Election Day in the Philippines

5/7/10
Elections happen every six years in the Philippines. It is an exciting time with both local and national candidates all campaigning at the same time. The Filipino people like the personal touch so there are not as many T.V. adds as in the states, but instead huge rallies and parades more on the local level. The poor people have the same vote as the rich so candidates are down in the barangays courting constituents shaking hands and making promises. For once the poor get a lot of attention. It seems the most popular method of getting your message out is piling as many people as possible in a flat bed truck decorated with campaign banners and flags then having a long procession of cars similarly decorated, also accompanied by motorcycles, bicycles. From this procession catchy campaign songs are blasted from loud speakers. Travel in the Philippines is difficult at best, but every six years it is even crazier. The Philippine people are the nicest, friendliest, kindest people you would ever want to meet, but they take their elections very seriously. It can turn nasty. We are told an average of 120 people are killed each election time. We have been instructed to stay home on election day, and our travel has been curtailed the week before and after.
I can add Avocado to my list of weird ice cream flavors. I had a cone the other day that was three kinds of ice cream, mango, avocado and cheese. I felt like I needed a tortilla chip. Cheese ice cream actually has chunks of processed American cheese in it. It is bright orange/yellow the color of Cheddar cheese. There is a bright purple ice cream called Uve, it is made from a root vegetable. There are so many fruits and vegetables here that I have never seen or heard of, not to mention strange meat and fish.