BE in the Philippines - Take It Easy

Take It easy, take it easy 
Don't let the sound of your own wheels 
drive you crazy 
Lighten up while you still can 
don't even try to understand 
Just find a place to make your stand 
and take it easy 

If you are planning a road trip in the near future, I highly recommend creating a CD or mixtape (#oldschool) of 94 Eagles' songs with some live versions mixed in.

{Buck, me, and Emily at Banaue Rice Terraces}

Thanks to Attorney Floyd, this became the soundtrack of Buck, Emily, and I's tour around Northern Luzon. Just sayin' it might have played 5 or 6 times over but never got old. And thanks to Buck's endless knowledge, Emily and I learned all sorts of fun facts about the band!

After a fun but exhausting preschool graduation, we continued on Saturday, March 22 to another Episcopal Diocese, EDNP (Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines). On the way to Bontoc, the diocesan headquarters of EDNP, you pass straight through the Banaue Rice Terraces, the "8th Wonder of the World." We couldn't not stop.

Unfortunately, the terraces were in the beginning stages of a new cropping. They weren't as golden with grains of rice swaying along the mountainside as when I went in the Fall. But it was still amazing to see the glorious wonder of these massive terraces carved into the side of the mountain. We also walked down to see a recreation of a traditional Ifugao hut ornately decorated with skulls of recently killed cuisine.

After stopping at Banaue, an interview with Emily in the car, and listening to more Eagles tunes, we took a quick break at another rice terrace overlook. It's right before entering Bontoc and one my favorite places to stop. I don't know how this little village was formed in the middle of this mountainside but it's truly picturesque.

Once we arrived in Bontoc we had some time to kill before dinner with Bishop Brent. I won't talk about how Emily almost became blind in one eye why we were a little late for dinner. In the end, all was good! Dinner was a feast for 15 people. Bishop mentioned how he invited more of his staff but only Padi Liobac could make it. So a feast for 15 only served to 5. We had lovely conversation about ministries of EDNP, the future of the church, and life.

The next day, Sunday morning, we were scheduled to attend mass at the Cathedral. However, Bishop was scheduled for confirmations in Sagada and invited us along. We happily accepted and so another Philippine city added to the list!

The road trip continues! Three days down, six to go!

Thanks for reading!

Photos by Emily Cherry