Today (2/16) after morning walk, C decides she will shop also. K takes the kids from 10-2 on the beach. We get our Borocay beach bags, capize/shell picture frames, batik sundresses for A and her US BFFs, sea shells, hand-crocheted headbands, and 2 more plastic lanterns...silly things and great souvenirs. We have a Greek salad and special iced tea at Cyma's. Met one of the owners who happened to be sitting next to us and eating her lunch. She was born in Manila, raised in CA, lived in Boston and NYC for over 10 years, then decided to come back home to open the restaurant with friends. She lives in Manila and Borocay, and her partners have opened two other locations in Manila. They just got mentioned in the latest Lonely Planet. Outstanding food, and I took my supper home from there 2 more times.
We take our purchases home, then ride back down the hill to meet the others. 6-8 of the service personnel are getting off work and jump on the truck with us for a ride "home." We drop them off one-by-one at the kampongs on the way to D'Mall...just lovely "kids" who have just completed a Catholic elementary and high school education. They asked if we were Catholic, and if we supported Obama. I asked how long they had been working at the Alta Vista and how they liked their jobs. They confessed they were just on their first two weeks of training. They hesitated about "liking" their work, but agreed it was a job and they met many international people. Most were counting on continuing and finding a better job. The owners made them wear the red Chinese tops, and they did NOT like to wear them. They said they already celebrated many Catholic holidays. They showed us their church and schools...almost across the street from D'Mall entrance. The front had a huge, gorgeous mosaic picture entrance. I asked about visitors, and they said they had many weddings and many Sunday visitors for mass. They were such neat kids, and forever after we all knew each other when we said "Good Morning,Mam" or "Good Evening, Mam." I'm afraid they will be let go when the CNY visitors leave. No wonder they couldn't do dinner bills correctly, get towels to rooms on time, or cook decent food! They were in the middle of a VERY steep learning curve. They asked what we would change, and we instantly said "The Restaurant!" "The chef!" The food really is TERRIBLE!
Late in the afternoon, an artist set up his work on the beach...three dimensional carved mirrors, sculptures, and vases. C bought one vase and one mirror...all told, we brought home 8 pieces of his work (see picture above: Artist bargaining with C, Kerri, and Traum...see also one of the boy's getting a message on the beach)
We take our purchases home, then ride back down the hill to meet the others. 6-8 of the service personnel are getting off work and jump on the truck with us for a ride "home." We drop them off one-by-one at the kampongs on the way to D'Mall...just lovely "kids" who have just completed a Catholic elementary and high school education. They asked if we were Catholic, and if we supported Obama. I asked how long they had been working at the Alta Vista and how they liked their jobs. They confessed they were just on their first two weeks of training. They hesitated about "liking" their work, but agreed it was a job and they met many international people. Most were counting on continuing and finding a better job. The owners made them wear the red Chinese tops, and they did NOT like to wear them. They said they already celebrated many Catholic holidays. They showed us their church and schools...almost across the street from D'Mall entrance. The front had a huge, gorgeous mosaic picture entrance. I asked about visitors, and they said they had many weddings and many Sunday visitors for mass. They were such neat kids, and forever after we all knew each other when we said "Good Morning,Mam" or "Good Evening, Mam." I'm afraid they will be let go when the CNY visitors leave. No wonder they couldn't do dinner bills correctly, get towels to rooms on time, or cook decent food! They were in the middle of a VERY steep learning curve. They asked what we would change, and we instantly said "The Restaurant!" "The chef!" The food really is TERRIBLE!
Late in the afternoon, an artist set up his work on the beach...three dimensional carved mirrors, sculptures, and vases. C bought one vase and one mirror...all told, we brought home 8 pieces of his work (see picture above: Artist bargaining with C, Kerri, and Traum...see also one of the boy's getting a message on the beach)
I rode back up the hill for my dinner, shower, and quiet time. NO TOWELS...and at 7:30 I took my shower with a hand towel. Lucky no one is home...no "naked Gram" alerts required...towels finally arrived after 8 PM for nightly showers after a beach day...BUT there were only four of them. I had to sit in the lobby the next morning and wait for one to be delivered to me! And that's after we made friends with the help! Another good day, and our time is starting to go too fast....
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