My name is Brian and I live in Baltimore, Maryland USA.
My cousin Mike Schumacher joined the Peace Corp.in
1993 right out of college. He majored in forrest
conservation. He of course went through language classes to learn a couple of the dialects so that he could get around. A project that he started was creating an artificial reef made out of tires, which worked out real well.
Well after 2 years living in the Batanes province
he met a Philipino girl and got married. They later had 3 great children.
In 1998-2000 he came back to Maryland and started his own critter control busines. Basically he took care of removing and or euthinizing wildlife such as bats, raccoons, and beaver.
Well after about one year his wife did not like the climate whatsoever with winter being so cold and the snow.
So they went back to the Philippines,back to their home island Subtaung in the Batanes province.
Well over the years he made it home a couple of times for visiting usually 2 weeks to a month every other year or so.
I've been telling him over the years that I would come and visit but really did'nt have the time or
money(ie. 2 kids). Well the right time and situation has come to allow me to go by myself or
with my cousins brother Joe.
I of course had to research everything from where
to go and what to eat.
Mike said that the Pension Natividad was a great safe place to stay overnight before catching my flight via Asian Spirit to the Batanes which is about $162. I found the stories from the Gypsy Journal to be quite interesting and offering a great visitors perspective. The facts in the journal are very helpful along with the map from the airport to the hotel.
I will be taking my trip May 12-29,2005 and I am so exicited to be able to take this adventure.
When I return I will post my experiences here so that other people can enjoy what I have learned.
If anybody in Manila who happens to know my cousin Mike please email me at tsemer1@aol.com.
Thank you for letting me post this.