Thursday

5am. I have a dry throat so got up and am lying on the couch having a coffee. Outside cocks are crowing. The little motorbikes often don't have mufflers and can here them in the distance. Birds are chirping. A couple of little lizards are on the wall. I haven't seen any sparrows or thrushes. There are lots of little black birds. Yesterday as I prayed the rosary at the grotto in the driveway a couple of little frogs were jumping around outside the front door. There is one mysterious lizard that seems to live inside and they say it follows them around and can't get rid of it. Last night we had a karaoke session with a few wines. L's sister is very good and another friend was an excellent singer. A the end of some songs the mysterious lizard would start making loud noises as though applauding. I haven't seen it but was very loud 

The water situation is peculiar. Spike says there is and water is somehow pumped up onto a cylinder in the roof. If somebody feels it via a hose it is possible to have a very low pressure shower in the  conventional way. But mostly it is empty and have to ladle cold water out of a large plastic rubbish bin over yourself. Same with the toilet. I don't know where sewage goes. The same system is used at a municiple building we visited to try and find Ls birth certificate. Even in Malls there is no toilet paper. You have to take some from a single toilet roll holder as you enter. I got caught out the first time I used one. They were waiting outside for me and asking what took me so long, because that time even that toilet roll holder was empty. 

Some one just got up so I might go and lie on my bed for awhile.

If you don't know how to love God, just act as though you did.

Immaculate conception cathedral.

This cathedral was undergoing renovation but had beautiful frescos  on the ceiling.

Oh yes...what's going on with this statue of Mary holding two children from ( the previous church).

Santa Monica Bell

Today we visited a couple of very historic churches. The first was Santa Monica.She is the mother of St Augustine.

L arranged a guided tour of the belfry.

The tour guide asked me if I would like my photo under it.  I calculated the chances of a 10 tonne bell fulling on me after hanging here for 145 years and took the gamble by crawling under it.

He let me ring it after I exited. He then gave me a steel rod to bang all the other bells. Their pitches all seemed similar to my ear. When I hit the big one  I thought RBB would say that's a C or something. But I wasn't sure.

The bell could be heard for 8 kilometres. The guide said he rings it a six every morning. In other times it was used to signal fires or pirates.

The black Jesus was unusual. I suspect it's something to do with St Augustine originating from north Africa.

The second church was the cathedral of the Immaculate conception . I'll do a separate post later.

Wednesday

It's four in the morning and about 28C. I guess my bio clock hasn't adjusted. I feel wide awake.

L and I got dropped off to a swimming resort (Loraine's nephew "Spike" is our main driver) and had a nice evening sitting by the pool eating and sipping wine. I had several swims and went down the 'kiddies' slide. Even from a height of just a few metres you hit the water hard. I wasn't game to try the higher ones given my age and delicate ankle.

It's the first time I've sat by a pool and watched the sunset, then swam in the night.

I think we are going to visit an Island today.

Have fun and swim.

At the market

The thin lane's pavement, though mostly dry, had occasional streaks of liquid which he suspected originated  from overflowing human waste. As he followed his three companions the last gave a vocal warning. Too late, he stood in the dog excrement. He was warned to be careful also in the mart which they then entered.

It was hotter in here even than outside as the tin roof radiated it straight down. It was a large area and a rugby field would have fitted with room to spare. The odour suggested that one shouldn't be too concerned about running into health and safety officials. . Maybe you didn't have much crime either in a country with the highest Catholic population in the world.

A debeaked fowl was tied under a table; possibly for the consumer who liked extra fresh meat.

Fish lay in uncooled rows on tables.

He liked the two large salmon but didn't enquire about their price as he was not in a situation to cook them up himself.

Small mountains of rice and other cerials were on open display as were commodities rapped in leaf.

For one used to more sterile warehouses it may have seemed a little less than ideal but on the plus side was freshness and authenticity. All was either home grown, locally made or freshly caught.

Tuesday

Just walked out the front gate and there is a water buffalo grazing in a field. I saw some one riding it yesterday.

Tuesday

Just getting light. Thunder. Hot. Phone needs charging. One of the 'boys' has moved the adapter. But will squeeze in post. 

Several little lizards live inside. This must be mumma, it's bigger. At least they are not big spiders. They are quite cute. Don't know what today's plans are. I need to get some cash.Money machines are rare. Evidently there is a bank in the mall Roxas (pronounced Rohan). We stopped of briefly yesterday. There are two to three armed security at each door. One had a shotgun. They smile back and looked slim and immaculately dressed. 

As I said last time there are minimal road rules but it works. People look incredibly poor. Yet restaurants and shops are well frequented. There must be a big divide between middle and lower class.

These two had nappies and were wandering around in the mall with an owner....have to go find my charger a 'boy' is up with an adapter.