More South Carolina conversations:

Host father: You know, I did a lot of business in the Philippines. It used to be a great place under Marcos.

Me: Marcos was a murdering dictator...

Host father: Yes, but he ran the country quite well. Now...it's not so great. You know, I had dinner with Imelda once! Charming lady.

Me: Um...Yeah, but she was kind of a psychopath...

Host father: [obviously not listening] Well, anyway. The Philippines really was beautiful, wasn't it?


It's gonna be a long ten days.