Talahib

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

I remember the talahib weeds quite well.  I've gotten cut by their sharp blades many times during mountain climbs, which is why I've learned to wear pants when venturing into the mountains.

I mentioned having a shovel with no handle in this post, yet still using it for chopping.  Improvisations like that were necessary during these times.  Make do with what you have, so to speak.



Original post below:

Friday, June 23, 2006

I chopped large weeds called "talahib" today. These plants spread quite fast and are a pain to get rid of. I would have dug them to the root so they wouldn't grow back, but the dirt is too hard and my shovel doesn't have a handle. I'm actually using the shovel blade to chop the talahib as I do not have a machete or itak.

I also washed a few pieces of clothing this evening. When I did this, I just placed them in the sink to dry as the sun was already setting. This however makes the clothing have a "kulong" smell that doesn't smell as fresh as letting it dry in the sunshine. I'm also washing some grime or algae that is growing on the cement.

After chopping talahib, I approached a nearby carpenter who was constructing a traditional Filipino home called a "bahay kubo". He was telling me about himself and his history in the carpentry business. He even allowed me to work a little while and experience some parts of building a bahay kubo. Basically, the wooden bamboo pieces are connected using nails and wire. The basic tools you need are just a hammer, pliers, and a saw. The largest wooden pieces create the foundation for the whole bahay kubo and give the other parts support. The skeleton of the walls and roof come next. After that, the dingding, or walls, are connected, followed by the roof. The carpenter is physically very strong and looks to be fairly healthy. He is already 61 years old. I was surprised and impressed.