FILLED OF THINGS THAT WERE DONE IN FIRST 100 DAYS IN DENMARK (DAY 33)

DAY 33 – June 20, 2009

Officially, I am 1 month here. May 18, 2009, when I had my flight out of the Philippines and May 19, 2009, when I arrived here. During my stay, I found some interesting things that I wish Philippines had. Sounds crazy but I think there’s no harm if we do the same.

THINGS I WISH WE HAD IN THE PHILIPPINES

11. Mind your own trash – They don’t have janitors in some place or someone will pick you trash. Inside the food chain even in the park. You should throw your own trash in the trash can.

10. Grocery Bags – We had few collections of plastic bags from supermarket and it can be use again. Plastic bags in the supermarket are also for sale. You have to buy it also. So, to save some money, they will use it again. This is a good way of recycling. And in the supermarkets, there’s no bagger. You have put your groceries in your bags. I think that’s cool. In the Philippines, you can have plastic bags as long as you want and throw it afterwards. I think SM and Robinsons are promoting to buy a bag that can be use again. And that’s a good way of informing people about environment. Cool and classy bag. I hope Filipinos support this campaign

9. Recycle..Recycle..Recycle.. --- Speaking of recycling. Cans are recyclable. If there’s a “Pan” sign in the can. You can exchange it with money. So, sometimes we collect can and exchange it and walah! We have money for Loppe Market. Good way to save money and to save environment.

8. Home appliances --- Call it stupid but I like the appliances here. If I can send some in the Philippines and It is so cheap. For example, TV with DVD on its side. Washing Machine with dryer and Dish washing machine with dryer.

7. Bike lanes --- Bike is common here. It’s another means of transportation here and they have bike lane. They have also priority on bikes. There’s a parking lot for bike and you can find it all over the place. Even in the main road they have bike lane and it is safe to take a bike around the city. I know they are now implementing bikes and bike lane in the Philippines but what I am afraid of is how safe taking bike around the city. With the kind of drivers we have I doubt it.

6. Greener place --- Though this is one of the progressive countries in Europe, still they have parks and forest near residential areas. And their gardens are full of greens. They love plants and flowers. Everyday they want to go to the park or forest to take a fresh air.

5. Fresh milk – You can’t believe this. Bottled water is more expensive than Milk. And they drink milk as if it is water. So I can have milk as much I want. It is quite different from Pinas. They have different kind of milk. However, there’s no evaporated or condensed milk.

4. Cheap and fast broadband --- Monthly broadband subscription costs are very low and represent a small share of household expenses. And I can say that it is fast. I can communicate to my family and friends every time I want. I have connection 24/7.

3. More time for family bonding --- Normally, both parents are working. They are out in the house for 8 hours however, they make sure that they have time for their children after works or they will go to park, beach or even out of the country if there is a holiday. I think it is good that they spend quality time with their kids.

2. Free health insurance – The moment that I applied and I receive my CPR number, I received a letter from the city health service reminding me to go for a pap smear, a screening procedure for early detection of cervical cancer and other gynecological diseases. And it is free for the residence. I know we have in the Pinas but how effective it is. You have to undergo several processes just to get a free check up.

1. Clean water from faucet. --- A friend said to me, that the water in the faucet is cleaner that the bottled water. You can actually drink the water straight from the faucet and I found it amazing. That’s how clean this country. I have this thinking from the Pinas that don’t ever get water in the faucet. Even for cooking because it is so dirty.

MORAL LESSON: Get the meat and throw the bones.