Returned from IloIlo - The City of Love

[jmcooper002]

Well I returned last week, and got sick with a throat infection. I got sick with the climate change and going in and out of hot and cold ( A/C ). Irregardless of getting sick it was an amazing trip from start to finish. After a total travel time of about 18 hours and plenty of sleep on the plane. The long flight time wasn't too bad i think after about 6 hours your body just goes into an immobile state and you become complacent.


Getting off of the plane in Iloilo was a wonderful feeling, and as I walk down the hallway to go into the terminal this state of nervousness, and excitement came over me. I took a moment to compose my self and walked down to meet my girl. I walked out to a sea of beautiful girls trying to get me to use their taxi service and looked past them to see my girl walking up to me. Both her and I are not super affectionate in public places so we gave each other and a nice hug and got a taxi to my hotel. It was nice to hold her finally and give her the kiss I waited to give her for a year and a half.


I went to meet the parents and family on Saturday and that was a good experience. I got to see first hand how people live their in more remote areas. They had no running water, no hot water and it was very muddy. I met with the father for a good hour and talked to him about life and who I was and they were happy that I was Catholic, and they invited me to stay at their house. After a long talk he said he knew that his daughter loved me very much and was very happy that I was there to see her.


I can say that from the first moment I saw Katie We connected. I have never felt so comfortable with anyone as I did her. I like that feeling. Its rare in my life. She was a sweet woman that wanted to take care of me. It was very different than I am used to feeling with girls back home. The experience was worth every minute of the time it took to finally get there.


The weekdays that I was there we spent a lot of time going from town to town to see the areas she grew up in. They have so many beautiful Spanish influenced structures. The poverty there is amazing as well to see.  People work so hard for so little. I love the Catholic influence on the country but maybe some education on family planning would be beneficial to those with 9 kids no education and trying to survive off of the wages of a rice farmer.


I was fortunate enough to try a lot of the fine foods there I tried the Balot which tastes fine I just cant say I love the texture of it, and with no water to wash it down it made it hard to swallow.  The Durian was also something I was fortunate enough to try. And if I am more fortunate I will not have to try it again.


I went to an island called Guimaras which is a remote area off of the coast of IloIlo Katie stuck me right next to her on the front seat of a tricycle and it was a very cramped ride for a big man like myself. After my legs went numb I decided maybe I would just get in the back which honestly wasn't much better.  I had a blast though seeing the white sand beaches clear water remote waterfalls and a lot of really friendly people.


On Saturday we went a town called Guimbal for there annual fiesta. We went to the home of one of Katie's old school mates and we were invited for  a feast. I noticed that I kept getting invited to eat  after the kids and as I sat there waiting for everyone else I was politely was reminded that everyone else was waiting to eat and that there wasn't enough room here for everyone. So I politely left the table and we went to the patio. I am used to everyone eating together.


The next Sunday we went to the beach with her family and nieces they were so cute and call me tito Jeremy. They are young so their English is not so great but i really do appreciate when you try.  They were great kids and we had fun together.  I loved how warm the water there was, and the owner of the beach resort was very nice and accommodating to me.  My girls dad bought me a beer and we relax on the beach talking again and drinking our beer.  Overall I get the feeling that i received his approval at the end of the trip. He never once had any issues with his daughter staying with me and was always so kind to me.


On our last day there we tie up some lose ends and go to the mall. I buy her a very simple ring that says that my intention is to bring you to the US. I have spent so much time getting to know here I feel confident to bring her here.  I know that in my heart she is right for me. I take a lot of time really learning about her before taking that next step but after meeting her friends family and spending so much time validating everything she has told me. I plan to take the next step and bring here here. We are working on collecting the conditions needed to file. I will take any advice people have  on the immigration process. Thanks for listening guys. Let me know of any feedback you may have.

[Jeff S]

Congratulations jm, and thanks for the trip report. Was this your first visit to see her?

[thekfc]

Lovely, glad that you enjoyed yourself!!!
You tried the balut & durian fruit - I haven't tried either & don't think that I will try either in the near future.


Should you have any questions, just ask away. There are guys here who have gone through the process and can offer advice or direct you in the right direction.

[Tanuki]

Very nice trip report.  Congrats on the wonderful find!  I wish you and your lucky lady the best.

[robert angel]

JMC,

Sounds like a nice trip. It certainly didn't hurt that you'd known her for a year and a half, if on-line. But to meet someone in person for the first time and feel so comfortable right from the start, tells me that you met some good Filipinos. Isn't it great to just 'fall onto a relationship' so easily w/o having to feel like you're jumping through hoops to please a woman--and one who's probably impossible to please? I think that's what a lot of American guys feel like when dating American women. I used to hate those days...

Sounds like Katie and her family really felt obligated to take care of you and did a great job. I have seen that many times before, even seeing people I just met at random over there, who felt it was their 'duty' in a way, to be good hosts, representing their country in that way. Among Filipino natives other than taxi drivers, pretty much everyone was nicer than they had to be, Christian and Muslim alike.
 
Had to laugh at your legs getting numb in the tricycle. Didn't you find a lot of things--toilets to tricycles, about 3/4 size? The poverty is pretty sobering and I don't think anyone of us wants to make the Filipino poor out to be happy simpletons, but did you feel that overall, the people seemed happier, more inclined to laugh, smile and interact positively with each other than most Americans?

Have to give you respect for trying the durian, but balut without water? Man o live!--I couldn't imagine it!
 
Speaking of USCIS paperwork, did you have her sign any forms that require original signatures and did you write out letters of intent to marry? If not, it can still be done and it sounds like you're on your way all the same! Congratulations on a great trip and best wishes for the future!

[jmcooper002]

There is no doubt that I found a great girl guys. She was amazing. Yes this is the first time I have ever met her, and although I am not supposed to fall in love with her online (and I really tried not too) it still happened. I kept an open mind on my visit and tried to determine whether or not this would be a smart decision but I couldn't find anything I didn't really like about her.


I have some letters that we have written back and forth discussing the idea of marriage, and maybe a few emails. I have a lot o f correspondence via yahoo messenger and plan to use as much of that as possible.  I also have the signed documents passport copy plus new passport photos on there way. she is getting the police clearance now. I have several photos of us together which are required.


From what my girl tells me, Ilonggo people are really friendly and hospitality is normal there. They are all very friendly and loving. I met the whole family and got a unanimous 2 thumbs up by the family. I only got to meet with them for a short time but they all liked how I treated the children, I went to church and was always trying to interact with them.


Robert yes the toilets to tricycles to beds are all too small for this Kano. The jeepney going out of town to Guimbal was the worst. They packed that jeepney with people. We were lapping it and it was hot and uncomfortable the whole 2 hour drive there.  The lack of toilet seats were a little gross when I needed to sit on them. I asked how it was done and Katie said just sit down and  I decided not too.


Overall guys I would say wow why did I wait so long to do this. It was probably fear of the unknown but I should have done this 10 years earlier.

[z_k_g]

Coop,

Nice trip report!

Did you karaoke?  That's the national obsession!

Get any San Miguel Lite?

Your pinay is a beauty, congrats!

Zulu