Bird S--t and Karma

November 2012

Maricaban Bay, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines 

I chuckle every time I see my neighbor’s sleek white 32’ powerboat moored 50 meters away from me. Every sunset, a flock of Philippine swallows roosts on its white deck and takes a shit, leaving behind black streaks that multiply and pile up everyday. The bow is starting to look like it has a polka dot design. I have resorted to making a wide arc around the power boat on my way to shore because the odor makes my skin crawl and leaves me gagging. I’m guessing that the birds like shitting on this boat because no one lives in it and they can while away their twilight hours undisturbed. I pity the owner when he comes back and I smile and look at Paraluman’s pristine white deck with pride.

My neighbor's powerboat. Port Caltom's Reef Bar behind left.

Until yesterday. I got back after a full day of errands in Coron town to find my neighbor’s powerboat gone and the revolting sight and smell of bird shit all over Paraluman’s deck! It must have been a shock for the birds to see their shithole gone and moved on to the next convenient spot which was, unfortunately, Paraluman. It was too late to clean up last night but this morning, I got on my hands and knees immediately to rid Paraluman of this filth. It was a tricky business because the stuff is sticky like peanut butter and requires vigorous scrubbing. It also needed a lot of water which I had to scoop from the sea with a bucket. I am not afraid of physical work but this was gross and I was gagging from the smell the whole time. By the time I was done, I had bird shit all over me and jumped into the water and furiously washed off the muck. Luckily, Brenda, the dive instructor, offered to help me out but I could see she couldn’t wait to get the job done, too. Cleaning bird poop is now the only boat chore I hate. I have stopped laughing at my neighbor’s boat. 

I’ve been here a month and whenever I’m on shore, I hang out in Port Caltom’s Reef Bar where I’m always greeted with smiles from everyone whether they are tourists or resort staff, Filipinos or foreigners. I am amazed at the ease of starting a conversation with strangers which always leads to a fun time together over drinks or food.

Just some of the people I met. I may have forgotten their names but I remember the fun we shared.

I think I finally understand why Marina, my eldest daughter, loves traveling alone. She once spent 2 weeks by herself in Bali and I remember being shocked at her stories of meeting and hanging out with other people, and even riding their cars and motorcycles (horrors!), relieved that she is home safe when I was convinced that those strangers were out to drug and take advantage of her. My time here by myself in Busuanga is helping me understand and get to know my own daughter more.

I used to be wary of speaking to strangers but as a consequence of traveling alone, I have learned how to strike a conversation with other people easily if the need or desire arises.

Today was the first time I was ever snubbed. My neighbor came back today and moored the power boat in its regular spot. I was excited to meet him because I enjoy talking to and sharing fish stories with fellow boaters. I started a conversation and although he dutifully answered all my questions, he clearly looked like he was wondering why I, a stranger, was talking to him. He was acting like he wanted the conversation to end immediately and leave. I got the hint and stopped then. I was surprised because he was the first unfriendly person I met on this trip but I didn’t have a problem with that as I don’t expect everyone to be chummy with me. I’m just glad he’s back. The birds have their shitting place once again. 

How to clean bird shit: Don’t make my initial mistake of splashing water on the shit immediately. It will disintegrate into tiny bits then spread and stick on the surface even more. Wait for the shit to dry then flick it off with your finger before you scrub the gooey remains with a wet brush. Then wash off with water.