Day 178 - Whitewater Rafting

Cultural note: Anyone in you parents' generation is an Auntie or Uncle. They might be blood, they might not be, heck, they might be a neighbor you are particularly fond of. Pretty much, if they are that generation, they are Auntie or Uncle. Anyone the generation above your parents is a Lolo or a Lola. The word means 'grandma' or 'grandpa', but same rules apply as for 'Auntie' and 'Uncle'.

We spent the day whitewater rafting. Early in the morning, we rode out to meet the Jeepney that would take us to the riverfront. For those of you who don't know, attempts have been made to occupy the Philippines by pretty much every world power in the 20th century. The US made its bid in the early 40's and left behind scores of army jeeps. These have since been converted, and elaborately decorated as one of the main forms of public transportation. No trip to the Phils is complete without a ride in one.

Joining us on the rafting trip were some of Cz's cousins (our age), Cz's mom (a good mom age - a lady never tells), and Cz's Lolo (77 years old! Actually the husband of Cz's maternal grandmother's sister - see how the Lolo thing is simpler?). This was not a leisurely float down a quiet river. One of the first things the guides told us was that they saw falling in and flipping as a bonus, and that the water was running at 3-plus. Rapids are rated on a scale of 1-5. 3 plus means big water, but very little chance of actually drowning if if you fall out.

There was another small group going on the trip, so we divided into the 'mild' group (including Cz's mom and Lolo), guaranteed not to flip, and the 'wild' group (no flipping guaranteed, but a good chance of it). We started out in the 'mild' group, looking out for Cz's mom. But the wild group looked like they were having so much fun that halfway through, we traded with a couple of cousins, and got in the 'wild' boat.

Cz fell off in the very first rapid we hit after trading. At the next rapid, an attempt was made to flip the boat. We managed to toss everyone out except me. I was much disappointed. Finally, only a few rapids from the end, we managed to flip the boat entirely over. I wound up underneath it, but managed to duck out again with very little trouble (we had been coached ahead of time about what to do if you are trapped under the raft).

In between rapids, we were allowed off the rafts to float. Even Cz's mom and Lolo floated! We finished the day with a barbecue by the river. Once again we stuffed ourselves, and then hopped back in the Jeepney for our return trip.

After a little rest (and of course 'snack') at Auntie T's house, we were picked up by Cz's cousins LV, G, and their son J. We rode into the hills with them to the Del Monte pineapple plantation where they work and live. We had a lovely dinner with them, and were amused by J's riddles. We hope that when we come back to Cagayan, I can go horseback riding, and Cz can play video games with J.

Here's one of J's riddles for you scroll down for the answer:
John is the father of Peter. Peter is the son of John. John is the _________of Peter's father.









Answer:
__________ = "Name"