- walking through the mall we often hear many Christmas songs, but the most irrelevant for the Philippines seems to be Winter Wonderland. Sing it with us.... Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.... There are no bluebirds, snowmen, it is WAY too hot for a fire, it doesn't snow, our noses are not chilling, and it certainly is not a winter wonderland.
- can you identify this power tool? If you said belt sander, you would be right. Can you identify an unusual use for it? As I walked through one of the walled villages a few weeks ago, I saw a gardener using this gently over the grass to mow it....did you come up with that use? It was a new one even for the power tool king Jeff. That's when you start to understand how cheap labour really is here.
- speaking of cheap labour, a recent article in a newspaper showed a picture of men moving large bags of cement on their shoulders from trucks to a building store. They worked moving these immense bags for 10-12 hours a day, and earned a pay of 150 pesos ($3.50 Canadian). Puts into perspective why so many people buy things in single packages (like shampoo, gum, pills) and individual cigarettes.
- the Filipinos always have fun in whatever they do, even work. Click on this video to see one example for a Philippine airline:
- yesterday Linda was in a taxi heading home, when the driver did an illegal U-turn. The very efficient Makati enforcement officer pulled him over and they had a discussion. The officer told him to move to the side a bit more, and when he approached the taxi again, the driver handed him his driver's license with some folded money under it. The officer looked at it, they had another discussion, and the taxi driver was handed back his license without the money nor ticket.
today we observed Hallowe'en Manila style - in the mall. Whole families were in the mall in costume trick-or-treating from store to store. Here is the line up at a book store where they were giving out bags of chips.
- Along with that, even the cars were dressed up for Hallowe'en
A Happy Hallowe'en to each of you...happy trick-or-treating however you do it. Love you all
Okay...the flight attendant video...SOO FUNNY! Now that's enjoying a job!
ReplyDeleteAquí viene Papá Noel, aquí baja Papá Noel, carril de Papá Noel de la derecha
ReplyDeleteMy Spanish is probably Manila Spanish and the stores probably play the American version anyway. What a hoot. Fits right in with the "Just Like Us" book, though.
Not too many people wanting to fly to Kinshasha judging by the empty seats on the aircraft. But then, there may be a full load of people wanting to get OUT of Kinshasha.
The taxi driver and the cop would both fit into Quebec province very well.
Today's Record has a story with the headline "Manila Braces for Terror Attack." I was going to send it to you but the on-line edition didn't carry it. The story said Manila authorities were warning people to stay away from malls or places where foreigners gather. Apparently the warnings came from four different countries including the US and Australia. Maybe you should take another vacation in Waterloo.We don't have terror attacks, just the usual corner store shoplifters.
Stay well. Blessings
Jim
When I go, I want to go dancing! :)
ReplyDeletemiss you lots!
Sandra