Travels to Strasbourg 11/12/15
Met up with my sister and her hubby at the Eurostar check in. The presence of heavily, and I mean heavily. armed police around the station was a little foreign to me but I could understand why. Through a thorough security check then onto passport control another few paces and we were at French passport control. Within half an hour we were finding our seats on the train and we were off.
It was quick and easy to walk from Gare Nord to Gare Est for the next train - we had all even used our smattering of french to ask directions. We were seated on the upper deck for the trip to Strasbourg. It was lovely to see the small villages go by. A quick taxi ride and we were at our apartment for the next few days. It’s a beautiful place exactly as seen on internet - I would recommend it!

 We soon headed out for supplies and then found our way to where all the Christmas markets were. The decorations everywhere are impressive. A cup of Vin chau certainly helped us around the market!! It was a bit overwhelming so decided to just take everything in and check it out again tomorrow. Dinner was at a local restaurant and the food had a truly German influence. Don’t know whether it was the vin chau or the local drop which aided us becoming lost our way home but luckily after much walking we eventuall found the right spot!

Our next couple of days were spent walking, walking and more walking! The highlight was a 90 minute tour of the city by segway - had and awesome time and learnt more about the history. We soon got our segway legs and were zooming around the place. There were so many people and as France is under a state of emergency there were armed police and soldiers everywhere. You didn’t feel fearful but as they have a shoot to kill policy at the moment I often looked to see where their trigger finger was!!

We also took a boat ride so you saw a different side of the city and we learnt more about the place. We can see Germany from our appartment and could walk there in an about 15 minutes so you could understand that Strasbourg has been part of both France or Germany many times over the years and the peole here have suffered greatly.

I have never seen so many Christmas stalls or decorations - if you didn’t feel like CHristmas before a visit here I’m sure you would now. Our French is coming along - hello, yes, thank you, baguette, numbers and the word Vin Chau just rolls off out tongues!! This is a really great spot to visit and the apartment we’re in is really spacious and pleasant. Next stop Uk.

Finally arrived back in UK and am at my sister’s place. As we’d been away for a few days the house was very cold so whilst John (b-in-l) was lighting the fire I was wrapped in a dooner with a hotwater bottle and a glass of vin chau - I know Australia makes you soft! Hopefully the house will be warmer tomorrow!
15th December

John was up early working on the heating,whilst Les crept into bed with me (the Sister) where she snuggled down for a chat, and then a demand for a cuppa, poor John!
Then off  for the next spot of shopping, preceeded by a cuppa and christmas cake - and she keeps telling us how healthly she is nowadays!
Into the first shop where a pair of snow boots were tried on. The salesman did his patter telling us how good the grip was -you won't slip over in these -  John and I were amazed that he knew that Les is infamous for falling over in the ice;so an instant purchase.

This afternoon has been spent with snowmen,elves,penguins and igloos- yes day one on the christmas cakes, before a hot tub with spiced wine,and now a G and T in front of the log fire!

My trip has started

OMG! Business  class is the only way to travel -thanks to feequent flier points! I entered Qantas lounge and all my healthy eating of the last few weeks went out the window - bubbles all the way for me!
We boarded on time and of course they greet you with a drink - well it gives cattle class time to get on and sorted! I was a good samaritan and changed seats so that a couple could be together - the hostie gave me a pair of first clas Pj’s and a first class amenities pack as my reward. Don’t worry Kez I got you a Business class one - they mKe beautiful make-up bags!The captain came on to say that there was a delay because of some paperwork and 3hours later we were on our way. By then we’d all been plied with many alcoholic beverages - that might have been to drown out the screaming and moaning from cattle class!
Our crew were quite funny and at one stage I felt it was like ‘Are you being served’but the airline version. Yes you do get a very good sleep when you are laying flat and add to that a cup of tea in bed - that hasn’t happened to me for many years. Sorry I digress!
Time was made up with a sort stop in Dubai and we arrived in London at 8:30 instead of 6:55 a more sensible time.
On to the train to central London. I forgot about all the steps you have to go up from the underground - I’ve now got some good ‘guns’! Hotel was just around the corner from the tube which was great. It’s past it’s prime but fine for one night. Bags dropped it was back to the tube - the speed those trains enter the station is really scary - and on to St Pancreas station to pick up Eurostar tickets.That done I headed to Kingscross station to the Harry Potter shop -
9 3/4 - some of my students are fans so I ended up getting some pencils. Next stop was Oxford street to shop and see the different Christmas decorations. It feels so much more Christmasy. I went to Marks and Sparks to get some - yes those of you who know this shop will know - undies! I went into the M & S food section and nearly swooned at the amazing array of fresh, different foods - our Colea and Woolies need to come here for some pointers!
After being on a plain so long I was determined to walk as much as possible and I did clicking up over 20,000 steps and boy did my feet ache - they were on fire! I ventured around and stupidly wandered into Liberty of London store - because it is such an old building it’s very narrow and you couldn’t swing your hambag(that’s for Kerry) let alone a cat. There were so many people that I couldn’t get past the ground floor and it was a relief to get out. I then stumbled across Carnaby Street - gone are the days of the sixties - there was one quirky shop but now it’s all the well known stores.
Finally the feet could take no more and with a M & S salad, eaten with a knife I’d luckily packed, I tried to keep my eyes open but when the kindle hits you in the face for the fourth time you give up even if it’s only 7pm. (I’m writing this at 4am!)

Last days in the Philippines

Saturday

Today we were taken to the Boulevard - a squatter area of Bacolod. We walked through the shanties which was a muddy wet place - the recent typhoon had flooded the area. No sanitation and water pumped by hand. People would be standing in the street washing themselves clothed soaping up tipping water over themselves.

We went to the feeding station where about a hundred kids were lined up - no pushing and shoving - they all just waited their turn! They were given a bread roll and a type of porridge. The kids were smiling and happy to high five but the adults didn’t seem that happy as could be well understood when you see the conditions  they live in. Onenwoman was 37 and had just had a baby, her sixth and expected to have more before her  time was up! Her husband was a fisherman and came in with a small catch. It was difficult not to cry - my sunglasses help to hide the tears which well up!

We then went to the opposite extreme by entering a Mall which had displaced the people from higher land to  the swamp by the sea which they now inhabited. The Mall was full of goods, many frozen, but few people to buy. It appears that, like us, people go to the Mall to escape the heat. There was an incredible amount of  junk food on offer and the locals will soon be like us -  we are known as ‘the fat people’!

We bought a few snacks as we were heading to Sister Ann’s place to watch the AFL final - most were  going for the Swans so we were very disappointed! We then visited the ruins of an old sugar plantation  house. It would have been beautiful in its day. It was burnt down by the Americans so that the Japanese   forces  couldn’t use it during the war.

The evening was spent with the staff and Nuns from the Kinder school - we treated them to a meal. The   food was delicious and typically Filipino.

Sunday

Early start as we were heading into the sugar cane area to attend Mass. The church was full and we received a very warm welcome from the locals. After Mass there was a morning tea provided. We tasted a variety of local fruits - all delicious.

At the airport now for the 2 hour flight back to Manila where we have one more night and then the overnight flight back to Sydney.

I have enjoyed my time her but it makes you constantly wonder what you could do to help these Filipinos.

More from the Philippines

Interesting fact - on the trains here the carriages are male and female and never the twain shall meet. If you are travelling with your pregnant wife you are allowed to go with her in the female carriage!

Today we visited St Scolastica’s in the centre of Manila. The school was huge taking student from Kinder to year 12 plus the

re is a college campus as well so the place is huge. They have some amazing facilities including a hotel where students are trained in all aspects of hospitality.

We visited a kinder class where they sang a song for us -they were so cute. The school really pushes social justice and the students put in a lot of effort to help the local and wider community. We had a pleasant lunch at the school before heading to the airport.

A flight of just over an hour bought us to the island of Negros and a place called Bacolod. This is so different from Manila and from the air the green land and no highrise was spectacular. The main crop is sugar cane  and the air was very smoky with the burning off they were doing. We were wedged with our luggage into a type of jeepney (truck)- definitely not made for westerners! Even I feel tall here! Luckily the open sides made for good air conditioning! It gets dark here at 6pm so we have yet to see where we really are! 

Wednesday

Early start in the jeepney to visit a Kinder school. We had a beautiful welcome with the children presenting us with a necklace, which had an orchid attached to it. We then had an ‘official’ welcome where the children sang and danced for us. When they headed into class we walked a short way to visit the new community centre the Sisters had built. It was full steam ahead with making 350 cupcakes to give to the children. We were mashing bananas like there was no tomorrow.

Thursday

Later start today because we were back to the Good Samaritan Kinder school, Today the children were in their proper school uniform and when you consider how some of them are living the were immaculate and the white shirt were sparkling. The donations I took from school was over 6kg of undies and we learnt why they were needed. Yesterday one of the boys wasn’t running around and it was because he was worried that someone would pull his track pants down and he had no undies to wear!

We sat in on a class and the first thing they get the children to do after recess is to clean their teeth! I’m also carrying about a 100 toothbrushes so they will also get used. It’s heart warming to know that you can help a tiny bit! 

The children learn English and Japanese - one of the teachers is from Japan. The learn by rote but they were very involved and the 3/4 year olds were sounding letters and spelling basic words. We also noticed that their ball handling skills were extremely good.

Some of us left the classroom and started to repaint the hopscotch zone. It looked brilliant after we’d finished it and the staff and students were very excited with the result. I was painting one of the benches when the children left for home but the painting drew them like moths to a flame! I was telling them to stand back and each time I did they though it was a game - I eventually had to call in the ‘bouncers’ to keep them at bay. I was worried about their uniforms.

After lunch at the school we were back to the hotel for a quick clean up - good to get the turps smell off - before heading to the shops to buy some gifts for the Sisters and supplies for the dinner they were making us. 

Dinner was a loud affair with good food and company but it was good to get back to the hotel to rest the swollen ankles and aching back!

Friday

Back to the Kinder school for a Liturgy and lunch and later in the afternoon a special farewell to us. There was singing and dancing by the children and staff and then we performed a dance that one of the teachers had taught us - caused plenty of laughs for the watching parents! It was quite sad to say goodbye to the children but I’m sure our painting efforts and our gift which were hidden from the children will be well appreciated at Christmas.

Into the mountains

Following a journey of a couple of hours we arrived at St Scholastica’s Centre for Spirituality. A beautiful calming spot after the city of Manila. We were shown around and then were able to relax in beautiful gardens before enjoying lunch.

We then moved on to a place called Tagaytay where a centre for Sustainable Living had been set up by St Scholastica’s School in Manila. The school uses it as a Retreat area for their students but also teaches rural and suburban women about their rights as women. No student can graduate from St Schols without completing the above course. The lady who was giving the talk was hilarious although I don’t think it was intentional - it was mainly the words she used when translating. We were shown around the organic farm but you could see the damage that the recent typhoon had done.

On our way back to Manila we stopped at a very fancy hotel - you certainly see the haves and have nots here! Our stop was to see a spectacular view. There were islands scattered in a lake but the most interesting was the one which was a volcano in a lake in a volcano in a lake - it’s still active but hasn’t erupted since the 1920’s. But! Knowing what often happens after I leave a place I think it’s calm days are numbered!!!

It was cooler away from the city and the trip gave us a chance to see other areas but the poverty is obvious. Even outside our hotel people are living in dire conditions. Children run around barefoot and sleep beside their mothers on cardboard on the pavements.

The people in the group are all very nice and we are having some laughs. Twelve are teachers including a couple of deputies and two are admin people. It’s interesting listening to how different schools operate.

Tuesday 23/9

Interesting fact - on the trains here the carriages are male and female and never the twain shall meet. If you are travelling with your pregnant wife you are allowed to go with her in the female carriage!

Today we visited St Scolastica’s in the centre of Manila. The school was huge taking student from Kinder to year 12 plus there is a college campus as well so the place is huge. They have some amazing facilities including a hotel where students are trained in all aspects of hospitality.

We visited a kinder class where they sang a song for us -they were so cute. The school really pushes social justice and the students put in a lot of effort to help the local and wider community. We had a pleasant lunch at the school before heading to the airport.

A flight of just over an hour bought us to the island of Negros and a place called Bacolod. This is so different from Manila and from the air the green land and no highrise was spectacular. The main crop is sugar cane  and the air was very smoky with the burning off they were doing. We were wedged with our luggage into a type of jeepney (truck)- definitely not made for westerners! Even I feel tall here! Luckily the open sides made for good air conditioning! It gets dark here at 6pm so we have yet to see where we really are! 

Wednesday

Early start in the jeepney to visit a Kinder school. We had a beautiful welcome with the children presenting us with a necklace, which had an orchid attached to it. We then had an ‘official’ welcome where the children sang and danced for us. When they headed into class we walked a short way to visit the new community centre the Sisters had built and there we helped the women make 350 cupcakes! We were mashing bananas like there was no tomorrow! These were to give out to the local children. The women were lovely and they really appreciated the centre and hopefully it will help them to have some more independence and be able to make some money for their families.

Manila

I am in the Philippines on an immersion program with the Good Samaritans. There are 14 others from different schools led by Sister Meg.

Those who know me know that I pack really light but this time with all the donations I am carrying my luggage weighed in at 18kg - I think 1kg was mine!

After checking in we walked to the local Mall for the supermarket. I got a buzz when I saw that Marks and Spencers was there - might need a quick visit when we return to Manila!

Yesterday we went to Mass at the Manila cathedral - it was a little difficult trying to sing in tagalong ( Filipino language) but the locals gave a rousing round of applause at the end of the service - no that wasn’t for us! We then visited Santiago Fort, a park and a couple of museums and the obligatory art and craft outlet - what a shame I can’t get any more in my bag. The evening meal was at a local restaurant which also had a show of traditional dancing - not quite the Folies Bergere! The influence of Spain and the Americans is very strong.

We missed a typhoon by a day but it’s very humid and about 30C.

In Manila