Day Ten

After two long days of travel we have made it to Cebu City about two thirds of the way south in the country. There is really nothing new and exciting to report, but I thought that I would check in while we had a little time. rnWe spent our last day in Boracay doing a little souvenir shopping, swimming, trying all the food we could manage to eat and just generally doing nothing. We hung out at a bar for a while in the evening and wow do they make their drinks strong. I know this is coming from a college student and I should be happy about a good stiff drink, but it gets warm really fast and then all that liquor doesnt taste as good. And, disappointing, the margarita we had was pretty terrible. I dont know if that is all margaritas here or just Charls bar in Boracay, but it was bad. rnIn the last two days we have officially taken every form of transportation possible. All total three boats, two tricycles, three taxis, two buses, one jeepny and one van. I think the only thing we are missing now is a horse drawn carriage, and yes those are used around here too. Travel here is not complicated, just in depth. There is always a bus or a boat to where you are going and generally people are pretty help full about getting you to where you are going. All you have to do it stand around and look a little confused for about 20 seconds and at least 3 people will ask where you are going and offer their jeepny, bus, van, taxi etc or point you to the right one. The travel is time consuming though getting from point A to point B. Everything thing takes at least and hour and is packed to the gills (more people more money). Although the guide book and some friendly locals we have talked to have told us that there are some places where we need to be watchful of our stuff, I have never felt like anyone was going to go through it and take anything. Not only are most people friendly, they all seem very honest. I know that is not universal among the people here, but I feel like it is more common than not. The only thing we do have to be weary of in terminals and ports it the porters who will happily carry your stuff ten feet without asking if you want them to and then expect a 100 peso tip. So my advice in places such as terminals is to make sure that you keep your bag, that way a helpful young man doesnt turn out to be an opportunistic porter. rnThe bus and the van we took today went across the middle of two islands instead of along the coast and the inland is just as beautiful and the coast. Everything is hills and valleys and completely green. I tried to snap a few pictures from the bus window. Hopefully some turned out well and I can post them when I get back to my computer. (I didnt bring my camera cord so I have to wait until I get home to post pictures)rnThe other thing that has stuck me a lot in the last coupe days is how many complements and blatant stares I have been getting. At first I was confused, but Alex and I have decided it is just because I am a young white American girl. I have gotten a lot of people the last two days stopping and just straight up saying you are so pretty. I didnt get it at first but it must be like blonds in Europe the light skin and eyes is so different than what they are used to that it is unique and pretty. Imagine the response if I had light hair as well. Man I am happy to be a brunette right now. So my other tip for the night is: If you want a confidence boost head to a country where you are completely different than what they usually see and you will get a lot of compliments.rnWe are going to spend a couple days on this island then start heading north. We are going to hit a small quiet island called Malapascua, probably spend a couple days there, then start moving back toward Manila along the coast. Look for another past in a few days. rn