A Fun Outing

Yesterday, Karissa and I went to Mega Mall, which takes 30-75 minutes to get to, depending on the traffic. It is an *amazing* mall. I know I definitely want to go back before I leave and buy more gifts for people (yes, I was gift shopping yesterday, but I'm not saying who I bought the gifts for or what they are...*evil cackle*). It had six floors full of clothing stores, fast food places (who knew you could find Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, KFC, Wendys, and other American fastfood chains out here? And the ones I've tried so far taste like home - Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and Pizza Hut), sit-down restaurants, a *huge* cinema, Imax, and more. It was crazy and I had so much fun wandering around and looking at everything. I think I probably drove Karissa crazy, especially at this one shop called Carolinas, which is like a mini JoAnn fabrics but with nicer stuff (I'll be returning to that store before I leave!).


After spending many hours at Mega Mall, Karissa and I went to visit one of her friends who is in the hospital recovering from Dungae fever (a bad illness which causes you to hemorrhage internally. It's spread through mosquitoes). In order to get to the hospital, we had to catch a train. However, we couldn't find the train station so we asked a security guard where it was. He pointed us in a direction and said, "That way." 


We went that way until we couldn't go any farther and asked another security guard where it was. He pointed us in the opposite direction and said, "That way."


Eight security guards later, we *finally* found the train station. Except by that point, it was 6:30 in the evening so everyone was going home from work. The station and the trains were packed with people. I have never been so squished. Let's just say, if the train had gotten into an accident, no one would have gotten hurt because no one would have been able to move. It was that tight in there. 


Then we had to catch a second train and talked to four more security guards in the process. This train was less crowded. Once we got off the train, we weren't sure where to catch a taxi to get to the hospital (a jeepney would have been too overwhelming at that point) so we talked to two more security guards. We didn't get to the hospital until sometime after 7:30 and spent about fifteen minutes there. 


The hospital was a private hospital so it was one of the nicer ones in the Philippines. However, it was still nothing compared to hospitals in the US. For instance, there were four people per room. And there was no privacy. No sheets/curtains/dividers, nothing. Just four beds lined up along the wall with four patients in them. It was pretty sad and makes one very thankful for the privacy of American hospitals. 


Going back to Mega Mall, we only talked to one security guard. But this time was the funniest. As we walked up to him, he got this big, proud smile on his face, and quickly glanced at his buddies to make sure they noticed that two white girls were walking up to him. Then, when Karissa asked to make sure we were on the right side of the tracks, he puffed up. I mean, he was very obviously pleased that we were asking him for help. He literally puffed up with importance right in front of us. The moment we turned away, we both burst out laughing. It was so hilarious! I wish I had gotten video of it for y'all to see.

Anyway, long story short, we didn't arrive back at our apartment until after 10pm...We left at 1:30 in the afternoon and were gone until 10. And we were walking most of the time. My feet and shoulders were so sore! But it was fun and I got to see a lot more of Manila. Now I'm ready to spend several more days at the birth center, hoping for more women to go into labor...There haven't been any for several days...Oh well.

Picture Blast

Dad swimming laps in the hotel pool

Look closely and see hte different book selections. :-D Interesting selection, eh?

On the back of these key chains, it says "Philippines"

Delicious bakery place Jeri told us about

Taking Daddy for a Walk

God's in His Heavens, all's right with the world

Davao International Airport

Isn't this the greatest car ever? I mean, it's purple and has colorful stickers on it!

view from our 12th floor hotel room

Manila

Hi Everyone!

Guess what?! I'm *finally* in the Philippines! I have been dreaming about and planning on visiting this country for the last three years and now I'm finally here! (Sorry for the overabundance of exclamation marks. They kinda perfectly described how I am feeling.)

After 15 hours of flying in the middle seat to Hong Kong (absolutely miserable...I'm extremely glad to not repeat that until November...) and a two hour flight to Manila, Dad and I arrived around 23:45 (Manila time) and had the joy of standing for almost an hour in customs. Then someone from the "Hotel Lounge" called a taxi for us to take to the hotel. It turns out we didn't get a regular taxi; we were in a hotel car so the driver charged an exorbitant amount (700 pesos - around $20 USD for a 10 minute taxi drive).


We didn't reach our hotel room until 1:30am. A shower has never felt so good! :-D When I came out of the shower, Dad was Skyping (yes, that is a verb, just ask me) Mom and the JJPIGs (our nickname for them) so I got to talk to them for a little while. After dropping us off at the airport, they went and got Dunkin Donuts. To read about it and see some adorable pictures, click here.


After about six hours of sleep, we woke up to eat breakfast and go visit Shiphrah. Rather than pay $30 USD a person for breakfast at the Marriott, we found the Pancake House about a 5 minute walk from the hotel where Dad and I got a delicious meal (who knew peach sauce would make a wonderful substitute for maple syrup?) for under $5 total. I think we're planning on eating there again tomorrow morning; except Dad saw the donuts at 7/11 when we bought water bottles... :-D 


Around 10:30, the hotel got a real taxi (not a hotel taxi) to take us to Tay Tay (pronounced Tai Tai) Rizal, where Shiphrah is. The trip was an hour long but the taxi driver only charged us about 700 pesos (hmm...700 pesos for an hour trip or a 10 minute trip? Something tells me we were ripped off last night. By a lot.) The driver was incredibly nice and talked part of the way there, pointing out all sorts of landmarks and areas. He told Dad that he'd love to take us wherever we need to go during our stay and to just tell the hotel we want Edgar to drive us. Sounds good to me.


(I just want to insert a quick note about the driving here. While it's supposedly not as crazy as China, India, or Kenya, the driving is kinda intimidating for me. For instance, lanes are only optional. Half the time, people are half in one lane and half in another. Also, they pass each other like crazy. I was sitting open mouthed most of the time we were in the car.)


When we reached Shiphrah, I got out of the taxi and stood up straight. Edgar (who's rather short for a Filippino, I think) laughed, "Wow! I didn't realize you're that tall!" Thanks. :-D 


Standing outside Shiphrah were Jeri, her daughter Debra, and one of her friends. It was good to finally meet Jeri! Inside the birth home, she introduced me to several midwives and the intern who is already there. The other intern, Jennifer, took Dad and I to the building next to Shiphrah which is the apartment. It's the new housing area for the interns. There we got a quick tour then we sat down and talked. Jennifer told us all about Shiphrah and what it's like and what she's learned. She won't be here too much longer, but I really like her. In fact, she already invited me to join her and her daughter to go watch Spider Man whenever it comes into theater. 


Lunch was delicious. The house helper, Helen, made rice (which I guess appears at every meal), a local currie chicken (absolutely delicious!), and green beans in a special sauce. It was a wonderful meal! Helen will be making the lunches and dinners for the interns. I'm thinking I'm going to be well-fed. :-D 


During lunch, I enjoyed talking with Jeri, Jennifer, and Jeri's friend. As we finished, several moms came in with their 1-week-olds for their check-ups. I guess last week, there was one crazy day when 5 moms came in and had their babies the same day. There are only two official birth rooms and one prenatal room, so there were two moms in one birth room, one mom in the other birth room, and two more moms in the prenatal room. It sounds crazy but a lot of fun! While I was there, I didn't actually get to see a birth room, since both were occupied. However, I'm sure to see one next week!


Tomorrow, Dad and I fly to Davao City, where we will be staying until Tuesday. I can't wait! :-D


Here's some pics I took from the trip:

Last meal in the States. Chilis has delicious burgers! This one had jalepeno and bacon

Chicago O'Hare airport

Trinket shop in Hong Kong 

Leaving Hong Kong. I personally like the light motion in this picture. :-D

Landing in Manila. Once again, the light stripes are pretty cool, in my opinion

Landing in Manila with no light motion

Bag of donations for Shiphrah. I took it over this morning but Jeri said they won't open it until I start on Tuesday. She then said I need to video one of the midwives (I don't remember her name) opening it since she'd have a good reaction at the amount of donations. Thank you to everyone who gave me onesies and blankets for the birthing home!
:-D

Sign on the birth home's wall