02.18.08
Restrooms or Sonya’s Garden?
The recent bathroom comments on Spin Off From Steele’s Chronicles fits right in with my travel log continuation. I think there are certain things we take for granted here in the U.S. like nice bathrooms with hot and cold water, strong water pressure, and an actual toilet. . . Years ago when I visited the Philippines, no one prepared me for what I was going to have to deal with in regards to the restroom. While there may have been an actual toilet there, it did not always flush with the flip of a lever. Instead, to flush the toilet, one had to fill up a bucket with water and pour it in. The showers were similar, and there is even a “name” for a common way of showering there called, “tabo, tabo.” What that means is you shower by filling a bucket of water, then scooping water out with a cup or bowl, and just pouring it over your body. There are even plastic containers especially used for that which has a long handle. From time to time, one might even find a gecko in the restroom, which would give me the willies even more!
Okay, so all the bathroom talk was not how I intended to plug for Sonya’s Garden. . . BUT, Sonya did have lovely bathrooms as well as good food and nice gardens! I’m not sure how she got started, but her garden and restaurant has evolved into a bed and breakfast.
Sonya’s Garden was tucked away in a side road just outside of Tagaytay. Luckily we found it because is sure took away the disappointment of not being able to take a boat out to the Taal Volcano.
We didn’t know what to expect from Sonya’s Garden. Our cousins just told us that when we go to Tagaytay, visit Sonya’s Garden. Thank God we did! Here’s a view of the inside of the garden from the restroom lounge area (my dad is walking back to our table, heheh).
Now I’m gonna devote a bit of time to Sonya’s restrooms. . . That’s why I thought the previous bathroom discussions fit right in with this part of our travels. Anyone who has traveled to different countries knows that restrooms can be a scary place to visit. . . Years ago in France, we had to stop off and use “squat toilets.” I know they have regular toilets, too, but they also had squat toilets. Even in Turkey a couple stop areas still had squat toilets, although they were very clean. But consider tropical climates, and the bathrooms become a bit more hairy. Think mold, algae, geckos, low water pressure, cold water, erp! So when we got to Sonya’s Garden, this was a lovely sight to see. . . a beautiful bathroom. . . even the “stalls” were little “rooms” that were clean and even pleasant to be in. The stalls are just on the opposite side of the sinks. This is what they looked like.
And this is inside a stall. . .
Clean and nothing scary! Trust me, I’m sure this is something any woman who travels appreciates! Thank you, Sonya!!!!! Even outside in her garden, she had lovely restrooms. Here’s a shot of a couple of them from outside.
Her restrooms were so tastefully arranged and even lovely to look at that I had to take all these pictures. There was always a outer area and the stalls were always a separate room that wasn’t so small that you bang your head on the door, ha! 
Here’s another shot just looking into one of the restrooms from the garden. There is a little vanity table and chair. The partitions and doors have the traditional capice squares. The lower portions were painted white, plenty of lighting, and no sign of mold anywhere. This is something any female can appreciate.
But wait, this place is not called Sonya’s Bathrooms. . . but rather, Sonya’s Garden. So I must share a few pics of her garden. There were walkways through her garden. Along the way there were benches, places to sit, and even beds in the garden with canopies to shield out the sun if it were a bit too bright. Here’s one such seating area.
And here’s one of her bench areas.
Okay, so I think my blog is starting to do quirky things with all these pictures. I’m gonna have to split up my Sonya’s Garden post by continuing with a part 2. Besides, it’s late and bed just looks so inviting. . . So toodles for now!
Marlakins
patti said,
February 18, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Now THAT looks like a $5000 vanity. hee hee.
Just had to comment. Really, this is a beautiful place. 
patti
Administrator said,
February 18, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Yeah, Sonya’s Garden was a treat to visit. We really didn’t know what to expect when we got there, so after I took a trip to the restroom, I had to go back and take pictures, ha ha ha! The food was very good, and I wish I could go back there again. She even had a bakery there where we bought some goodies. She had cheese hopia, which I think she’s the only one who makes “cheese” hopia. They’re usually made with sweet beans. She also had some seasoned fried or baked broad beans. They were so addicting! I don’t know of any other place that makes them like that. The Philippines has lots of seasoned peanuts (like having a variety of different chips here), but this was the first seasoned broad beans that I had.
So what kind of $5,000 vanity did you get? Must be nice!
Marla
patti said,
February 19, 2008 at 12:33 pm
NO! NO! NO! I did not spend $5K on a vanity!! I just keep marveling that someone would actually spend that much on something so unimportant!!! hee hee. I’m going for the $200 variety (cheap by most standards)!! Sorry for the confusion.
patti
Administrator said,
February 20, 2008 at 12:31 am
Oh! I see. But I do know what you mean about how much some people spend on very superficial things. That is another issue I have often thought about and have even posted about how some people spend such exorbitant amounts on artworks that really have no function at all but to look good. When I get stumped on issues, I like to wonder what would God have to say about it. And in the Bible there are instances where God specifies exactly what things are supposed to look like from the construction of the temple, the ark of the covenant, and even the purple cloth with the “pomegranates” on the hems of the priests’ robes. It appeared that some aesthetics have a place, but where do we draw the line? I guess that could take up a whole discussion, ha! But, yeah, for a person on my budget and family obligations, it wouldn’t be right for me to spend money on those types of things.
I’m sure a $200 vanity can be just as appealing! Bet your house is shaping up really nicely! And you have an interior designer helping you? Wow, your place is gonna be fabulous!
Take care!
Marla
patti said,
February 20, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Oh, excesses kill me. I am so practical I have a hard time with anything that seems excessive. Especially in a home. Like you said, art and stuff. What’s the point? I suppose I could enjoy the beauty of something like that, but I could not justify paying for expensive art. In my mind, I would wonder how many missionaries I could have supported, or how many church planters I could have helped. Know what I mean? I guess I think in light of eternity when it comes to spending large sums of money on things that don’t “do” anything.
Well, the “interior designer” is not technically so, nor is she being paid (other then I will do something nice for her when we’re done). She’s 29yrs old. She’s teaches at a christian school, living at home, waiting patiently (or impatiently) for the Lord to bring a spouse to her. She just happens to be really good with decorating/colors and I asked if she’d help with my house. She was excited just because she doesn’t have a house of her own to decorate. So, not exactly an “interior designer.” Just someone really good at it. So far, she’s had me cover my couch although it was in good shape(thank you surefit). She helped me pick out colors for the cushions on mom’s furniture that we kept (they were 40+ yrs old and needed recovering). She’s picked out the colors for the older part of the house and is working on the new part for me. For fun, I told her she could do whatever she wanted with the playroom so long as it would “grow” with the kids. The other rooms I’ve had input as to colors/schemes I like and she’s worked with that. But I thought it would be fun for her to do a room totally on her own. So far, she’s thinking about painting (yes, I said painting) the playroom floor and putting in a fun throw type rug. We found rugs at Home Fabrics for $150. Which is far cheaper then the $900 that the builder budgeted for carpet in that room. So, it should be interesting when she’s done. But if I’m painting the floor, just another reason for VOC paint! I LOVE that she’s thrifty. She’s having me make all the curtains, etc.
Back to Sonja’s garden…. an expensive vanity in a restaurant is a must! But for a home? Practical and simple is good.
Okay, I lied. I looked, our vanity is $300. ha ha. But the builder budgeted $800 so what is he, nuts? I’ve come to the conclusion that when they budget for this stuff they are spending a lot of your money that you don’t want to spend! He budgeted $200 ($200!) for a toilet paper roll and two towel bars. What on earth am I going to have for a toilet paper roll, gold? Okay, I’m really laughing as I type this because I do find it hilarious. Although his wife told me we’d go broke on door hardware because they don’t budget for that. So, I suppose it all evens out in the end. And what we’re “saving” on my vanity I’m getting tile flooring instead of vinyl. But still…. it’s all a game. Never build from scratch. It’s not worth it. Trust me! But IT IS fun to watch it all go up. We have floor supports in the addition now and I can “see” the playroom, bathroom and stairwell. Very neat.
Okay, off for tonight.
patti
patti said,
February 20, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Alright, I did think of one excess I would spend money on (we all have one, don’t we?). I told Ron years ago that when we have our 15th anniversary (this year will be 13) that I want to take my ruby and replace it with a diamond (it would have to be about 1 1/2 carots – ouch!) and put my ruby back in my original engagement ring and have him give that to Grace when she’s 13. So, there’s a $5000 excess for ya! hee hee. We all have our price, right? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
patti
Administrator said,
February 20, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Ah! Wow, that must be nice to look at! Yeah, why do we girls love jewelry? While I don’t personally have anything too valuable, I do have quite a variety. . . And I “still” love to go look whenever the gem show comes around and go looky-loo shopping if I see some artsy looking jewelry or other foreign designs. I think I get it from my mom. I don’t care much for those regular jewelry stores in the malls, tho. I like more handcrafted stuff especially silver and whatever stones look good in them. While I used to be into turquoise, lately I’ve been into amber, ha ha. My two sisters aren’t as bad as I am. BUT they will buy one or two very expensive jewelry, and that’s good enough for them. I’m almost the opposite where I don’t want to spend too much on one item because what if I lose it? Ha! And of course, I can’t afford anything too pricey. I prefer a lot of variety, but won’t feel too horrible if I happen to lose it, which I’ve done quite a bit, ha! But sometimes I do feel guilty because I do have a lot. More than I need. . . and that adds up budget-wise. I will say that most of the stuff I got before AA, and since them I’ve been pretty good about not getting too much stuff, so that’s a consolation. And I don’t even wear much of it anymore. I have managed to find self-control after all. . .
I do try to remember to donate, but I’m very picky where I’ll donate because I have to be very comfortable with the way the donation is used. And I think that’s one of the reasons I don’t like socialized medicine. Not because it’s going to pay other people’s medical bills, but because whatever money would be taken out of my taxes would likely go to conventional drug treatments like chemos which I don’t stand by and would not like to contribute to.
I do think art has a place because God did give instructions for some pretty artsy looking implements and structures. It seemed to matter to Him how the temple would be built including the design of the robes the priests would wear. He did choose choice woods like cedar and also gold for other things. But I think it’s where our heart is is what makes the difference. i.e. what do we “treasure?” The Bible tells us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Oh well, I’m sure there’s a lot to think about on that one, so better stop here, heheh.
Take care!
Marla
patti said,
February 21, 2008 at 9:21 am
Good points about the donating and where our money would go with socialized medicine. We don’t donate to most groups. Mainly directly to missionaries that we know personally (or through their mission boards on their behalf). I will say that Ron’s mom donated to a TON of groups, most of which we didn’t approve but one in particular we were concerned about. I mentioned that one time when blogging about her. Anyways, there’s an organization that provides for accountability to non-profits if they want to jump through the hoops. For fun, Ron looked up a few of them to see where they rated as far as how much actually went towards their “cause” and how much went to administration. He was actually very impressed to see that Dayspring International and Focus on the Family had more then 90% of the funds they receive go directly into ministry functions and only 10% or less to administration. We thought that was pretty good. Anyways, it is VERY important to know where the funds are going.
Just thought I’d throw this in…..
patti