Last year when I was here I travelled as tourist, this time I am trying to be a little more like a local. I have been waking at 5am, so today rather than just lying there tossing and turning, I discovered that the markets (that I discussed the other day) opens at 4am. So today I got up, got ready, as I wanted to check that it would be safe to offer it to the boys as an optional experience.
So I jumped in a trike and 5mins later and 30 pisos (90cents) later I was there. The entire market was food based, as this is where the locals buy their produce. Since we have been here in Bulacan I have not seem 1 tourist, not 1 westerner. So you can imagine how I stood up at the locals food market at 6 in the morning. As I was thinking this while walking the street, I thought I saw an American but no it was just a large Filipino man in a loud shirt and a baseball cap. Anyway the long and the short of it is the markets are very safe and ridiculously interesting. I consider that I have a pretty strong stomach but couple of times I did hold my breathe for about 40 metres. So now I will see if any boys are interested in joining me in the future.
We had a very Canadian breakfast this morning, pancakes, eggs, bacon and maple syrup, the boys all seemed to enjoy it, although think a couple of them didn’t open there eyes (there are a couple of slow risers).
We started at 8 and finished at 5 a huge day on the building site. Today was the toughest and hottest day to date and as Murphy’s Law would have it, today most of us would be working on the preparation for the roof.
We arrived this morning to the site of our container being prepared to leave the orphanage. As the big orange box pulled out of the driveway, we waved it good-bye and then dug in for a huge day on the tools.
The boys were fantastic today! Last night in our nightly meeting / debrief, we discussed the importance of tolerance and intellectual intelligence and how we are entering a 5 day in a row building stage. If we are to get through this stage we would need to be mindful of ourself, each other and not compare your performance with anyone else’s as we all have our own physical, social and mental strengths and weaknesses. In travelling home in the bus this afternoon the staff noted that today the boys seemed to really gel as a team. Of course I am going to take the credit, but rather I think the truth is that they have realised that we are all I this together, we are ALL hot, working hard, in a foreign land and out of our comfort zone, so we had best get on with one another to ensure we achieve what we have set out to do.
With all that said the roof is looking great and tomorrow we will be able to put the colourbond sheeting up there.
Oh ya I think I won the bet, as to who was going to get sick first and when. As Chris Downey has falling in love with Jollibee taco hotdogs, I had him down for first and rather than measuring time by days, I predicted it by hotdogs. I said 7 but the answer was 6.
Tomorrow is going to be another big day. Despite the activity on the building site, we will be visited by Fr Peter Jones & Fr Tony Banks and it is also Chris Downey’s 17th birthday (I’ll tell you about what we have planned for him tomorrow)
Craig Jeffery
So I jumped in a trike and 5mins later and 30 pisos (90cents) later I was there. The entire market was food based, as this is where the locals buy their produce. Since we have been here in Bulacan I have not seem 1 tourist, not 1 westerner. So you can imagine how I stood up at the locals food market at 6 in the morning. As I was thinking this while walking the street, I thought I saw an American but no it was just a large Filipino man in a loud shirt and a baseball cap. Anyway the long and the short of it is the markets are very safe and ridiculously interesting. I consider that I have a pretty strong stomach but couple of times I did hold my breathe for about 40 metres. So now I will see if any boys are interested in joining me in the future.
We had a very Canadian breakfast this morning, pancakes, eggs, bacon and maple syrup, the boys all seemed to enjoy it, although think a couple of them didn’t open there eyes (there are a couple of slow risers).
We started at 8 and finished at 5 a huge day on the building site. Today was the toughest and hottest day to date and as Murphy’s Law would have it, today most of us would be working on the preparation for the roof.
We arrived this morning to the site of our container being prepared to leave the orphanage. As the big orange box pulled out of the driveway, we waved it good-bye and then dug in for a huge day on the tools.
The boys were fantastic today! Last night in our nightly meeting / debrief, we discussed the importance of tolerance and intellectual intelligence and how we are entering a 5 day in a row building stage. If we are to get through this stage we would need to be mindful of ourself, each other and not compare your performance with anyone else’s as we all have our own physical, social and mental strengths and weaknesses. In travelling home in the bus this afternoon the staff noted that today the boys seemed to really gel as a team. Of course I am going to take the credit, but rather I think the truth is that they have realised that we are all I this together, we are ALL hot, working hard, in a foreign land and out of our comfort zone, so we had best get on with one another to ensure we achieve what we have set out to do.
With all that said the roof is looking great and tomorrow we will be able to put the colourbond sheeting up there.
Oh ya I think I won the bet, as to who was going to get sick first and when. As Chris Downey has falling in love with Jollibee taco hotdogs, I had him down for first and rather than measuring time by days, I predicted it by hotdogs. I said 7 but the answer was 6.
Tomorrow is going to be another big day. Despite the activity on the building site, we will be visited by Fr Peter Jones & Fr Tony Banks and it is also Chris Downey’s 17th birthday (I’ll tell you about what we have planned for him tomorrow)
Craig Jeffery
6 comments:
Craig, you continue to amaze me! I hope the boys realise just how lucky the are to have you. We who work with you day in and day out certainly do!
Marg and I fly out for Uluru at 10.00am this morning and so will in all probability not be able to continue to correspond until we return. Continue to be happy and well.
All our best. David and Margie.
Hi All,
I am enjoying reading your web log of the project so far. Pleased that your efforts are being rewarded with some great and memorable experiences. It sounds like the boys are making the most of it - particularly the food! From my experiences there in 2002 it is a real culture shock, but you can guarantee that the Sisters will make your stay welcome and enjoyable.
A big hello to Sr Joan and Sr Gavine, Sr Josie should also be there by now so give her my best.
Happy Birthday to Chris D as well.
Look forward to tomorrow's entry.
Cheers
Mark
Dear All,
Love to read the news of your safe arrival and progress of the mission at hand. It is fantastic to see the pictures of the building being constructed. Now that is a slab! Your reflections on the tour are wonderful Craig. Keep up the good work and best wishes to all. Our prayers for you and especially Sr Joan. What about the bikes? All the best to all - love and best wishes. TJC
Dear all,
It is fantastic to see such progress and that you are all having such great experiences. Thanks for the reports- reading them are they are a daily ritual.
Chris, we hope you have a great birthday and the sickness from eating the hot dogs was short lived.
All the best, Mark, Jeanne and Laura
Hi to all,
A Big Happy Birthday to Chris Downey.I look forward to reading your daily updates.Pleased everything is going ok.
What a great experience.
Love to all
Lynnie
Hello everyone,
It sounds like you are all progressing really well with the infirmary and enjoying all the cultural experiences of the Philippines. I love those early morning markets! How are the children of the Orphanage, are they enjoying the bikes and back packs?? Take care and take photos!
Love
Lianne and Tyler Williams
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