Baguio Adventure and Training!

Our Baguio Trip began at 4am! We met at the PAO and got a van with Luie, 

our wonderful driver! It was a beautiful drive, especially seeing the 

sun rise over Mt. Ariah.

 

 We stopped for a CR break and found a good one - a seat AND paper! Awesome!

 We saw this little tike as we left NLEX and headed into Urdaneta. We couldn't 

believe all the baskets they had packed on, and inside, their family!

 Another tike we drove past was full of young men, at least 5 or 6. Roger rolled 

down the window to take their picture and they shouted out, "Hello Joe!" He said

 that in Viet Nam, the locals always said the to him - GI Joe.

 Next stop - Lion's head. It was awesome. Everyone was stopping for pictures in the 

canyon going up to Baguio.

Sorry, a moving car just does not do justice to the homes that are built straight up
 the mountain. We understand more fully why they worry of earthquakes here!

Baguio is beautiful and cool! It is so high that even pine trees grow there! 

As we drove up to Camp John Hay. When we drove up, I couldn't believe it!

 I felt like we were in Park City!

 The inside reminded us of Westgate!
For a little bit, we could imagine 

that we were close to home -
just on vacation!

 After we checked in we did some touring. Haide, her son Vaughn, and 

Elder and Sister DuPaix in front of the Presidential Mansion.

It is the summer home I'm sure!!!

 We decided we were all tired of being taller

 than Haidi!

 Luie than took us to a shopping area high on the hills of Baguio, overlooking the canyon. 

There was a photo op where you could put on the native clothing and take pictures. 

There was the cutest little girl there with me!!!
She wasn't very excited about having me in her picture though!

 Elder DuPaix with his cute little Native wife, Sis. DuPaix.

After we left, we bought some strawberry jam and peanut brittle and then went to

 "Easter Weavers"to see how they actually make the clothe. It was toltally amazing. 

These looms are almost 100 years old.

Sat. Morning we went to the Chapel for our training. Most of the meeting 

houses have outside basketball courts. These cute young men were having 

a great time - and none were members of the Church!

We had a wonderful training with the Stake Public Affairs leaders in the Baguio area. 

After much urging from Elder DuPaix, Sis. Bailey and Sis. DuPaix finally sang a 

duet with Haidi accompanying. We sang "Teach Me to Walk".

Our Baguio Training batch! Wonderful women, almost all of whom are involved 

in the teaching profession.

Shopping before heading back to Manila.

Sis. DuPaix buying oranges at the wet market. (Wet verus dry goods!) 

They were really good!

The funniest sight - McDollibee. Quite the combination of McDonald's and Jollibee 

who are the biggest competitors for the fast food marker here. However, I don't think 

he was selling burgers!

We came down the canyon, which reminded us of Provo Canyon, complete with a 

lovely waterfall. It was June 1st, Grandpa Rasband's birthday and I thought of the many 

trips we had taken up Provo Canyon to visit his Mom in Heber. I think he would have

 enjoyed our ride!!!

Hanging bridge over the canyon! There was a nice resort on the other side - 

if you dared to go across!

Coming to the end of a wonderful trip! A beautiful sunset! Then the thunder, lightening 

and rain set in. Our driver was amazing and kept driving even when some of the big 

trucks gave up! It is one of the worst storms we have driven in! We were very happy 

to arrive home safely!