First let me say DC traffic is nothing compared to traffic in Manila! It’s crazy – if there are lines on the roads no one pays any attention to them and the bumper to bumper traffic is stop and go for miles and miles.
We left the guest house in Manila early and drove south to see the Volcano Taal with a stop to see the world’s only bamboo pipe organ. We also had a wonderful lunch at Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast, also in Tagaytay. The gardens were gorgeous and they grew the lettuce for the salad right there.
In the slideshow you’ll see the Stallsmith family enjoying a treat of Starbucks on Manila Bay, street scenes on the drive to the church with the bamboo organ, lunch at Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast, volcano Taal, a roadside nursery in Tagaytay, a pineapple field on the drive back and school kids boarding a Jeepney. Jeepneys and tricycles are very common forms of transportation and are everywhere, like cabs in NYC. The last slide is coming into Manila. The metal structure is a billboard – which are huge and everywhere – with the sign taken down for the typhoon season.
On my way to the Philippines, I had a 12 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see a little of Germany, plus I’d get a stamp in my passport if I left the airport. So, not knowing a single word of German but with a few tips on which trains to take, I ventured out. I went to the zoo first and then walked around at the main downtown stop and happened upon the Christmas bazar in the square. The only sign in this picture that means anything to me is the one with the U as that was one of the trains I took. Somehow I managed to take the right trains in the right directions on the first try. The strangest thing about the train system is that you don’t have to show a ticket your to ride. I guess it’s all on the honor system. Here’s a slideshow of Germany.
My first day in Manila Glenn, Sarah, the girls(Catherine, Madeline and Molly)and I took a boat over for a tour of Corregidor Island. It was a significant spot in many wars as it is located at the entrance to Manila Bay. The Spanish Lighthouse remains, but all the buildings built by the Americans during World War II are crumbling. This picture is of the movie theater that once entertained thousands of American soldiers. We had lunch at the hotel on the Island. The drink is buko pandan (translated young coconut and leaf – the coconut you can see, the green color is from a leaf). Here’s a slideshow of Corregidor.
My sister loves the camera, and we had fun with her maternity shoot last weekend. Lenox will be here in a month (Susan hopes sooner rather than later – as you can tell he’s already a big boy!) and we hope he’ll enjoy being photographed like his mother rather than being the reluctant subject that his father is. Thanks for being a good sport Leon! Lenox is an oldest child and a first grandchild, so I have no doubt his life will be well documented! Here are a few more pictures in a slideshow.
The best part of my job is the wonderful people that I meet. Yesterday I had a great time in Old Town with Anne and Chris. I think the images show how much fun they have together. You can see for yourself – here’s their slideshow.
Last week I finally was able to meet Grant. He belongs to my good friend Sara and her husband Chris. Grant’s almost 5 months old and so adorable! 
