So we've been here a whole week now, and so much has happened that it will be a little hard to write it all in one blog! I am sure you are all desperate to hear all the details of 'when I was in the Philippines' but you shall have to wait another week!
Highlights have definately been playing with the kids at Joyland, each of them has a special character and dynamic that adds to the group experience, and even the ones that were shy and unwilling to join in last Sunday got a fair few piggy backs when we were there yesterday! I had the added pleasure of hearing them all sing 'Happy Birthday' last Monday in the classroom (I was the cause of many a classroom disturbance...) and using my skills of making 'Star bucks' out of cardboard, which are actually origami boxes....
The swimming parties and the McDonalds trip with the kids from Dacutan was also heartmelting. The kids are so happy to limpit themselves to you whilst swimming, even if you can bearly keep your own head above the water! Visiting the village on Thursday night and sharing festivities with the locals was also a major :D in all of our weeks - its amazing how well some of the members of the team can move on the dancefloor... We also had the chance to hang out with the Payatas volunteers over the last week and get them to teach us some Elongo and Tagalog, useful words I tell you, useful phrases. I am sure Jo will be most appreciative of my new ability to insult him in two languages... ;)
Jo and Emma have been great transporting us around and they had a well deserved rest at the weekend when we went to a Diving Resort in Sipilay, (South West Negros) It was great to experience a different side to Filipino life, relaxing on the beach, listening to music and drinking Ice drinks... a different experience indeed!
Saying goodbye to the Joyland kids was heartbreaking yesterday, Manang Ami was asked many a time if she would be back Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday... unfortunately the answer was a no. But when pressed for an answer I had to say, 'Fibe hundred sleeps...' The look on Resthor's face will stay with me...
Still, a new week is ahead, and a new adventure. Manila has the pleasure of our presence for the next week, and then life continues, a little differently than before. I have changed, in proportions that blogs cannot record. But you will see, next time we meet. Until then my friends.
God Bless.
xxx
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For the non tagalog speakers amongst you (and I guess there will be a few!!!), the phrase Ami has used is a reference to the fact that my head looks like an egg (itlog).... So now you know...
I went back to Joyland today (Monday) as Deborah is working on her tagalog with one of the teachers. I only saw the boys in the morning, but a few of them asked after members of the team. Resthor is counting down the 500 sleeps!!! We went back at the end of the afternoon to collect her, and a lot of the younger ones were in the mess hall, watching 102 Dalmatians. I sat down with them, and Joey just came and sat against me, watching the film, Sheena looking round every now and then and smiling a shy smile, and Rhona coming up and having a hug. Fredo, Jeffrey, Kim, William.... all engrossed in the film, and loving it every time Cruella de Vil's butler got his hands crushed (slapstick humour translates into Ilongo, obviously). All looking really at home and comfortable, even without Rick and Suzet around, and that really is testimony to how they have built a home for those kids.... They miss us.....But life carries on well....
It is an affectionate term Jo... :)
I was fairly concerned about the 'Pagod Itlog' last week you know!!
Anyways, great to hear news from Joyland. I will be back... perhaps even before the 500 sleeps is up!
xxx
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