 - SHCG "Grocery List: All Tied Up" Challenge%20-%20Scrapbook.com)
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This is my response to my own challenge for Scrap Happenzz Critique Group – “Grocery List: All Tied Up” [1. “Grocery” meaning reference food or eating (“rice & “feast” here), 2 “List” meaning. to use a list or list format (my strip journaling) & 3. “Tied Up” meaning use ribbon/fiber (I did on the left side).] This is a 2-pager about visiting the 2,000 yr old rice terraces in the Philippines, often called the “8th Wonder of the World.”
The LO is based on Pencillines sketch 69 from 1/08. I LOVED playing w/ my new Cricut Expression for this! Thanks to Denitza, for reminding me of my love for sketches w/ her recent Page Maps challenge, & thanks to Brian for inspiring my use of Cricut shapes w/ his recent “Goddess” LO! The bird & branch are on pop dots so they stand out a little more IRL. The Scenic Route pp was a gift from Gelidy Gelato & the challenge was inspired by a book from twinscrapbee - thanks Lisa & Brenda! As usual, my scanner crops of a bit of the margins.
Strip journaling says “The 2,000 Year Old Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines, the ‘8th Wonder of the World,' were amazing! Dad & Mom's agile hiking was inspirational. Hike was a bit harrowing for acrophobic-me but I made it w/ Greg's encouragement & Romeo's help. Beautiful, awesome adventure!”
TFL :)
I really wanted to include most of the journaling from our stay in that town so I made a pocket on the left page to hold it (hard to see because the journaling's printed on paper that's a similar cream color to the background). Here's what in there for those interested in reading:
“BANAUE, PHILIPPINES / Mon. Nov 18, 2007 – In the midst of an incredible 10 day Philippines vacation w/ Greg, Mom & Dad! We arrived in Banaue at night, unable to see our surroundings, & awoke to a spectacular mountain view from our rooms at the rustic, comfy Banaue Hotel! Great breakfast buffet - Greg & I sat by the windows gawking at the rice terraced landscape. Weather: high 70s, 10 degrees lower at night.
The rice terraces are structures over 2,000 years old & are referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of The Word.” They are terraces cut into the mountain, watered by an ancient irrigation system. We decided that we'd go to the Hapao Terraces –1.5 hrs away by jeepney, not too strenuous a hike & different terraces for Mom & Dad to see from their last visit. We had a little delay, so Mom & I spent time in the upstairs gift shop – the woman was so nice & informative!
Eventually we took off. Our amazing driver Romeo went but we also had to hire a jeepney driver. It's etiquette that only jeepneys go to destinations nearby because it's the only livelihood many men can have there.
What a jeepney ride! Often, the mountain roads were unpaved, making the bumpy & winding roads more jostling. Roads were dangerously narrow, many without railings & muddy. We were prayin AND crackin up! We also saw scenes of mountain life – buildings, shanties, shops, kids playing & waving, adults going about daily activities… After about 1.5 hrs of hanging on for dear life, we reached the Hapao Terraces.
The rice terraces were a feast for the eyes, amongst great mountain air – these 2,000 yr old structures deserve their place as a world wonder! Amazing to see these magnificent creations in the mountains, w/ village buildings, & a small river, below. The terraces were brown because they were just harvested; before that, they're green or white. After taking pics (& depositing coins for using the Comfort Room, w/ its cute “leave any amount of coins for maintenance, okey?” sign), we descended. First we walked down long lengths of winding steep stairs, testing the boundaries of my acrophobia. Gratefully handrails lined most of it. I took it slow, trying NOT to look ahead to see the many knee-quaking steps & depths ahead. On handrail-less parts, Romeo would indicate side rocks I could grab for stability. My parents had no probs w/ the descent. Thankfully, Greg was behind me, just in case.
Then, we reached the terraces themselves & had to walk on top of the stone walls enclosing the terraces, balancing atop downward mazes. At best, the terrace walls were maybe 15” wide stone surfaces, w/ drops of only a couple of feet to the water-filled terraces below. At worst, the walls were 6” wide stones spread apart in mud, or w/ inclines/declines over actively bubbling streams & greater heights of several feet to either side. To say I was fearful of the heights & falling would be an understatement! I was anxious, pulse racing, but still made a point to appreciate my awesome surroundings, company & accomplishments. Romeo held my hand through some of the stones-in-mud parts, thank God! My parents continued to amaze me by maneuvering & balancing on these stone labyrinths effortlessly! We chatted w/ a friendly villager who was cleaning her terraces (pulling weeds, etc.) – they have to clean them regularly or they'll crumble. We asked which was her property; she said where you're standing! She was so kind.
Finally we reached the bottom of the terraces, where there were tables w/ hut roofs & a CR, the bubbling stream at its widest. WILD to look up to our starting point where the jeepney was parked, all the way up the mountain. Had snacks, took pics, chatted, then back up again. I did a little better on the ascent, knowing what to expect & that it was half over! But, I got stuck w/ quaky-legs on a rocks-in-the-mud ledge & Romeo, gratefully, helped me once again. We got to the stairs. I was like “AHA! Something I can do well!” Greg & I ascended the many steps w/ some ease; it was a workout. I did NOT look down!
What an exhilarating, spectacular trip!
Following, another bumpy dangerous ride back to the hotel. En route, my parents gave food to 2 mountain kids, who thanked us very cutely! Back at the hotel we enjoyed lunch w/ Romeo. I had the pancit canton – delicious!
Later we went to View Point – the highest terrace point that showed the deepest & most magnificent rice terraces & mountains, THE main photogenic spot (Greg rested at the hotel). It was very cool – definitely postcard-worthy amazing views. Cheaper souvenir shopping! Took pics w/ an Ifugao woman for a few coins; the Ifugao are the agricultural indigenous people of the area & their ancestors were the architects/builders of the terraces.
Eventually we returned to the hotel, rested, then Greg & I enjoyed room service massages. The most awesome one of my vacation - ahhh….! When we were done, Greg ate an early dinner. Mom & I souvenir shopped downstairs (postcards & wooden figurines). After that, Dad, Mom & ate. They ordered the incredibly-priced prix fixe dinner again, I ordered tasty spaghetti! It was fun & hilarious chatting w/ my parents. Greg joined later. Nice - riding the post-massage glow, feeling good & relaxed, & spending time w/ loved ones! We caught most of the Ifugao cultural show in the large lobby – cool, w/ dancing, music, explanations of customs, etc. At one point, they had a group dance inviting the audience to join. Dad did, I kinda wanted to, but videotaped Dad instead after seeing Mom struggle w/ the videocam. The historian in me! Dad did great though said he couldn't dance his best because he was wearing slip-ons! Then Mom & I returned to the nice woman in the 2nd floor gift shop. When we went upstairs, we busted 2 hotel workers doin the Ifugao dances in the hall - funny! Bought woven goods & magnets. After that, went to use up Greg's remaining internet time; it was only 100 pesos (US $2) per hour!
Another fulfilling day in the Philippines came to a close…”
Thanks for spreading positivity!
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