I spent the month of December in the Philippines, visiting with my mom's side of her family that I had never met. I learned to experience the way of living day to day.

Here's 30 facts for 30 days I spent in the Philippines.

1. Philippines is 13 hours ahead of eastern time

2. It's 90 degrees everyday, where it's 30 degrees back at my home in East Tennessee.

3. The native language is Tagalog

-if they are running out of English words to speak, Filipinos call it "nosebleed"

4. Most people don't drive, they ride public transportation such as a jeepney, tricycle, motorcycle, bus etc.

5. Food is mainly protein and rice

-rice eaten 3x a meal

-lots of meats

-limited dairy

-McDonalds has banana pies

-fruits are sweet

6. Eat with fork in right hand and spoon in left hand

7. Tap water is filled with bacteria, shower with a dipper in cold water from a bucket

8. Pearls are popular because they come from the local oysters

9. Poverty in several different areas

10. Dogs and cats aren't usually kept as pets

11. Includes one of the top ten largest malls in the world: SM(SuperMarket)

12. High security in malls and stores

ex: A security guard will check you in at the door by searching your bag, and you walk through a scanner

13. Every time means 30 minutes-1 hour late

14. To get to the Philippines from the Southern United States of America to Manila it takes about 24 hours of flying and layover time

15. Traffic is similar to NYC traffic but without lanes

16. Students normally finish their education by the age of 20

17. The underground river in Puerto Princesa is one of the 7 wonders of nature

18. Everything is so cheap!

19. SIM card in phone

20. Global/Smart for phone carrier

21. Be ready to bring your own toilet paper and pesos to pay for restroom

22. Bathrooms are called the CR (Comfort Room)

23. Filipinos like to bleach their skin instead of having tan skin like Americans

24. Filipino TV mimics American TV

25. Typically you have to ask 3x if you are asking for something

26. Take your shoes off at door and wear house slippers

27. Count starting with your pinky instead of in Americans who start with their pointer

28. Parols (Christmas lanterns) line the streets starting December 17th

29. In the city of Marikina, they have the world's largest shoe

30. Manila city is the most densely populated in the world

I would highly recommend visiting Philippines!