Experiences Typical Tourists Would Never Have

December 22, 2008 (Naga, PI): When traveling, I love to experience things most tourists never have a chance to experience. I enjoy meeting the people, seeing their homes, trying their food, and seeing how they live their lives. Monday was full of experiences a typical tourist would never have! We started the day off with a shopping trip to the Naga Market. President Smith told us we could find anything we want (or don't want) at the Naga Market. Along with all the flip flops, hand bags, cell phone covers, flip flops, brooms, woven mats, used clothes, flip flops, fruits, vegetables, and did I mention flip flops.....you can buy your meat! Plug your nose for the following pictures. I tried to hold my breathe but I couldn't make it through the meat department fast enough!

Anyone want some meat?

How about some...sausage?

Skip the next picture if you have a weak stomach. This is a chicken split right open with all it's innards intact, including developing eggs. Ewww!

How about fuchsia colored eggs? A favorite food here is duck eggs with a developed embryo called Baloot. We decided to pass on it.

You can pick from a variety of flowers and make your own bouquet if you'd like. Much better than the meat department, right?

Sister Smith had dropped us off while she went grocery shopping so we had to catch a Jeepney back to the mission home. This one wasn't as full as the previous one we had ridden, so we were able to take some pictures.

The Naga Zone missionaries invited us to join them at the Mariano's home for lechon (roasted pig). I think my arteries are clogging! This was the third time having lechon. The Mariano family joined the church four months ago. They used to hide from the missionaries until one day Sister Mariano said, "Why are we hiding from them?" They welcomed the missionaries into their home and have been a great addition to the ward since joining the church. Sister Mariano was so excited to have us in her home! We had to walk through rice fields to get there. The Mariano's have a cement home and considered themselves "rich" when they had a vehicle. As a result of a death in the family they had to sell their vehicle, so now they are not "rich." What a humble people these Filipinos are!

Walking through the rice fields

The lechon still cooking

A family friend chopped the top off of coconuts so we could have a drink. It was delicious!

We ate the fresh coconut, which was also delicious!

We paid a visit to the pump before leaving. Here President Smith pumps the water for me so I can wash my hands.

President Smith and Amy as we hiked out of the rice fields.

What an adventure! We had such a great time visiting with the Mariano family. I dare you to try to find a tourist excursion that would compare with an experience like this one! Not only did we enjoy the company of great people, but we had real honest to goodness Filipino food, sat in their home, walked through their fields, and caught of glimpse of life as a Filipino.

Monday evening we went shopping again. This time we were in search of Orchids! President Smith has been admiring the Orchids they have here, so Sister Smith decided Orchids would make a great Christmas gift.

The local Nursery

Orchids!

I'm still unsure what Ube is, but we had Ube ice cream after dinner that night. From what I understand, Ube is a root. Google calls Ube a purple yam. The ice cream was VERY purple!!!