The Excursion Experience Part 1

This report will not be complete without sharing the experiences that I had beside teaching practice. Going to a new country, we should take a look and get to know the culture and people. There were so much things we did in one month. In this post, I would like to take you to the city of love, Iloilo.

The First Week

The Opening Program and The Dinagyang Festival

Uswatun Hasanah, Yohana Nenestalia and I arrived in the Iloilo City on Monday, 22nd of January. I met some of official members and one student of ISAT U. When we had our lunch, they told us that on weekend there would be a Dinagyang Festival, and we were lucky to experience the festival. They also give a schedule what we were going to do for the first week of our arrival.

On January 23rd, 2018, we were having an Opening Program for Pre-Service Teacher of SEA Teacher Exchange Program. I meet a lot of people there. One of them were of course the president of ISAT U, Mr. Raul F. Muyong and the heads of the faculties members. I was given a chance to deliver a speech and an introduction of myself and my university.

There was where I met my friends and soon became so closed to me, Rudica, Mart, Hana, Pearl, and Jean.

In the weekend, finally we could enjoy the Dinagyang Festival. On Friday, I went to the preparation of the festival with my Ilonggos friends.

The next day Uswa, Yohana and I were accompanied by Ma'am Shelah, Sir Charlie, Sir Lourance and the banana leaves boy, Nino. Nino told me that the Dinagyang was the biggest festival there in the Philippines. It was showcasing the cultures of some tribes exist in the country.

In the evening we were going to the Esplanade and riding a paddling boat on the Iloilo River.

There was one funny story when we were on the boat. Uswa and I were arguing about the water of the river whether it was salty of plain water. I tested the water and it was right the salty one, but the funny part was actually after that. They knew that I tested the water and they just could not believe I did it so. They told me that the water was actually consisted of dirt and waste of the city, to be precise, it was pee and poop which made it tested salty. And they teased me a whole night even up to this day, because the silly thing I did. hahaha...

After going to the Esplanade, we were having dinner in the SM City. I remember it was my first steamed Talaba (oyster) and grilled Bangos (fish) and I fell in love with the foods right away.

That night ended up perfectly, and now if you guys read my blog, you know how much I miss you.

The Second Week

The Guimaras Escape

Guimaras is an island across the Iloilo City. We went there on Saturday, February 2nd, 2018.It took about one hour to get there. The scenery was so breathtaking. On those white sands and crystal clear water I wrote the memories that I hope will last a life time. Yes, that is the place that I was falling so deep in love with.