Two weeks in and I’m having a blast. I’ve been busy with orientation at school,
learning about how things work at Cebu International School, (CIS). There are 13 of us new hires and it is a
friendly, lively group, mostly Americans with a few Canadians, one German, a couple of Brits, and Elaine from
China, teaching Mandarin.
I’ve also settled into my new home, pictures below. It is in a gated community, Dona Rita
Village, about half way between the school and town. My home is big with three bedrooms and four
bathrooms, and a small patio for Susie.
There is an air conditioner is each bedroom and hot water in each
bathroom. Not all bathrooms have hot
water. It is mostly furnished, with beds
and a couch and table, but I’ve done a
lot of shopping for the basics, pots, dishes, salt, dish towels, etc. etc.
I’ve tried lots of local food since the school has furnished lunch each day during orientation. They also hosted us at a traditional restaurant and the superintendent had us to his home for a buffet. They is an expression here, it isn’t a party without lechon, (a whole suckling pig) not my favorite. I’ve enjoyed the local fish, lapu lapu, I’ve tasted a wide variety of lumpia too. The local mall has everything from McDonalds to Starbucks to shwarma and tacos. My new favorite is a desert called halo halo.
The people have been awesome. They smile a lot, like me. They are very helpful and most speak English.
The weather has been hot and humid of course. I wonder if I will ever stop sweating! I’ve taken Jeepneys, tricycles and lots of taxis, considering getting a car. Will keep you posted.
Today, Sunday, 6 of us hired a driver to take us around. We visited Magellan’s Cross, the Taoist Temple, the Carbon Market and I finally got to the water! We took a ride along the coast. Back to work tomorrow, with the kids coming Thursday.
Missing you, thinking of you.
click the link for pictures of our sightseeing day.
https://plus.google.com/photos/104308979472323473524/albums/6043295038044241329?authkey=COLzqOmOgpWMVg
