Welcome to Banaue, the 8th Wonder of the World

Welcome to Banaue, the 8th wonder of the world.  These rice terraces were built about 1000 years before Christ's advent into the world.  For about 3000 years the Ifagao tribe has been farming these terraces.  They go on for many miles (I would estimate 40 or 50 miles).  The houses you see in the distance are often 3 or 4 stories high to give you some perspective.

Having this great wonder in the far corner of our Mission is a great blessing.  For a young missionary to visit the Terraces is bawal (against the rules) because of the time and distance involved in visiting them.  In a missionaries' last cycle (his or her last 6 weeks in the mission) Sister Craig, the senior couples and I take them to see the terraces so they can see them once before they return home.  We leave the mission home at 6 AM sharp.  It takes just over three and one half hours to get there.  The trip takes you deep into the Cordillera mountains.  The highest point in this massive range of mountains is 9,587 feet above sea level.  That is impressive, given that this is a small island nation that is generally at or near sea level.  The final hour and a half in the car is best described by Sister Craig as "like a bad carnival ride".

This week we were privileged to take a group of very fine missionaries to the Banaue.  They have waited 23 months to see it.  They were giddy with excitement.  It is hard on me to know these great missionaries will soon return home.  They have become polished teachers and very fine young men and women.  They are kind and hard working.  The transformation from when they began almost 2 years ago is remarkable.  When they arrive they are shy and often inward focused.  As they return home they are confident and love the people around them.  I love these fine young people and consider it one of the great joys of my life to be around them.

Our trip to Banaue was enjoyable with great scenery and even better company.  Sister Craig and I had a van full of Filipino Elders and one honorary Filipino, an American. Often when Filipinos are with Americans they are quiet and deferential to the Americans (they let the Americans do most of the talking). As we travelled with these very excited young Elders,  Sister Craig and I were quite soon forgotten.  It was beautiful to watch their humour and camaraderie bubble over.

One poor fellow, who no doubt was a little too excited to sleep much the night before (and I do not know what he ate), required us to stop three times so he could be sick on those twisty, windy, zig zag roads.  He received no sympathy from his comrades. There were many offers of a toothbrush and mints.  There was also a lot of laughter and good hearted fun.  The views were worth it and did not disappoint.  We spent our time hiking in the terraces, shopping for souvenirs and visiting. It was a great day (even for our car sick Elder).