30 days and one
We have officially passed the 30th day mark plus one. We arrived in California last March 29 and I'd like to review what we did so far.
Amazing things have happened since we arrived. The phrase "what dreams are made of", is close to what we have experienced so far.
It is true what they say about your first days in America will be - meeting new people, going to interesting places, eating whatever food you want. With that you need to sharpen your memory to be able to catch the names of the people you meet; sharpen your observation skills for the places you'll visit; sharpen your wits on how to manage the food intake you are likely to meet.
PLACES WHERE WE HAVE BEEN (Check out the Gallery)
So far we have been to the Sequoia National Forest to see the oldest living thing and to experience snow for the first time. It's difficult to describe in words what the feeling was - it is better experienced. The snow and the oldest living thing are great natural wonders - for a Pinoy.
Next we visited Las Vegas, Nevada to see the famous "Sin City" and see the biggest gold nugget in the world - we stayed at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. Walked around the "strip" 'til 2:00 am. Watched stretch limousines pass by - really long vehicles. We saw the little chapels where one can get married 27/7. It's an interesting city but you have to be there to really enjoy it. Nope, we did not gamble.
Newport and Huntington are coastal cities and have beautiful beaches. We went on a Sunday, just in time to join the beach-goers. There are lots of things to do along the beach. Surfing, walking, biking, roller-blading, watching, listening to a live band play beach music - like the Beach Boys- and a lot more.
FOOD WE HAVE EATEN
We have a neighbor who's a retired Philippine Air Force seargent who told us that we eat the same food as the rich. Back in the Philippines we can only dream about food - the thick slab of juicy steaks; the prawns; the chocolates, the candies, just the things we get hear or watch. But here we eat what we want to. Food is relatively cheap.
Often we are invited to family gatherings. At these affairs Filipino food is common - pancit, pinapaitan, pritong isda, adobo, salads, the same party food we have back home. There are Filipino stores that sell Philippine products. What I miss are the fresh vegetables - saluyot, paria, utong, tarong - the produce for pinakbet. Yes, they are available but are frozen and vacuum sealed. Does not taste the same as the fresh ones. Candies, softdrinks -they call it soda, cereals, fruits, etc. are abundant and with $20 you can walk home with a lot already.
PEOPLE WE HAVE MET
Most of the people we met are heaven-sent. They have provided us with the support we needed. The Tolentino family, who hails from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte has been most helpful. They are our inspiration. They are examples of what we can be in a few years - still with a close knit family but with the needed resources for a comfortable life. Manong Roger and Manang Isabel has been mentoring us since we arrived. Showing us what we should do and not do. Introducing us to people and making sure we are doing O.K. There's Dr. Esposo whose sense of humor is infectious; Manong Gerry Tolentino whose passion for the Philippines is ever so increasing also has a generous heart. Dr. Omar, a brilliant fellow from Apayao and a techie keeps us entertained with his shopping adventures - hunting for the best deals around. Jhun and Grace with their two kids keep my daughter company. Mercy, the ever cautious driver and her nanay who is as motherly. We are surrounded by Filipino families ready with a smile and helping hands if needed.
Amazing things have happened since we arrived. The phrase "what dreams are made of", is close to what we have experienced so far.
It is true what they say about your first days in America will be - meeting new people, going to interesting places, eating whatever food you want. With that you need to sharpen your memory to be able to catch the names of the people you meet; sharpen your observation skills for the places you'll visit; sharpen your wits on how to manage the food intake you are likely to meet.
PLACES WHERE WE HAVE BEEN (Check out the Gallery)
So far we have been to the Sequoia National Forest to see the oldest living thing and to experience snow for the first time. It's difficult to describe in words what the feeling was - it is better experienced. The snow and the oldest living thing are great natural wonders - for a Pinoy.
Next we visited Las Vegas, Nevada to see the famous "Sin City" and see the biggest gold nugget in the world - we stayed at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. Walked around the "strip" 'til 2:00 am. Watched stretch limousines pass by - really long vehicles. We saw the little chapels where one can get married 27/7. It's an interesting city but you have to be there to really enjoy it. Nope, we did not gamble.
Newport and Huntington are coastal cities and have beautiful beaches. We went on a Sunday, just in time to join the beach-goers. There are lots of things to do along the beach. Surfing, walking, biking, roller-blading, watching, listening to a live band play beach music - like the Beach Boys- and a lot more.
FOOD WE HAVE EATEN
We have a neighbor who's a retired Philippine Air Force seargent who told us that we eat the same food as the rich. Back in the Philippines we can only dream about food - the thick slab of juicy steaks; the prawns; the chocolates, the candies, just the things we get hear or watch. But here we eat what we want to. Food is relatively cheap.
Often we are invited to family gatherings. At these affairs Filipino food is common - pancit, pinapaitan, pritong isda, adobo, salads, the same party food we have back home. There are Filipino stores that sell Philippine products. What I miss are the fresh vegetables - saluyot, paria, utong, tarong - the produce for pinakbet. Yes, they are available but are frozen and vacuum sealed. Does not taste the same as the fresh ones. Candies, softdrinks -they call it soda, cereals, fruits, etc. are abundant and with $20 you can walk home with a lot already.
PEOPLE WE HAVE MET
Most of the people we met are heaven-sent. They have provided us with the support we needed. The Tolentino family, who hails from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte has been most helpful. They are our inspiration. They are examples of what we can be in a few years - still with a close knit family but with the needed resources for a comfortable life. Manong Roger and Manang Isabel has been mentoring us since we arrived. Showing us what we should do and not do. Introducing us to people and making sure we are doing O.K. There's Dr. Esposo whose sense of humor is infectious; Manong Gerry Tolentino whose passion for the Philippines is ever so increasing also has a generous heart. Dr. Omar, a brilliant fellow from Apayao and a techie keeps us entertained with his shopping adventures - hunting for the best deals around. Jhun and Grace with their two kids keep my daughter company. Mercy, the ever cautious driver and her nanay who is as motherly. We are surrounded by Filipino families ready with a smile and helping hands if needed.
I can only agree, as per experience, the first few days will always be something very interesting that will be very memorable for the rest of our lives. Enjoy all the blessings coming your way "kabsat" Alvin.
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