Sunday, December 28, 2008

Saturday is a Special Day

December 27, 2008: One of our favorite things here has been the mangoes. Rosemary started our addiction to Mango shakes the first day we were here. Since then, we've had Mango shakes at every opportunity. Then, last Sunday, my mom made us Mango Crepes! Well, there really isn't anything better, I can tell you! So, it was one of our last meal requests and we had them for breakfast on Saturday. Yum!



We realized Friday night that Saturday would be our last shopping day in Naga before heading home. So we arranged for my dad to drive us down to the Naga Market for some last minute souvenir shopping. My dad dropped us off at the corner and said, "I'll park on the Horse Street and meet you there when you are finished shopping." So, off Terri and I go to do our shopping-buying little gifts for the folks back home-and maneuvering our way through the maze that is the Naga Market. Here's Terri standing at the entrance to one of the maze hallways of the market.





A little over an hour later we were done and it was time to find my dad. The only problem? I didn't know where "Horse Street" was. So we circled the block where we'd been shopping thinking maybe he had found a parking spot in the area. No luck! Tricee drivers kept offering to drive us where we needed to go and I was just about to say, "Let's go back the Mission Home" when Terri suggested we walk down one more street. Ta-DA! We see a horse-drawn cart! "We must be on horse street!" And just a few more feet down the street, parked and hiding behind a Jeepney, was my dad. Whew! He had been getting nervous when it took so long for us to show up (uh, yeah, we were shopping!) and called my mom to tell her we were lost. Next time we'll take a cell phone!

The day started out with sunshine, but by lunch time, it was looking pretty overcast and was windy. Our afternoon activity was spending a few hours at the beach at Pasacao--the one we briefly visited on Christmas Day. We spent a few hours just taking our time enjoying the ocean air, eating some lunch, collecting shells, dipping our toes in the water, and visiting with Elder and Sister West. Here's a great photo of the Wests relaxing in the Nipa Hut.


Here's the Wests and my parents relaxing in the Nipa Hut.


And here's Terri on the beach.


And us in the water. That's about as deep as we went because it was so cold. But we got wet with the rain.



After lunch Terri and I walked down the beach collecting shells. We found some really great ones-interesting colors, fun shapes, various sizes.

At one point, the beach curves a bit and there is a huge collection of shells and coral. Most are pretty small and as we were looking at them, we realized they were moving! There were hundreds of little itty-bitty crabs in tiny little shells all crawling over the beach. We took my parents down to explore and guess what my dad discovered? They may be little, but they sure can pinch! Here's a few photos of the shells and the little crabs. Here's a photo of my dad holding a little crab.



We ended the day at the Naga Stake YM/YW activity. The theme was "Voices and Graces" and each unit (7 wards & 2 branches) gave a presentation of song and dance. The first thing we noticed when we arrived was all the different types of vehicles in the parking lot--Jeepneys, Tricees, Motor Scooters, bikes, and just as we arrived a big open bed truck arrived full with members! The cultural hall was already packed with people too. The presentations were pretty good. I was amazed at the talent and willingness of the youth to perform. Here are a few photos from the presentations.




Camaligan Branch YW after their performance. We Tweety and Twinkle Lopez on Christmas Eve

(they're the two wearing jackets).

One of the wards singing Christmas songs.

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