Once again I find myself facing the sea, sitting on the balcony floor of my father. A lot has happened this past weekend. And again I feel what I have forgotten: that feeling confused, that feeling of anesthesia. I know I've lived through, and many for the few days I was absent. But I can not feel them, it's hard to find. Escape me. Why? That fear is there?
On Tuesday (September 18) called me from the office of Gawad Kalinga. I proposed to form part of a project that would last 5 days. The goal of the 15 teams of about 10 members was completed houses that were built in Alabat Island, in the province of Quezon. Would be the first time I went to Manila. And feared. I was afraid, that fear that stupidretained to experience new things. My first reaction was to deny me because I had no idea how I would be staying in Manila and that was at least the security of feeling comfortable as I had felt the previous day. I was surprised to realize that I was able to think about the possibility of resigning. I was doing then this weekend? Stay at home? Visit Manila a little Henner? I came with the idea to work, to do new things. Of concerted the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga offered me that. And I lived in Quezon Province was exactly what I was looking for.
On Wednesday afternoon, nervous, leave home with a backpack. Under the lift, but decided to go up again to make sure I have not been forgottenand warns that it is time to leave. Bai is a remarkable woman. Muslim, Mindanao, south of the country, where the great conflict between Christians and Muslims. Has lots of character, young and brave to have come alone to Manila to escape the marriage her parents arranged a few years ago. Zeus joins the group, also of Los Angeles but of Filipino descent. The van takes us to the bus station. We do not know but the atmosphere predicts good atmosphere.
6 hours later, our feet tread Lucena. Gawad Kalinga coordinator welcomes us and takes her home where we spend a night. Unbelievable. For the first time in my life I get into a Filipino home. The first thing I thought when I heard that it was quand Mme Blank told me, my teacher of German in Frankfurt: "One only knows the culture of a country to get into the house of a native." I saw that statement. The lock was a nail bath, the shower represent buckets full of water and the images and statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary flooded the entire house. "God Protects Our Home" here, "May the Lord bless you" over there.
Bai, Beth, Dianne and I settled into our room. Austin and Zeus in his. It's dinnertime. Go privilege, not only allow me to visit the house, but to drown in their culture but I will give food to which they are accustomed. Rice and rice dessert start to finish. In between breaded chicken, coconut bread, fried fish with vinegar andsea snails. Taste, curious, different and good. The next day, breakfast consists of rice, egg, chicken and mango jam. We charge of enegria and took another bus to Atimonan where we expect a ferry that takes us to the island of Alabat. Another member of the NGO receives and shows us his house. It seems that this home has years of experience as hospital. The food feels more like a feast, with tropical fruit and plenty of variety. We fill the belly and no dinner.
In the afternoon we have the people to build Gawad Kalinga, the house where we have to finish. But before we get to work is at snack time. How? But if you've eaten recently! Bai says that yes, it is time to "meryenda." Thedo the other groups involved in this "challenge" coming from different parts of the province of Quezon. We get to work every long pauses. The atmosphere created by volunteers and beneficiaries is very healthy. As materials are not for everyone, some see as other people work, others visit other groups, others take photos, participate in organized games. And others are going to eat breakfast, mierienda morning, lunch, afternoon snack or dinner if you are in town. I had the opportunity to taste new flavors as it is rice pudding, head of shrimp eggs, shrimp, onion paste with coconut and sugar, boiled papaya, ginger soup, ... And so was born a new challenge to prove us. Austin commented having tried "Belur, religion, alcohol, trust, photos and more.
as we passed the hours building and forming a community, children approached us slowly. We dared increasingly take their pictures and how they could teach the course in the chamber, began to ask for more. More and more. Therefore we had to tell you that the camera needed to rest. I could not believe that. I in Frankfurt I had done so many illusions of being able to take photos of people, pictures of exotic expressions, I never imagined that was going to have to force me to stop taking them. Never crossed my mind that they would insist on shooting and not the photographer.
And so went the other day. Increasingly integrated with aq
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