I am back from the Philippines. What a wonderful trip. I worked in our office in Makati City and then visited our mine site on the Island of Mindanoa. The island typically sees no tourists as it is pretty dangerous to travel around there without a security team. I have fully armed security with me wherever I go. The fishing villages are astoundingly picturesque - the only sad thing was that I could not leave my car as it was too dangerous; foreigners can be kidnapped there and leaving your vehicle at any time is stressful to the militias that follow me everywhere. These images were taken at the Port of Santa Maria, where we ship our copper from. It took a lot of security logistics for me to be able to visit so I took opportunity to shoot some images of the surrounding fishing villages.
There is a great deal of poverty everywhere - quite astounding actually. But people are extremely friendly and happy and hilariously, everyone, I mean EVERYONE has a cell phone, no matter how poor they are. I got stared at continuously as people on this Island rarely see westerners. Being blond and female made me stand out even more. Our company has a hospital/medical clinic on our mine site for our employees and the surrounding indigenous people - when I toured the wards, the children were hilarious...they kept touching my hair and face because they could not believe I was real. I laughed so hard - it was just too funny. I go back in July and will be there pretty much every two to three months.
11 comments:
Wow, what an experience. I wouldn't have guessed it to be so dangerous.
I would not have imagined it being such a dangerous place. It looks breathtakingly beautiful and I am glad to hear that while you were able to gather a few shots, you were surrounded by heavily armed men at all times.
Be careful and stay safe.
It sounds like it was a really eye opening experience. Stay safe and thanks for sharing those shots
Wellcom back. What an exerience.
Katerina FF
Greece
Wow -- what an awesome opportunity -- you be careful! (Sorry, that was my mother-me speaking.) How fun with the children -- that's amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your trips in the future!
Bummer!
What an experience. I have worked and made friends woth quite a few Philipino people in the past and they are lovely. Many use to send all the wages they could back home to their families.
What an amazing experience...but it does sound dangerous too--the need of fully armed security...yikes! But it also sound very interesting too, and exciting that you'll be going back. Looking forward to hear more of you times there. Be safe... We're just back from some travels too--this time Vienna. It's lovely to catch up here with you ((HUGS))
I visited the Philippines in 1998 (my husband's roots are there)... didn't sense any danger on any of the islands we've visited. Maybe it's changed a lot since. I did get a lot of stares though. It was funny how fast people turned their heads to see "the American." :) Glad you are back safely.
How fascinating it sounds, I really hadn't though about the dangers of that area, what a fantastic (and somewhat scary) opportunity to visit somewhere so truly foreign.
Sounds like a fascinating experience. I wouldn't have guessed it would be that dangerous...
When I was in Kenya and we'd stop in little 'towns' along the way, the children would have the same reaction to me -- fair-skinned and blonde. They wanted to touch me constantly.
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