San Fernando City, La Union
We are still here. I was able to convince my dad to give us 5 more days (hopefully, the fencing of the property will be finished before then).
Our old red '71 Toyota Corolla which was fixed and retrofitted with my grandpa's jeep transmission was taken to the Ilokoslobakia Auto Shop and Clinic for some minor repairs to the gas tank connector, etc. Peter spent almost $100 for the repair and labor. The very next day after it was delivered to the compound we took the car for a ride to Bacnotan - about 20 kms from Lingsat. Peter had to concentrate on the accelerator as it tends to stick - he needs to step on it quickly to unstick it. Aside from that he had to concentrate on the road, avoiding pedestrian crossing at the wrong time and wrong places, public jeeps and buses stopping without warning or swerving at anytime, oncoming vehicles overtaking and other distractions.
The car's body is extremely strong and well preserved but the inside upholstery, dashboard, and stuff are just falling apart. The windows rattled because all the rubber moldings were removed. The wipers are not funtioning nor the front signal lights working. This car is just a fair-weather and daylight vehicle only.
As we drove out of the compound and left into the national highway, Peter was getting a bit tense because he didn't want the car to die out in the middle of the highway. We succeded in crossing the street and going into the gas station to put 500 pesos (11 liters) worth of gas. The gas station clerk was motioning to us to move closer because he thought the gas tank was on the right side but in fact it was in the back behind the license plate holder - truly an antique design. Next, we needed to turn left again into the National highway to go north - Bacnotan.
As Peter was driving it felt like he wasn't really stepping on the brakes to avoid vehicles and pedestrians but just swerving to miss them. It was such a hilarious and tense drive. Fortunately, as we drove north the lesser the cars were.
In Bacnotan, we visited the gravesite of Lolo Maximino Nebres, Lola Gregoria and Aunty Dorcas. The workers there cleared up the site, removed all the overgrown grass and plants and trimmed the guave tree growing in the front left corner of the area. Some small grass were already growing back because of the constant rain. The workers suggested a thin layer of cement poured all over the ground so that maintenance will not be expensive in the long run. We told them we'll get back to them when we've discussed this with Dad Dan.
Our drive back to Lingsat was equally funny and tense. As soon as we drove into the compound we were both relieved. It's just incredible that this old car that I used to drive when I was in College and which we had for so many years, experienced so many accidents and crashes, is still intact, except for its parts that have been retrofitted, is still able to drive us from point A-B. Maybe if we spent time and some money fixing it up it will be like one of those old VWs that is low maintenance. Maybe my cousin Ryan can do it - he can use it for his dates. :-P
That lunch we were invited to a 3 yr. old birthday party for Noel's niece, Clarisse (the daughter of our contractor/engineer). They had great food: turbo fried chicken, bopiz, kilawin, kinilaw na fresh tuna, kaldereta, battered fried chicken, and other viands. (Yep, no veggies in sight. :-( ) Anyway, it was a good time for us to talk with Jess, the engineer and to enjoy other delicacies.
On Saturday Ryan, Uncle Tird, Peter and I went to the beach property to do some clean-up of the trash in the ground. The caretaker, who's supposed to take care of the property, didn't really do his job of caring for it he was just focused on making so much money from the people coming to picnic under the huts, people who just want to hang out, eat and sing (videoke), and people coming to use the water pump (which we own) to shower. The caretaker moved next door and continues to do his business and raking up bucko pesos especially during holidays. Well, we hope to close up that pump so that he won't be able to use it and be forced to leave the premises. He's just taken advantage for 10 years. Not one cent was paid to my grandma. Hopefully, we'll be able to get his customers to come to our property once it's open. For now, we are just clearing up the site.
That afternoon my dad arrived. We wanted to show him the property but everyone in the compound was invited to the1st birthday party of Shane Jacob at Max's Fried Chicken. All of us, except for my lola and my dad, were there enjoying the fun kid's games and most especially the food. There were lots of viands: Max's fried chicken, of course, pancit, dinuguan, lechon, sweet sour fried fish, beef with veggies, etc., mushroom soup, lots of desserts and drinks. We were so stuffed that Peter and I decided to skip dinner.
The next morning we went to the beach property with my dad. It was raining so the ground was wet and muddy. The workers were able to pour some concrete on one of the gate posts. We didn't stay long because the rain began to pour harder. Instead we drove straight to CSI to buy some grocery.
Back in Lingsat, we got ready for our surprise lunch for my Lola - Grandparent's Day. I asked my Aunty Esther to make the miki noodles and the puso ng saging diningding. Noel cooked chicken inasal, sinanglaw, grilled milkfish, kinilaw na bulilit. Aunty Marilen made the gelatin drink. While I spent for the cake. It was a surprise for Lola. She looked really happy and really appreciated this special lunch for her. Despite the heat inside the house we all had a wonderful time eating and talking story with one another. There were only a few viands that had some leftovers but the rest were all demolished. The cake was still plentiful and the ice cream about half full. I am glad that there's this special day to celebrate Grandparent's and that we were here to help celebrate with her. I guess, this is also an advanced birthday celebration for us as we will not be here on October 14. Overall, we had a great time spending time with Lola and with one another.
That night the rain poured buckets and buckets of water, which felt and sounded like hale. It only abated around the early morning hours letting the sun peak through the clouds. Now it's nice and cool due to the slight breeze. Hopefully, it will dry out a bit so we can do some cleaning at the site this afternoon.
We are still here. I was able to convince my dad to give us 5 more days (hopefully, the fencing of the property will be finished before then).
Our old red '71 Toyota Corolla which was fixed and retrofitted with my grandpa's jeep transmission was taken to the Ilokoslobakia Auto Shop and Clinic for some minor repairs to the gas tank connector, etc. Peter spent almost $100 for the repair and labor. The very next day after it was delivered to the compound we took the car for a ride to Bacnotan - about 20 kms from Lingsat. Peter had to concentrate on the accelerator as it tends to stick - he needs to step on it quickly to unstick it. Aside from that he had to concentrate on the road, avoiding pedestrian crossing at the wrong time and wrong places, public jeeps and buses stopping without warning or swerving at anytime, oncoming vehicles overtaking and other distractions.
The car's body is extremely strong and well preserved but the inside upholstery, dashboard, and stuff are just falling apart. The windows rattled because all the rubber moldings were removed. The wipers are not funtioning nor the front signal lights working. This car is just a fair-weather and daylight vehicle only.
As we drove out of the compound and left into the national highway, Peter was getting a bit tense because he didn't want the car to die out in the middle of the highway. We succeded in crossing the street and going into the gas station to put 500 pesos (11 liters) worth of gas. The gas station clerk was motioning to us to move closer because he thought the gas tank was on the right side but in fact it was in the back behind the license plate holder - truly an antique design. Next, we needed to turn left again into the National highway to go north - Bacnotan.
As Peter was driving it felt like he wasn't really stepping on the brakes to avoid vehicles and pedestrians but just swerving to miss them. It was such a hilarious and tense drive. Fortunately, as we drove north the lesser the cars were.
In Bacnotan, we visited the gravesite of Lolo Maximino Nebres, Lola Gregoria and Aunty Dorcas. The workers there cleared up the site, removed all the overgrown grass and plants and trimmed the guave tree growing in the front left corner of the area. Some small grass were already growing back because of the constant rain. The workers suggested a thin layer of cement poured all over the ground so that maintenance will not be expensive in the long run. We told them we'll get back to them when we've discussed this with Dad Dan.
Our drive back to Lingsat was equally funny and tense. As soon as we drove into the compound we were both relieved. It's just incredible that this old car that I used to drive when I was in College and which we had for so many years, experienced so many accidents and crashes, is still intact, except for its parts that have been retrofitted, is still able to drive us from point A-B. Maybe if we spent time and some money fixing it up it will be like one of those old VWs that is low maintenance. Maybe my cousin Ryan can do it - he can use it for his dates. :-P
That lunch we were invited to a 3 yr. old birthday party for Noel's niece, Clarisse (the daughter of our contractor/engineer). They had great food: turbo fried chicken, bopiz, kilawin, kinilaw na fresh tuna, kaldereta, battered fried chicken, and other viands. (Yep, no veggies in sight. :-( ) Anyway, it was a good time for us to talk with Jess, the engineer and to enjoy other delicacies.
On Saturday Ryan, Uncle Tird, Peter and I went to the beach property to do some clean-up of the trash in the ground. The caretaker, who's supposed to take care of the property, didn't really do his job of caring for it he was just focused on making so much money from the people coming to picnic under the huts, people who just want to hang out, eat and sing (videoke), and people coming to use the water pump (which we own) to shower. The caretaker moved next door and continues to do his business and raking up bucko pesos especially during holidays. Well, we hope to close up that pump so that he won't be able to use it and be forced to leave the premises. He's just taken advantage for 10 years. Not one cent was paid to my grandma. Hopefully, we'll be able to get his customers to come to our property once it's open. For now, we are just clearing up the site.
That afternoon my dad arrived. We wanted to show him the property but everyone in the compound was invited to the1st birthday party of Shane Jacob at Max's Fried Chicken. All of us, except for my lola and my dad, were there enjoying the fun kid's games and most especially the food. There were lots of viands: Max's fried chicken, of course, pancit, dinuguan, lechon, sweet sour fried fish, beef with veggies, etc., mushroom soup, lots of desserts and drinks. We were so stuffed that Peter and I decided to skip dinner.
The next morning we went to the beach property with my dad. It was raining so the ground was wet and muddy. The workers were able to pour some concrete on one of the gate posts. We didn't stay long because the rain began to pour harder. Instead we drove straight to CSI to buy some grocery.
Back in Lingsat, we got ready for our surprise lunch for my Lola - Grandparent's Day. I asked my Aunty Esther to make the miki noodles and the puso ng saging diningding. Noel cooked chicken inasal, sinanglaw, grilled milkfish, kinilaw na bulilit. Aunty Marilen made the gelatin drink. While I spent for the cake. It was a surprise for Lola. She looked really happy and really appreciated this special lunch for her. Despite the heat inside the house we all had a wonderful time eating and talking story with one another. There were only a few viands that had some leftovers but the rest were all demolished. The cake was still plentiful and the ice cream about half full. I am glad that there's this special day to celebrate Grandparent's and that we were here to help celebrate with her. I guess, this is also an advanced birthday celebration for us as we will not be here on October 14. Overall, we had a great time spending time with Lola and with one another.
That night the rain poured buckets and buckets of water, which felt and sounded like hale. It only abated around the early morning hours letting the sun peak through the clouds. Now it's nice and cool due to the slight breeze. Hopefully, it will dry out a bit so we can do some cleaning at the site this afternoon.
posted by Mimi | 5:51 PM
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