With an early morning wake-up, our group packed and prepared to leave our respective host families in Maribojoc. Last breakfasts were eaten together, pictures were taken as souvenirs, and final goodbyes were said. This was the day we were all headed to the island of Cabilao. After meeting the mayor of the municipality of Loon, we boarded a boat bound for Cabilao. The ride was amazingly beautiful! Riding a small boat, we were able to experience the brilliant shades of blue as we traversed the water around us. We attempted to guess which of the islands on the horizon would be our new home for the next two nights.
Upon our arrival to our new and temporary home, we sunk our feet into the sandy shores as we were greeted by the snacks and songs of the municipality leader at the tourist center. Lunch ensued shortly afterward, and we were treated to demos of how the residents of the island craft the woven bags and baskets. Some of us were even able to cut the natural plant material into strips for weaving. The group then walked a straight, rocky road (as motorcycles zoomed past us) to our respective host families.
My (Oana's) host family was made up of my host mother (Mommy Bebie), her three daughters (Angelica, Dulce Lyn, and Candy Lyn), as well as another GIEU member, Taylor. Arriving to their home, we were each led to our own individual rooms where upon attempting to turn on the lights we found out that the electricity is only (usually) available from 6:00pm to 11:30pm every day. We were both given a tour of the house where we met Auntie (their Aunt who stopped by to help make dinner), their two pigs, as well as most of the neighbors who came out to meet us. The rest of the evening was spent getting to know the family, celebrating the birthday of two twins in the family, watching fireflies and the stars, getting laughed at for my horrendous pronunciation of Visayan words, and watching my host mother begin making a hand-made woven basket. The night ended in a surprise as Taylor discovered a very large spider (nicknamed Charles) dwelling on her room's ceiling. All in all, it was a day in which I was able to experience life in Calibao Island through the eyes of a local, rather than simply a tourist.
My (Ray's) host family consisted of my host father (Gerardo) and host brother (Junior). After initially struggling with a slight language barrier, we settled in and dove into getting to know one another. Questions about family's, backgrounds, school, and the future were both asked and answered by both parties. I was even taught the Filipino card game called Tong-It and received a lesson in how to clean, gut, and cook a fish. After a wonderful dinner of rice, bread, and a fish that deserved a compliment to the chef, we journeyed down the main road to a friend's residence where Broghan was coincidentally staying. We were reluctantly talked into singing karaoke but had a wonderful time jamming out with both families over shared drinks. All in all, it was a great bonding time and a memorable experience of what island life is sometimes like.
Hugs! Ray and Oana
wonderful....nice one...
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