Pangasinan Mornings

In the early morning, the sun takes about 30 minutes from the first light to appear.  The low clouds over the distant mountains  make for a beautiful sunrise.  [Sister Stamps] likes to take an early walk with our neighbor. It is about a mile on the local rural road to the main highway going the back way. Then they come back refreshed.  The road is paved concrete. It is about ten feet wide with irrigation ditches and fields along the sides. The morning air is fresh and cool. The trees are damp with dew. The trees are full of ants that bite. We stay clear of them.

 There are the broad mango trees with dark green leaves. These produce sweet mangos from February until May.  There are some morangi trees with small leaves and long fruit that resemble green beans before the seed pods open and drop the seeds.

There are some papaya trees here and there. These grow fast and are easily broken off. The ones by the front gate have grown from 4 inches to four feet in three months. These have large star shape leaves that branch from the trunk in an alternating pattern.  The fruit grows from the trunk in between the leaves.  The fruit hangs like large pears until ripe. These are good. The black seeds are in the enter much like a cantaloupe.

We pass banana trees with their huge long tattered leaves. They only produce every two years. Then we cross a small bridge and the local barangay hall. It is the government building for the local neighborhood. The captain and secretary know everyone who lives here. Most barangay halls have an elementary school by them. This one does not. The children walk two hundred yards to the public school or the private one near it. Each school has its own distinctive uniform. Typical is a white shirt or blouse, dark pants or a bright plaid skirt. And sandals.

Along the way are an assortment of dogs, goats, huge Brahman cows, families eating breakfast, and men going to work in the fields.  Everyone is friendly. The small kids just stare. Most people say hi.  Some homes are humble with split bamboo walls and grass roofs.  Many homes are of concrete blocks with metal roofs and elaborate iron gates.

The fields make a green carpet all the way to the mountains about 3 miles away. The houses are lined up by the roads. Different trees dot the landscape.  There are many frogs but few bugs. The mosquitos are sprayed heavily here. The malaria is gone here now. Some places have dengue from mosquitos. We don’t worry much.

We pass tricycles and motorcycles and few trucks. The local roads are quiet.  The main highways are noisy.  There are some unimproved roads which can be driven if there are rocks in them. There are some trails through the fields and by the river. We don’t drive there too often.

Life here is peaceful. It is uncomplicated. The people are happy with few earthly possessions.  Families live near to the relatives. Many work together. They share in fortunes and misfortunes together. They are usually close. Birthday celebrations are simple for the kids. If the family is prosperous the adults will have larger louder parties for their birthdays. These will have karaoke for hours or days.

The internet is rare here. Homework is optional. Few go to college. Life changes slowly for most. We are blessed to be here. We are blessed with our homes and families there.  Life is good. 

take care... Elder and Sister Stamps