We were all up again at around 5 - so all took our turns getting cleaned up and ready for the day. At around 8 (after breakfast) we decided to go to the market so we could see where Vergi did her grocery shopping. She said it wasn't very far... but Filipino far and American far don't really seem to be the same. Most of us wore sandals.. bad idea... because it was SO DIRTY as we walked there. Just don't step in the puddles... and definitely don't slip in them!
We walked down alleys which seemed to be almost little neighborhoods - and we started seeing a lot of vendors selling various items. Keep walking and we made it to the market.
on our way to the market
At the meat market
city life/market... kinda both
After walking around for a while - we decided that we needed something to cool us down... possibly a Coke Lite. So we went to.... MCDONALDS!!!!!!!!!!!
Where they serve the Chicken McDo (chicken and rice)
I'm Lovin It.
We all decided to stick with the sodas... and steered clear of the Chicken McDo. We were all talkative and wondering what else we should do... maybe a nap... when we realized it was only 9 in the morning. wow.
We checked out the local church while we were there - it was a catholic church and a lot of people were there praying and lighting candles. It was an interesting thing to see. The Filipino people seem to be a very religious culture.
***A quick note that I forgot to mention from Day Three was that we visited a local hospital while we were out during the afternoon. We were given a tour and got to see all of the various units and how they operate. It was such a humbling experience to see how their medical system works. People here complain b/c the halls are too loud or the beds aren't comfortable. But there - if you have no money, you don't get air conditioning - or you may not get the tests you need. The waiting room for the ER was PACKED and who knows what kind of services those people were going to receive. The hospitals won't just treat you if you can't pay. The technology was nothing like it is here. It literally is a 3rd world country and you only get the best if you are rich. Talk about bringing you down a few notches. It was humbling and rewarding for me to see - it has helped me keep things in perspective.***
So after our little tour of the market, we had to get all of our stuff ready to leave for Zambales at 11. We ended up leaving around 12 - and we pilled into two "air conditioned" vans (only when the van was moving), said goodbye to Vergi and were on our way. We weren't sure how long it was supposed to take to get there... but when we got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic - we knew it was going to be a while. And we almost hit a boy. Yep... almost hit a boy... with our van. He was trying to cross the street and we were changing lanes. He jumped out of the way as the driver swerved that van - and completely ran into another vehicle. No we didn't stop. All the driver said was "It ok - we didn't hit the boy." and that was that. Talk about shocking.
So 6 hours later (some driving... and some just sitting there) - we pull into the Aeta Children's Home... and this is what we see :-)
We got there - they fed us - we got settled - they did an opening shpeal with a video (which put some of us to sleep) - then it was off to bed. But the welcome they gave us made us feel very welcome and excited about the week we would spend working along side these people and ministering to the needs of the Aeta people. Bed at 9 - church starts at 8 so breakfast is at 630... up and at 'em. :-)
Day Four - Complete
Sorry about how long it is... I'll try to condense it from now on
it would be so much easier to read if it was in a darker font... other than that, great!!!
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