Howdles from Josh

Howdles (howdy + toodles), my fellow classmates. This is Josh B. coming at you from the other side of...well...the world, as it happens. You remember me, right? Josh? Don't tell you forgot. I'd hate to have to use CAPITAL LETTERS to express my displeasure.

I'm currently in a place called Banaue, which is renowned for rice terraces - and little else. Apparently that alone is enough to garner it the nickname "the Eigth Wonder of the World" although this is based on testimony from its own tourism-dependent natives, and so, may be slightly biased.

Actually, despite the 9 hour drive to get here, part of which was up practically vertical roads that could've been pulled right out of some kind of action-adventure film, I have to say the view from our pretty nice hotel is really ridiculously pretty. Its like the mountainside is auditioning for a postcard or something. I really felt like saying, "Geez, mountainside, get over yourself. You have no business looking like that."

The mountains are a nice break from...well...everywhere else in the Philippines. I mean the cities here are INSANELY crowded. There is motor vehicle activity on every road, 24 hours a day, and here the word "motor-vehicle" can easily be substitued for "environmentally-unfriendly death trap." Seriously, the cars are all hand-made, and the fumes here are so bad its like having your mouth around an exhaust engine all the time. But I'm making this place sound bad and its not. Despite ridiculous overcrowding, poor sanitation, bizarre television shows, and sweltering heat, its really pretty awesome. Mostly because of the food. And if anyone wants a souvenir, feel free to ask. Your request will be thoughtfully considered and then promptly ignored.

Well, i suppose that's enough for today. Hope you're having fun with all that "work" stuff you have to do. Suckers.

And now as, they say in the Philippines:
Ah, screw it. I don't know how to say anything in filipino.

Howdles from Josh "the Scrumptulescent" Blanco.