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30 Facts For 30 Days In The Philippines

Learning the other half of me.

Maura Woodhull

Jan 07, 2017

Milligan College

147

Maura's Facebook

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!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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30 Facts For 30 Days In The Philippines

Learning the other half of me.

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

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