Going local is nowhere easier than on the beach. Encouraged by our Filipino friends we participated (and to a certain extend enjoyed) two of the most typical Pinoy entertainment activities: eating balut and singing karaoke.
The Filipinos eat balut, a fertilized duck egg just like Westerners eat chips or ice-cream. It's a snack and an aphrodisiac, apparently causing a 'strong knee'. Balut better have a promising selling proposition! Why else would one want to eat a partially developed duckling? In peer-pressure moments like these ("C'mon Jana, try!") I pull my I'm-a-vegetarian card out my sleeve and get off the hook. To be honest, even during my non-vegetarian days I refused to try balut. The idea to chew on bones, feathers, and a beak has never watered my mouth.
Glenn on the other hand is brave. He faces the culinary challenge. I document everything on video. Peeling the hot egg without spilling all the 'soup' is the first task to master. The egg is boiling hot and soon the table is covered in brownish water. Much to the dismay of our friends, who explain that the soup is the best part! A strong smell of chicken escapes the egg. Facing the embryo Glenn reaches for the vinegar to spice it. The laughter and excitement is increasing at the table. Chow, chow! Two bites, a lot of chewing, a tough swallowing and the duckling is gone. Such bravery deserves a drink! What makes a better chaser than a Mindoro Sling?! Tanduay, fruit juice, apple cubes and a lot of ice (without any hygienic track record, but who cares? If not the ice, the dirty glasses will upset your stomach for sure.)
After a few Mindoro Slings it's a walk in the park to convince us to sing. A karaoke bar is quickly identified and soon after, our friends hug the microphone. It takes us a few songs but eventually I start and give my best to perform Paula Abdul's famous 'rush, rush'. Yes! Rush! For safety because next in line is Glenn! I've never heard 'YMCA' so loosely interpreted before! The karaoke machine doesn't seem to mind. Glenn scores 85% based on a questionable automated standard!
The concept of standard was surely never heard of before in the next establishment we stumbled upon: a transvestite beach bar promising fire dance and a variety show. Well, while we are here why not enjoy? Jona, our waitress proudly presents his hormone-puffed boobs. After a quick girls talk about hair treatment and shape supporting bras we are up for 'picture picture tayo!! Sure, let's do what we do best: camwhoring!
Silence! The show starts! A dramatic light and sound show sets the stage for the phantom of the opera, dressed in yellow tulle. For the next 45 minutes, anorexic, choppy, pretty, and pretty ugly 'ladies' conquered the stage in their high heel shoes. Frankly, I'm most impressed by these guys' ability to walk in those shoes! More manly was the fire dance performance. At least nobody wore heels. I did get concerned though about some of the (s)hes' long and fancy wigs catching fire!
Encouraged by Mindoro's Sling and cheerful friends I found myself fire dancing with this mixed batch. The perfect closure for a great beach day!
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