dako nga waves

(this is a pic of the boatride from iloilo to guimaras on a calm day) So this has been the craziest week. I came into the city last week to run some errands around 10am. I left iloilo around 3pm to go home to guimaras, so i get on the boat, and in the chanel where i board the boat it was flat -- looked like smooth sailing. about 30 seconds into the ride i knew that was not the case. all of a sudden a huge wave pounded our boat, and we looked out into the open sea -- holy crap -- we are in 6-7 foot seas in this wooden boat, with a tarp fastened over us for cover. i look out of one of the openings in the boat and see dark clouds coming in on us, and the sea just wouldn't stop. our boat was being tossed from one side to the other -- at one point we were ontop of a huge wave, and as we came down the nose of our boat went under water. the water came pouring in the front of our boat, soaking everyone -- we were in ankle deep water. a trip that should have taken 15 minutes took over 30. we were in the water being pounded for the longest 30 minutes of my life. looking out the side of the boat and seing raging seas all around, and people in the back crossing themselves,praying and crying -- wow -- it was definately intense. when the boat finally pulled up to the wharf, well needless to say, we ran off of the boat. we went over to the edge of the wharf overlooking the sea and wow, i can't believe we were just in that -- it looked like hurricane waves (for the florida people). i was walking back to get on a jeepney to ride home, and saw another boat full of passengers take off into the waves. i still can't figure out why they would operate in such weather. and why when i told people about what had happened they laughed and thought it was funny. i was definately looking for the american response "oh my gosh, are you ok" anything but laughing. i think that the priorities here are very backwards. riding in a boat in 6-7 ft seas, no problem. walking by myself to a neighbors house at 6pm, with out an umbrella -- well thats just the biggest sin you can commit here. i found this out last week when i walked 3 houses down to my language instructor's house. i wanted to talk to her about my host fam. i wasn't there even 2 minutes when i heard, NAH! NAH! NAH! - this is what they scream when they come to the door, they won't quit until you come to the door and open it. I knew it was my nanay(host mom). She came down to tell me that it wasn't safe to be out at this late hour of 6pm with out a companion and an umbrella. "But nanay, it's not raining - the sky is clear" -- but apparently i still needed the umbrella and a companion. Because God forbid i go any where alone -- i mean that is just unheard of here. AHHHHHH!!!!!!