My Roots

The Ayuste Family Farm, located in Tunga, Leyte. 20 times more beautiful than the farm I worked on in Hong Kong. More amazing food, more good times with the family, more cha cha with Auntie Luz and a first hand look at what the farm life is like in the Philippines. With only two seasons, both of which contribute to the ever so green surroundings (sun and rain), one could expect to see nothing but lush greenery. Among the greenery, an abundance of coconut trees. They go on for days and there is yet to be one that I have seen untouched by the notches made in them for the guys to climb. Of course, I had to see it first hand so without any hesitation, one of the cousins effortlessly climbed his way up to knock some down for the family. Mmmmmmmm, fresh coconut...I had 3 of them. Oh yes, and the ever so famous roasted pig. I usually don't have a problem eating pork but in this case I hesitated. It's not everyday I put the face of the pig to the piece of ham on my Hawaiian Pizza but in this instance I could see the actual face expression of the pig and how much it must have hated those last few moments of its life....it was delicious, haha. Now, I did not see the first piglet prepared but during my nap after a well prepared feast, I was startled by a strange noise. The sound of a squealing pig, I turned over on my wooden bed in the shade only to see through the bushes, glimpses of the guys getting the next meal ready. A bit traumatizing but I wasn't close enough to see blood spill so dinner still tasted equally as delicious, if not better. Life here is real and raw and yet, the atmosphere feels so much more at ease than the former country I visited. It's a third world country but the people are amazingly still very positive. Of course, you have to witness what it's like to live in poverty but that's all part of the experience now isn't it? These are my roots and I'm proud of it.

Fresh Coconuts!

Truck bed ridding :-)