26 & 27

Update 26

At 9 am we left our "resort" in the back of a truck driven by the house parent of CG.  We dropped our stuff at our new "condo" on our way to CG.  Bekah had sent me learning websites so I loaded a few and showed the CG teacher, Nordeth how to use them.  Several boys got hooked right away.  Chan & I taught English off & on till 2--then we went with several CG staff & kids to the gov't run facility.  We brought 2 large bags of clothing and a huge pot of sticky rice to donate as it seems the gov't doesn't give them enough $$. Boys were cutting wood for cooking as they didn't have $$ for propane for their stoves.  Chan went with Sharon to minister to the abused girls.  A deeply moving hour for them.  I went with Nordeth to where they kept the street kids brought there by the police.  Parents can pick them up after 3 days--but most don't.  The staff there was amazingly caring & often let the kids stay until  they found an orphanage (often CG) for them or they wanted to return to the street--many in search of their family.  When Nordeth prayed with them she asked them what they'd like to pray for--all said to return to their family.  Heartbreak.  Nordeth asked me to play games with them so we played Doggie, Doggie, Bluebird and Duck, Duck, Goose.  Such joy filled the room.  Then Nordeth gathered them and read them a story.  She was so animated and read with such expression adding much background to each page....the kids were completely captivated!  I had chills...in spite of the hot, humid weather.  Each kid then got a coloring page & a few crayons, 2 suckers and a note from a Pennsylvania Sunday school class who had sent them along with a care box to CG.  Several of the CG boys played basketball with kids who were there because they'd been caught stealing.  Sharon is so wise to realize giving to other is often the most healing of all experiences.  Sharon shared many of the boys stories & her experiences while eating later as we treated her to dinner out later.  Then we shopped a bit to stock our new home that they boys had all set up for us when we returned.  Beds were made up & floor mopped.  A few cockroaches liked it too!  Home, sweet, home.

Update 27

Another day so full of emotional moments. I'm exhausted.  How can I capture these moments when they pile up on each other so quickly that I've hardly absorbed one when another one happens.  kind of like huge ocean waves pounding my heart time after time.  Johanna telling me with tears streaming down her face that her Dad left her & later cursed her for her beliefs...how since her parents had been one Muslin & other Catholic...she didn't know which God to choose...how she has never felt loved... til now.  she hugged me & thanked me for giving her strength & love.   And the cook here who is a single mom & feels she is glorifying God by cooking here & hopes to do it the rest of her life.   Irvine who so wished his older brother could find love & peace in Jesus like he has. life. And the most poignant, Daryl who's prayer was that he could visit Taclabon again...the typhoon area & his former home and then turned to me and said, "Mammy, what does BE mean?"  I asked how the word was used and he said, "BE hopeful.  It's in my bible."  Wow.  How do you explain that to a kid who has lost so much and lived on the street as a bigger for years?  I only hope my explanation brought him hope.

We met a few more volunteers today...know a 5 now & 4 are American other Australian.  All long term and all with their own special faith journeys.  Rog spent most of today & yesterday with a crew of boys eager to learn and pitching in whenever they could.   They replaced screens & walls, fortified shelves & patched holes.  He also does tutoring between jobs.  Chan & I continue with our English & reading lessons and showing kids computer learning games.  I went to a big supermarket (Meijer style) to buy fruit for the boys.  It made the cook's eyes sparkle when she told the boys we had a surprise for them.  Fruit is a real treat for them.  But the real treat came when they surprised me with a birthday cake & sang a beautiful song accompanied by JP on the guitar.  Now it was my turn to tear up!  I got lots of tight hugs & high fives from each one.  Chan & Rog were the master minds behind it...and everyone loved...especially me.  At 8 pm, devotions started led by the former house parents.  Though we could understand little, the sincerity of their voices as they sang & prayed spoke clearly.  Two boys told their story (which was translated for us).  Again I'm struck by how horrid their lives have been and how strong their faith is now.  I honestly don't think I have ever felt God's love as overwhelmingly as they do--my comfortable & relatively easy life "shields" me from it...but having the opportunity to see it here...and in many other places we've traveled...to get a glimpse of that is such a blessing and through it, my faith deepens.  

24 & 25

Update 24

Tidbits:

Manila is home to 12 million locally & about another 12 in the towns surrounding it and 6 million showed up for the Pope's mass on the Sunday before he left!

Many of the street kids & families ere taken to a "camp" while the Pope was here

Most pedicab drivers rent the pedicab for $3 per day and their rent for one month including elec & water is $375

Gotta love the fans on the front of many pedicabs--made out of plastic pop bottles.

It was time to get out of Manila...so we called a cab...first guy told us he would charge us P1700 (way more than we'd heard) When Rog tried to bargain he said no one would use meter...if we found one he'd do it for free.  Rog walked up the street & talked to another driver who agreed to use his meter but charge p100 more... he told us to bring our luggage to him (probably didn't want to be confronted by first driver).  The ride to Antipolo took us in and out of wealthy and poor areas...and sometimes through areas which were a mixture of both.  We'd book a 4 bedroom at the Real Cove Resort & we're a little apprehensive when we arrived and found no other guest.  Rog & Chan checked out the room while I waited with the luggage.  They came back busting with laughter.  Turns out we'd misunderstood.  4 bedroom-actually meant 4 beds in one room.  And since the 4 bed room's bathroom had no toilet seat & was dirty...we settled into a 3 bed room--should say squeezed as only 1 person at time  can leave their bed to get to the bathroom.  Cold shower means short shower and no mirror means you just don't care what you look like!  BYOT here means Bring Your Own TP and Bring Your Own Towel.  On the plus side, we have 4 chilly pools all to ourselves.  After our fit of laughter, we went in search of lunch first and then Children's Garden...the home for street boys we'd plan to help at.  After asking around, we found both and were warmly welcomed by Sharon, the founder & spirited leader.  She gave us the nickel tour introducing us to the boys along the way & then with gusto told us the story of Children's Garden (CG).  In 2004, she and a friend roamed the streets befriending street kids...her heart ached for them so she began to pray for a way to help the boys become good men so they could be good husbands & fathers and thus break the cycle.  In 2006, a lady gave her a building and her dream began to blossom.  She said she has remained very close to God because she must lean on Him all the time...for money and direction.  The boys decide on their own to come and leave as they will.  Most leave at least once but most come back.  Sharon welcomes them back with a forgiving heart, like the prodigal son.  They are like a family where love of God & each other is strong and education is important.  Now some of her "first boys" come back to work and minister to the new ones.  All of them go weekly back to the streets, to a joil, hospital, and to a home for abused girls...to spend time loving, encouraging hope & praying with them.  Inspiring!  It was almost 5 by now and some boys asked us to play a card game which was a great way to get to know some of the boys.  We left in time to pick up a few groceries at a fairly large grocery store & got a ride back to our "resort" where we sat on our beds & ate.  Opening the cheese slices proved to be an almost impossible task as the cheese was so thing we literally had to scrape it off the plastic...which brought on more laughter.

Update 25

Day 2 in Antipolo started by riding a tricycle that chugged up the mountain & swerved around the sharp turns in and out of the traffic...a real live Disney ride!  Breakfast was sugared pig fat--not to be confused with bacon-- and fried eggs.  Rolls came with my meal so I told the waiter I'd asked for toast instead--he took my rolls & quite a while later, he returned with my same rolls...toasted!  As Chan said, you just can't make up these stories.  Soon after we got to CG we were surrounded by boys eager to learn from the books I'd brought with me.  The rest of the day we were all teaching someone something.  One guy practiced his guitar & played a song Chan loved so she sang along with him.  A bit later, an older boy asked her to go with him to escort a younger kids to school.  He held her hand and said, "They are all looking at you but don't be confused."  Sharon invited us to stay in a rental condo nearby CG.  It was newly built with only a sing & bathroom.  She plans to let the boys over 18 live there with Billy, a USA volunteer who was staying for another year.  Look like a better deal than our "resort" plus a lot cheaper so with help, we carried 3 mattresses, a fan, bucket, broom & a few dishes to our new home.  We set out looking for dinner...found a Chinese restaurant and way over  ordered.  Stuffed ourselves & still walked out with a big left-over bag which we soon gave away.  After another tricycle ride, we each fell into our our beds...Papa bear, Mama Bear and Goldilocks! 

23

Update 23
Met our first American while in Philippines;  Chan!!  She came laden with chocolate (Royce made in Japan) for my birthday!  What a treat--both her & the chocolate!  She'd been in route for 2 days but after a shower, we were off checking out Manila.  First stop, the Paco Park church in time for a service.  A wedding reception was also going on--elaborate as any in the states.  Then we went searching for authentic FIlipino food.  Rog & I had got a lead on one yesterday from a clerk--we told her we'd eaten Chinese, Swiss, French & American..but where should we go for Filipino??  We found the place she sent us and she was right.  Chan & Rog were in foodie heaven...I went next door to a bakery & got some good cheesy bread.  We crawled into a jeepney (15 cents each) arriving at Intramuros so Chan could check that out...we hired a pedicab to take us around...actually hired two as they told Rog he was too big to ride with Chan & I.  Then we jumped on the LRT (elevated train - 30 cents each) arriving at M of C a bit after 3.  Again, lots of visitors playing with the kids in the play yard...so we ducked into the nursery and soon all three were cuddling babies. An hour later, we went to greet some of the bigger kids doing what we could to stir up smiles.  We were handed loaded dinner plates & assigned kids to feed.  Lucky Chan got the "chow down" girl...I got the "spit out girl" which after an honest attempt, I gave up on as there was more on the floor than inside her belly!  Later I saw two helpers trying to feed her.  I moved on to another guy who ate better but after a few choking explosions, I put on an apron & got a cloth to wipe us both up.  Note to self:  wash that shirt out ASAP.  It was harder saying goodbye today...last time.  Their tomorrows will probably feel the same as today...but not mine.  We were all tired...Chan exhausted...so we stopped at a Jollibee's (their McD want-a-be) & after looking around...went to McD.  We have eaten McD quite often as there aren't lots of other choices other than street food or expensive hotel restaurants.  We soon were in our hotel room & Chan in bed,,taking time only to check out today's pictures & eating a few bites of that delicious chocolate!.  Sweet dreams tonight!!


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22

We are not allowed to take pictures at the Orphanage...and we truly appreciate that...so we captures these dear little ones by writing about them--as Rog did in his last update.  

The one whose head is 3x the size but smiles & even has a faint laugh when you talk with him;  brown eyes w/ buck teeth who could win any staring contest; 

the dancer with the limp who loves me to twirl her as we dance;  

The singer who though she can barely move about, can belt a song; 

the boss with his key who now is the thumb war master; 

the smiler who though her legs are bent like a pretzel seems to have a permanent smile on her face; 

and in the nursery...the trouble maker, strong willed & a bully to the others; 

the tiny 2 yr old girl who demands the majority of toys & loves playing peek-a-boo; 

the twins just learning to coo; 

the hugger who reaches for you immediately & never lets go until you put him down & then he cries; 

the laugher who doubles over with the slightest tickle...

the list could go on and on.  Each special.  Each disabled & deserted...now loved by the Sister & the workers.  Just before leaving today, I spoke to one of the Sisters mentioning there seemed to be more visitors since the Pope's visit.  She said yes, the Pope called us to not just give $$$ and think that was enough.  But only when we give time & touch these little ones...see their disabilities --then the children benefit---and we even more because then we can see our own disability within us...that's the children's gift to us.  The Pope understands this--he has experienced this...as we have.

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10, 11 & 12

Update 10
Headed to Intramuros area today--the historical site of what was known as "The Pearl of the East"--Manila before 1942 when the Japanese seized it & took control.  MacArthur was commanded to leave the island, leaving behind 10,000 of his men with the words, "I shall return."  Those men & thousands of Filipino soldiers were taken in prisoned & forced to walk w/o any provisions to Bataan --hundreds of miles--most did not make it.  In 1945, MacArthur returned and in the deadliest battle in the Pacific--over 100,000 died--they were freed...but nothing remained of Manila.  Though the Philippines have never experienced another war... in the words of a young tour guide "the city never regained it's beauty. "  Walking the streets proved his point.  We took off for M of C and once again spent time playing, caressing, holding and feeding the kids.  How good it felt to make a few of them smile!  I noticed the prayer we said everyday in Kolkata at M of C was posted on their wall:    Dear Lord the Great Healer.  I kneel before you since every perfect gift comes from you...give me the strength to lift up a part of the burden of my suffering fellowmen and the realization of the privilege that is mine.    So very true.

Update 11
Tidbits to remember:
In the evening, the males were separated from the females on their elevated transit trains. Clever way to curb sexual abuse!

Most everywhere there is a special line for seniors!!! Respect your elders is alive & strong here.

I've come to believe the broom--usually hand made--is the true symbol of perseverance in countries overflowing with poverty. The ability to sweep their tiny space in spite of the fact that again tomorrow, it will be littered & crumbling more is nothing short of amazing to me.  

The many pedicabs with sidecars we rode in during the day became beds at night as did the multiple stands that lined the street.  

Elsi classifies her mishap in these words: extreme sports injury: speed walking on jagged pot-holed cement while people watching. Don't you love her sense of humor??  

Update 12
The Pope Frenzy has engulfed this city!! In the wee hours this morning, as we headed for the airport in a taxi, thousands headed to where the Pope will say Mass at 3:30 pm.  The quiet crowd walked the street blocked to traffic...picture a scene from The Night of the Living Dead...but they were the living hopefuls!  Our taxi driver sought his way to the airport creeping down side streets encountering closed roads at almost every turn...like the tiny ball in a huge maze game.  When we finally got to the airport, the clerk asked if we'd seen the Pope.  She beamed when she told us she'd seen him yesterday here at this airport and that his smile radiated throughout the airport & he didn't even look tired.  As we waited to board, the TV was broadcasting the Pope's visit yesterday to Tacloban (where we will be Fev 14-28)...the site where typhoon Yolanda killed almost 8000 & annihilated the town.  The Pope in a thin yellow raincoat that was whipping in the wind...the same raincoat worn thousands in the crowd...his glasses covered with raindrops spoke to the emotional crowd.  "You are not alone.   Jesus gave his Mother so we would not be orphans.  Tell you Mother what is in your heart...he paused for several minutes.   Many came to help you.  They are now your brothers and sisters. "  Then scanning the crowd with his kind eyes, he told them he spoke from his heart (which he did as he'd scraped his written message)  and apologized that his words could not truly express his feelings clearly.  It was crystal clear to me.  
Just before we board, the broadcast switch to "live"showing the mass of people awaiting the Pope in Manila.  A performer was singing You Raise Me Up...the crowd was holding up pictures of a smiling Pope Francis...and I was covered with goosebumps as I realized it was the same song that was playing at the Kenya orphanage where many of the Rafiki kids were first housed & we spent time with.  What a blessing it has been to be here in Manila just now.  
Will the Philippines return to "normal" when the Pope leaves??  I hope not.  I hope his message of compassion for others brings a positive change for the desperate poor

19, 20, 21

Update 19  -by Roger

Daily we hop on a Jeepney and join about sixteen or twenty local travelers for a short ride-it is much too crowded for anyone to get up and carry money to the driver so bills and coins get passed along to the driver who somehow continues to drive and avoid motorcycles, buses, tricycles(full size), and pedestrians all while counting change and passing the change back again through several hands before it gets to the right person.  He often holds bills in one hand and shifts gears with that one-coins are left on the dash in a huge pile that I would think might attract a snatcher but I haven't yet seen a conflict on a Jeepney.  

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Update 20 by Roger

A group of college students came to visit the kids at Missionaries of Charity today.  I met their  teacher and she asked what I thought of her country,

I quickly replied that the Philippines is a beautiful country.  I could tell that she didn't believe that I was being honest with her.  Well, was I?  Sometimes it is necessary to see past some bad to see the good.   I guess I choose to see the good.   I hope that she can also do that.  

For example, we see filthy children living and begging for food on the sidewalks while walking to our elevated train stop.  I saw a little girl run behind a    tricycle cab and push it along assisting the driver.  It was fun for her and she laughed then returned to her place along the sidewalk to find something new to entertain her...an elderly lady walking up the stairs to the train did not pass by a cripple lying on the floor at the landing, she took an extra step or two to move closer to him and put a few coins in his cup.  How many cripples must she see every day?  How can she think that her effort is in any way going to change this world?  But all the same she does it without a word.  Many people have asked us what we are doing here in Manila and when we tell them they smile and say "Thank you!"       

So many people have greeted us with a broad smile and a friendly word!

Update 21 by Roger

There are plenty of things to look past to see good here....people holding a towel over their mouth or wearing a gauze mask or a bandana over their face like a bad guy in a western movie just so they can filter the air a bit and not breathe in so much dust and exhaust.  Others with hope run out and sleeping on a hard sidewalk without a cover  or draped over a stone wall that has just enough flat surface to keep them from tumbling down to the ground.  A stream that has become a smelly sewer is just a few feet from someone's window and clothesline.  Then there is the boy up a tree next to Paco Park.  He is picking small mangoes and dropping them down to a man below.  The man offers one to us!  They are Angel mangoes that may feed a starving person.   It just feels wrong to even have it offered to us.  And the lady who sat down beside Jane while we were waiting for a train...she started to peel a tangerine which put off a great smell. She also offered to share her tangerine.  People here don't seem to begrudge another person who has more than they have but they do ask for help sometimes.  We pass by some familiar faces along our way since we usually follow the same route to the Mission and several people along the way now smile and greet us as we go by.

Nicole has muscular dystrophy and is cared for by the nuns and their helpers at the Mission.  She is kept clean and they feed her well but her limbs are stiff and useless to her.  She lies in her bed or a wheelchair all of the time.  When I spoke to her she moved her head about as if to try to control muscles that just won't do what she wants them to do.  Speaking softly I reached out to brush her cheek gently with my hand and a fleeting smile passed over her face.  After several days of visiting her I am sure she knows my voice and appreciates my hand softly on her cheek.  I look forward to seeing her now and hope to again bring a smile to her face.

Jadee has been volunteering at the mission for about 9 years.  She is filipino and is in her twenties?  She comes after her work day (as a Nurse) with a big smile and hugs the kids then plays with them.  They love her and call her "Mom".  Jadee told me her family moved to Seattle and they would like her to join them there but she has a life here and chooses to stay in Manila.  She will be going away for awhile as she has a scholarship to become a doctor, but her heart will stay here until she returns.

It is important to take pride in your work-whatever it is that you do.  It seems that the people here do that.  Workers at McDonald's and other restaurants dress neatly and act sharp.  They try hard to do their best for everyone.  It seems that all of the workers in the whole country have been trained to speak politely and look their best.  It appears that those workers are just proud of their uniform and proud to be earning a living.  The option of being unemployed here is not a good one.  

We walk past a place where people are completing forms for job placement overseas.  There are construction jobs in Japan, New Zealand, and also many other countries.  These people are going to leave their homes and families to earn some money.  They have little choice...corruption erodes the economy and destroys opportunity here.

We are blessed in so many ways and we don't usually even notice.

16, 17 & 18

Update 16

As we left the hotel, a large group of HS students were on the corner...laughing & buying ice cream from a guy who probably quickly appeared sensing lots of sales.  I asked what was going on...and the kids crowded around me & told me it was an Emergency drill.  I asked them if that meant they were suppose to be quiet and listen for their teachers' directions...they looked surprised, burst out laughing and said "Yes!'  After lots of high fives...we headed out.  Rog has gotten real good at figuring out how to get around... we utilize the trains, jeepneys & pedicaps.  The tougher part is navigating through the sea of people!  Today our destination was the Ayala Museum...and just before we arrived, we crossed the line...the line between the poor & wealthy.  Clean streets, landscaped medians & sidewalks, buildings boasting new designs & sparkling clean windows, doors & floors. Like we'd gone to another world.  The stores rivaled the fanciest in the USA.  The Ayala Museum was first class as well.  Inside was an amazingly enormous display of gold jewelry excavated from tombs.  Also, 60 detailed, handcrafted dioramas chronicled the history of the Philippines.  The indigenous tribes were peaceful & adorned with gold as it filled their many mountain streams.  Things changed when Magellan showed up.  He was killed here but his men claimed the islands for Spain.  Since then, this poor nation has been raped of its riches & dominated by Spain ,Japan and...sorry to say...USA and war torn for soooo many years.  And finally, when they did regain their independence, WWII caused major devastation followed by a very corrupt dictatorship.  It's a wonder the Filipino people ever learned to smile...yet that is exactly what they are famous for!  Ironically, last night we watch a movie on TV first time here in Manila--it was an old American film about WWII--and the setting was the Philippines during the time after MacArthur left & before he returned.  Having just learned much about that time period, we found the movie very interesting.  

Here's a few more interesting things we have noted:  

-You can buy a cream that will whiten your skin.  (Why do we always want what the other guy has?)

-$1 USA money has the spending power of $5 here.  (So you can buy 5x as much)

-headline of yesterday's paper:  Don't breed like rabbits - Pope

-headline of today's paper:  Pope blames poverty on 'god of money'

-another headline:  Pope wanted to kick briber 'where the sun never shines'

Update 17

We have noticed that almost all pedicabs have bible or religious sayings painted on them...most having to do with hope & obeying without understanding...perhaps if faith is all you have, those quotes provide you with the strength to keep going.  One I noticed yesterday was a quote from Matthew 8:26 --one we taught to kids in Ecuador & one that DUMC probably read this week.  I thought about how differently those words might sound to the heart of that pedicap driver, the kids in Ecuador, the DUMC members...and me.  "Why are ye fearful, or ye of little faith?"

  I am again finding much joy in passing out balloons & nuts...such genuine smiles I get!  I especially love it when I pass by the same kids later & see them gleefully playing with the balloons!  Although it did scare me to see the balloon go into the busy street & see the kids chase it...but then, we see them in the streets all the time--they seem to have perfected the skill of dodging traffic soon after they learn to run!

Update 18

A common sight that has been bothering me is older caucasian men with young Filipino women--or should I say girls..  We saw the same thing in Thailand.  Most the girls are not wearing a ring & some are pregnant.  While talking to a few of the men, Rog learned some were here looking for a wife...one said his girl was willing to leave her 9 yr old daughter so she could come to USA...another said he'd taken his back to Sweden & she loved it there...another was looking for his second Filipino wife as the first didn't work out...and another was surprised Rog has an American wife!   No doubt he'd be getting lots more massages if he hadn't married an American!  In the airport there were several signs asking both locals & tourist to report any suspicious sightings of men with FIlipino children.  What do they consider a child?  Earlier I wrote about how this country was raped of it's riches--how much more tragic is the rape of its women & children today.

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15

Update 15
Back in Manila...a huge sprawling, noisy city...but as strange as it seems...felt like coming home.  The radio in our cab was playing "Take Me Home" so I asked our driver if they have a station for Filipino music.  He laughed & said no so I asked if there was such a thing...and he started singing..first softly but soon with gusto.  When he finished he told us it was a love song in the Magola language.   We went back to the same hotel we'd stayed in earlier & they'd upgraded our room to a gorgeous suite...felt like a palace after the tiny dump we ended up in last night!  We finally visited the Paco Park right next to our hotel.  With a chapel in the center, two elevated walkways encircling it and all expertly landscaped, it hardly seemed like a cemetery...but it was where thousands of the cholera victims were buried.  The walkways had built in tombs 3 stories high.  Many weddings are held there and we were drawn in again the next night by the sound of piano playing...a free concert performed by one of Filipino's most decorated pianist.  Oh Elsi would have been in heaven!   
 We continue each day to go to the Missionaries of Charity orphanage which is named City of Joy...and joyful it is.  Kids know us now and pull our arms, grab our hands & beg to play.  Rog taught them how to have thumb wars and that keeps our thumbs busy!  My kids always called me the "Bog...Baby Hog" and here I go from baby to baby rocking, cradling, singing and loving each one.  Many of the babies appear to be in fairly good health though we heard many had TB.  One little guy, no bigger than a small 9 month old just rocks back & forth twisting his hands in front of him.  Sister told us he was 6.  Another little one...well, I could go on and on as so many are burdened with so many deformities.  I constantly have to remind myself that God is in control & I can only do so much.  When I calm a crying child or make eye contact & make  one smile or return a hug, I pray that for just a few minutes...I brightened their life.  The song "Here I Am Lord" and Mother Teresa's words telling us to look for God in the most distressing disguise fill my mind...and it feels so right to be there.  


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Update 14

Update 14
Climbed into a van with 8 other tourist today and took off to discover more about this island, Bohol.  An hour & a half later, chatting the whole time with the others, we arrived at the Chocolate Hills: hundreds of perfectly shaped mounds the color of...did you guess a milk-chocolate brown??  Yup.  We climbed to the top via stairs to get a panoramic view of these "only found on Bohol"  land formations.  Originally under the sea then thrusted up, the thick coral crust has been eroded and as the coral decays, it turns brown.    Next we stopped at the Tasier Restoration Preserve and got to see the cutest, littlest primate in the world.  The tasier is just the size of your thumb when born and only grows to 6 inch living 15-20 yrs.  Their huge orangish eyes are fixed so like an owl, they can turn 180 degree either way.  The Lobac River cruise was next.  A gourmet buffet of lots of local foods was served as we floated down the recently flooded river where women were washing clothes, kids were splashing, men were fishing & life went on as we floated by.  Elsi had originally planned for us to stay on this river...but the resort had been damaged by the flood & an earthquake in Oct 2013.  The boat docked up to a stage and we were treated to a performance featuring several local dances & songs.  We cracked up as later, a small band on the boat sang, "Country Road" by John Denver...it seems the only songs we hear are old 60-70's American songs.  Our took a quick walk through a beautiful garden & also saw a huge python--a local couple caught it 15 yrs ago & has been making a living exhibiting it ever since.  Clever.   As we headed back these on the smooth roads, here are some things we spotted:  open sided churches, schools with doors & windows wide open where uniformed kids sat, water buffalo in the many rice fields, basketball courts in every tiny village, gas price about $3 per gallon and countless clotheslines & motorcycles  It was almost 5 pm when we returned to the beach...by then we'd acquired several new friends...one has a brother living in Dexter!!  (John Mertz' brother Tom lives on McGuiness Rd) .We quickly changed & headed to the beach...meeting up with a couple new friends!  


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13

Update 13
We have been eating shrimp, scallops & squid, walking white beaches & cooling off in clear blue water--in other words--loving beach life!  We took a short flight to Bohol yesterday morning.  Though the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7000 islands, this one boast some of the best beaches so here we are.  Actually, this is "Elsi's trip" as she'd made the arrangements...and since she is not here to enjoy it, we feel compelled to enjoy it twice as much.  The pace here is slow, the food delicious, the water mildly cool & inviting, the sun hot & a slight breeze. Boats filled with divers and others long thin boats with huge outriggers & tarps for leisure trips complete the scene.  Ideal.  We are relaxing, reading, swimming, sipping pineapple smoothies and savoring it all.
Many young local children joyfully play in the water unsupervised late into the night while their parents walk the beach selling fruit, sunglasses, boat trips, tours and massages.  Makes me feel guilty not to buy knowing it might mean  little or no food for those kids tonight. How I wish that this paradise for me...was also paradise for them.  


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9

Update 9
After hugging tightly, we said good-bye to Elsi & Bob.  They made the tough choice to leave 9 days early so they could get Elsi's broken arm checked out back home.  As Bob said, visiting the M of C orphanage yesterday put it all in perspective.  We'll miss them.  Next we were off to find the Pope.  We followed the "We love Pope Francis" tshirts until we came to the street lined with people.   A huge screen was set up so we could watch...or should I say be at the Mass being said by the Pope.  The chanting & singing was glorious.  The Pope's words were inspiring as he talked of the compassion we must have for all.  The Philippine's president was right:  "You bring fire to us.  You are Peter who came to strengthen us."  It started to sprinkle just as the Mass ended...felt like holy water.  The sprinkle meant the Pope got into a car instead of his Pope jeep...but that didn't dampen the spirits of the huge crowd being held back by a line of police officers...none of them carrying firearms as they had been banned instead who were taking pictures for people.  One officer chatted with me wanting to know all about our trip.  As we waited, for some reason part of the crowd racing back & forth between the two roads.  And then the eruption began as the Pope's car neared. "Viva le Papa" "Viva le Papa"  Though I barely caught a glimpse of the Pope--I got huge goosebumps!  Why does the Pope travel so often to poor countries?? If you could have been there--felt the excitement, hope and heartfelt love pouring out from the crowd...you'd know.  The crowd dispersed & we found some lunch where all the waiters were wearing Pope tshirts.  Rog told me he'd read that in one of the Pope's speeches he'd talked about not bad mouthing other people's religion...he made his point  by saying if someone said bad things about his mother, he should expect a punch.  He is truly the People's Pope.  We arrived at M of C just in time to help with the feeding.  I bottle fed one of the twins...who blessed me with throw up and spoon fed a couple older kids (both whose arms were very deformed) who gobbled down their huge plate of food.  Rog read to a group of toddlers and then  spoon fed another child not capable of feeding herself.  We visited with the workers & volunteers.  One lady told me she brought her daughter to volunteer so she might realize how fortunate she was.  Her daughter had a corrected cleft palate.   Minor in comparison.  Sister Jedadia invited us to stay while the kids watched a video of the Pope...but we were tired.   Amen

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Update 8
Last two days:  16 hours in flight, 6 time zones & crossing the int'l dateline and finally crashing in a Manila hotel bed.  We discussed over breakfast first what day it was, then how it could be Thurs when we left Tues.  Took a while to sink in but then we had plenty of time as getting coffee took an hour & a half...we didn't even try to figure that one out.  Hopped on the elevated train looking for Missionaries of Charity (M of C) mission.  Last couple blocks proved to be a real tripper...Elsi fell  while trying to navigate the many obstacles & potted & uneven sidewalk...landing on her shoulder.  Pain was instant...and so were the crowd of women fanning, massaging, questioning & caring for her.  Before we knew it, someone came with cold water & a cab was hailed.  The driver raced us to the hospital honking the whole way, weaving in & out of traffic & refused to take any $$.  Bob registered her ($1) and before long Elsi was getting xrays ($26).  The doctors decided she'd broken her arm & sent the guys the drug store with a list of supplies to buy ($20)  & prescription for pain pills ($10).    When they returned, Elsi was wheeled to the ortho unit where her cast was made before our eyes.  The well splattered sink, cupbrds & walls was proof many had been there before us.  Calmed down by now, we started looking around a bit more.  Not the best idea.  Well worn & rusty equipment, dirty & scuffed walls, torn, faded handmade signs, dilapidated  desk & chairs...all in sharp contrast to the bright white uniforms of the workers.  Less than 3 hour later, Elsi insisted we continue on to the M of C mission.  We tried to hail a cab..no luck, not sure how they got us one to get to the hospital!  So either we walk, ride a jeenpney (old USA WWII jeeps with added passenger area) or hop a ride in the motorcycles with side cars.  Elsi choice the sidecar so she crawled in cradling her arm & Bob jumped on the back of the motorcycle.  Rog & I got in another sidecar and off we all went.  The sisters welcomed us as did about 20 little ones who grabbed our hand & put it to their foreheads. Then we were into room after room of beds filled with children:  bent limbs, swollen heads, drooling, staring, most deaf and/or mute, all clean & obviously well cared for.  We went from child to child, caressing, soothing, talking, playing, smiling and trying to bring a bit of happiness to each.  Sister said to come anytime...and we will.  We left overwhelmed, exhausted, hungry & in need of a western style toilet...so that meant McDonald's.  Ahhh.  Then we tried to hail a cab...no luck again so we went back the way we came.  Back at the hotel, Bob tried to cancel our Bohol air trip...no internet...Elsi tried to clean up with no warm water..I tried to log into my email but it was blocked...and Rog took a dip in the cold pool.  The final straw:  the guys ordered a beer only to find out since the Pope is in town the next 4 days (bonus!) alcohol sales are banned!  The internet came back on...I was able to get to my email ...Elsi is resting...so things are looking up.  Who knows...we might even get to see the Pope tomorrow...

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Update 7
On the beach by 7:30 a.m. munching on the breakfast our hotel provided...& smiling.  Ahhh.  Le --(the S. Vietnamese taxi driver who picked us up at the airport & we have called several times to move us about.  He was a prisoner of war for 7 yrs, his family all drowned trying to escape, waited 8 yrs to get permission to come to USA...how do you not want to give this guy all your businesss?)--drove us to the Pearl Harbor Memorial.  Such an incredible, solemn & sobering place.  What a powerful sense of loss--as Rog said--not only to the thousands who died here--but for the many others who suffered because of it.  Thoughts of my Dad who fought in the war & my Mom who built bombs & worried...flooded my mind.  Elsi was struck with how unprepared we were, how we underestimated the Japanese, how young those sailors were.  After hearing that Japanese felt they could only reach their goal of conquering the east if they destroyed the "dagger at their throat" (USA Pacific fleet), Elsi said she finally got the answer to her question of why they did it.  Bob walked around the Missouri flabbergasted at the absolute massiveness of the ship.  16" Gun!  The thickness of steel surrounding the citadel!  A lump settled in my throat as I listened to many survivors tell their story and as I read about how the captain of the Missouri ordered the crew to gather up the remains of the Japanese pilot who'd crashed into them but whose bomb didn't explode--and give him a proper burial at sea--all the while they headed to battle.  When one of his crew questioned his order, he told him "That soldier was doing for his country what  you are doing for ours."  Seeing one of the thousand cranes folded by the young Japanese girl, Sadako who longed for peace..and lost her fight against leukemia...made me hurt for all the children who lost their carefree life during that war & for years after.  Then the war ended--right on this very ship where the treaty was signed--the order to begin the rebuilding resounded the hope for a better world that we still are striving for.  The memorial was crammed with so much information, artifacts...and memories...all presented in a reverent & honoring manner.  We were among the last to leave as they closed the gates behind us...we left awed, humbled, sad, proud & with Dec 7, 1941 etched deeper in our hearts.  



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6

Update 6
Left the "jungle" hotel --which was so well camouflaged that Rog missed the drive 4 times--ate one more hippie breakfast (Elsi's idea) of papayas stuffed with yogurt & nuts and a rambutan -a fruit that was almost scary looking with large red tentacles cradling almost transparent, jelly like center.  We drove north today looking for waterfalls & find them we did!  We also wandered through many small older towns that made us think this was not the $$$ side of the island.  Saw rusty roofs, lots of well used pickups--many with people riding in the back and the sign at the gas station read:  Don't pee on the post by the trash can.  As I stood reading the sign, the clerk said, "Ain't it a shame you have to make a sign like that...and they still do it...MEN!"  We took a side road--or maybe it was a lane--that went through a cow pasture where we spotted a farrow pig & ended at...a waterfall!  At 7 pm, we hopped the plane back to Oahu...so I finally got to walk on Waikiki Beach.  


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5

Update 5
I think I know why Hawaiians are smiling all the time--it's their language! How can you help but smile when you say words like ho'oulu lahui or aina a ke akua i noho ai?  Can you imagine how much fun it must be for them to hear me try to say these words???  The four of us have made up jingles, tried to associate words with others (example:  kilauea sounds like killer whale) and put them to music...and end up just chuckling over the words.  Remember:  Ou E Ou O O Walla Walla Bing Bang??  Think I know where that came from!  Aloha!


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Update 4
I did it!  I went snubaing--you are kinda scuba diving but have a long oxygen line hooked to a raft above you--went down about 20".  Closest I'll ever get to scuba diving!  The water in the Keauhou Bay was clear as glass, warm and the turquoise water was so inviting!  The fish--how do you describe the color?? the variations?  the artistic designs?  Each a masterpiece.  The spiny urchins clinging to the coral in the background and the spotted eel slinking its way through crevices.  One large cave had two "centurions" guarding the opening..both with glaring bright white markings on their sides which looked just like eyes.  Who would dare enter that cave?  From the boat, we saw dolphins spinning on their tails.   The crew served us a great hamburgers they gilled on our boat as we all chatted about all we'd seen below.  After we got back to shore, we took off looking for a friend of a friend and we found her in her antique shop.  She said she went for broke & came to Hawaii 20 yrs ago...and now she was broke...just like most everyone else who lives in Hawaii.  Prices here are about twice as much.  Next we went to Puuhonua O Honaunau...remains of vacation spot of the Kings & still considered very sacred. We listened to the tour via smart phone and learned much about the history.  It was also called the City of Refuge because if someone committed a crime...he would have to swim across the large bay & if he arrived, he would be forgiven.  We got back to our hotel just in time to see the sunset...just like the day before!  Next morning, up & on the rode by 9...headed to the other side of the island via Saddleback Rd--right through the center between two mountains.  So much barren land with dried out grass.  Past a huge army base & not much else.  Sure never thought any part of Hawaii would look like this!
As we descending, vegetation slowly returned and soon we were in almost a jungle ...which is where we finally found our hotel...on a little side road and at the end of a very narrow driveway that looked like it was hacked out using a machete.  We are in our own bungalows with huge windows that allows us to see the jungle that surrounds us.  Very cool.  About an hour before dark, we headed to Volcano Nat'l Park to watch as the Kileaua crater go from billowing to glowing!  It was as if someone lit a huge fireball---as the night got darker--it glowed more brilliantly.  Spectacular!  We were up early the next morning & headed back to Volcano Nat'l Park stopping first at the visitor center to fill up on info.  Sure didn't know that the ground above the current lava flow has lifted 30' in the last 2 weeks...made me about nervous about walking around!  Mt. Mauna Loa--the main mtn in the park--rises up 56,000 ft from the ocean basin --its weight has depressed the ocean floor 28,000 ft.  That one HUGE HEAVY mountain!!  And we got a heads up on the newest Hawaiian island--being born right now just a few miles  from here...a submerged active volcano that will eventually move over the hot spot that is responsible for the formation of all the other Hawaiian islands.  Who knew??   Like the Galapagos Islands, much of the plant life is endemic (found no where else) and the animals are still changing & adapting.  We basked in steam vents, hiked through a lava tube and buried our toes in the black sand.  We also spent a couple hours at a local medical center--Bob went in hearing very little & walked  out with better than before hearing!  Yippeee!  A soak in the hot tub surrounded by the jungle & eating another delicious meal at Lava Rock was a great way to end this day.


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Update 3
Up early & gazing at Waikiki beach at sunrise...through a cab window cause we we off the the airport to catch a flight to the Big Island (Hawaii).  Just the landing strip flabbergasted us...how did we not know that Hawaii had fields of coarse, desolate, crude mounds of black lava???  After taking off in our rental car, we drove miles saying "I can't believe it!"  The bleak black lava next to the glistening vividly turquoise sea was such a contrast & gorgeous.  Yet somehow, a few resorts we created right in the middle of these lava desserts...bright green grass, fluorescent pink flowering shrubs & pools surrounded by beautiful villas!   We turned off the big road, drove to the Hapuna State park...and there it was...the Hawaii you see on all the postcards...breathtaking!  We sat high on the bank gazing at the sight...& in just a few minutes, Bob spotted a whale...& soon another...& another.  We feasted on that spot listening to the  waves crashing for a looooong time.  We continued our drive on the north west part of the island as the lava fields turned to mossy green fields with snow capped mountains in the background. We stopped at another beach & almost stepped on a sleeping turtle.  Carefully we played hop-scotch on the rocks examining the life between them.  The more we looked, the more we saw.  Turtles were being tossed with the waves seemingly with no control.  No wonder they slept soundly when they finally made it to the beach!  Around 5, we headed to Kona to find our hotel which turned out to be a gem. We stood on our balcony & watched the flaming red sun sink into the Pacific.  Amazing!  Then we sunk into our beds...

2

Update 2
We made it to Oahu...after another flight change and arriving in a nick of time to catch our scheduled outing to the Polynesian Cultural Center...had to run out & flag down the bus that was pulling out! We hopped on the bus with the Sly's and off we went right through the middle of the island.  The center had replicas of several of the Polynesian island's villages & reenactments  of many cultural dances...highlight was the ones involving lots of fire!  While talking to some of the "natives" in the villages, we learned that only about 5% of the Hawaiian population are Hawaiian but in the Fiiji Is has almost 60%.  We were all pooped when we got back to our hotel.  About an hour later...the airlines delivered our lost luggage.  Yippeee!!!

2015, we're off again! This time Philippines

January 6
Remember Sleepless in Seattle?  That's us.  Stuck here due to flight delays & changes...Sly's, our traveling partners, however, are soaking up the Hawaiian sun.  I must admit though, these inconveniences are small compared to what so many face each day...and in the end, they don't end up in Hawaii!  We will be boarding soon...I hope.