City Streets--My Retreat>>

First off...life continues 2 rock--yesterday I jumped an easy jeepney to a beach where I layed on black sand and snorkelled with a feeding Leatherback Turtle and copious fish. Today involved an hour long massage for $4US, this update, a smile upon my face, and the known city of Dumaguete beneath my feet.

Photo Pholder: Got some new photos for ya in Dinagyang of the festival in Iloilo City on the 26-28 of January 2007; begins with this one.

Reads: The wonderful short story, "The Heart of Darkness" (Conrad) that inspired the movie "Apocalypse Now"...well, that and a hole heap of drugs taken in the jungle heat. The movie was mostly made in the Philippines...not Vietnam.

Music: If you ever wanted Elliot Smith to jam with The Dead (shorter sessions of course) you should no doubt check out Sparrow House, the album "Falls". A side project of the keyboardist and guitarist, Jared Van Fleet, of Voxtrot...much darker than the upbeat and FANTASTICALLY ass-moving Voxtrot, but none-the-less great musical ability demonstrated. My fave tracks are "Foxes, Sighing Like a Furnace"--a song you could happily hum walking in golden fields--and, "Last Fall", which won my heart with the poignancy of the horns in their longing moan. Click listen of Feb 1 posting and Hype Machine will give you a pop-up menu where you can click and listen to every track on the album...enjoy.

I also revisited The Cloud Room, most recently while on Jawili Beach, doing my late night dancing and shouting into the din of waves; sleepless nights can invoke shameless, yet liberating actions...and often convert me into a child. Much more upbeat than the above recommended...check out Hey Now Now, their first track of the "Hey Now Now" album.

Flics: I was very pleased to watch the presently relevant film, "Blood Diamond" directed by Edward Zwick. Although it was very holywood in so many aspects and sub-plots, I've lately been able to understand the need to reach a wider audience for a greater purpose; at the very least the lame love affair didn't end in predictable sex...nor even a kiss--this deserves a bit of respect. But do be aware of several instances of serious inconsistencies and "RU kidding me" gut disturbances. DiCaprio has rarely done better stuff--if for nothing other than the nature of the material--and the theme of the film--TIA (This Is Africa)--lashes out at an ounce of our ignorance and indolent denial of some major defecation upon humanity going on there.

Josh--The start of the post is the most I can offer with respect to the turtle...underwater cameras R just too damn $$$ and rare in these parts...why don't you come and satiate the longing you have for the reptilian delight first hand. The volcano thing might actually work out l8r.

The other 2 random readers--You never gave me any "assignment" with regard to this country; ie. P-Quest Post.


Plans of l8 R ever changing. Moving south to the infamous and feared island of Mindanao where I'll try to stoke my adrenaline in an "Adventure Park", visit a very potential "my kinda place" island, Camiguin, and try to sneak out unnoticed.

I continue to be baffled by Philippine "normalcies"...the videoke channel on cable t.v., every boy yearning to sing a love song, then quelling that desire via Celine, Whitney, or some other totally non-intuitive medium. I love the old woman who passes me in every different village; first, her look of curiosity, then a loving/welcoming smile to which I reveal mine with a "hello ma." The smell of dried fish, of urine baking in the sun, the children that take their afternoon bath in the sea by the harbor, then swim past "security", climb a mooring rope, to reach the "don't go area" where tourists tote their superfluous luggage. I've come to thoroughly enjoy the seeking out of an eatery that offers "pots"--that is "taro-taru" or "point and select" food that is contained in cooking pots on a table outside the establishment...and of course the lovely owners who serve me in disbelief; not sure if I really know what I'm asking for.




Philippinos R so warm, so full of spirit--most notably when intoxicated--and I'm constantly reminded how great this country is. It's asia with the perfect dash of South America. It's foreign but familiar; it's honest, it's brutal, it's human, it's understanding, communal, yet distinct. It's forgiving, but proud and hot-tempered. It's rice, but with the option of bread...it's eating a whole chicken with only a fork and spoon. It's a basketball court in every village. It's eat, drink, and be merry with unconditional dancing. It's dealing with life and whatever she gives you. It's "bahala na"...come what may, there's no rush, it's all good! It's everywhere I want 2B in this moment...and for more reasons than I can name, the fountain of my elation that I've extended my visa another 2 months and will have to brave the beginning of the wet season in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. No regrets and all rewards...I've not even left and yet I know I'll return...return to these faces and so many more akin.