Christmas Break Part 1

Upon arriving in the Philippines December 19, the last two weeks have been an adventure and involved extensive travel to three different islands: Cebu, Mindanao, and Bohol. The flight arrived in Lapu Lapu, Cebu near Cebu City on December 19. Upon arriving I stayed in a bed and breakfast for one night near the airport, the next day moving to a condo unit alongside my girlfriend Margie and her niece Jemaina for three days. We had the opportunity to prepare meals as there was a kitchen and explore the sites Cebu City has to offer, and also meet up with the national director of PSALM, Christer Luchavez. In adjusting to the culture and climate, I felt sleepy every afternoon and although Margie and Jemaina had plenty of energy to keep going all day I had to excuse myself for a nap around 3 pm.

Building near Magellan's Cross
Magellan's Cross

Fort San Pedro


As December 24 approached, we packed our bags and made the the trip back to the airport, this time to the domestic terminal for a flight to Pagadian to visit Margie's family. Pagadian is a small city on the southern island of Mindanao, an island with a spotty reputation among tourists over the last several years due to violence, especially a few years ago when President Duterte declared Marshall Law, which has been in place since and is largely supported by locals.  Upon arriving in Pagadian the afternoon of December 24, we decided we would rest for the night and spend Christmas Eve at Margie's friend's resort. Although the rooms were basic, the resort sports several swimming pools, banquet halls, and restaurants, which may become useful in our future plans, wink wink.


Hotel in Pagadian

On Christmas Day we made the trek to Buug, where several of her brother's and sister's live. Buug is not a hotbed for tourists do to it's location closer to less desirable and less safe Zamboanga City, but the scenery on the trip made me realize that if it was beautiful. Upon arriving in Buug by bus we were caught in a monsoon catching our tricycle to the hotel. Margie's brother Raymond arrived, alongside his daughter to spend some time with us, at which time Jemaina went back home to see her parents and sister.

December 26 and 27 were the days we scheduled to have a reunion for Margie's family. We pre-ordered dishes for a family meal at the hotel restaurant for the evening of December 26, and had a local pastor come in to share the meaning of Christmas. It was a great opportunity to meet the family and spend time in fellowship together. Pastor also had great tips, and was very encouraging. After staying the night December 26, most of Margie's family left early the morning of December 27 as it was a workday. Margie, I, and the kids stayed there at the hotel, and we had breakfast together, as well as a photoshoot. Soon we were headed off the next destination once again, Ozamiz City for the annual PSALM reunion, on the northern part of Mindanao, about 5 hours bus ride from Buug.



Family Dinner

Photo by the Pool

Photos with Margie's Family after the Mini Reunion - Dec 27

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