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Published: February 21st 2010
Apo Village
This is part of the village. Every morning there is a procession to the sea to gather food and water.The last few days I've been in Dumaguete City. I'm staying in a dorm with 5 guys, all from different parts of Europe. We are all disbanding today and at breakfast I brought up how amazing it is to travel solo. Yes, it can be difficult and lonely, at times dangerous. But, it really allows a person to live in the now.
Speaking of living, my home is Apo Island now. I was chatting with some people, explaining what I was doing here, yada, yada...and they pointed out how I now live in the Philippines. Funny how powerful a statement like that can be. I didn't think of my situation in that sense, but it is true, this is home. I'm teaching science, math and english on Apo and helping coordinate a triathlon they'll host in April. There are around 800 people that call the island home. Its a really amazing story of dedication, sacrifice and sustainability. Around 20 years ago they created a marine sanctuary and have been relying on tourism and sustainable fishing practices to live more harmoniously with nature. I say dedication and sacrifice because how do you tell a fisherman not to take fish when he
Forest Well
Fresh (read still salty) well water is so refreshing! has a hungry child crying for food. Life is hard here. No running water, electricity for a few hours at night (if the generator isn't broken) and all the drinking water has to be brought from the mainland...same with food. Its very rocky and gardening is hard!
I usually don't brag, but bear with me because I'm going to. First, let me point out that I have a phobia of the ocean and swimming. After almost drowning, twice, its been a challenge to overcome. I can happily say that for the first time in 11 years I swam in the ocean by myself without freaking out! To get to the island we take a 30 min boat ride and I actually enjoy it. I love snorkeling! I became friends with a local guide here and we go a lot. Each time I think he won't come with me again as I stay out there for hours. I've also (mostly) adjusted to the bugs here. I realized it yesterday when I was eating lunch. I unconsciously started squishing the ants that accompanied my food in with my handfulls of rice. When I noticed what I was doing, I just let
Water Baby
I've lost track of how many hours I've spent snorkeling. out a little chuckle and kept on eating. Who wants to take the time to pick out all the ants anyway, I was hungry! Each night there is power for a few hours. I was disappointed last week when I turned on the light one night and nothing scurried away. Usually its a rat, cockroaches, maybe a millipede or two...never really know!
My two best non-human companions are the gecko that lives in my room and a dog I've named Scratch. The gecko because its beautiful, strange and eats the mad amount of bugs that live with us. Scratch, well because he's a dog that somehow finds me during the day, follows me around and then goes home, wherever that is. I notice nobody really pets him. Perhaps because he's constantly itching himself...
I've been accepted into an institute in Thailand that will award me an English teaching certificate. Twenty four other teachers and I will train for 3 weeks in April and then be placed in a public school. We have no idea where in Thailand, but thats actually really exciting to me. We get paid and will be there until September. Who knows what will happen
Six fit comfortably
Six people, a tank of explosive gas, remote mountain road and a motorbike. This message brought to you by Ron Forbes, OMSI Safety Manager. after that! Ideas anyone 😊
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Amanda Thomas
non-member comment
Ha!
Sounds wonderful! I'm sure it's tough to live without the regular amenities of "civilization", but I'm also sure that it's really rewarding and certainly a fun adventure. Have you forwarded that picture to Ron? :-) -A