Bacolod & The Family

I arrived in Bacolod and I was so excited to see Leila. I met her in England as she was a friend of Ruth's. It was going to be great spending my last 6 weeks with a friendly, familiar face. She picked me up from the airport with their driver and we headed back. I was going to stay with her and her family an hour from the city. How cool is that!

Leila and I at the Mall

The house was huge in Filipino standards. They have 2. The main house has 3 bedrooms, a huge dining area, a family room, 2 kitchens (inside and out) and 2 terraces. The bathroom has a working western toilet and the shower only has cold water but to be honest its a god send, its soooo hot here. Her family are lovely. It was all girls apart from little Pedro...the cook and cleaner's son. It seems that most of the children live with the grandparent here. For example, her sister lives on a farm a few minutes from here but her children live here.

That night Leila took me a small village to visit the beach at sunset. It was breathtaking. All the local kids followed us there and laughed and joked as we took pictures. After we went to Kennedy's home (the driver) and I met his family and had a few beers. What an amazing experience I was going to have here.

The next day we chilled out and in the evening we were off to the local church for the Easter Thursday parade. Didn't know we would be in it! We chose a float and walked beside it with the rest of the church. I'm not religious at all but I felt so privileged. By this time i'd realised that not only was I one of few westerners in the town but the only female one too. Everyone kept coming up to Leila asking who I was and saying hello. I've never met more friendly people.

One of the Easter floats

The next day was another lazy day. Not much to do over Easter weekend here. We headed back to the church at night for the bigger parade. We were just going to watch this time. The local police invited us to sit with them at their station and watch it. They were so lovely (even if they were armed!) and really funny. They spoke to me and asked me lots of questions about home. Their English here is really good and I felt at ease talking to anybody. Leila bought me some famous Bacolod BBQ chicken....wow I've never tasted anything like it.

Michaela (Leila's daughter), Natalie and Pedra in a bikini...I mean Pedro

Cute little Pedro. The girls tease him rotten, dress him up as a girl and paint his nails lol

On Saturday we went Renee's home (another worker of the family) for karaoke. I needed a drink first so they bought 2 bottle of brandy. Its fair to say they couldn't get me off it after a while. Screaming cats had nothing on me. It was so funny.

On Sunday we went to a small local resort at the beach. I was a little 'peaky' lets say from the evening before but it was a good day. We went with the whole family and had a BBQ. The kids had a great time. Got lots of stares and people asking about me but I didn't mind and I met neighbour after neighbour haha.

The next weekend we went to Boracay....but thats another post.

I asked Leila one day about getting some professional photos done, don't know why I thought of it, but she said it was definitely possible so we arranged it. The day of the shoot I was a little nervous. I wanted sexy shots and I wanted to show off my new body which was now 2 stone lighter than when I left for Asia. When the woman did my makeup and I thought 'oh shit I look like a bleedin trannie' haha but it looked better in the camera.

The woman who took the pics was a sadist i'm sure. Here are a few lines that took place....

'suck your tummy in'....'I bleedin am, it wont go in anymore!'

'straighten your back, drop your arm and lean this way'....'no love it just doesn't go that way trust me'

'look up, no further up'.....'jesus I can't roll my eyes to the back of my head you know'

'suck your tummy in, more'......'ffs!'

'move you shoulder forward and twist your neck this way'.....'contrary to belief, I wasn't in the exorcist!'

Worth the pain

Honestly, when we'd finished every muscle hurt in my body. Who needs a workout, just have a shoot with this crackpot haha. I must admit, the photo's turned out great although I was pissed off she made me look whiter! I'd spent 7 months getting this bleedin tan!

We went off to Boracay again but for a week this time and I was to collect my pictures on return.

Leila flies to Manila on Monday leaving me here alone with the family. Its making me a little nervous. They are amazing and we all do our own thing but they keep trying to feed me and its not that i'm not grateful because I really am. I just don't have an appetite anymore and eating rice and fish for breakfast doesn't quite float my boat. I'd rather just buy small things like noodles, toast, spam (yes spam!!! whoop!), and make my own snacks when i'm hungry. It feels like I dont appreciate their cooking but really I am now eating to live and not living to eat. A first for me haha.

EAT IT!!!

mmmmm spaaaaaam

Leila assured me that they don't mind at all its just that mama is worried I dont eat enough, bless her. Decided I'm going to make them a chilli at the weekend. They have everything I need here and I can't wait. Was going to make spag bol but they like it sweet here....go figure. Mine is quite rich and may not go down well with the kids.

Well, announced on Facebook my coming home date and everyone is so excited. Brought a tear to my eye. I have had an absolutely amazing time in Asia but I am ready to come home and see my friends and family. Plus my money is almost gone haha.

Read about my experiences.....coming soon.