November 22, 1970
Toril, Davao City, Philippines
Dear Folks,
We got a letter yesterday from you dated Oct. 20. the stamp in manila says it was received there Nov. 4. So it took 2 weeks to get to us from Peace Corps, Manila. It may have been in Davao at this other volunteer’s apt. for as much as a week though. We haven’t received any mail here yet through the post office. hopefully it will be faster than the Peace Corps Pouch system.l We got our ballots in yesterday’s batch too. We already know who won in Wyoming & mostly we would've voted that way. Part of the problem is that pouches go out from Manila to Regional offices only once or twice a week. Then from the regional office once a week - then here in Davao they are delivered to Sonya’s and we have to pick them up. And we didn’t even know where she lives until yesterday. She didn’t let us know that things were there. Our communication seems to be very poor here in Davao. We finally got part of our books - David’s package of 15 lbs. arrived but mine didn’t yet.
My job is in question for me - my principal has been transferred into another school & as far as I could tell there wasn’t even a job description for me with her. In other words - she requested volunteers but I don’t think she knew what she wanted them for. And now with a new man ---. There’s work to do - but I’m mad at Peace Corps - Sonya said that they told Manila not to send new Peace Corps to Davao City - there are six of us new. I think we’re all in marginal jobs - because not enough of us in our group dropped out from training. Only two of us have left from country as far as I know. Steve Wolf - the tall blond Cebuano from W. Virginia and Roy Schuab - one of the Tagalogs.
There was another typhoon in Luzon this week - one of the worst to hit Manila. New record for wind speed - 220 km/hr. the old record was 190 km/hr in the 1890’s. the Pope is coming this week. We get Friday off because he’ll be in manila. Thursday is Thanksgiving there - no holiday here but we’re having dinner Friday with some of the other volunteers nearby. Do you remember Judy Regan and Linda Mako - Tagalogs. Judy sang “Dahil Sayo” at the barrio fiesta. they were assigned in Davao. Also new in Davao is the Drinnen family. Dave & Helen have two children - 3 yrs & 1 yr. He is in math & she is in family planning. The girls have an apartment with a British volunteer, Maggie. There is another British volunteer in Davao and near here at Mt. Apo Science Foundation are two Americans in Volunteers in Asia, One British & two Japanese volunteers. They came down to a party last week.
Actually its not bad at all here - in Davao is a grocery store where we can buy Pillsbury Pancake Mix, Quaker Oatmeal, Jolly Time popcorn, Cream of Wheat. Patring buys and cooks vegetables and meat - cow & pork. For lunch & dinner we eat rice. For breakfast we usually have toast - David coffee & me cocoa. the only thing I really miss is milk - fresh milk. I mix evaporated & cocoa & sugar & pour in hot water. Not bad. We bought Raid & every week we kill several large cockroaches. We killed two last night. We have been adopted by a kitten but Patring says she sees a mouse under the stairs sometimes. We also have living with us more than a dozen Tikis, house lizards. They live on the ceiling eating bugs. Their feet have suction cups on the toes. The neighbors have chickens which roam through our yard - The rooster starts to crow - 4:30 - 5:00 - it’s usually cool then & we put the blankets on & go back to sleep. We usually get up around 6:00 - my school starts 6:45 but my 1st class isn’t till 7:30. David’s is at 7:50. Patring starts working at 5:30. Other neighbors keep goats & pigs - there is usually several tied up in the path. There are several dogs who hang around here too. Then there are the children. We are probably the only childless couple around this neighborhood & there are quite a few on the way, More later.
Love, Arlene & Dave
P.S. The name of the place for the material is Recreational Equipment Company, Seattle, Washington - Mrs. Lipman has our catalog in our room for the address - or phone book? They didn’t weigh our bags at Kennedy! A
