I am impressed, you kept up with us

Thank you to all of our readers who kept up while we shared our Philippines trip. It was hard living without the internet especially when I have it at my fingertips all of time time whether it is at work, in my car, or in a cave. I can't live without iVan the iPhone or Marcia the Macbook, but wait, I did. For two weeks I did.

I will get back to retail life shortly but I shall basque a little more in my rude awakenings and teachings of the Philippines.

Finally, you have all waited for this one...really? If you're interested visit my youtube channel for videos of us in action at http://www.youtube.com/user/PSILoveSpam

Going to the Philppines? Here are some tips

There are some things we compiled while travelling...some tips if you are going to the Philippines especially if you are Filipino American like us. Or in Michael's case, a white guy. No matter what, they can spot an American, asian or not.

1. Dress for the weather. It is really hot and humid. Maybe even bring a hanky or small towel if you sweat a lot. You will see a lot of people wearing towels around their necks.

2. Tsinelas (flip flops, slippers, etc) are acceptable pretty much anywhere. Construction workers, road crews, etc. wear them on duty too. Oh, and perfect for playing basketball, and even riding horses up a mountain.

3. Be prepared to take cold showers. Hot water is a commodity. Good point though, supposedly cold water is good for your hair.

4. Bring immodium and other things to help your tummy. Remember, their food is different even if you eat filipino food often here in the states. Their health regulations are different too. Joyce thinks "do they have any actual regs?"

5. Only drink bottled water. Sometimes you can get nicer restaurants to serve purified water from their "fountain" but you have to be very careful. It is advised even if you are brushing your teeth. Also, make sure the ice is purified or from a legitimate vendor. It can get tricky.

6. Wear a money belt, sling bag that is not easy to get into or a neck pouch to keep your passport and money on you when going out.

7. when you get your money exchanged try to get small bills like 20's and 50's. Cashiers like smaller bills and exact change.

8. If you take a taxi, make sure he will use the meter before riding with him. Sometimes they will have a flat fee to rip you off especially if you are a tourist. You could be paying 500 pesos for a ride that is really 120 pesos. Be careful. Locals are even skeptical of taxis in the Philppines especially in Manila.

9. With any public transportation know how much they are going to charge you before you hop in. (Tricycle, jeepney, taxi, etc.) Hire a driver during your stay if you can. It is so much more convenient and a lot safer.

10. Most restaurants already charge a 10% service charge to your total bill.

11. Bring toilet paper/tissues and hand sanitizer into any public restroom. You cannot guarantee that there is any supplies in there for you to use. Sometimes there is a toilet paper roll outside of the bathroom for everyone to share.

12. Restrooms are called Comfort Rooms or CR's. "Where is the CR?"

13. Mangoes are delicious, but they can cause severe tummy aches if you eat too many.

14. Prepare yourself for a mysterious smell that lingers from sewage

15. A small child asking for money, a little old lady guiding her blind husband while holding a cup asking for money... beware. it's a scam. and lock your doors. that's when they come out of the woodworks - at red lights!

16. The way they drive in traffic is completely normal and honking the horn and flashing your high beams at people is a source of communication, not road rage.

House call

Three ladies dressed in white are here for our massages. Mario and are waiting for our massage. Michael, Joyce, and Paul are in their rooms right now getting pampered. It is kind of weird I know. But hey, that's how it rolls here. Mario has been making fun of me waiting while my husband is in *my* room with the lady dressed in white. Here is Mario and I waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

The tall white guy

Name: Michael Occupation: My husband, the tall white guy with the 4 filipinos

Someone said Michael would be our lighthouse of the group before we left for the Philippines. His height comes in handy when we have to look for each other in the store. Paul even said, I thought I saw you and Joyce like 4 times already when we were shopping in the giant Landmark Department store.

As far as Michael and his height, the plane can be a little unfriendly because the guy needs room, meaning I always get to sit in a row with him that has a lot of leg room. On the way to Detroit, we sat in an emergency exit aisle, score. From Detroit to Japan we sat in the very first row of our section meaning the giant movie screen was, bam, right in front of us. But, we had a lot of leg room. (speaking of the plane ride over on both legs...I could write another long post about that...funny stuff)

Now, getting into a small cab is not in his favor. The Toyota cabs here are pretty small. The taxi vans are ok. That reminds me...the traffic. That could be another post.

He has been a good sport and he might be getting his wish if we could find a flight out of here to Palawan. Nice.

The crew

Hopefully I can follow up with a picture from the airplane or something. Who is this adventuresome crew?

Gina & Mike Ivey- we believe it was Mike that came up with this idea of going to the Philippines
Joyce & Paul Oandasan- then the blame was shifted to Joyce I think sometime down the road
Mario Baylon- Joyce's brother and inspiration for our trip

2 weeks. Many islands. No snow. Blessed be.

Vacation, come to mama

Ever since my twitter post of "vaca, come to mama", it's remained my motto since. So, three days ago I was starting to end the wrapping up from work, home, and other. My usual vacation happens during the summer and again at Christmas. I've even ventured out my box into September vacations for its bargain house rentals and post summer abuse status in the Outer Banks. Last year I ditched my September routine and headed to Las Vegas for a giant bachelorette party with 30 other people.

This year I step even farther out and planned my first trip overseas. This time next week I will be the Philippines. Along with me with be some very dear friends, all of us without children, yet. We thought last summer, hey, let's do it, while we still have the chance. And there, ladies and gentlemen, brings us to today. I am three days shy of getting on my first 23 hour flight to paradise and the culture I call my own. Not to mention, the amount of shopping I do will be immense.

Vacation recap

Day 1 was such a breather. Got in touch with our friends down at milepost 21.5 and planned to have a filipino dinner night on Monday. Day 2-7 was a little bit of this a little bit of that bit no little bit of bodyboarding! What do you do? You become a major tourist and a shopper. This break was complete with massages, pedicures (Lotus), wave watching, bird watching with Tanya (DVO), hanging out with some good ol friends, boutique-ing, working out (3/7 days), DS playing (thanks to Joyce who challenged our brain ages) and movie watching.

The last day of vacation

All in all we had a GREAT time, but on the last day we checked the beach and the red flag was there to greet us again. So, the entire time we did not get to swim in the ocean or get to have good times on the boards (and we were prepared!). Joyce and Paul left on Friday morning to head to Richmond for Paul's tournament weigh in. (Pics from the NAGA tournament coming soon) Michael and I went to Corolla & Duck for the day. I really like the Currituck Lighthouse. It was made of a million bricks. And now on the retail note... If you're ever in Duck make sure you visit, now my fave in Duck, Confetti Clothing in the Scarborough Faire shopping center.

In good company

When you're in good company you can have fun on a windy, soggy, no swim beach vacay. Here we are enjoying the 45 MPH winds on the top of the hill at the Wright Bros. Memorial.

Finding more to do at Nags Head

With the extreme winds and no beach left we are venturing out and finding other things to do while we're here. We highly recommend the kayak tour with Duck Village Outfitters. We don't recommend going on really windy days because you might blow away once you reach the sound and bay. Remember to ask for Tanya! The sand dunes and Wright Memorial are kinda cool too.