The next adventure, day 1 in Tacloban

     Today was my first day in the resilient city of Tacloban!  We took a domestic flight out of Manila to Tacloban City in the Visayas region of the Philippines.  It was an hour flight to the city and it was beautiful -- I took so many pictures out my airplane window.

Upon arrival in Tacloban, at an airport that had been completely washed away a year and a half ago, we got picked up and taken to our hotel.  Considering the fact that the city is still rebuilding after super typhoon Yolanda, it has made great strides!  After getting off the plane we were greeted with a traditional dance by students in celebration of the Pintados festival.  Click on this link to learn more about the Pintados festival, http://www.world66.com/asia/south/philippines/taclobancity/festivals.

It has been two and a half years since they celebrated this momentous festival, so the city was buzzing with excitement and anticipation!  Flags were up in the streets, and everyone was getting their businesses prepared for the upcoming festivities.  It is a big homecoming for many and everyone is thrilled to be celebrating again now that their city has started to come together and rebuild.  It was amazing to see how happy everyone was with the little that they have. I rode a tricycle to dinner with the fellows and Obet (short for Norberto, our host), and it was really exciting -- we definitely do not have those in the states.  We had an incredible dinner of pancit, synagog, calamari, a sour fish (forgetting the name), and a delicious avocado shake and flan.  After we learned about General MacArthur and the events that led up to his return to the Philippines in Tacloban City (the capital at the time) at Hotel Alejandro.  Then, we stopped by a huge barbecue just to see what people were up to  (stay posted for more about the barbecues later).

After arriving back at Hotel XYZ (where we're staying), I began to blog again and then became overwhelmed with emotion.

        I am so humbled by my experiences in the Philippines so far.  I have never felt so welcomed to another country in my life.  Filipinos are the most hospitable, generous, and thoughtful people you could ever meet.  I began to cry when reflecting on the warm and beautiful greetings we have received from all of the students at every school we have visited.  They have been so welcoming and hospitable, and I am not sure that our schools in the states would provide international visitors with the same hospitality and warmth!  These children and teachers have so little and yet they are so happy and grateful for all that they have.  They do not complain and they are not negative about anything, they make do what what they have and make the best of it --they do not ask for anything more.  

Every school has provided us with food, entertainment, and given us a departing gift.  They have recognized us in their school announcements and welcomed us at their entrances as though we were famous.  The students were so happy to meet us, it seems that all they want is for us to enjoy our visit and that gives them all the happiness in the world.   I have only been greeted in the most respectful way, "Hello Ma'am... can I do anything for you Ma'am."  And their English is exceptional, I am so impressed by the way these students have carried themselves.  

It really makes you think and put things into perspective.  These children do not have a lot at their schools, but they are happy and eager to be there and to learn.  These teachers do not get money for supplies and do not have paper to use, and they do not have copiers in the schools -- they have desks, a blackboard, and that's it.  Anything else they pay from their own pockets, and they're happy.  They have on average 45 kids in one classroom and they see 6 periods a day, and they are excited to be teaching and welcomed us into their classrooms with open arms.  I cannot say enough about how touching these moments have been for me and how differently I look at things now, this experience will forever change me..I look forward to all that is to come next!