Kelly looked at me suspiciously; Marlyn just laughed and told her 'Driving rules here are much different than in the United States. I think the best description here is that biggest and fastest has right of way.'
Kelly gave Marlyn a look of disbelief, but let it go – I could tell that she wasn't quite sure if we were joking with her, or not. I didn't worry about it; she'd find out – one way or the other – soon enough.
When all of us were ready, we left the restaurant. I went over to take care of the bill while Kelly politely flagged down a bellhop. A few minutes later, and Bhoy was loading the van while Marlyn told us a little about the different areas we'd be passing through. Kelly had made sure to keep her camera out, and was anxiously looking forward to the start of her first real adventure. I had a look inside the van, and saw that someone had taken the time to load a small cooler with drinks, and then iced them down.
That reminded me of something else, and I discretely pulled Kelly to the side and told her 'There's something else I forgot to mention before now.'
'What?'
'About drinking here.'
'I've already been drinking here. I had a beer last night, remember?'
'No, I mean about drinking for thirst. If it doesn't come in a bottle, or it hasn't been 'processed' somehow, don't drink it. Coffee, sodas, hot tea, bottled water, beer, all that stuff is fine. Ice is 'iffy' outside of Manila; better not to actually put it IN your drink. They can't really afford the extensive water treatment systems we're used to, so there's a risk of there being something in the water. Nothing that would actually kill you, probably, but you might wish you were dead.
Okay?'
She gave me a Look, and said 'I'm glad you remembered to tell me that before, instead of after!'
I glanced around, and saw that no one was looking, so I gave her a quick kiss and said 'Me, too!'
We looked around, and saw that the only thing missing from the van was us, so we quickly took our seats in the back.
Bhoy started the van, and then had a brief conversation with Marlyn. She turned to us and said 'Bhoy wants you to know that if you want to use the seatbelts, he doesn't mind. He said that he knows most Americans feel better when they have them on.'
I looked at the rearview mirror, where I could see Bhoy looking at me, and I told him 'Why would I want to wear the seatbelt? That would just make it harder to get out after he crashes.'
He just laughed, and put the van in gear as Marlyn smiled at my joke with him.
As I'd expected, Kelly couldn't help but watch Bhoy drive. After about an hour of feeling her dig her fingernails into my hand, I could see as she almost had to FORCE herself to look at the scenery instead. On the plus side, once she'd had a look at it, she didn't bother watching Bhoy any more – there was just too much for her to take in.
The van had air conditioning, but with the windows open a bit, and the speed we were doing, I didn't feel any need for it. Kelly was too wrapped up in watching things go by – and trying to take photos out both sides of the van at the same time – to think about it.
We made a brief stop about 12:30 for a light lunch, and then it was back on the road again. We rolled into Tacloban about 5:30, and made the hotel by 6:00. Once we'd gotten our luggage into our room, Kelly and I shared a quick shower to rinse the road grime off. Dressed in fresh clothes, we joined Marlyn in the lobby so the three of us could go out to eat. Bhoy assured us that we didn't need a bodyguard for the places we planned to go to – all within a few blocks of the hotel – and left us to make his own way for the evening.
After supper, Kelly and Marlyn (with me along as load bearer) decided that a little shopping was called for – Kelly decided that she *really* needed some lighter-weight clothes. Marlyn found a few bargains, as well, so I had my hands full by the time we made it back to the hotel.
Marlyn passed on my offer for something to drink, so Kelly and I enjoyed a cold beer in the bar after we (I) got the stuff unloaded in our room.
We bought a couple of cold Cokes each to take back with us to the room, keeping them chilled with some ice the hotel provided.
After watching a little Filipino TV – and understanding about 1 word in 5,000 – it was time for bed.
Marlyn joined for an early breakfast the next morning, and when Bhoy showed up at the appointed time, we packed up and headed south to finish the journey. Kelly discovered that she didn't have anything even remotely like 'sea legs', even for something like the ferries that took us between the islands of Luzon and Samar, then later, Leyte and Mindanao. But she'd brought along some Dramamine, and hung in till the rides were done.
It took me only three days each to get the information I needed in Davao, then Surigao; both places were well-geared toward foreign investment. We spent only a day in Prosperidad; the officials I met were more interested in lining their pockets than attracting a factory that would create jobs.
Cebu took a little longer – but only because Kelly all but fell in love with it. I had my work done in 4 days, but Kelly talked me into staying a couple more so she could look around, to Marlyn's amusement.
Ormos took nearly a week – they wanted the factory and jobs, but had something of an organizational problem. I finally did get to meet with everyone I had to talk to, but the confusion over my presence did little to reassure me.
Plaridel had a lot going for it, but I didn't think it had enough to make it to the finals.
We skirted around Manila, heading for Dagupan. There, I spent the better part of a week, slightly impressed with how ready and eager they were for foreign investment. It was while we were there that I noticed a certain wistfulness in Marlyn's face. I thought I knew what the deal was, but discretely checked a map to make sure: we were barely an hour away from San Fernando, where Marilyn was.
I knew I didn't even have to check with Kelly; the next meal the three of us shared, I told Marlyn 'There is a side trip that I would like to make. I know it's not in the itinerary, but I think we have enough time for it. Heck, even if we don't, we'll make time for it.'
Surprised, Marlyn looked at me and asked 'Where is it that you want to go?'
'Well, I think it's time we paid a little visit to a town north of here.
Maybe you know where it is?'
'Perhaps. What is the town?'
'San Fernando.'
Kelly just grinned as Marlyn sat there in stunned silence for a couple minutes before jumping out of her chair to come over and hug me – then blushing furiously in embarrassment. She quickly sat down again blushed some more – and told me 'You would do that? You would go there for me, so that I can see Marilyn?'
Kelly laughed, and told her 'Of course we would. I didn't know he was going to do that, but it sounds like a fine idea, to me!'
Marlyn suddenly got a crestfallen look on her face, and told us 'I can't go. My employer would be upset with me if I went to that place while I am your guide.'
'But that isn't a problem. It wasn't your idea to go there, it was mine.
Kelly and I are going, and it is your job to keep us company, right?'
Marlyn nodded her head, still unsure, before I told her 'Besides, *I'm* not going to tell your employer, and kelly isn't going to tell your employer. Would Bhoy tell?'
Marlyn smiled, and said 'Bhoy isn't even working for them, he's working for me.'
'Then the only person we have to worry about telling them is you. So stop crying, and get to work.'
She looked at me, confused, and I told her 'If we're going to San Fernando, and it's not on the itinerary, you're going to have to find a place for us to stay, aren't you?'
She nodded, and with a happy smile on her face, told me 'I know just the place, and you don't need reservations. It is a Filipino place, but very nice. I think you will like it.'
'Good, then it's settled. What time do we leave tomorrow?'
'Ten o'clock will be good. We won't have to hurry to leave, and we will still get there in time for lunch.'
I had a thought, and asked Marlyn 'What are the rules for the orphanage?
Does Marilyn have to stay there while you are visiting?'
'Oh, no. I am her family, so she can stay with me', she answered – then suddenly realized what I was getting at, and said 'No! You can't!'
'I can't what?'
'You can't let her stay with me in the hotel. It will be too expensive!'
