A Filipina Deep In The Woods of South Carolina!

Pea explores South Carolina in two segments: a night at the state fair where she conquers rides despite her fear of heights, and a solo hike through Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville. She shares candid observations about being visibly different in the rural South, the cultural confusion of Southern pet names, Filipino forest superstitions, and the fact that not a single American man has hit on her during her entire trip.

South Carolina State Fair ​

• Pea wasn't looking forward to the fair — she dislikes rides and crowds — but ends up having fun
• She plays a carnival game ($5 for one try) and gets a consolation prize blue rose even after losing
• Goes down the super slide in a dress and worries about "putting on a show for the State Fair"
• Sees deep-fried candy bars, deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and wild cakes — doesn't know what most of these are; her wallet and waistline say no to the $10 funnel cakes
• Rides the Cliffhanger: ends up dizzy and nauseated, glad she skipped the funnel cake — "I might be throwing up right now"
• Philippine fair comparison: the Philippines has fairs but not state fairs; growing up, her family couldn't afford to go, so many of these rides are genuinely first-time experiences for her
• Rides Pharaoh's Fury (a swinging ship ride): terrified, sits next to kids for comfort, ends up being "the crybaby" while a child next to her was crying too
• Tries to win at a ball-toss game to shut up an "irritating clown" — spends on 15 balls but can't knock them down: "I couldn't shut him up. Bobo wins."
• Despite her initial reluctance, she recommends it as a fun family evening activity

Paris Mountain State Park hike (Greenville) ​

• The park reminds her of the opening to The Andy Griffith Show — makes her feel like skipping stones
• Activities available: hiking, biking, canoeing, picnicking, swimming, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats
• She picks the Brissey Ridge trail — a moderate 1.5-mile, one-hour hike — reasoning she doesn't want the baby trails but also doesn't want to be "stranded on top of the mountain looking for help"
• Wildlife warnings: Eastern rat snakes and Northern water snakes (non-venomous) are fine, but copperhead snakes are venomous — if bitten, you go to the park ranger for anti-venom. She acknowledges she's hiking in shorts instead of proper boots/jeans but figures copperheads stay under foliage, not on trail paths
• She hopes to see Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies and yellow-bellied slider turtles
• Her biggest fear is black bears — she's seen TV advice about making noise or playing dead, but says in her case "I won't be playing dead because I might be dead with a heart attack and losing control of my bowel movements"

Greenville water quality ​

• She's noticed water tastes different in every state: Florida water tastes like sulfur, Savannah water is flat, but Greenville water is exceptional
• She Googled it and found Greenville has some of the purest water in the country
• Says she doesn't normally like drinking water but "could take Greenville water any time of the day" — doesn't see the point of buying bottled water there since tap is so good

Southern pet names and Filipino cultural clash ​

• In Greenville, everyone calls her "honey," "sweetheart," "darling," or "bless your heart"
• This is culture shock for a Filipina — in the Philippines, calling another woman "darling" while your girlfriend is around is basically flirting and would require serious explaining
• She's concluded it's just the Southern way and is getting used to it

Filipino forest mythology ​

• Being alone deep in the woods triggers childhood memories: her mother warned her never to wander alone in the forest because of mythical creatures
• Specific creatures mentioned: the duende (dwarves), the tikbalang (half-human, half-horse that lives in big trees), and the kapre (tall hairy creature that lives in a big tree smoking a cigar)

Being the "other" and nobody hitting on her ​

• She notices the trail is completely empty — contrasts with the Philippines where a hiking trail would have ~30 people
• Viewers asked how she's being received by American men — her honest answer: "Not one single guy has hit on me"
• The only advance she's received was from a woman on a beach
• She speculates on reasons: maybe hanging around guys who "live deep in the woods," maybe her hair length (past her butt) is unusual, maybe some men think she looks like a child and avoid looking, or maybe she just looks odd
• She's good-humored about it but adds: "Darn it"

Closing — the phone call to Mom ​

• She does her recurring bit of calling her mom and using innuendo-laden language about her trip
• "I've been trying so many new things... I just had Five Guys all the way" (the burger chain) and "next time they want me to try a little In-N-Out on camera too"
• "I even ended up with a stock beaver at a truck stop" and "I've really been packing it in lately"
• Mentions feeling "a little ashamed of doing it in front of other Filipinos" because many don't get the opportunity to travel like she does

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