Monday. 7.9.07
NOTE: Because of my lengthy absence, and lack of effort, I won't be reading blog updates until after I finish this entry.
FYI: From Monday, June 25th to July 5th, I was on a missions trip to the Philippines with a group of fifteen people from my church. This is the telling of my adventures as I remember them at the moment.
And so the update begins...
To see photos, go here and/or here.
First off, this was my first plane ride EVER (besides the time when I was three - which I DON'T remember, and thus doesn't count) - all four planes and thirdty hours of it.
The first two plane rides (on American Airlines) were okay. Our first flight was delayed because of weather in Dallas (where we were supposed to land), so we had to divert to Fayetteville, Arkansas to refuel. By the time we got back to Dallas, we were able to land. But to make our next flight, we had to literally
run to our next gate - which was practically on the other side of the airport, of course.
After barely catching our flight from Dallas, we landed in LA, and changed from American Airlines to China Airlines. I was immediately impressed. They gave us little pillows and cozy blankets. Within the first (couple of?) hour(s) or so, they fed us. That was a nice surprise. On AA we got nadda. Though we did get a drink on our way to LA...
On the plane we were on, there were little screens in the back of everyone's seat, so we each got an individual TV to watch movies and shows on, or listen to music. They even gave us complimentary headphones to use for this purpose. It was so cool!! They had some cool movies on there, too. From LA to Taipei I watched
Music and Lyrics,
The Number 23 and
The Curse of the Golden Flower. Music and Lyrics was cute, The Number 23 was cool (loved it!), and The Curse of the Golden Flower was LONG and, except for the cool scenes were there was actually something GOING ON, pretty boring.
The latter was a movie made (produced/created/directed/what?!) by the same people who did
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It was a Chinese(?) movie about the Emperor of China, his immediate family, and their corrupted, devious ways. It took a good hour for something to really happen, and the best part was when everybody started killing eachother. But anyways.
From Taipei we got on yet another plane and went to Manila, Philippines. It was early Wednesday afternoon (I think - I don't remember what time of day it was exactly) when we got there. We were picked up by the missionaries we came to aid, and were taken to the missions office for an orientation of sorts. We got briefed on some cultural facts we'd need to know before we headed out, and other little things of the orientation-ing sort.
Though we barely got on our Dallas-LA flight, our luggage definitely didn't. So when we got to the Philippines, we were luggage-less. So after we ate dinner and got situated in our hotel rooms, we went shopping for some immediate material needs - like a shirt for the next day, etc. We did get our luggage the next day - and about were we GLAD (to have clean clothes to change into, and stuff to shower with). Yeah!
The first day (Thursday) we handed up mini Bibles at a high school in Pasig with fliers for a youth rally that afternoon. We emphasized the raffle of a free cellphone - an incentive to get them to come. Though we handed out
hundreds, we weren't sure how many would actually show up, but by the time we got back to the church for the rally, the room was already full - and more were coming in. It was great. =)
Friday morning we went to an area called Floodway, which is pretty much the really poor, slummy part of Metro Manila. We helped out at a feeding center there. It was heartbreaking to see all the kids you knew didn't get much in the first place, come for a meal, even if it was the only one they'd get all day. And especially the older siblings who would bring in their little brother or sister, and help them get something to eat, and feed them if necessary.
After the feeding center, we were guided around some of the area so we could see the people and places that are Floodway. Their houses were barely houses - mostly just wood planks put up to block the sun and rain. Everything was so dirty. It made you want to give them a hug and a truck load of food.
We handed out more mini Bibles at a high school there, and went to another youth rally also. The band in this one was actually really good. I liked 'em a lot.
Directly after the rally, we went to Makati to hand out Bibles at a college (university?) there and promote a mini concert they were having to promote a new church in Makati. The concert was really cool. They had singing, a drama, and a dance group that perform called 99 Boiz who were really good. They did a routine of breakdancing kind of stuff. It was so cool. I love watching asians flip hop and spin around (because they're so good at it!) lol
Saturday morning we split up into five groups and went out in the "Fun Trucks". It pretty much a mobile kid's church - we had songs, puppets, and a Bible story. We drove out to different parts of the Pasig City area, walked around our stops to get kids to come, and then sang and danced and talked to them. It was great to see how excited the kids got to sing and dance along with us. They were so cute! The Fun Trucks were definitely my favorite. ^_^
Later we went to a Saturday evening church service at the church in Pasig. Here, and at all of the previous and later rallies, we performed our silent drama.
Sunday morning we went to two morning services at the church in Pasig, both doing our drama twice, and hearing the same message from Saturday evening - twice. But at the end of the second service, we were lined up on the platform and were each given an egg. Some were hardboiled, some were salty and boiled, and some were
balut. (I don't want to explain what it is - click if you really want to know) Then we were all instructed to open our eggs and take a bite.
That was interesting. Mine wasn't so bad, but I got one of the salty ('red') ones - and man were they SALTY. I couldn't even finish mine... =/
After church, we went to one of the missionaries' house for lunch. Spaghetti, veggies, corn, and tea. Mmm-mmm! After lunch we went to an afternoon youth church service at a different church in Cogeo. The 99 Boiz were there and did their routine they did Friday night. It was cool 'cause we got to see it up close, and meet some of them. Yeah! =D
After that was pretty much our 'free time'. The first couple hours of it were at a restaurant one of the missionaries took us to so we could taste some of the local food (So far, we'd mostly just eaten McD's and KFC - because their menus consisted of safe-to-eat-and-not-get-sick-from foods). My favorite was the shrimp stuff. I don't know what half of it was, but I know I liked the shrimp. ^_^
When we got back to the hotel, we found some of the locals that we'd made friends with waiting for us (for about three hours, apparently!). It was so sweet of them to wait for us, and they didn't complain at all.
Some of us went for a foot massage (only 350 pesos - about $7). And they massaged more than just your feet. Before they even got to the feet, they had already done your shoudlers, neck, face, head, hands, and arms. Even after they finished focusing on your feet, they turned you over and did your legs and back. It was the best seven bucks I ever spent. lol
Afterwards we went to Starbucks and talked 'til we were all too tired to intelligibly communicate. Which didn't take long, because we were all pretty much already tired from our long day.
Monday we went to Cogeo and handed out Bibles at two (three?) different high schools, and had two youth rallies. The second had the biggest outcome of them all. The room was packed full of kids - there was barely any standing room, and yet more kids outside the door looking in. It was so hot and sweaty in there, but it was great to see all the kids be glad they were there - even if it was just for the cellphone. And they all stayed, though it was extremely hot, and they could be at home, out of their uniforms, doing whatever.
Monday night, after all the youth rallies, a few of us and our new filipino friends (FFs! haha XD) went to Starbuck's and we taught them how to play Scum (a card game we love to play). By then, we'd been to Starbuck's so often (every night!) that the baristas knew us by name. Especially Tara, because her name was easy to remember. (In Tagalog, "tara na" means "let's go now")
Though Wednesday was, technically, our last day, it was really Tuesday. We went to a high school in Cainta (I think is what it was called) and handed out Bibles, and went to a youth rally at a church there. The band at this one was really cool, too - their sound was more rock-y, and had more bass. And the bassist was cool, too. ^_~
Then dinner and more 'free time' = Starbuck's and cards. We had Burger King (beef! - I was so tired of chicken), and had Toti (our loyal driver who'd helped get us everywhere we went. He was great. ^_^) eat a Triple Whopper. He did it, and in a reasonable time for something so big. (He'd been joking that he'd be there for hours eating it because it was so big. He was so funny =D)
Wednesday morning we went back to the missions office for a "de-orientation" where we filled out a survey of our thoughts and views of the missions trip, and what we liked, didn't like, or thought could improve about our schedule, experiences, etc.
Then we ate lunch, and headed to the airport.
We were told that, going back from Manila, you weren't allowed to have any liquids whatsoever in your carryon. So, reluctantly, we left our containers of whatnot, and proceeded to airport. We all went through customs, and got on our plane, without anyone looking into any of our carryons. This was slightly infuriating because I really wanted my body spray and deodorant after being outside sweating, and being in an airplane for 20+ hours. And my friend Angie was upset because she really needed her nasal allergy medicine - especially by the time we got to America. But anyways.
Our longest layover was in Taipei. Jennifer, Tara and I had fun talking around the airport and shopping. It was the nicest airport I had yet been in throughout the whole trip. I bought a Fila bag that was on sale for $25, and a cellphone charm with lucky coins on it. (pictures later. maybe...)
On our way from Taipei to San Francisco, Jennifer and Tara sat next to a girl from Taipei who had never been on an airplane before, and was kind of frightened of the new experience - especially the landing in a different country part. (Her name was) Ally was going to Chicago to visit and aunt. We helped her go through customs, get her luggage and check in. Her gate just so happened to be the one next to ours, so during our three hour layover, we walked around the airport with her, bought something to eat, and just looked at what shops were left open (it was about 10pm). {Most of them were closing. Which was kind of weird to us, because all the shops in Taipei were open 'til at least 10:30, if not 11:00. So we were disappointed in the shortening of available shops.}
All in all, we finally got home Thursday morning around 7am. We were all tired and smelly. I went directly home, took a shower and started on my sweaty laundry. I also distributed the gifts I'd bought for everyone.
Pretty much everything that happened after that doesn't really matter. And I don't really want to have to type about it. I've typed enough already.
I just remembered I never said (much of) anything about the John Mayer concert I went to just before I left (June 19th). All I have the effort to say is - it was great! I really enjoyed it. The song he played for the encore was my favorite one off his new CD -
I'm Gonna Find Another You. (Also why it was on here for a whie.) I LOVED IT!! =D
That Friday (6/22) my family and I saw Liverpool (a Beatles tribute band) perform. They were good, as usual. (though I think they've been better... this is my third time to see them) It was lots of fun. =)
And that's all I'm going to tell you for now. Congratulations to all who actually read all that. Even if you didn't read it all, it's okay. I wouldn't have read the whole thing either. =P
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I think that was the longest entry I've ever read. And yes, I did read the whole thing.
American Airlines sucks, they're cheapskates and they don't give you ANYTHING. My parents pick them a lot though, because they're cheap. >:(
The balut eggs are nasty. I'd heard about that kind of thing before, but I'd forgotten. It's a horrible custom in my opinion....
Other than that, sounds like you've had an exciting time. Something to tell the grandkids when you get older, eh? :P
» randomjunk on 2007-07-10 02:46:29
Philippines has some more interesting places as well. If you want to party, there are some varying colors in either Malate (my fav), Makati, Fort, and Eastwood.
Balut - Never ate it my entire life, it looks sick, and still does look sick, even when I was non-veg, wouldn't touch the stuff.
You can bring 100 ml of any liquid in a 100 ml container. You can bring up to 5 (or 10?) kept in a transparent plastic.
Your friend could bring her nasal spray, she just had to prove that she needs it, and not something else (actually use it).
Singapore Airlines airplanes have the pause, rewind, and forward function on their individual screens. They're so cool.
» hmdaswani on 2007-07-10 02:51:41
:O You've never flown before! Wow that must've been a way to start...30 hours. Yeesh. I guess that's probably why you didn't know about the whole liquids thing. It's ridiculous...I think it only started after last year though, once somebody tried to create an e with some chemicals (probably ammonium nitrate or nitroglycerin) and an iPod (it was fake, actually the detonator). So in the end that person(s) screwed up air travel for most of the world. Excellent.
Anyways, I'm just wondering if you know any Tagalog, because if you do that's cool :) I don't really know anything about the langugae but I've heard it's sort of reminiscent of Spanish. Or something. So one of my Phillipino friends says.
I've never been anywhere besides the big cities...I think it'd be interesting to go somewhere like the slums. I know it sounds dumb, but I don't know I just want to see something different. I can't really imagine what I'd feel seeing those kids. I mean I know millions of people are starving everyday, but it's so easy to read statistics and overlook all of the human beings it really stands for. Haha that's funny about the cell phone though...it doesn't actually work does it o_0
Ahh...I don't think I'd so well on a McDonald's and KFC diet haha. I'm not a health freak or anything, but everytime I eat there I just taste grease and I don't like it -_-. But STARBUCKS on the other hand...mmmm me and Starbucks get along just grand. Grande, double blended carmel frapuccino to be exact ;-)
I'm not much of a religious person...actually I'm not at all, so I'll never have the opportunity to do anything like this. I'm going to South Africa (Cape Town) next summer for jump rope, and we're going to teach some schools after the competition is over, but I don't think they're impoverished areas like where you've been. So call me a nerd, but I read the whole thing because I'll never have the chance to go do it myself haha. And besides, it's midnight and I'm rather bored ;-)
But I'm glad you had fun! And on a sidenote, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon IS Chinese :D Haha ok this is getting way too long, I really need to go preoccupy myself. Lol have a nice day.
» The-Muffin-Man on 2007-07-10 02:55:00
Oh I forgot! Just because I love to rant...
I can't stand it when those airline stewardesses blab forever about what you can buy for lunch, or what you can buy for entertainment, or whatever else they can get you to spend your money on. Urgh. I'm trying to sleep, fools!
P.S. It sounds like you had a lot of delays...and with so many connecting flights that gets reallllly risky. When I flew up to Alaska we had to start the workshop a day late because of one stupid connecting flight. Bleh. I hope South Africa doesn't turn out that way. Ok, goodnight :)
» The-Muffin-Man on 2007-07-10 02:57:44
Wow.. Muffin left such a long comment... I so.. don't want to compete with him. Anyway, that's a really good experience you had in Philipphines.. Ah.. The Curse of The Golden Flower... I like movies about that chinese era but I'm yet to watch it and since you said that it's boring, I won't want to watch it now..
» Nuttz on 2007-07-10 05:26:45
Man that was a long entry lol! Its sound like you had a really great time. I also love to see people flip around and whatnot lol.
» lyndeep on 2007-07-14 10:26:34
Balut Even if it is considered a delicacy or whatever, I will not eat it. The slurping also doesn't help either.
Sounds like you had a great time; I'll be going back to the Philippines this December (hopefully) so yeah. Hopefully I can embark on an adventure similar to yours. [=
» bifocalLs on 2007-07-16 12:11:04
♥ wow, your trip sounded tiring. Cuz mine did when I came back.. which was from May 21 to June 3 or something.
well, in my opinion, balut is super tasty :]
& what really sucked when i was over there was just the pollution in the air.. & i wasn't so used to the water & most of the food.
i had diarrhea almost everyday >.
» ShaShaBoo on 2007-07-16 04:31:23
♥ the end of my comment was supposed to be some smiley.. but i guess it didn't come out well. hahaha =P
» ShaShaBoo on 2007-07-16 04:32:33
your trip sounds very interesting! Passing out food, fun, and hope!! Those Fun Trucks sound like the best. Glad you had a good time and made it back safe. I hope someday I can go to the Phillipines!
» Zanzibar on 2007-07-16 06:50:53
wow! :) i'm so glad you had a great time in my hometown! :) i miss it :(
but anyways lol i think you're pretty brave with the whole salted egg & balut thing. i'm flip but i never ate them before. so kudos to you! :)
and i'm happy you went there to help people cause manila could get nasty. i mean, really nasty. i'm not from there but i was swindled twice the two times i went there so yeah. :)
p.s. your entry makes me nostalgic. lol
» frostbitten on 2007-07-18 02:00:23
Glad you had fun and your first airplane ride went well!
I can't eat balut. There are a lot of things I can't eat (pig feet, chicken hearts) and balut is one of those. I tried it once but I could only stomach a small piece.
Last time I went with my dad, my brother, and cousins and we were warned not to drink the water unless it's from a bottle. Well we were there for a month and one of those days I drank water and felt a little sick that day XD
» Ajibalaji89 on 2007-07-26 11:54:09
So THAT's where you've been... :)
I was just talking to some friends the other day about the phillipines. They are from there of course and they were telling me that I should go sometime to research my roots. I was born in the states and yes I am fillopino but I dont know if I would call that my roots. ha ha. Either way, I really enjoyed your pictures!!! What a great experience. :)
» KKama67 on 2007-07-26 12:46:23
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