are NOT 21 years old any longer. We had such fun the entire morning and afternoon. We just enjoyed each others company playing sports. Towards the middle of the afternoon we were just at the beach laying in the sand relaxing and thinking that at some point we have to get cleaned up and get packed up and then get back in the 2 vans (Love's dad got it fixed) and get back to the city.

So here we go, 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and the 51 yr American business man trying to get ready with 1 shower. Some of them used the outdoor kitchen sinks to baths (Grace and Ria actually sat in them and Donald stood up at the sink... all clothed but yet using soap and shampoo). I was amazed at the ability to do that.. but when all was said and one.. everyone looked like they had their own bathroom. I took a quick cold shower in the bathroom. We get in the van to go home. Now at least it was just the 10 of us in the bigger van... but it was so cold. the AC was kind of stuck. So i was sucked up to Donald for body heat and we had his serape for a blanket on our legs. Unlike the trip there in the heat and sardine effect, i wasn't wearing the jeans like I had. So jeans up sweating like a stuck pig and shorts on the way home in the AC freezing my ass off. Sleeping in a van attached to the person next to you for heat is not the best sleep one will get. We arrived back into Manila at 10 PM Sunday night.. and i took a taxi home to the hotel and was in bed by 10:45. I took a hot shower and got into bed knowing I had one of the best weekends of my life. One weekend that I will remember, for so many things that I can't even begin to explain or tell here. Again feeling so fortunate to have such a life that...

The bad thing is on timing.. usually on Sunday nights (like now.. local time is 3:15 AM) I am up all night so I can sleep on Monday day and be fresh for the first day of work on Monday night. This week was to be different. I slept all Sunday night, got up at 6 AM, went and ate... took a sleeping pill and then slept all day and went to work. I didn't get my normal things done to prepare for my week, my exercise etc. I knew that it would be a rough start to a busy hectic week. We got into work quickly since Monday was a holiday here (All Souls Day). I walked in at 7:15 to a call going on with one of the order specialists and a customer with an out of service. Got on the phone and got yelled at by the customer about the issue I knew nothing about. I got it all figured out, calmed them down, and eventually got my week started with of course the out of service being the first thing on the agenda.

This week was one of the most hectic we have had with more to follow. I am expecting this week to be as busy but as least I am on schedule tonight to be more organized .

This past weekend was one of sleep, rest and organization. It was also my last weekend I think for my Manila ritual of going to the spa on Sunday afternoons. Today after an ok night of sleep, I got up and had breakfast. Today was one of the nicest days with the sun out and the blue skies. Monsoon season and the air quality of Manila does not do much for blue skies. So I took advantage and spent 2 hours in the sun and pool of the hotel. I then went to The Spa for my last time at least for this trip. I had my normal, sea salt scrub with the botanical wrap, a massage, a men's facial, a manicure and a pedicure. Again all items including tips only cost me about $150.00. I was there for about 4 hours. I usually fall asleep at some point of my 1/2 day o beauty ..... it is my precursor of sleeping on Sunday evenings early.

As I was leaving tho I did schedule something for next Saturday at noon... it will take me off schedule but that is going to be ok. I am going home at that point in one week.. and my schedule will be off anyway trying to get last minute personal desire things done. So hopefully I can make it. I am invited to Ria's family for some gathering sometime on Saturday which I think will be in the evening. Next Sunday we are doing a 2nd Team Building day at the Enchanted Kingdom which is an amusement park about 2 hours away. They want to do something again before I leave which I was honored. So I can't wait for next weekend.. new things new places, more people and for me more stories. Just can't do it all yet.. still waiting for cloning that works..

As I sat here this morning the guys started doing the new flower arrangement not to mention a Christmas tree. The Philippines celebrate Christmas like no other country. They have had music up playing since the end of September and decorations out everywhere at the malls not to mention the lights all around the trees.... even the palm trees. So we now have an xmas tree in the lobby.. but won't have pics until tomorrow. It will be hours before they are done.. and I will be out of here in just a couple.

So that is my update for now.. Life is good.. better than good... miss my life, Tim, Molly and Bellaluna, neighbors, all my friends.. chorus etc. I have 2 more weeks to go.. and between work being crazy and time flying, time will fly because i will be trying to get all the last minute things done. It appears that I will be back in the new year.. possibly for a total of 90 more days.... so we will see. I know that 2010 has been like none other.. one I will always remember, cherish, and be thankful for.

Until next week.. live life to the fullest every day... and have fun..