Jaen, Nueva Ejija Phillipines

On the weekend of May 10-12 (2014) Cinch and I took a trip North from Makati City to Jaen, Nueva Ecija Philippines. She visited friends, and we stayed at the Villa Aurora Resort and Hotel while there.
The following photos were taken along the way as we traveled by bus once arriving at the station by taxi. It had "Aircon", the name for A/C in the Phils and we were packed for a stay at a Resort that offered three swimming pools, among other things such as huts, gardens, videoke.

From the bus stop in Jaen we took a tricycle ride to Joan's home, friend of Cinch. Tricycles are motorcycles, around 125cc with a cab attached for two. If needed a third could ride behind the driver. Since Joan knew the driver and his family, a friendly guy, he was on call for us to travel back and forth.
Joan's house is beautiful, of historical significance. It was built in the early 1900's and once occupied by enemy forces in WWII . While hot like Manila Jaen is rural with a lot of open space and natural surroundings without the noise and commotion of Manila. One of the questions I get as American what do I think of the weather? Since it is hot most of the time here this time of year. I think of it as where I lived in Virginia and Pennsylvania in summer when it gets hot there. The difference might be electric costs go up with the use of Aircon here, so many don't use it or have it and rely on fans or 'inverters' which use less electricity. There is also fans using water cooling.

The outside is natural. I enjoyed exploring.

This goat spent two days off and on just staring at me. Was so amusing.

Cinch and me sometimes try to catch each other off guard for photos...Is hard to catch her haha.

The outdoors was worth exploring. I tried to get a photo of a butterfly. He was just so fast.

Watching the goat watch me never got old. And here is Vanna the family pet.

Cinch and Joan.

We stayed at the Villa Aurora Resort and Hotel close by.

Some wildlife was around, as well as a few dogs and cats from nearby places. Roosters are common in the Philippines as well as cats and dogs. At night at the Resort, frogs came to visit. I spent a little time chasing them.

We had a great dinner at Joan's and many people were there to eat. I did not take any photos of it, was busy meeting new people and in awe of the food. I personally get a little nervous meeting new people. But I was put at ease quickly around Cinch's friends. One amusing moment when a young woman asked did I have any brothers single...And during dinner a couple things, when I ate a hot pepper everyone stopped for a moment, waiting for a reaction to it. My usual response is, what, what...was explained waiting to see what I will do after eating it. Yep, was hot....And when I put food on my plate, another plate showed...I asked why, was because I had so much food on the first one, maybe I needed another, oops.
I explained to Cinch Americans sometimes when loading up food on a plate keep loading...I did not realize I had so much food on mine...
Joan had asked me of what I thought of the Philippines, especially of the weather, since it is hot, humid in the day and the temp in F is around 80 in the evening. Typical summertime where I used to live in Virginia and Pennsylvania, but in the Philippines is not just seasonal for a few weeks.
I can not recall exactly what I said, but I knew before I came I would be able to deal with it because I love summer weather to begin with.
Also ones knowing of the plans Cinch and I have of marriage what is my plans for us? Well...Been through some in my life, experienced a lot, naive of a lot and learned, And still like a child in some things, that is, takes me by surprise, that some ideas from people I did not consider. American friends are mixed, some happy for me but understand their concern. I have been a lot of my life to know. Meeting Cinch was coincidence. But I always have been one to push my life. To learn, to know. Coming here, is not a totally different life, but there are differences. American culture is so mixed, sometimes by blood, or ethnics/ We as Americans now, Caucasians...Can be Euro, mixed with Native American, and Latin...Mexico, Central and South American, African, Asian, Central and Middle Asian...The Philippines not so much like that. Americans, maybe we are unique to the world now.
That coming to the Philippines as an American, ones assume Cinch would immigrate to the U.S. and I would return with a bride. Um, no. She is an Architect and Graphic Designer, and all her work and connections are in the Philippines. To go to the U.S. for her is starting over. I am a retired Federal Employee. I got ideas of what I want to do, mainly write, play music. Some express surprise I am willing to stay here. But I like it here. And she does not want to leave her home.

Then we go back home to Makati.

Love it.