Experiences....from another world (Philippines)?

The Shower Experience:
I'm sure everyone knows just how wonderful a shower feels. It can be a refreshing start to the day...or a relaxing way to end it. So, as expected, I was blissfully happy when I took a shower (when I first got here).

What happened next though was not such a good thing. As a result of my 'wonderful' shower, I ended up with rashes all over my body and face! I was mortified! I thought I ate something funny. It wasn't until someone told me to put the water (that I was using) in a pail....then I saw why I was getting rashes....the water was BROWN! Yup, that's right, BROWN. The colour of soil.

Naturally, I refused to use the brown water to wash my face and brush my teeth. My grandparents were like: "It's ok, it's ok, cuz you're not drinking it anyway!". I was so pissed that I opened a bottle of mineral water and washed my face and brushed my teeth using it. My grandma (><").

Of course, I could always back up my use of mineral water with the dermatologist's recommendation. Today she told me to take a shower/bath using mineral water. My dad was like....."That's too expensive..."

The day we ran out of water....
One morning, I took a shower early in the morning. Of course, you know how I am, I take an hour in the bathroom....but I don't use the water for the whole hour! It takes time to scrub, condition and moisturise you know?! :P

When I came out of the bathroom....apparently there was no more water left.....So my grandma was like "Len Len used up the water. She finished it! She was in the bathroom for so long!" (My grandma was muttering this for the whole morning). Of course, I told her that I didn't finish the water, and that yes, I did turn it off when I was soaping, etc......We were out of water for a whole day....and most of the next day.

She later said that she knew that I didn't finish the water....but that I was lucky that I finished showering before the water ran out....or else I might be in big trouble, having soap all over me with no water to wash it off.

I now shower at my Uncle's.....

Crazy driving:
Driving in NZ seems so safe now. Back home we have road rules which are strictly followed (most of the time). There is order in the way we handle our roads. But here in the Philippines, it's different. Here, there are NO RULES! I don't know how anyone can drive here. First, the traffic is so bad...and it's 24/7 too! It took two hours for us to travel a distance similar to the distance from Macleans to Botany South! Also, here, they drive bumper to bumper! When people see an Ambulance, they quickly swerve and follow the ambulance so that they get to their destination faster (you all know the procedure where we have to move aside and let the ambulance pass through).

Secondly, people here don't necessarily stop for red lights, directions from the traffic police officers...and they don't necessarily drive on the correct side of the road either. Often, drivers will take the other side of the road in an attempt to escape traffic.

The Match-making Syndrome:
I don't know what it is about Chinese in the Philippines. The more educated they are and the higher their position in society, the more they love the idea of match-making. They want their kids to marry someone who they know, know the family background really well, and someone who fits all or most of their criteria. Here, we call it "Kai-siaw". I guess sometimes, old traditions stay FOREVER! I hope that they will leave me alone now..... ><"

The Mall-rat Syndrome:
People who know me know how much I love shopping.... So imagine my delight when I discovered just how cheap things here are! It's a good thing that NZD is high at the moment. The first 3 days I was here....I bought several items of clothing already! Ahhhhh the life! Too bad my mum won't let me go to the mall now....Oh well....maybe next week.... :P.....I'm so broke anyway...Need to wait for more 'Ang-pao' to come. =Þ Good thing I can hang out with my cousins.....They're so much fun! :D