Another past entry: Free writing

There is no date on this one, but this journal entry was written last year in my Writer's Craft class. It reminds me of the like/dislike opinion about my vacation to the Philippines for the first time (4 years ago)
Disclaimer: I am not at all trying to say Philippines is bad. It's just that my first time there wasn't so great.

People in the Philippines live a very simple life. You are awakened by the cockle-doodle doo-ing of the rooster at 4 am, then you get up out of the mosquito net and roll up the bed padding. The same CD is being played on the stereo every morning and your aunt has already made breakfast: fried rice, egg, and hot dogs. In the table there is cheese whiz, mayo, and a brown bag filled with loads of fresh pandesal. Your aunt offers you some coffee, and even if you say no thank you, she's already made it.

Your job is to sweep the cement in front of the shack-looking house and feed left over to the huge dogs. When you go out you have to take either the bus or the jeepney or the risky life-death motorcycle cart. If you take the bus, some guy will come up to you and give you a ticket. The bus will occasionally pick up the people that sell things for a living. Even if you pretend to sleep, they will still be up in your face: "ma'am"/ "This magical bread cures all"

The streets of the market smell like raw eggs, fish, and urine. The people automatically know you're from abroad. Speak English and you're screwed. English= money. They love to sing karaoke...even if they are out of tune. You can wear pajamas in the streets. You may accidentally fall into a ginormous pothole. You can eat spaghetti at MacDonalds and when you get out of the restaurant you may possibly fall into a gutter. A lizard might fall onto your head. And by the end of your trip, you won't be able to remember the names of all your cousins.