We're Finally In The Philippines

After a grueling 15 hours from LAX to Hong Kong, we are waiting for our Manila flight. The date of each new post is finally in sync with our posts. It is actually Wednesday morning here in beautiful downtown Hong Kong. There were 24 fresh missionaries on our flight with us. Some sisters, too. to be continued ...we need to board

Layover in Hong Kong airport

An update since Hong Kong: We arrived in Manila at about 11:00am, with no problem.

With missionaries at Manila airport--waiting for shuttle

More missionaries----more waiting

Our hotel reminded me of a scene from "Casa Blanca", except no ceiling fans.  They would have helped, though.  The "air con" (as they call it here) in the lobby was broken.  Sweat was pouring down my face and onto the lovely vinyl couch.  We napped in our room and then walked to the airport to see if we could find any info on our flight to Laoag tomorrow. No luck. We don't have anything official as to which airline or what time our flight leaves.  Luckily your dad happened to look over our "cruise director's" shoulder while at the airport and has an unofficial airline name and departure time.
Our little walk to the airport was interesting.  I'm glad I took the advise of a Filipino sister in the MTC who told me not to bring any higher-heeled shoes.  The sidewalks are in bad repair.  It was very fun to be immersed in a different culture.  Your dad worries, though, I want to go back with food for all the sad, little orphaned cats we saw along the way.  They are on death's door, all thin and emaciated, hardly able walk.

Knowing & doing are 2 different things.  We have been cautioned ever since we got our call to the Philippines to only drink liquids that are bottled or canned.  OK, I’m doomed! Strike one: we went to KFC for dinner here in Manila. I slurped down a delicious mango Krusher (equivalent of a chunky Smoothie).  Fresh mangos. Yum! But who knows where the water came from that was in the drink?  Strike two: I brushed my teeth and rinsed with faucet water before the warning bells went off in my head.  Like I said, I’m doomed.  My next post will probably be titled: “My Week In Bed And In The CR.”

Love, Mom