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CANADA?After having lived in Canada for a couple of years, I must say I really miss a lot of things back home. Here are the top ten on my list:
Family ? We have no immediate relatives with us here and surely being away from my mom, brothers, sister, in-laws, nieces, and nephews is difficult. We would celebrate special occasions like Christmas, New Year?s Day, and birthdays on our own. My kids really miss doing fun stuff with all their cousins?things like getting together on birthdays, going to Manila Memorial Park to visit my dad, summer outings, and gift giving during the holidays.
Friends ? I have so many who go all the way back to high school and I have maintained a very special relationship with them through the years. It would be nice to spend time just chatting about everyday life, sharing your problems, or just having someone to listen. Sometimes I still get this feeling of guilt for not being there when I hear about the death of a mother or sister of one of my friends, someone getting really sick or having marital problems. Somehow, I feel I want to reach out as much as I could and make them realize I am still here for them.
My helpers ? When I find myself confronted with too much laundry or ironing to do or when I do not feel like waking up early to prepare breakfast or just wanting to take a nap because I am too tired, the more I wish I had them here. My kids would often call out their names as well when there are lots of pots, pans, and dishes to clean.
Beauty parlor and spa ? Having been a weekly regular for manicure, pedicure, foot spa, hair spa, body massage, and body scrub, I struggled to give this up. I have managed to cope by learning to do my own nails and the weekly foot scrub and body scrub. That is why I only go to the parlor every three months now for my haircut. I have also learned how to color my hair. My extended health care covers massage therapy but only to a certain extent as I have to pay beyond the amount covered.
Wet market ? I miss buying fresh meat and seafood from the public market in Parañaque. I have to go to the Chinese grocery here to get kenchi for mechado or braising ribs for sinigang. For fresh seafood it is either the Fishermen?s wharf in Richmond or Granville Island. I also miss the various native delicacies like pichi pichi, biko, puto bumbong, kutchinta. Wow?thinking of these sure makes me hungry!
Divisoria ? I would usually hunt for good bargains here in October. I remember bringing home at least three big Winnie the Pooh bags (the ones made of plastic sack) filled with lots of stuff from T-shirts to trinkets to school supplies. Sometimes when I see some of these items in the dollar store here, I always say I can get that a lot cheaper from Divi!
Misa de Gallo and Visita Iglesia ? Although I live across the street from the Catholic church, the parish here still does not have the Misa de Gallo. The ones we do have are the midnight masses for Christmas and New Year?s Eve although a lot of times, there are only a few attendees especially when there is a heavy snowfall like what happened last year. During Lent, only the Filipinos here do the Visita Iglesia. Most of the churches close right after the Last Supper Mass and on Good Friday so you have to start doing the rounds of the churches before the mass on Maundy Thursday.
Beach ? Nothing matches our beautiful beaches! Even Tali Beach in Nasugbu is way better than what we have here. There may be lakes but the water is still so cold. I can never take a dip in the lake or the beach especially if the wind is blowing. I will surely freeze!
Mangoes and bananas ? I bought a few mangoes that they advertise as Philippine style mangoes that come from Mexico but it does not even come close to the taste of our mangoes. The only ones I enjoy are those that are similar to our Indian mangoes. I have not found any of our famous latundan bananas here. The most common available in the groceries are the lacatan variety. Even the plantain bananas which some say are the equivalent of our saba does not taste the same. The original saba is available only in the Filipino shops or some Chinese stores carry the frozen ones.
Showbiz talk shows ? Some may find it stupid but I enjoy keeping up-to-date with showbiz news. I must admit I frequent the local showbiz websites every day. Must be my way of de-stressing.
Of course there are those things that I can do without:
Heat ? I cannot imagine myself enduring 34 or 36 degrees Celsius and all the humidity again. I remember before when we go out, having the Good Morning towel packed in the bags is a must because all my kids sweat like crazy under the heat. One good thing that happened to us when we moved here is not getting asthma attacks anymore.
Traffic ? This is one thing I will not miss for sure! I hate sitting in the traffic with no alternative route to go because all roads are packed.
Floods ? I lived in a flood-prone area and the heavy rain always gave me a fright when it pours. I constantly monitored the weather news and even high tide and low tide hours during the rainy season. I always made sure I have the big Chinese calendar showing the phases of the moon and the tide hours. I developed a phobia for the rain that I did not feel like going out when a tropical depression is forecast.
Snatchers, hold-uppers and dugo-dugo gangs ? With all the experiences I have had and stories I heard about these guys, I have yet to learn to let my guard down when I take public transport or walk the streets at night here.
Corruption ? There may be some going on here but nothing compares to what goes in our government agencies where there is also a lot of red tape. The thing that bothers me most is when I hear news about donations for calamity victims that get diverted somewhere else. It makes me wonder, have you got any compassion in your hearts at all?
Oh well of course, after all is said and done I still regard the Philippines as home.
