A Little of Everything

While Jennifer, the volunteer speech therapist, was visiting here from the States, she took some pictures that I want to share with you. The unusual experiences and sights we see here on a daily basis often become so common-place for us that we don't think to take pictures of them (except the snakes in the house one - hopefully that NEVER becomes so common-place that it is not picture/story worthy!!!). Anyway, it is fun to see our world through a visitor's eyes - and I thought you may enjoy it as well.
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Tricycles (or "trikes" as we often call them) are one of the most common modes of public transportation here in Bicol. While in many areas of the Philippines, these little motor scooters with a side car only haul 2-3 passengers, they like to push the envelope just a little down here in our region. Our helper likes to say that they just keep loading people on until it looks like a flower with lots of petals. The motto here is that there is "always room for one more", and they definitely put that into practice with their trike capacities! This is what they look like going by our house everyday...

The most we have ever counted on 1 trike was 24 adults. What is unbelievable to us is that the tiny engines manages it - they are only 125ccs (the size of a lawnmower in the US)!
Ok, I'm the one who took this one a few nights ago - I almost stepped on this little monitor lizard when we came home. The dogs had caught it and left it as a gift on our doorstep in the dark. :) The foot was missing, but have no fear, I "discovered" it the next morning. Zach loves hanging out with his friends in the village.

Mikayla helping with the laundry.
A lady and her neice at one of the Bible Studies. Isn't the baby adorable?
Her mom's smile is contagious.
The Bible study group in the village of Santa Justina.
I love how the Filipino men help with the babies and love on them so much.

Here was Jennifer and Ben trying to get in a therapy session in the village between Bible Studies - with an audience. :)
Heartwarming smiles
In this culture, older siblings have a huge responsibility to help with the younger ones. It is very common to see a little kid like this one caring for a baby.
The big sister / big brother mentality carries over into other relationships as well, and our kids love hanging out with their big brothers and sisters in the village.
Here is the market by the railroad tracks where we buy our fruit several times a week.

The daughter of our fruit lady.
Our helper peeling a pineapple using a special tool. It is amazing how fast they are at peeling a pineapple - and the fact that they don't waste an ounce!
Zach playing with Jennifer's sun hat. His eyes are so blue in this picture!
Some little ones helping their mom sell last nights' catch in the market.