Typing Up Old Blog Posts: Last Days in Aeta

July 24

Today is my last day in the Aeta community of Camachili.  We leave to go back to Manila tomorrow morning.  As sad as it is to say goodbye to the new friends and greenery, it will be nice to go back to the familiar and rest a bit. 

Yesterday, we went to visit another Methodist Missionary church in the area.  We started out with a wet walk down to another church, Evangel Christian Church, to wait for our jeepney driver (who is also Pastor Leslie's brother).  Then we set off on the most fun and interesting jeepney ride to date.  It was a bit like what I imagine and African safari would be like.  Not in the sense of spotting animals, although there were plenty of caribou, cows, goats and more.  But more so in the ride, fording giant puddles, bouncing up and down on the uneven roads, and having reeds and branches come in the windows and whack us.  It was quite the adventure. 

After driving as far as the road would allow, we set off on what would be an hour long hike through the mountains.  The views were incredible! It was muddy and we had to cross the river a couple times, but overall it was a fairly easy hike.  Every so often we'd come across a caribou or a cow just off the path.  Upon our arrival, we were able to wash our feet off and meet in the sanctuary.  We all needed the rest.  We ate some corn on the cob (not as good as in Jersey) before sitting down for lunch in the pastor's house behind the church. 

Pastor Arlene and her husband Aron were recently married.  The banner for their wedding still hung on the wall.  Pastor Arlene is only 25 (I think) and yet at such a young age she new she was called to be a pastor. 

After lunch, we split into two groups to visit members of the congregation.  They didn't speak English and the young girls leading us around were rather shy with their English so we mostly just greeted the families, saw their houses, and left.  One man owned and raised 41 goats.  At another family we met the Lola, or Grandmother.  She was 79 years old and had lived there all her life.  She also had inch thick glasses that were cracked and taped together on one side.  At that house I also met my kitty friend who I played with.  We left the house and he (or she) tried to follow, but was unable to.  I can still here him (or her) meowing goodbye. <tear>

We walked back to the church for a break and then said our goodbyes and headed back.  I found little pink/purple flowers to put in my hair.  I found one for Nicole to pin at the bottom of her braid too.  On the hike back we also found some red hibiscus looking flowers.  The guy who owned the house let me and Nicole each have one.  After getting tired of carrying it, I put it that one in my ponytail.  Nicole followed suit and twisted her hair up into a pretty updo with the flower on top.  I eventually let my flower float down the river that night when we returned and went swimming.

Today, I spent another day with Teacher Juliet.  This time kids actually came to class since it wasn't raining that hard.  They were learning body parts.  She was teaching them the English words while I was trying to pick up what they were called in the local dialect.  They sang the national anthem (at least I'm pretty sure that's what it was) before they started.  They also prayed, repeating back what Teacher Juliet said.  They had play time and story time.  I wanted to teach them the song Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, but I didn't want to interrupt her.  So when she asked if I wanted to teach a song for the afternoon class, I knew exactly what I would teach.  The 4 year old class is much more responsive and engaged than the 3 year old class.  They picked the motions up, but I'm not sure the English words came across well.  Later, Nicole showed up from her homestay and together we taught our go-to song which I'm going to call Paige's song because she's the one who taught us.  We did Head Shoulders Knees and Toes again and then called it a day.

We finished by swimming in the river for the last time.  I'm so glad we were able to have this escape and relaxation time in the river.  I look forward to heading back tomorrow.  They promised we would be able to stop and pick up some local peanut butter and local root plant cookies to take back with us.  I haven't personally tried the peanut butter but I've been told it's excellent.  And I can vouch for the cookies with the empty container we left in Pastor Leslie's kitchen!