Friday, July 29, 2005
I'm a celebrity..get me outta here!
Hey there,
Two weeks down already in the Philippines. After a week in Cebu, flew the half hour to Bacolod and have been doing highschool retreats here. The first batch was a bit of a learning experience for all, but the second batch flew. Just finished the second batch today. They come in for three days , leaving early on the morning of the third day so thats where we are at today, just enjoying the small bit of free time. Batch three arrives tomorrow morning.
Nonoy took us out again for the day, and brought us to the Negros Occidental museum and we bought lanzonies and relaxed in the sun for a while. It's good to get a break.
Have been hearing from the others on the other placements. Some are working in Cebu with the Badjao. They are water gypsies who have recently been burned out of their accommodation so they are temporarily placed at the side of the water next to a reclamation site. It is a strange feeling to walk out of there feeling good, as these people are so friendly and welcoming and delighted to see us. The kids grabbed our hands the moment we walked in and had trouble leaving go when we left. It's only when you stop to think of it that you truly realise the injustice of the living conditions of these people. It is said that their livelihood is 'above the dead but below the living'.
Some of the Irish group are in there helping to build the new development on the island they have been "kindly" granted by the government, while others are helping, working in the school with the Badjao kids. They are really doing great work. It looks like I will be in Manila for my second placement.
We are all celebrities here; stared at going down the street, and signing "autographs" for the kids after the retreats. The retreats are nothing like I have ever experienced, the openness, the sharing; it's great.
Well, gotta run.
Later!
David
Two weeks down already in the Philippines. After a week in Cebu, flew the half hour to Bacolod and have been doing highschool retreats here. The first batch was a bit of a learning experience for all, but the second batch flew. Just finished the second batch today. They come in for three days , leaving early on the morning of the third day so thats where we are at today, just enjoying the small bit of free time. Batch three arrives tomorrow morning.
Nonoy took us out again for the day, and brought us to the Negros Occidental museum and we bought lanzonies and relaxed in the sun for a while. It's good to get a break.
Have been hearing from the others on the other placements. Some are working in Cebu with the Badjao. They are water gypsies who have recently been burned out of their accommodation so they are temporarily placed at the side of the water next to a reclamation site. It is a strange feeling to walk out of there feeling good, as these people are so friendly and welcoming and delighted to see us. The kids grabbed our hands the moment we walked in and had trouble leaving go when we left. It's only when you stop to think of it that you truly realise the injustice of the living conditions of these people. It is said that their livelihood is 'above the dead but below the living'.
Some of the Irish group are in there helping to build the new development on the island they have been "kindly" granted by the government, while others are helping, working in the school with the Badjao kids. They are really doing great work. It looks like I will be in Manila for my second placement.
We are all celebrities here; stared at going down the street, and signing "autographs" for the kids after the retreats. The retreats are nothing like I have ever experienced, the openness, the sharing; it's great.
Well, gotta run.
Later!
David
Monday, July 18, 2005
Hi
Arrived in the Philippines a few days ago.
We are down in the city now in Cebu on the internet. We got the Jeepeneys down, which are like mini-van taxis and they cost 6 pesos to go down the road. Great value considering the value of the currency is 1 euro = 65 pesos so ii think thats about 10 cent. And to get back to the retreat house we will probably get motorbike taxis. Mad isn't it?
The lads bought cigarettess yesterday and got a box of 20 for about 35 cent (euro).
We will be off on our first placements by friday saturday or sunday of this week. It looks like I'll be on the first block of retreats. It will be short enough period of time on the projects itself. About 2 weeks on each project.
Other than that, life has been pretty slow here, just settling in. We went for food last night in the Redemptorists with the redemptorist students. They are all 17 and 18!
The humidity is unreal and the pace of life reflects the heat. All we seem to be doing is eating too. The food has been fine, but not really an Irish menu!!! I had a half a fish plopped on my plate yesterday, from the head down. Quite an experience.
All going well.
Hopefully will be able to write again soon.
David
Arrived in the Philippines a few days ago.
We are down in the city now in Cebu on the internet. We got the Jeepeneys down, which are like mini-van taxis and they cost 6 pesos to go down the road. Great value considering the value of the currency is 1 euro = 65 pesos so ii think thats about 10 cent. And to get back to the retreat house we will probably get motorbike taxis. Mad isn't it?
The lads bought cigarettess yesterday and got a box of 20 for about 35 cent (euro).
We will be off on our first placements by friday saturday or sunday of this week. It looks like I'll be on the first block of retreats. It will be short enough period of time on the projects itself. About 2 weeks on each project.
Other than that, life has been pretty slow here, just settling in. We went for food last night in the Redemptorists with the redemptorist students. They are all 17 and 18!
The humidity is unreal and the pace of life reflects the heat. All we seem to be doing is eating too. The food has been fine, but not really an Irish menu!!! I had a half a fish plopped on my plate yesterday, from the head down. Quite an experience.
All going well.
Hopefully will be able to write again soon.
David
