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...
