Mahal Kita.

This sounds crazy for someone as young as me saying this.
But... I do believe i have found the place i would like to get married.
And stay there for the honeymoon.
And then live there.
Forever and ever.
and ever.

It is called "The Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel".
it was classical, tropical, simply beautiful.
Thousands of palm trees.
Courtyards with waterfountains and ancient statues.
Countless frangipani trees.
Archways galore, and my favourite kind or arched windows with white window panes.
Marble floors.
A beautiful grand piano.
A walkway, lined with tall palm trees, ferns, hibiscus trees and other tropical flowers, and old fashioned lamp posts.
Their own private beach with straw huts lined up along the sand.
Dune buggies.
Jeeps.
Golf course - not that i care about that one.
Rivers, lakes, ancient bridges.
They even have a mini zoo for crying out loud.
And that is just a few of the many things i saw there.

The funny thing is, i never wanted some fancy shmancy wedding.
But this place was something better than anything i could have dreamed up.
I did think i would like to be married either on the beach, or at a quiet bay, or by a colourful garden.
It's basically all three combined, and ARGH. I never wanted to leave.
The funny thing is, if it were in Australia it would have costed thousands per night.
But because it is in the Philippines, it equals up to $160.
It is more than worth it.



ANYWAY:
That was yesterday, along with a few other things.
Today we had our first medical missions trip to the first local church.
134 people were treated and helped.
We had medicines for them and a small dental clinic set up.
Many many tooth extractions.
I saw a lot of people walking out the door with less teeth than what they came in with.
But they didn't care, they were so happy. Everyone always is.
-mahala kita-
We talked with the locals, made friends, played with the youngens, particularly a few girls who simply would not leave me alone. They were the shyest of the bunch, but because i came up to them, they were so happy. I felt good that i brought them joy, especially when they were being sorely excluded by everyone else.
A few of the slightly younger aged girls were so beautiful and filled with hope.
Some of the names i remember are Princess, Cheng, Bernadette, Rhoda, Angel.
they are around 13 and 14.
There aren't many our age, only younger or older.
We spent most of our time playing with the little boys and girls, and then talking with the older boys and girls around their 20's.
One was named Eddie i think, he had some psycho long hard-to-pronounce name so he told us to call him Eddie.
He and his friends were teaching us some of their Ylocano and Tagalog language.
I forget most of what they taught us already, something that sounded like apple juice meant Praise God i think.
It frustrates me because i have no idea what 'Maganda' or whatever means, and i am constantly hearing it when someone walks by me.

We ate a lunch of rice (of course) with fried chicken, vegetables, seafood which i did not touch, etc.
Hopefully tonight i have convinced Rob and the others that we should go to KFC for dinner.
Not very adventurous or cultural i know, but i need a break of all that noodles and rice and not knowing whether or not i will like my dinner.
Last night i tried carbonara - never again. ugh.
Although i have taken a large liking to their sweet rolls, fresh out of the oven - they call it 'pan de leche'.
I also had a hot milo which i haven't had in a very long time.
Anyway i only have 20 minutes left on the internet timer so i best be going.
Isusulat Ko Pa Mamaya.