Friday - Dumaguete

Today started with a visit to one of my favorite places on the island, camp lookout.  My family used to vacation up there.  Ben Malayang graciously offered to have us driven up there and given a guided tour of the changes that have occurred.  He sent along Moses who was excellent.  Moses recalls seeing my brother Chris and I riding our bikes around campus from his dorm.  

Camp Lookout is now a writers haven and it's very understandable why.  It has always been an excellent escape from the city.  Moses reiterated the story of the site.  In WWII when the Japanese invaded the island, the Americans fled to the mountains.  Specifically the area now called Camp Lookout.

They have really updated the facilities.  The main house is now almost like a Swiss chalet but with the old structure's look.  All the facilities have been modernized.  The second cottage is gone and in it's place are a couple smaller cottages made out of converted shipping containers.  They looked great.  The tree Chris and I always climbed is still there.  Short a few branches but still looking the same.  I always loved the view from Camp Lookout.  Breathtaking.

The woman that oversees the site fondly remembers my family.  She worked with us often when we visited.  She brought us coconuts and chopped them open with a bolo.  I tried opening one and completely massacred the coconut.  It was fun trying though.

It was great seeing the site again.  I long to stay in it again.  I remember the fun on the mountain.  Hiking to the falls.  Playing on the tree.  The nights of board games under lanterns.  Sigh.

It was very nice of Ben to offer us the trip and Moses.  It was very much appreciated.

We then returned to Dumaguete to join the rest of the team for lunch.

After lunch we went to visit the very poor community but one close to my mother's heart, Candayong.  We visited the preschool there and met with the teacher who fondly remembers nanay and tatay.  The kids were great.  One of us read a story to them.  They then sang songs for us.

We later went over to the Consuelo boy's home to do crafts with them.  We had them make their own decorations on hats.  It was a lot of fun watching the creativity of the kids.  These kids are high school age or above.  They later sang a number of songs for us.

Well, I need some rest.   I've been yawning all night.  Tomorrow is our day of rest.  So, I guess that explains the 5am wake up.  Hmmm.  I'll tell you about it later.