PART 8

Finding a place to call home Part 8 By Patrick Duffey

Japitan Samar – I’m finally where I have for so long dreamt of being once again. When I have trouble sleeping, I need only to put myself at easy by dreaming of my beach where I am to build my house here. This was a gift giving to me years ago, not purchased. I will start off small with other additions to follow later. The only neighbor that I have along this picture postcard beach is the 114th battalion and about one half mile away in Japitan, the former Congress member Lucero of Northern Samar. He has a stately mansion with a private helicopter and of course the landing pad.

The day after I arrived here I took a jeepney to Broongan with Nanny and Boyting to do some errands around town. I remember these seats being harder than concrete and being squashed into this container that was only accessible from the rear, sometimes for a foreigner the height is a factor. Heading back home, I hung onto the ladder bar on the back step. My back ached for being tall in my head always hit the roof on every pothole the driver were sure to find. However, being there gave me much better view. With the windy my face I felt strangely like Leonardo DiCaprio at the bow proclaiming “I am king of the world.” Guess you had to be there – oh well.

Although it was raining lightly, I still stayed out hanging onto the bar because inside was packed. The jeepney stops along the muddy road to let off passengers. I took a break to stretch as three young ladies exit the back. I extended to a helping hand as any gentleman would and instead of giving me her hand, I am given a P3 for the fair. I think she was confusing me as the conductor.

The outside world has already had its influence on people and the ways here in the Philippines. Boyting who sat in the front with the driver was instructed to tie and old green army belt around his waist as a substitute for a seatbelt. Helmets for now required for the motorcycles now as well, anywhere within the city boundaries. My friend Ray told me about this just before I left San Francisco, truthfully I thought he was joking.

With four days before Christmas, nightfall brought out groups of small and old alike into the street. There were dancing and singing with the complement of a guitar to rehearse for the Christmas Fiesta. Every house serenaded with Christmas carols until midnight. In return for the beautiful singing, we gave them P15 – P20 and some candy. Homemade cannons made from thick bamboo echo around town like a war zone. My thoughts are that it was to chase the evil spirits away from the New Year.

I have fallen ill, I thought I was the victim from the sweet water well, it turns out the offering given to me of a caribou foot was the culprit. The water or the food have never affected me before, however I am so ill I see the town doctor. The doctor prescribed medicine to me, lugaw and hot tea for my diet to flush me. I slept on an off for 2 ½ days in a dream within a dream.

While I slept resting, I decided on what type of house to build on beach. I wanted something comfortable, but I was only here for three or four months out of each year so didn’t want something to big and snobby, ya know? Tony, whom professes himself as a local contractor, gives me plenty of time to think about it. Although I have been in construction for 15 years, things are done differently around here with the locals. He is an educated man and very friendly, but definitely not a contractor!

Christmas morning found me back to the hospital instead of at church for the 3:30 a.m. mass, not for me but for Nanny’s mother- Tita Rose. Old and frail, she lost her balance and fell to the floor hitting her head. Seven stitches later she was sent home, and I was able to sleep for a couple hours. Eventually Tita and I were able to attend the last evening mass. The church in Dolores is good-sized and quite magnificent inside although it could desperately use some touch ups.

Outside the church, I heard the rain from faraway come closer. After the rain stopped, the sun started to set and the sky glowed pink and orange. It was hard to keep my mind focused on mass while watching the colors change. Out of the corner of my wandering eye, a small bird flew into the building with others following randomly behind. They flew wildly around past statues darting about with accuracy and around the priest celebrating the mass before settling in. This site was certainly inspiring.

My two balikbayan boxes finally made it here. I had only two boxes this time for the less fortunate. Once opened most everything seemed to magically disappear. What may have been thrown away in United States was like gold here. Some were even considered life-saving. A lot of people thought that I’m very rich, that was the furthest from the truth.

This was my first Christmas I’ve spent here. And although Christmas was somewhat bleak because of the economy, smiles still adorn their faces. I see Christmas in the United States all adorn with expesive lights, and they lock themselfs in tight! Well, that's there. And for my Christmas gift, Tony and his friend have started on my octagon- shaped house, a simple one bedroom palace on the beach. Other editions will be built eventually. Made of concrete flooring with two risers of hollow block. Coconut lumber with concrete and bamboo walls along with woven cogon grass that makes the roof swell when it rains. My humble abode is starting to take shape.

Soon I will be able to look out my living window where I write. Out into the ocean are my favorite islands where I spent my time diving to visit the beautiful coral reefs. Ever since I can remember I’ve always attempt of a house on the beach. My plans before coming to the Philippines were to build one in Rosita Beach, Baja Mexico. I had a place all picked out and reserved for me……but the Philippines is where my heart belongs.

ROADWARRIORS COPYWRITTEN
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