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