Only in the Philippines...

Only in the Philippines do you see gardeners "mowing" the grass with grass shearers. This gentleman works for a company that takes care of our church building grounds. I always laugh when I see them out there on their hands and knees keeping every blade of grass in perfect order.

Only in the Philippines to people build little huts up the sides of mountains and carve stairs into the mud. We see these little homes all over the place. They really are quite lovely. The railing was made out of bamboo poles.

 We live in the agricultural region of the Philippines and in every direction we see rice and corn fields with scrawny cows everywhere. This is the only breed I've ever seen. This photo was taken on a hot day and this cow found a patch of shade to rest in. Most look quite aneorexic. We bought local beef one time and it was the toughest T-Bone steak we ever tried to eat. Now we purchase only Australian beef, which is really good.

 And there is the carabao--the workhorse of the nation. They are said to be really mean if you get in their way. When I walked up to take this guy's photo he looked right at me and snorted! People ride these animals all over the place, to town or to the fields. We have purchased beautiful belts made out of the horns of the carabaos. They are polished and shiny and look like some exotic rock or wood.

 People carry the most random things on their shoulders. This guy was going door to door trying to sell this entertainment center!