Em_the_Gypsy's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 26th July 2008
lolz...
whew...i've seen worse dan dat... i help dem anyway..but good for u to know how unfortunate kids are,..ur lucky...
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
lolz...
whew...i've seen worse dan dat... i help dem anyway..but good for u to know how unfortunate kids are,..ur lucky...
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Date: 11th March 2008
so nice to see these pictures and your writing. i am very proud of you! and i am very gald to be a Yangshuo ren. hope to see you again! cheers dr.lily
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
so nice to see these pictures and your writing. i am very proud of you! and i am very gald to be a Yangshuo ren. hope to see you again! cheers dr.lily
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 21st January 2008
HI!
First, I want to say, wow! I got interested in the blog title, especially being a Filipina abroad, I hunger for bits of news about my country...You have captured in words the real and unadulterated Philippine experience.. the life in all its simplicity, the people, the culture, and how friendly and caring Filipinos are... being immersed in the provincial life. It is true that because of the poor life and the dream of bringing better lives to our families , a lot of Filipinas, whether single or married, leave our families behind, as self-sacrifice, to do domestic jobs abroad, (a lot fo them teachers by profession, in Hongkong, Europe) or teachers in China, USA, etc. or even get married to foreigners as options or way out... The family is very important to us, and it is our duty to take care of our parents and relatives (didn't marry, w/ no children) when they grow old. Some of our men thinks that the Filipinas, our women, are more capable than them or maybe others are just lazy and enjoys spending the monthly remittance that their Filipina wife is earning abroad....but also a lot of our men are working in the Middle East countries, too. My country, Philippines, is actually experiencing "brain drain", because a lot of the professionals work abroad. Albeit, this is the case, Phlippines is still benefitting due to the monthly remittances(in dollars/pounds/euro) of millions of Filipinos sending money to their families every month.. I'm among them...We are called by our government as the "modern heroes" because we help our economy. On the lighter side, I am working in Guangzhou, China, as a Teacher and have stayed here for 4 years already and can speak their language...Guangzhou is about less than 2 hours drive from Hongkong and Macau...Keep in touch...when you're in China...you know my email address..Safe travels...
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
HI!
First, I want to say, wow! I got interested in the blog title, especially being a Filipina abroad, I hunger for bits of news about my country...You have captured in words the real and unadulterated Philippine experience.. the life in all its simplicity, the people, the culture, and how friendly and caring Filipinos are... being immersed in the provincial life. It is true that because of the poor life and the dream of bringing better lives to our families , a lot of Filipinas, whether single or married, leave our families behind, as self-sacrifice, to do domestic jobs abroad, (a lot fo them teachers by profession, in Hongkong, Europe) or teachers in China, USA, etc. or even get married to foreigners as options or way out... The family is very important to us, and it is our duty to take care of our parents and relatives (didn't marry, w/ no children) when they grow old. Some of our men thinks that the Filipinas, our women, are more capable than them or maybe others are just lazy and enjoys spending the monthly remittance that their Filipina wife is earning abroad....but also a lot of our men are working in the Middle East countries, too. My country, Philippines, is actually experiencing "brain drain", because a lot of the professionals work abroad. Albeit, this is the case, Phlippines is still benefitting due to the monthly remittances(in dollars/pounds/euro) of millions of Filipinos sending money to their families every month.. I'm among them...We are called by our government as the "modern heroes" because we help our economy. On the lighter side, I am working in Guangzhou, China, as a Teacher and have stayed here for 4 years already and can speak their language...Guangzhou is about less than 2 hours drive from Hongkong and Macau...Keep in touch...when you're in China...you know my email address..Safe travels...
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Date: 21st December 2007
Well thank you! It's always nice to be told you rock. :-)
From Blog: The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil
Well thank you! It's always nice to be told you rock. :-)
From Blog: The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil
Date: 19th December 2007
Randomly found you....you rock because a) you're traveling in south america b) you couch surf c) you write well Loving your bloc -irisheyes999
From Blog: The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil
Randomly found you....you rock because a) you're traveling in south america b) you couch surf c) you write well Loving your bloc -irisheyes999
From Blog: The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil
Date: 25th June 2007
Beer!!!
Blimey!!! I have to for a drink with you when you get back!!! Bloody hell, it leaves me speechless (well, almost). Keep that knee in check though... Don't want it falling off mid-flight :) Kx
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Beer!!!
Blimey!!! I have to for a drink with you when you get back!!! Bloody hell, it leaves me speechless (well, almost). Keep that knee in check though... Don't want it falling off mid-flight :) Kx
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 30th May 2007
Hanoi Happiness
So glad you've enjoyed Hanoi - a fascinating place with so much history. Thanks for bringing back many memories, Em, and we'll be sure to share some when you get back. The photos continue to amaze, when words are not enough. What a shame about the knee - you have to watch the local brew, though ... Take care for the rest of your trip, and if you need an editor for your Book later, I am first in line! Loads of love, T.
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Hanoi Happiness
So glad you've enjoyed Hanoi - a fascinating place with so much history. Thanks for bringing back many memories, Em, and we'll be sure to share some when you get back. The photos continue to amaze, when words are not enough. What a shame about the knee - you have to watch the local brew, though ... Take care for the rest of your trip, and if you need an editor for your Book later, I am first in line! Loads of love, T.
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 30th May 2007
Green eye
What an amazing place, hope the knee improves soon, could it be that you are filling up with beer?
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Green eye
What an amazing place, hope the knee improves soon, could it be that you are filling up with beer?
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 29th May 2007
Take care
It all sounds wonderful but watch that knee! you are definitely improving my Geography and increasing my ever present lust to travel. enjoy your time with your mum.
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Take care
It all sounds wonderful but watch that knee! you are definitely improving my Geography and increasing my ever present lust to travel. enjoy your time with your mum.
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 29th May 2007
Were you mown down by a motorbike!
Hey Em! Glad you liked Hanoi!! We were there for New Years and it was magical!! Sorry to hear you are missing Laos though...it was definitly the highlight of Asia for me, but totally understand that you will want to be fit and healthy for that bit of the trip! The buses there are notoriously bad!! Let me know when you get back to Hastings and maybe we can hook up and compare travel stories?
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Were you mown down by a motorbike!
Hey Em! Glad you liked Hanoi!! We were there for New Years and it was magical!! Sorry to hear you are missing Laos though...it was definitly the highlight of Asia for me, but totally understand that you will want to be fit and healthy for that bit of the trip! The buses there are notoriously bad!! Let me know when you get back to Hastings and maybe we can hook up and compare travel stories?
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 29th May 2007
cool
I have ever been to yangshuo, and now u make me have a whim to learn Tai Chi :)casue your pics....Cool
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
cool
I have ever been to yangshuo, and now u make me have a whim to learn Tai Chi :)casue your pics....Cool
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 29th May 2007
Break a leg!
I've been rather out of the frame for a while mainly as a result of too much work and applying for anothetr job that I didn't get. I loved the pictures of the bikes with their enormous loads. It reminds me of me when I used to pop into Sainsburys in Streatham. I would do the weekly shop 'on my bike' and sometimes I really did buy too much. This was a few years ago when my boys were small and drank about 10 litres of apple juice a week EACH! I used to load my panniers, two rucksacs (one on back; one on chest) and numerous pastic bags balance over the crossbar and the handlebars. On one occasion I had to get off and walk as the weight of the rucksacs was too concentrated upon the part of me that met the saddle!!! I must have a bit of Chinese in me! Stephanie told me about your leg; apparently it was too much ice. I thought that was just a problem with consuming gin! Ah! Gotta gotta go as I'm teaching!
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Break a leg!
I've been rather out of the frame for a while mainly as a result of too much work and applying for anothetr job that I didn't get. I loved the pictures of the bikes with their enormous loads. It reminds me of me when I used to pop into Sainsburys in Streatham. I would do the weekly shop 'on my bike' and sometimes I really did buy too much. This was a few years ago when my boys were small and drank about 10 litres of apple juice a week EACH! I used to load my panniers, two rucksacs (one on back; one on chest) and numerous pastic bags balance over the crossbar and the handlebars. On one occasion I had to get off and walk as the weight of the rucksacs was too concentrated upon the part of me that met the saddle!!! I must have a bit of Chinese in me! Stephanie told me about your leg; apparently it was too much ice. I thought that was just a problem with consuming gin! Ah! Gotta gotta go as I'm teaching!
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 28th May 2007
Wow!
Amazing, gorgeous place. I am so happy for you Em! Take care of that knee! xx Sara
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Wow!
Amazing, gorgeous place. I am so happy for you Em! Take care of that knee! xx Sara
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 28th May 2007
Nothging clever to add. Just Hi Your blogs must be next best thing to travelling myself Keep nursing the mysterious knee XX
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Nothging clever to add. Just Hi Your blogs must be next best thing to travelling myself Keep nursing the mysterious knee XX
From Blog: Kunming, Sapa, Hanoi & Halong Bay: China to Vietnam, the joys of Chinese air travel, and the Great Leg Debacle Part II
Date: 27th May 2007
Em! That pic of you doing flying kicks had me in stitches for about 20 minutes! You must be with mum now....gutted.
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Em! That pic of you doing flying kicks had me in stitches for about 20 minutes! You must be with mum now....gutted.
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 23rd May 2007
Take-away?
Wow... and ow, sorry to hear about your leg playing-up again. One question that's been bugging me for a long time is what is the Chinese take on delivery food? E.g. Do people order an "English", or are take-aways not an integral part of the Chinese culture? Anyhow, good to hear that you got your hands on some marmite! And I am taking this chance to challenge you to a round of "sh*t-head" sometime after your return! Kx
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Take-away?
Wow... and ow, sorry to hear about your leg playing-up again. One question that's been bugging me for a long time is what is the Chinese take on delivery food? E.g. Do people order an "English", or are take-aways not an integral part of the Chinese culture? Anyhow, good to hear that you got your hands on some marmite! And I am taking this chance to challenge you to a round of "sh*t-head" sometime after your return! Kx
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 30th April 2007
Great escapism
Hey Em! Great to see you in the Tai chi pics you look the business. Sitting at work reading about your adventues makes me feel very envious but gives me great escapism so keep them coming! Missing you!
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Great escapism
Hey Em! Great to see you in the Tai chi pics you look the business. Sitting at work reading about your adventues makes me feel very envious but gives me great escapism so keep them coming! Missing you!
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 30th April 2007
swizz
I thought your leg had REALLY fallen off. Boring. :-)
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
swizz
I thought your leg had REALLY fallen off. Boring. :-)
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 30th April 2007
You???? Overdramatic!!!
Hi Em. Good reading as usual. Fancy Mike thinking you might be over dramatic! Not like you at all! Thoughts of meeting you in Vietnam now occupying almost ALL of my thoughts. Can't wait to see you. Maybe not quite looking forward to seeing the mozzies though! Keep them coming (journals that is). Love Mum xx
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
You???? Overdramatic!!!
Hi Em. Good reading as usual. Fancy Mike thinking you might be over dramatic! Not like you at all! Thoughts of meeting you in Vietnam now occupying almost ALL of my thoughts. Can't wait to see you. Maybe not quite looking forward to seeing the mozzies though! Keep them coming (journals that is). Love Mum xx
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 30th April 2007
It Was Good Havin' Yez
Sorry about the mix-up on the China visa. We'll get up to the countryside next trip. Have a great further trip!
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
It Was Good Havin' Yez
Sorry about the mix-up on the China visa. We'll get up to the countryside next trip. Have a great further trip!
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 30th April 2007
i have this vague memory of two friends.......
thanks for the postcard - it looks awesome, wish I could be there. Nice to see you've got rid of your overdramatic tendencies and played it cool about the leg. (hehe) Good to hear from you. Hope it all goes well.
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
i have this vague memory of two friends.......
thanks for the postcard - it looks awesome, wish I could be there. Nice to see you've got rid of your overdramatic tendencies and played it cool about the leg. (hehe) Good to hear from you. Hope it all goes well.
From Blog: Hong Kong, Guangzhou & (finally) Yangshuo: (Nearly) finding inner peace, and the small matter of my leg falling off . . .
Date: 16th April 2007
interesting
Age and weight are viewed differently in asian countries than they are in western countries. So because they are with and older man, doesn't always mean they are so unlucky. Many of those men treat them better than locals men ever would, and they are also able and willing to help their families. Many women in the Philippines, when given a choice, would chose the caucasion over the filipino simply because they are treated better by them, and given opportunites that they would otherwise never have in life.
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
interesting
Age and weight are viewed differently in asian countries than they are in western countries. So because they are with and older man, doesn't always mean they are so unlucky. Many of those men treat them better than locals men ever would, and they are also able and willing to help their families. Many women in the Philippines, when given a choice, would chose the caucasion over the filipino simply because they are treated better by them, and given opportunites that they would otherwise never have in life.
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Date: 14th April 2007
Wow
Wow Em!!! Once in a lifetime, if you're lucky........ You're obviously a very lucky lady. Lost for words. XX
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Wow
Wow Em!!! Once in a lifetime, if you're lucky........ You're obviously a very lucky lady. Lost for words. XX
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Date: 9th April 2007
speechless
actually speechless for a change- totally................ no try as i might i am speechlees. x x x
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
speechless
actually speechless for a change- totally................ no try as i might i am speechlees. x x x
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .
Juan
non-member comment
WOW
I worked as an doctor for 14 island villages in the Philippines for 2 years and I must say that you beat my experiences with the night swimming with phosphorescent algae and doing laundry by the river. My life changed too when I once went tide pooling for edible mollusks with the kids and when I offerred them some money for an afternoon's work, their parents told them to return the money to me because they don't want the kids to expect money for good deeds. You have been truly blessed to have met Tao and have been able to experience something only very few have had the privelege to experience... even for Filipino standards. I can only assume that you are a peron with a very enlightened mind and a huge heart to have been rewarded by fate with such an experience. This is one of the best travel blogs I have read, and just the story I was looking for before going to bed. Safe travels to you Emily! Rock on!
From Blog: Philippines: To boldly go where no Western woman has gone before . . .