Cebu City Experience, Part II

I watched a movie by myself yesterday, which allowed me to conquer a great fear of the modern woman and simultaneously lose 136 brain cells. Note to self: when in the big city, do not EVER watch "The Brothers Grimm," no matter how many months it has been since you saw a new release. Or how badly you hope to conquer a great fear of the modern woman, for that matter.

Somewhere in my mind, I think that, surely, the development of the human brain over the past 70 years should prevent the invention of such crappy films. But then, somewhere else in my mind, I know that as long as there exists a PC volunteer on an island without electricity in the middle of the Camotes Sea, said brainless blockbusters will, in some perverse way, continue to entice viewership.

My adventures in the city included, but were not limited to: multiple trips to Starbucks and another chain called Bo's, where the value of one single drink is enough to feed me for a week on my island; aimless strolling in a four-story, air conditioned mall; and, of course, watching one of the worst movies I've seen in months, after "Face/Off", which shouldn't even count because I'm sure it was made as a joke to make late night cable funny again. It must have been.

In his opening statement to us volunteers waaaaay back in Manila during our arrival week last April, the Philippines country director looked us over and said boldly and powerfully, "you are the Peace Corps." Those words sparked a twinge of patriotism and pride in us all, and I think I speak for most volunteers when I say we remember it, even six months later. So now, when I'm feeling just a hint of guilt while chugging a frappuchino and eating wheat bread with fancy jellies on top, I say that to myself. I am the Peace Corps. And then I continue to chug and eat, and it's delicious every time.