Tokyo and Beyond

My plane lands from Manila in Tokyo at 8:30PM. As I stand in the mix of hundreds of signs pointing in every direction...all in Japanese....I head to the information desk to ask how the heck I get to my hotel. I learn that my hotel is in Yokohama which is actually a small city OUTSIDE of Tokyo. I buy an express ticket to get there in about 30-45 minutes. Due to everything in Japanese and confusing as hell, I end up on the earlier train in which is NOT express. Three hours and a small taxi ride later I enter my fine accomodations for the next two nights. It is now well into the first night, so I head straight to bed.

Waking up a little later than planned, I work with the consierge to figure out my route for the four or five places I want to hit in Tokyo. On the way, a kind German guy, two security officers, and one foreign traveler information station help keep me on my tracks throughout the day.

Here are the spots I visited. Unfortunately I ran out of time to see the Japanese Gardens which was very dissappointing but the rest was so exciting that it was not too much of a downer.

1) Ginza Line (Subway) Asakusa Station -

Nakamise Dori -- Asakusa is one of Tokyo's oldest neighborhoods, filled with narrow lanes, traditional Japanese homes, and shops selling handmade crafts and souvenirs. At the heart of Asakusa is Nakamise Dori, a narrow pedestrian lane lined on both sides with booths selling a wide variety of Japanese souvenirs -- a good place to stock up on inexpensive gifts

Sensoji Temple -- Nakamise Dori leads straight to Tokyo's oldest and most popular temple, founded in A.D. 628 to house the Buddhist goddess of mercy and happiness. Destroyed during World War II and lovingly rebuilt with donations from the Japanese people, it attracts 20 million worshipers a year, giving it a festive atmosphere virtually every day.

Ramen - Here I enjoyed a beautifully arranged bowl of Ramen as well as Korean Kimchi (not sure what Kimchi was but it was extremely spicy and yummy!). Ramen in Asia is COMPLETELY different than what we know and so amazing!

2. Ginza Line - Ueno Station

Tokyo National Museum -- This is the most important museum to see in Tokyo, if not all of Japan. It houses the country's largest collection of historic treasures, including swords, samurai gear, lacquerware, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures, calligraphy, woodblock prints, and much, much more. Its most priceless treasures are Buddhist statues, masks, and other religious works of art from Horyuji Temple in Nara, founded in 607.

Here I also ran into a sweet old man who painted names, poems, etc in Japanese. I gave him quite a bit of extra money for the paintings:) He was kind and looked like the "wax on, wax off" guy in Karate Kid. I enjoyed him.

3. Ginza Line - Ginza Station

The Ginza -- The Ginza is Japan's most fashionable -- and expensive -- shopping address, home to international designer boutiques, art galleries, and huge department stores. My favorite department store is Matsuya on Chuo Dori, with everything from Japanese folk crafts to designer togs for sale, plus an art gallery, restaurants, and a huge food emporium in its basement.

5. Before my flight on monday, I went to Yokohama's China Town. Hosting more than 500 shops and restaurants, Yokohama houses the largest ever China Town! It was spectacular! My favorite food is Pao in which they had pao as big as a large hamburger! AMAZING!

My flight home was easy as I slept the whole way. It is nice to be in the comfort of my own bed...yet I am still a bit jet lagged.

Till my next adventure...

Hailey

Final Hours in the Philippines...

I got a mani/pedi for $14.00:) and an hour massage for $20.00!

(More Pictures to come re the below blog...Kaye has them:))

I am sitting at my computer, after my final day at Cybergate 1, floor 11, training room 11.44. My last days of training are complete. I am not sure why I decided not to go into teaching because I adore doing so. I love helping people learn and giving them confidence in something that they are nervous about. And seeing their growth is so empowering. Getting to know a whole new culture in and out of the work environment has been so inspiring as well. What a neat culture this is also.

In the Philippines, family is such a large aspect of life. Call centers are a new trend and booming. Also, Manila folks love to sing. They have raving karaoke (“videoke”) bars in which you and your friends dine in a private room with a massive flat screen TV, karaoke microphones, and plenty of food and drinks. They sing their insides out with confidence and joy. It’s a wonderful experience. Also, their local bands enjoy covers as much as their audience. You will rarely hear an indy song in this culture. You will always hear the latest pop songs, the oldest love ballads, and Journey.

Last night I went to the Seafood Market for dinner, Seaside Paluto, in Ortigas. This was my favorite meal in the Philippines, by far. Frist Alex and Kaye took me to this large loud market in which a cook met us at the front grasping a blue bucket. We began at the live crab cages. There we picked our favorite little crawlers along with the best and HUGE pieces of shrimp (no kidding, they were like seven inches long and two thick) and squid. The cook took our bucket of seafood and we followed her next door into a restaurant. Alex told her how to prepare the fish/crabs and we appetized on a coconut filled with juice and hardy meat while waiting for our food to cook. When it arrived, it was like a feast fit for a king! The shrimp tempura was GIANT, the crabs in a sweet chili sauce, the squid into calamari, the shrimp heads into a shrimp head soup, more shrimp cooked in butter and garlic (gambas), and a green mango ensalada in shrimp paste.

We ate until we were full…and then we ate some more. We had so much to eat in front of us that we couldn’t waste a bit. Unfortunately even to the point of explosion we only got halfway through. The meal was fresh, delicious, and so colorful. I felt as if I had died and gone to ocean-heaven.

After that we had what the Phils call “Beer below zero”. This is a subzero freezer in which keeps the beer enticingly chilled until the very last drop. Alabama needs to catch onto this trend. The fun part about beer below zero is that when you tap it, it ices over! It’s so tasty and fun!

My last night in Manila was a blast. I am now preparing for my two days in Tokyo on my way home. What a blast this role/exploration has been.

Look forward to sharing Tokyo with you before my trip home!

Till next time…

Don't Tell My Mother

Our second day at Puerto Princesa, Palawan was a fun adventure. When we climbed into our tour van, we picked up three more tourists traveling with us. They happened to be the same three guys from the day before! Thrilled, we all began to make jokes with each other and knew the day would not be a let-down…even though it was rainy.
We began our trip with a visit to the cathedral. The Philippines is very catholic. I thought it would be more Muslim, but Christianity is booming here.

The cathedral was built in the 60s and outside of it was the “lover’s park” which was ironically also where people were burned. But because of the language barrier I have no idea why. Two poor boys, shirtless, begged for money at the door of the church while a newborn was at the alter far ahead being baptized along with her family. The poverty here is apparent and will quickly put your life in perspective.There is show on the National Geographic TV channel titled, “Don’t Tell My Mother.” This day at Puerto Princesa is an episode of said TV show.
The middle of our tour we edge a farm in which the prisoners of Palawan (around 4,000) do their daily work. They have three role calls a day, we learned. If they do not come to one roll call, they get sent to “The Room” in which there is a containment room in which they stay with no light and little food for up to a year! Glad that we were on the road and not close to the prisoners, I start photographing the area. Abruptly we clamber to a stop at a large fence. Jay, our tour guide, says he needs a volunteer. Confused as to why he may need a volunteer and why we were stopped at a fence which looked like a road to the prison house, I froze. “What? A Volunteer for what?” we asked, puzzled. He needed a volunteer to represent us. I bit nervous, and trying to shake the fear, I joke, “you mean a sacrifice?!” Laughing, Leo gets out and goes into the fence. What is going on?! We have no idea. He makes it back safe just after I realize that we are actually going INTO the prison.
As seen in movies of men chained together working the fields in stripped outfits, here we ride past lines of men in brown, blue, and orange shirts that mark your severity as a prisoner. They are working the rice fields and scary beyond reason. Karina begs me to close the window as we approach prisoners in the van. I obey gladly. We actually tour the fields and the prison facilities. It ends with a funny prison cut out and souvenir shop full of arts and crafts hand made by prisoners themselves and sold by minimum prisoners to buy soap and heath items. Sheesh! It was amazing!




Here are some more pictures from the prison experience:

This is art by one of the prisoners:

Ha...Environmentalist...They actually have cutouts of themselves...

Following the Prison tour, after I thought I had seen the craziest thing in my life, I was proven wrong. That was just the beginning of the most unexpected event I thought I would ever encounter on a “City Tour”. We pull up to the island’s Wildlife Reserve. We are there to go to the crocodile farm!

If you have known me for the past two months, you will have known about the salt water crocodile story. The story, I admit, I have tried to spread to all I know as much as possible in the past two months. The story in which will keep me from visiting the lusted after Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. The story in which will ever haunt my ability to ever go diving. This story, if you haven’t heard it, will change your perception too. If you are he who has been denied the experience, you can view some of what I know as the crocodile killer here: Salt Water Demon.
Upon entering this crocodile farm, what is the FIRST thing I am introduced to? The largest Salt water crocodile ever found was located in the same island I was grounded on that very moment. And the largest captured left his remains right there in front of my eyes, skin on the wall and bones in a case. He had to be killed because he “accidentally” ate someone! WHAT! Was she defending this awful, man-eating creature?!
This was just the beginning. As much as I was terrified at the bones and skin remains that fronted my eyes, the next site was a stroke in a hand basket. Not only did they house this large monster, THEY RAISED THEM! HUNDREDS OF THEM! It was no ordinary crocodile farm; this was strictly a SALT WATER CROCODILE FARM. I walked into a room lined with what looked like hundreds of bathtubs FILLED with crocodiles. Following the breading haven, we walked the plank above the more aged SWCs. Scare beyond all reason. My heart was pounding the whole time and the only reaction I knew besides busting into fearful tears was to laugh. So I laughed and laughed and laughed, and then I cried. Not only that, but at one point, I slipped and fell and was bitten by a SWC itself!

For thirty pesos you could get your picture taken holding one of these creatures. Hell no. That was all I could think when the offer stood. I ran the complete different way and tried to lighten the mood with a cut out of a monkey.
Upon leaving the farm, they tried then to sell me crocodile creations in the souvenir shop. It was like a child’s nightmare of a room full of scary clowns, only this was a real nightmare full of man-eating monsters!


Once on the van back home, my soul rested as we furthered the farm. We finished with a delightful pinacolada and coconut fish with a side of eggplant and shrimp. We flew home for an hour sleep or two before my training cranked up again.

Last night, I went with the Gates team out for some incredible Vidaoke. I will end this blog for now and continue tomorrow with explanations of vidaoke!

Till tomorrow,
Hailey

Puerto Princesa - Ahoy! (Day 1 - Honda Bay Tour)

Karina, my coworker, and I raced from Mandaluyong City to the airport thirty minutes before our flight launched to the beautiful island of Palawan. Skipping lines and running through Terminal 3, we made it in time to have a conversation before loading the plane!

Two hours later, we were attempting to land in Puerto Princesa. I say “attempted” because the confident pilot overshot the runway and we had to, “try again” as he explained to the crew. I felt safe. We landed and arrived at the cloudy and rainy Puerto Princesa. It is the rainy season, but we were convinced it would be sunny for our next day Honda Bay Island Hopping tour.

Despite people’s doubts, we were right. Sunday we boarded our boat with the sun shining on our faces as we applied our 70SPF sunscreen. The boats were the most amazing wooden oriental boats I have ever seen. They were thin with bamboo balances on either side. The boats were run with what sounded like a car engine down below. Joey, our tour guide, explained the three islands we would visit as we made a quick stop to a coral reef in the middle of the bay. Because of the rains, it was a little muddy but still interesting. Our snorkel guide showed us a giant starfish thing. It was heavy and round but had starfish like teeth on the bottom.

We soon landed on our first island, Snake Island. It is called snake island, not because there are snakes around it, but because of the shape of the island. An interesting fact is that there are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines during low tide….During high tide, there are less than half of these! Snake Island was sunny and beautiful. Here we saw Chocolate Chip Starfish, Sea Cucumbers, and many tropical fish. While snorkeling I remembered the Salt Water Crocodile story and was a bit nervous, but pushed my fear down as to not destroy my fun. At Snake Island we ate lunch. Lunch consisted of two large red shrimp, one fillet of fried blue marlin, and two pieces of fried chicken. All accompanied by rice, of course. I ordered a coconut to drink and halo halo for dessert. Halo Halo as mentioned before means “Mix Mix.” It’s a mix of yams, tapioca, Jell-O, coconut, jack fruit, cereal, milk sugar syrup, ice and more things that I am not sure exactly what it is. Some bites are great, some are scary. The food is an experience for sure.
My tour group was fun. Three guys and a couple traveled with us and they loved grossing me out with some of the food in the Philippines. One example is Balut. Balut is an egg that they let ripen until the chick has formed and then you eat it. Sometimes you might bite into a beak or feathers! GROSS. I almost lost my lunch. They like it. I do not. I did not even attempt to like it or try it. Another example is a family of oysters that are in a long white strand. They look like an eight inch white worm. You eat it raw. It is as thick as your pinky. This white worm also sounded disgusting. I did not attempt this either. I will leave these two items to Fear Factor.

The Islands were so beautiful. Clear blue water, interesting fish, and wonderful people watching. We were on our way to the third island when a storm came through. The crash of thunder was so wonderful as we do not get thunder or lightening in Seattle. Some might have been terrified to be at sea with this storm. I, however, loved it. I was laughing and smiling, an oxymoron on all accounts.

When we reached the hotel after our island tour, I was exhausted. Karina and I were going to go up to the bar to get dinner after showering and pampering. We were both a bit tired so we relaxed for a bit to rest before dinner. We fell asleep. We woke up at 3:30 the next morning. Dinner did not even have a chance. We woke up starving and ordered room service and coffee as we have to stay awake so that we may sleep after we return in order to work the night shift.
I only have a week left here and there are so many things left to do. I still want to go to green hills to get pearls. I want to go to videoke with the Gates Foundation Team. I am spending Friday with Alex the comedian, my new friend, who is taking me shopping and to dinner, and my MS team wants to take me to dinner or lunch before I leave as a farewell meal. So much to do and so little time!
Till next time

Don't Drink the Water

Dave Matthews once said, "Don't Drink the Water". This was also the advice I got from all I knew when planning my trip here to Manila. I went to the most amazing Thai restaurant yesterday called the People's Palace Thai. I was enjoying my spicy Green Chicken Currie (AMAZING) but known for its spice kick...I drank the water. I was out of beer, and yes, you heard me, I drank the water. A clear cold beautiful glass of water. Two hours later...I went to work. I went to train. I stood in front of a classroom for eight hours. Eight hours with the panic turning my stomache inside out. I had a stomache ache for eight hours, but I am not sure if it was from stress or actually from the water. Alls I know is that I DRANK THE WATER!

On a lighter note, I had lunch today with Cess and Karen and the Gates PDC team! I finally met the folks that I have been working with for the past two years! I am so excited. They are SO WONDERFUL! I laugh at the questions I get while I am here. First of all, they all ask, "How old are you?" and then when I tell them....they all sigh in relief...I think they all think I am older than I really am...which is why I am chopping my hair off and coloring it dark again...such as this picture:

What do you think?

The second question was, "Are you and Andy dating?!" You can travel around the world and still not get away from that question...I thought it was hilarious.

Anyway, lunch with the gates team was so much fun! I tried the dessert "Halo Halo" which means Mix Mix! It mixes refried-like beans, tapioka, coconut, jello, bananas, ice, coconut milk, milk, and sugar syrup. Sounds gross but good! (good thing I had my "Align" before!


I leave tomorrow for Puerto Princesa. I am so excited! Karina and I are going to go Island hopping and maybe even go in the underground river! It will be amazing. Pictures to come soon.


I got home this morning and entered my room with this amazing note on my desk from my sweet hotel staff. They love me here. haha. The all call me "Maam Grace" haha. I love it.


Well, I have to go to bed...Till next time!

Back to the Streets of Manila

Manila traffic is like when you kick an ant hill and the ants swarm to the point you can no longer see your foot, you only see black moving spots! It takes you two hours by taxi to get anywhere! Most people my age actually have never driven before because it is just too unsafe. On my crazy taxi ride here are the things I saw:

1) A man holding (like a baby) a live chicken that had a leash on...
2) A Philippino pulled beside me on his scooter booming Journey's, Don't Stop Believing...
3) A beautiful ma’am-sir...

What a fun trip!

I also visited the SM Super Market in the Mega Mall...

1) Isles of ceiling to floor ramen in bags and styro cups...
2) Isles of potato chips flavored with shrimp, lobster, and teriyaki chicken...
3) When I asked the employee for Coconut Water, she took me to the lady in the produce isle who murdered a coconut and funneled the water into a water bottle...
4) TWO isles of dried milk, Ovaltine and protein powders...

I walked home with coconut water, weird looking oatmeal, and Cebu Dried Mangos (mmm!)...

Just thought I would share these little facts with you!

Singapore: "The land of the Lion"

Singapore. If you plan on traveling, travel to Singapore. Quickly becoming one of my favorite cities, I would like to express the perfection and regulation that is dictated over this island/city/country. It is illegal to spit on the sidewalk, street or at all. It is illegal to have gum, it is illegal to litter, it is illegal to eat even close to the tube/train, it is illegal to prostitute without a license and monthly exams, it is illegal to have napkins in a restaurant (because they are wasteful and they fill trashcans, and dirty the city), it is illegal to do anything in this city if it is at all intoxicating to the cleanliness and perfection seen on the streets. If you break these laws, you actually can be caned...but most likely fined.

Singapore is absolutely breathtaking. The moment I arrived I threw a large double fist pump jump at the site of my host, Gitanjali as I saw her through the declarations glass wall. Bag in hand and cleared through declarations, I hugged her four or five times to catch up with the year of a distant friendship. Gitanjali and I worked together at the Gates Foundation and have kept in touch. If I would have been told we would be reunited in Singapore a year later, I would laugh in disbelief. What an amazing place to reunite.

Gitanjali and I caught up with our crazy lives, filling each other in with the details of the past year while taking the train back to her apartment, watching the "practice" parade down her main street, sitting by the pool, and admiring the fireworks (also practice for their independence day). It was a colorful and exciting welcome to the clean and orderly city.



We had dinner my first night at a "Hawker" which is a typical Asian outdoor area with 50 - 100 different kiosk of places to eat surrounded by tables waited by girls in white shirts serving pitchers of Tiger (their version of Bud Light...only 12 bucks a bottle!). We went to the grill/sauté part of the hawker and had amazing LARGE grilled prawns, chicken, and beef.



After returning from dinner and getting dressed up, we met Gitanjali's friend and headed to Clark Quey for drinks and to go clubbing (don’t read this paragraph, mom;)) WHAT A BLAST. Not only is Singapore the most clean and safe city that I have ever been in, it is also a melting pot of an array of characters. We danced until our shoes were filled to nothing. The lights and masses of people were so fantastic I couldn’t help but laugh for hours until we hailed a taxi home. It is a weird site to see so many white guys "mac'ing" on Asian women. What is the deal with that?! It's hilarious.



Skipping brunch the next morning to get an extra hour or two of sleep, we began our relaxing Sunday with a macaroon and coffee. Gitanjali left to pick Pert up from the Airport while I went to hunt down my AmEx, long story short Rodney Reyel stole my AmEx and they just so happen to have an office in Singapore that could grant me a new one. Rodney, if you are reading this...I am not your biggest fan!

I started exploring Singapore deeper once I had my card. It was BEAUTIFUL. Everything was so green and tropical. The perfectly manicured lawns and medians were covered with exotic palms and ferns. The trees looked like Bonsai trees the size of Oak trees.



I started strolling away from the shopping central and into a more pleasant and residential area. I strolled right into an antique/furniture gallery in which was two floors of historic Indian artifacts. It was sensational. Every piece in the store had a tag with the piece’s history. Suki, the owner, when handing me coffee was such a sweet and hospitable first generation Singapore man. Growing up in an Indian family, he obviously took on their kind and warm culture. He asked about my visit to Singapore and shared all the history he could about the islands atmosphere and culture. He had many interesting stories in which I sipped my coffee and we became good friends in a matter of two hours. I wish I had bought something from his store; however the $8,000 brass Indian doors or $3,000 dollar gold and iron dinner tables were a little big for carryon luggage.



Back at the Apartment I surprised Pert and the three of us had a great time exploring more of Singapore, people watching, and eating the most amazing dinner of HUGE crab and prawns in chili sauce and salted egg sauce. We had such an amazing day catching up and site seeing in the city. Tomorrow, as Gitanjali has to work, Pert and I will go to the Singapore zoo and then I go home to get ready for a long night of training. I love my life.



The place we got Chili Crab was called No Signboard because when they started, they were only a kiosk that couldn't afford a signboard...so people called them by No Signboard...their food is so amazing it is now an extremely popular restaurant here.





Hope all is well back in the states or wherever your life has you!

Little fact: 1 in 10 people in Singapore is a millionaire. It has the most BMWs and Mercedes per capita in the world.



Much Love.

P.S. the large boat looking structure on the top of these three buildings (in which are a new resort) is an infinity pool from one end to the other!



I am dringing Tiger Beer, their famous Bud Light!



In the food court, you can pick several of these pieces and then they steam them and put them in a noodle soup bowl. SO GOOD!






The view from G's apartment!



Below is one of MANY amazing green glories of singapore:



Out Car for the evening!....



This is from G's apartment...She has a clear view of this street in which at the end of the month, the Formula One race will turn right here!! SO AWESOME!



Ciao for now!
Hailey