Up bright and early again, slept very well, almost cold, we didn't use our mosquito nets and slept better than any night before at Bugallon – the mosquito nets make you very hot.
We told Jinky and Tina last night not to cook us breakfast, so we had cereals and toast for breakfast. It was very nice for a change, to have peanut butter on toast, and weetbix.
Packing was on the agenda for this morning, as we are going to Sta Barbara this afternoon, and for the night, then on to Isabela for the week. Matt was very worried that we had too much stuff, to fit into Bro Frans's multi-cab – you certainly take a lot more things with you when you have children!
Sis Consing and Bro Joel came to see us off. Tina cut all the children's toenails while waiting for me to pack. (have to add in all the important details). We caught a bus to Dagupan with all our bags – very hot as it was not air conditioned. Jinky had told the bus driver to drop us off at Jollibee's, so we could have lunch there before travelling on to Sta Barbara. So far so good...then the fun begins!
Silas knocked Matt's drink over in Jollibees, then we treated the children to icecreams, which dripped everywhere, and took forever to eat. When we got outside, we went to get onto a trike, and then realised halfway through that we should have taken the one in front, so we used that one too. We gave the driver the street name, and when we got there, found it was not where we wanted to go, so we were then as lost as the trike drivers, they couldn't understand our English, and had to stop to ask someone for directions – they were going to take us all the way to Sta Barbara on a trike! Once we were on the right street, they chased a jeepney, until we caught up with it, lugged all our luggage on board the jeepney, and squeezed ourselves on. Luckily people were very helpful, and we managed to find out the fare, and got off at the right place. There were trikes right next to where the jeepney stopped, and the trike driver said he knew Fernando Basa, and where to go. This time we managed to all fit on the trike with our luggage. As it turned out, this driver did not know Fernando Basa, and after taking some wrong turns, and asking about a dozen people, we finally recognised the lane to turn left at, and were at the right place. It was very nice to be there.
We thought we were to be staying at the hall, but we were invited to stay at the Basa's house, very nice. They were very hospitable, even though their English is limited, and our Pangasinan is non-existent. In the afternoon, we held a Bible study in the hall, on rain, and it rained just before we walked to the hall, to compliment the study of course!
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| The Basa's hand tractor |
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| A coconut tree just outside the Basa's back door |
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| Bro Fernando Basa |
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| Relaxing after our hard day's travel |
After enjoying mireanda, we were invited to visit Jonny's house, which we did, walking there, very nice to get the chance to walk – not a very common occurrence here. We sat in the nipa hut that Jonny made himself – very, very nice, and also had a tour of his house, while the children all played on the trike and other bicycles and scooters, and ate peanuts. Sis Isa and her son, Jarrod came with us. Sis Isa is from Bayambang, and married one of Sis Joselyn's brothers.
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| Jonny's daughter, Jannah is the driver |
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| The nipa hut Jonny built |
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| Silas having a great time |
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| Eden enjoying the company of other girls |
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| Papaya tree at Jonny's place |
On the way back to the Basa's place, we went a different way, and were like celebrities, with everyone greeting us, or calling friends and family to come see the Americanos. Bro Fernando pointed out relatives houses, and also houses of brothers and sisters. Noah fell asleep on Matt's shoulders, so we put him to bed when we got back, and he stayed asleep, so he must have been tired.
It was very nice to get back to the Basa home – made you very much at home, even with the language barrier. Bro Frederich came home from work on his motorbike, and dinner was served – splendid, once again. The table was not big enough for everyone to have tea together, so we were served first, with Bro Fernando, and Bro Frederich, and Frederich's daughter. The others ate after we had finished, which always makes me feel bad, as they are the ones who have done all the hard work cooking the meal.
We looked at photos of Genefer's wedding, and also her little baby daughter, Bella. Great idea for a wedding album dad.
Noah woke up while the others were finishing their meal, and had a plate of rice for tea – good thing he ate it so heartily, as it saved any awkwardness about fussy children eaters. We (Mum and I) had a nice chat with Sis Glory – she is a very busy woman, with a great sense of humour – reminds us of Genefer.
Went to bed early, at the same time as all the children, and everybody else, ready for getting up early tomorrow.
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