August 15th Philippines

We had to wake up early to go on a day trip to Kawasan Falls. We took a bus to a place where we got a helmet, life jacket and a pair of tennis shoes from a ton of old ones plied on the floor. They had us sign a waver, just saying if anything happens they wont be liable. We then had to pair-up and jump on the back of motorcycles. Three people on a small motorcycle on bad roads is not fun I’ll tell you that. My hip was cramping so bad being smashed between Albin and the driver.

The drivers stopped and had us walk a trail through the mountains. Everything was really green and beautiful. I loved every second of the hike. Once we got to the water we had to literally jump in. I jumped in. Agh! My side cramped so bad, as I keep trying to push through the pain than my foot started cramping. I just couldn’t get ride of it. Even when my cramps went away I was happy I could skip some of the jumps and could hike around. Albin was doing backflips and seemed so confident. I really was embarrassed with myself. I was the only one who didn’t do some of the jumps. WHY! WHY! Why do I have to try everything with a huge amount of fear. Once I actually do it I find that I had nothing to fear Albin was so nice and even gave me a hug and told me not everyone likes heights.

When we finally reached Kawasan Falls I found the waterfall not as impressive as I expected. It was cool don’t get me wrong. The water was the bluest water I have ever seen. We ate lunch and took a swim. We walked back to return all the gear. You can get to the falls straight from a road, but the tour is really fun and you get to see and experience lots of waterfalls.

For dinner we went to a Swedish restaurant called Three Crowns. Rebecca, Johan, and Albin have been talking about Swedish dishes the whole time we have been traveling together and they make it sound like the best food in the world. I tried a Swedish Dish of meatballs, mash-potatoes with cream sauce and lingonberries. It was good, I bet it would have been better if I was actually in Sweden. All the talk of home food really makes me miss food from home. I can’t wait to have a good steak and potatoes with a big glass of wine or even some Mexican food… how I miss real Mexican food. I haven’t had anything close the the real ethnic Mexican food I have at home. As I went to bed I realized the little things that I love about home: food, clean living, a real closet, and being able to completely relax no fear being surrounded by everyone you know and trust!