Exploring Old and New Haunts

Don't worry. We haven't joined the circus, or a fast-food chain for that matter. Here we are at the mall near our place, our first night exploring the area. Thanks to Derek for taking this photo for us with his cell phone. Despite his very distinguished body of work, this may be his best shot yet. Or maybe the subject matter is just that good.

Yesterday, we took a day trip up to Pampanga province with friends to see their farm, which was quite nice. In truth, the real reason to go seemed to be to eat a fantastic feast that never quite stopped, including a fresh roasted turkey that wasn't bought from a store but raised on their very own farm. It was moister than any Thanksgiving turkey I have eaten. After we sat and digested for an hour or so, out came more food. Needless to say, it was a good day.

Pampanga is north of the city, and Metro Manila itself is massive so that's saying a lot. Though only 40 miles away the way the crow flies, it was a several hour trip. We stopped in Manila on the way back to drop off friends and wait out the high traffic rush in the evening. Jaya and Grover, whom we brought to the farm, therefore got their first trip to our old haunt, the Oarhouse. They were well-behaved all day, and Grover did not so much as look askance at a chicken, which we took as a very good sign for her future farm-friendliness. They were a little sensory overloaded in Manila, but they liked the Oar (it's air-conditioned) and everyone there was nice to them. Thanks to Derek again for taking the following photo of the whole Wallace clan. (Don't worry...the dogs don't drink.)The final milestone for the evening was driving home--ourselves. A friend lent us his car and I drove in Asia for the first time in my life. Though I am not sure it counts since there was no traffic--it's not really Manila without traffic. Each step though is making the place more and more like home.