Orientation: Day 1

Today was the first day of orientation. Edna is our placement organizer and guide during this week. She and her husband spent 24 years in Colombia and most recently, 10 years here in the Philippines. They seem to me like a mix of my mentor/friend/professor RuthAnn from home and Colin’s grandpa and grandma Helton… very wise in their years and surprisingly hip.

Joining us was a family of four from North Carolina who have served with our organization in the past. Also, a mother and her son Gage who is 5 and super duper energetic. Along with a few other people, we all spent the first part of the day learning about the SIL Philippines office and some important things about engaging in cross-cultural communication.

Soon, the “book work” was over and it was time for another Filipino adventure!

Jeepneys are a common and inexpensive form of transportation in Metro Manila. They are colorfully decorated army jeeps that have been converted for public use. They are not air conditioned and can hold a TON of sweaty bodies… some of which hang off the back.

Today, we took one!

It was a very fun trip to Cubao where we explored our first open-air market. Oh the smells. Stores are organized by category, so all of the meat sellers are next to each other, all the drug stores next to each other, the flower sellers, the pastry makers… etc… It makes for a journey of olfactory sensation. Haha! Right after the glory of sugary scents wafting from the fruit sellers, you have to hold your breath and walk through stand after stand of hanging meat.

Metro Manila has a LOT of malls. I mentioned MegaMall already, but we went to a different one today for lunch. I had Wendys… boring I know, but in the first three days of being here, we have eaten

Salmon Head Soup

Chicken Feet

Shark Fin Dumplings

Duck Adobo
And Shell-On Prawns

So I don’t feel unadventurous. Lol.

The Jeepney ride back was a blast because little Gage and I made faces the whole way while the Filipinos next to us watched out of the corners of their eyes. We arrived back to the guesthouse and have been relaxing in the air conditioning ever since. It’s been a great day so far!