When arriving at the Betania Retreat House (a nunnery basically)
About
The Venue of Quiet and Reflection for privately guided individual or group retreats.
Description
We at Betania Retreat House-Calamba, welcome you to a little haven of quiet and serenity. Betania is nestled on a hillside secluded by abundant trees and greens and flora, demonstrating God's beauty and grandeur.
We offer warm and tranquil environment for prayer, solicitude and quiet reflection to individuals and all peoples of any faith traditions. It is your ideal place for:
Group or Preached Retreats
Stay-out or Overnight Recollections
Youth Encounters
Individual Private Retreats
Seminars and Conferences
Marriage and Family Encounters
Prayer Meetings
Spiritual Direction and Counseling
Renewal Programs
Enrichment Programs and others
Betania is seedbed for contemplation, an oasis for presence and connection. Feel free to visit us or inquire by phone or email.
We offer warm and tranquil environment for prayer, solicitude and quiet reflection to individuals and all peoples of any faith traditions. It is your ideal place for:
Group or Preached Retreats
Stay-out or Overnight Recollections
Youth Encounters
Individual Private Retreats
Seminars and Conferences
Marriage and Family Encounters
Prayer Meetings
Spiritual Direction and Counseling
Renewal Programs
Enrichment Programs and others
Betania is seedbed for contemplation, an oasis for presence and connection. Feel free to visit us or inquire by phone or email.
We were put into rooms already sharing with the Filipinos, which was a bit overwhelming as we were out out of our comfort zones! But it was a good kind of an overwhelming feeling, as it meant we had to talk to them rather than be divided into the 'Filipinos' and the 'British'.
We arrived rather late so there wasn't enough time to fully know the Filipinos well, instead we ate dinner (yes, rice was one of the food laid out), everyone introduced themselves and we played a quick game of something like charades to "break the ice".
The next day, we got on a hired jeepeny (our very first ride) and travelled to the LapuLapu beach as our social activity! It was a very long journey as the jeepeny had to stop to get tickets for its tax(something like that, that's what I was told by one of the Filipinos) - it took us about two/three hours to get to the destination!
But it was quite a fun journey filled with laughter and an embarrassing moment for me! (I will not explain it in here as there are some people who read my blog, and I would prefer it if they did not know about this shameful moment! Haha) We learnt a lot more abut the Filipinos and the Filipino Sign language! The Filipinos also learnt out language, the British Sign Language!
I don't know about you, but my assumptions/idea of a beach is sand with the sea. Well, let's just say when I arrived, my imagination of this 'beach' was wrong. It was like cement land (I hope that makes sense?!), with the sea right in front of it- I guess the advantage of that is no sandy feet! However, later in the day, the tides pulled in and we could see the sand! :) but by this time I was too tired to swim/walk.
We had lunch, which consisted of rice (surprise), sausages and spam. I enjoyed the sausages, so yay! We gave the leftovers to what looked like a stray dog, we, the British, felt sorry as it's unusual to see stray dogs and cats around whereas the Filipinos didn't seem so bothered! If they do have dogs as their 'pet' at home, it would either be in a cage or tied to something as they are only there for their protection. They wouldn't really have a cat as their pet!
The day was fabulous as it gave us a chance to really mingle with the Filipinos, gave us time to fully absorb the fact that we are in THE PHILIPPINES! It also gave us the chance to relax after a few hectic days of travelling!
Bye for now! :)
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