Balut

It is hard to believe that we have now passed our 5 month mark. Time really does "fly on wings of lightning".  

Elder and Sister Nelson

The first picture today is a hold over from last week. We actually drove all by ourselves into the heart of Cebu to the temple complex in order to swap supplies that had been mis-delivered. We had received the order for Cebu Mission and they had received ours. The Cebu Mission office is on the temple grounds. This was the first time we made this trip without someone to guide us. We did it with only one minor moment of confusion, with the driver saying something like "I don't remember this at all..." and the right seat passenger thinking something like "Oh no, what have we gotten ourselves into?". Thankfully, both recovered fairly quickly and made it the rest of the way.

This was an opportunity for us to talk again with the office couple in the Cebu mission, ask them questions and swap ideas. Elder and Sister Nelson are the best. They have been a major help to us as a resource as we continue to learn our assignments. We were able to pull them away from the office long enough to have lunch together at a little place they knew about not far away. They are every bit as nice as they look.

So what is Balut? We are glad you asked.

Balut Vendor

In a nutshell, or more accurately, in an egg shell, Balut is a duck egg. But not just any duck egg. It is a fertilized duck egg that is allowed to develop for 16 to 18 days before it is cooked and eaten. Elder Giauque felt that it was time to introduce us to this delicacy. He also thinks that the 18 day eggs are better than the 16 day eggs. Sometimes we question Elder Giauque's judgement. 

Ellerie

Ellerie is a local member who happened to be working with Elder Albar and was very excited when he was invited to stay and join in the feast. One of these days we will need to tell more about Ellerie.

Elder Albar is really excited.

Balut on the half shell.

Just add vinegar and salt.

Close up view.

Elder Jimenez, Ellerie, Elder Giauque, Elder Albar. They just couldn't get enough.

Did he or didn't he?

It wasn't easy but we managed to save a balut to take to Ruben who is the security guard for the church/mission office compound here in Lilo-an. Ruben is another very special individual who is the embodiment of dedication. He is at his post from 6 PM to 6 AM every night, rain or moonlight.

Elder Giaque presenting Ruben with a balut.

The pictures this week have truly spoken louder than words. We would like to end with something that seemed so out of place we don't even know what to say about it.

What?