April 20,

HAPPY EASTER!

We awoke refreshed, both having had an excellent night’s sleep. Jeff said he did hear a musical procession twice at 05 & 06. We readied and had a super great shower! Blessings!!! We are staying at the Frankfurter Deluxe Inn – I kid you not, that’s the name! I think it is top rated! (LOL) We have included breakfast so we partook of it. I had Cornsilog- corned beef, an over easy egg and rice; Jeff had Hamsilog- ham with a sauce, an over easy egg and rice. We both choose juice, as we took our Java mixes down with us using their hot water. We don’t have a kettle in our room.

After we ate we went back to our room and just relaxed. The GCCebu minister and his wife picked us up at 1300, and took us to the church. I think we shook hands of most everyone there. It is a smaller congregation than the other two we’ve been to here, but it is just as welcoming and friendly. There are a few young adults and a handful of children. The service was great and started with worship led by a five person band. We sang three songs all in English. Then we were asked to speak briefly to introduce ourselves. I think we only spoke for 5 minutes. Next was a Speaking of Life segment on the Joy of Christ’s Salvation. Then a good sermon from John 20. Followed by communion and an offertory with a last song.

The brethren then had some appetizers and we all fellow-shipped. Then we were invited to dinner with a group – I think were ten total. We were squired in one car with two ladies and a young lady driver. We all met back up at Chika-an Sa Cebu where we ate. I ordered a Sizzling Tuna Belly and Jeff had Grilled Tuna Panga, of Tuna Jaw or Collar. They ordered a large set menu, two soups and a few other dishes – including a water spinach, and veggie one. They shared all their dishes but did not seem to eat any of ours, until midway through the meal. Again they all paid and wouldn’t take any money from us. It was good fellow-shipping and making new friends. Finally, we were all satiated and left, strolling a bit by the sea on a promenade. Where the restaurant is located is on reclaimed land, so we were right next to the water. Since it was now night, the lights of the city shown, glowing up buildings and a distant bridge. The young lady driving us said it is the longest bridge in the Philippines. From here we said goodbyes to most of them and now only one other lady accompanies us and our driver.

We were let off at our hotel. What a good day making memories. We stayed up and linked up with our GCDerby church back home and then bed.

     April 21,

Up & about and then to breakfast. We had our Javas and juice. I had Pancakes with butter and syrup; Jeff had Longsilog- which is Filipino sausage, over easy egg and rice. The sausages to us still seem too much like hot dogs. Anyway, after we finished we went back up to our room, which is on the fourth and top floor. We talked with my sister, catching up with each other.

Now we out going to the bus station. Jeff wanted to get our tickets to our next destination since the app for the bus service won’t let us on. So we got in a long line. Once we got up to the counter, and Jeff told what he wanted for Wednesday. The lady told us to come back on the day we needed to go. Wow, okay! So they don’t book in advance. Alrighty, with that we went to a local mall, grocery store and got a few things. Back to our place, we cooled off. Then we connected with Jeff’s sister and her husband, getting all updated. We talk more with our family now that we are halfway around the world, than we did when we lived in the US! Seems funny, but it’s the truth.

After we finished we went back out, going to a house museum. It’s called Casa Gorordo. We bought tickets that included a guided tour. I’m glad we did. Our guide was very informative and related stuff we would not have gotten if we’d done the tour ourselves. It cost 150 PHP, which was $2.64 each. The house was built in the 1850’s by a Filipino man and bought by a Spanish merchant, Juan Isidro de Gorordo in 1863. Four generations of the Gorordo family lived here. In 1980 the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation acquired the property, restored and opened the museum. It is a National Historical Landmark. We started on the grand floor, which would have been the garage area. The guide showed and talked us through a brief history of Cebu and the house with an interactive map. She did a great job. Then we were lead through history of grinding mills and transportation in early bygone days up to modern times with props of oxen drawn carts and models of trains to now used Jeepneys.

Next we went up the main staircase into the actual house. It is still furnished with furniture pieces from the last generation of the Gerardo’s. The pieces were beautiful, masterfully carved wood. The dining table table was a large round, one piece top! Interesting tidbit, this past Holy week a family member of the third generation visited here. She is 91!!! Our guide said she comes every year! This fact was worth getting the guide for me. How cool is that – this lady was born here and still comes to see the house she grew up in! Amazing!

We finished the tour and E-hailed a Grab taxi to get food. We went to The House of Lechon. Cebu is renowned for Lechon- which is whole roasted pig. We had a ½ kilo of Lechon, which is just over a pound, and a garlic rice that we shared. I had a strawberry shake and Jeff had a Red Horse Beer. The pork was so tender and flavorful. It came with a broth-type Au jus and a coconut vinegar called Sinamak. It cost us 1248 PHP, which was $22.01.

We walked back to our place and passed the rest of the late afternoon evening in our room. I blogged and Jeff read. Hopefully, my scratchy throat will be gone tomorrow.