Johnson

Johnson

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Look, Americano...

We often here the word "Americano" these days. As we are just walking through the mall, down the road, on a jeepney. Anywhere. People are always talking about us. Not nesecerally talking to us (although they do that too) but About us. Look Americano!!! Yeah almost everyday I see a little kid pull on his mother's clothes and point towards us.
On Saturday we were taken to the Bankerohan Market where it was no different. Talk about a fish out of water. Yeah, we were definatelty the only Americans at the market! Although the surrounding were so new and so foreign, I absolutely loved it! We get talked about all the time, stared at, and pointed at, but we are also smiled at! The people here are so nice! That is one of the things I realized on Saturday at the market! I really love the people here! First of all there were these two little boys who found us at the very beginning of our trip through the market (pictured above)! They were trying to sell us calamansi which is what they use instead of lemon or lime. Well, of course I had my camera out the whole time taking pictures and they wanted me to take pictures of them! I have a digital camera so I would show them the picture afterwards and they just loved it! They followed us around the entire time we were at the market. They were so cute! Well, we were not planning on buying calamasi at the market, but after these two boys followed us the entire time, I could not help myself. We came home with a big bag of calamansi!
These little boys were not the only ones that wanted me to take their picture. There were several people calling out to me to take their picture, like these lovely ladies! They stopped me as I was walking past! So nice! Although it is still a little weird to be stared at all the time, I love the people here! They are so friendly!
























So, since we went to the market of course I have to tell you about it! It was so much fun (and cheap!) There was fruit and vegetables EVERYWHERE! Not to meantion pork, chicken, fish, spices, baskets, and just about anything else you could imagine! Yeah, there was a whole meat section and let me tell you, not a drop of ice! It smelled so bad. I don't think I will be buying meat at the market. In fact, I think I am going to avoid that section altogether. Oh the smell. I'm sure you could just imagine.
So, as you know, we are in Asia! And what do Asians LOVE to eat! Yep, you guessed it rice! Tons and tons of rice. There is hardly a day that goes by where we don't have rice. If you eat out at any restaurant you better believe you will have rice! And yes folks, even McDonalds serves rice here. You know you are in Asia when... So, can you guess what all those piles of white stuff is?? So smart! Rice! I bet you never knew there were so many different kinds of rice! Oh no, it's not just white rice and brown rice here, in fact there really isn't a lot of brown rice here, it's just tons of different varieties of white rice. Amazing.
Well, that's all for now. Sometimes I wish that I could just pull all of you through the computer and have you right here with me so that you could experience all this too. It's one thing to blog about it, but it is a whole other thing to experience it. It's so hard to put an experience into words. I'm trying...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you are doing a great job keeping us all up to date.the pictures say alot about your life over there.

Melissa

-C said...

I love the bright colors of the market! Of course, it reminds me of Dominica. Have you tried any of those new fruits that you've liked? The only thing I recognized from that table was mangoes, and then I wasn't really sure if that's what they were. And, what are those big tubs of? Is it soup? Cold? The little boys are adorable and I'm not surprised that you gave in. :) It's fun to read of your experiences ... oh, and how in the world do they keep all that rice in those cool little pyramids? If someone buys some, it will all come tumbling down. Fascinating. I think I need to visit a foreign country again ... my journey in this foreign land of nola has gotten old. ;)

Heather said...

I always LOVE going to the market were ever I am. You get a good feel about the people! Keep enjoying and soaking it up girl. The time is going to fly by... For me it is always a little strange to come back to the states and NOT get stared at or talked about! Funny how things work.

Renee said...

Wow, that place looks amazing. Thanks for writing your experience so I can live my missionary dreams through you for the time being ;-) Those kids are so cute! I'm with Crystal on wondering how they keep the rice in the pyramid shape. Maybe one day we'll live there and I can see it for myself ;-)

Gramps said...

Thanks for sharing your experience. Reminds me of when I was in Japan. Rice is good for you. I don't think that I would try their meat. I would buy canned or frozen. God bless both of yo and keep the blogs coming
Love & prayers
Gramps