In an old Vigan school house, I found that the library had housed at least a dozen of this history book, A Brief History of the Philippines. I wondered if the caretaker would let me buy a copy but instead of taking my pesos she said I could have it, as if I were doing her the favor. This was taken in the small town of La Union, just south of Vigan. The Filipinos love their instant coffee. Especially this one. As she studied her textbook’s illustrated maps with a hot cup of coffee, sand between her toes, and the sea in the distance.
