How Was the Philippines?

I have been asked this question so many times since returning from our trip to the Philippines. I usually start with a little laugh and then am not sure where to go from there. Did we love every minute of it? Not even. Did we have the best island hopping vacation ever? Probably. I feel like I would have to explain for hours for someone to understand what it was like but most people don't want to listen to hours of explanation. So I guess it boils down to this - It was a great experience for all of us. We got to live in a culture completely different from what we are used to and that was good for us to do together as a family but I am so happy to be back in Australia!

Here are some things I miss about Philippines:

1. Friends we made at church. Makes me thankful for Facebook so we can keep in touch more easily.

The whole Primary and leaders after doing their Primary presentation in November.

2. Taco Bell (maybe it is sort of sad that this is something I will miss but it was so nice to have one around! Bean burritos and fiesta potatoes...my mouth is watering while I type!)

3. Inexpensive living

4. Green everywhere (It was pretty shocking to come back to Australia in the summer. We had forgotten just how dry it gets here)

5. Rain to cool things down

6. Not being cold - ever! The first few days back I kept wearing a jacket because it felt cold to me.

7. Mangoes

8. Being able to spend more time together. Already it seems like most nights/days there is something going on. Life was a much slower pace there and we got to do so much more together.

9. Inexpensive haircuts. Nate and the kids got their hair cut at the barber the whole time we were there. Now we are back to mom doing the hair cuts. I think I have mentioned before how much I dislike giving haircuts. Just before we left I got my hair cut one last time. It was the equivalent of $5 including a tip. I was little nervous at first because the guy giving the haircut had a perm and a mullet but it all turned out fine.

10. Ice cream varieties. The ice cream flavors in Australia are so lame. You basically have a choice of vanilla, chocolate or a combination of vanilla and chocolate. I am only slightly exaggerating.

11. Clothing Stores. I never actually bought any clothing while we were there but I had a few stores I loved to walk through and look at - Jellybean and Kamiseta. The shirts were so cute and inexpensive! Do they have Kamiseta in the US?

12. Sis. Cristy's Tocino. A lady in our ward had a little home business seasoning and selling meats. Her tocino was amazing!

13. Ladies who come twice a week to clean bathrooms and sweep floors. I had forgotten how gross it could be sharing a bathroom with 3 boys because I was so spoiled!