Tuesday 19 June - Welcome Ceremony

Today I was able to go to the opening ceremonies on shore. We had to get on the boat at 8:30. They have come up with a new type of temporary dock since we are not moving from place to place this time.  The boat ride was pretty smooth compared to yesterday when everyone got soaked. The ceremony was at a university about five minutes from the pier. We got there about 9 and was supposed to start at 10 but they didn't start till 10:30. I met the guy from the area welfare office and he is a district president. His name is A. John Balledos. Mont he says thank you for paying him. 

The US ambassador was delayed some how. We basically listened to 7 different politicians. They were not too long or drawn out. One guy did speak as if he was running for re election. The ambassador got up and said we were all hot and ready to be done so he really did keep it to about 5 minutes. They had a symphony group from the university play while we're were waiting and a small group that sang. I got the impression this had a large music department at the school. They played a lot of old tunes but a few new. Maddie they were playing Mama Mia and Danielle it was Adelle, "someone like you." Pretty funny how they have the same popular songs are every country. I did think is was funny when the US ambassador arrived they played the theme song form Pirates of the Caribbean. Our speakers were the mayor of Calboyog, the district representative (the guy running for re election), the lady governor of Samar, the admiral of the us pacific area, the Philippine top military guy, and ambassador from the US and the Reverend Cardinal someone. 

When it was all done they then fed everyone fried chicken, spaghetti alfredo, a slice of fresh bread, pineapple, watermelon,  bottles of water and 200 ml bottles of sprite or coke. Considering there was about 200+ people or more to feed they were very fast. I did buy some packages of interesting flavored chips at the food mart on campus. One is chocolate puffs and the other is spices chips. Cost 1400 pesos, maybe a couple of bucks. I was tempted to try a mango smoothie but thought it might have ice so I didn't. 

Got some pictures driving to and from. Did miss getting one of the tank they had outside the place parked on a side street. Cam and Matt it looks like the ghetto places on your mission except the streets are narrower. They use these bikes or mopeds with covered side cars as their cheap taxis. Different types are all over the place. I did see a guy as we were driving, walking down the street with a live chicken under each arm. It is so different compared to what we see every day. They have thatched roofs on a lot of the houses. Little tiny shops crowded all together. Sound familiar guys? Sat on pier for about an hour. Tried to Facetime but I can't get a network and they will have to give me a password something from the  military. Jennifer got one from our Dr. So she did her family. They can Skype with no problem. Will go out to the pier on Thursday my day, Wednesday yours so will keep trying. I tried dad's and Danielle's today but no luck.  

The lady I helped with the camera came down with the flu. It is going around so she will be in quarantine for 48 hours plus. I thought it was cleared up but I guess there are still new cases. We were busy in x-ray when I got back as all the surgical cases came on and all the ones they knew they could not do with the time we have on the ship but needed CT's and x-ray's so they could send them to a specialist. Don't know how they will afford to go to another island but a least they got help of some sort. I was going to switch with one of the other guys and go out to a community thing but they couldn't change the people on the list do I will be in the department. Hope I can run a room by myself. I'm a bit nervous as we haven't really done anything for 10 plus days and I still do not feel comfortable on my own. Do not like to look like I do not know my job and pull my own weight. Hope I do OK. I guess my brain doesn't process and remember things as quick as it used to. 

I am going to charge the iPad and camera as they are about dead, wash my hair and go to bed. It is 9:15 and I have a headache from the sun and sticky. They talked about now wanting to come back to the ship after we do the tour and temple on the 3rd. A bunch of us want to just go to a hotel by the airport and take a taxi from there to the airport in the morning. 

I think there should be a Marriott somewhere close to there and that would be safe. Mont any suggestions? There was another lady sitting next to me saying she would rather pay more and do the Marriott since you know what you are getting. See what you can see is in the area by the airport in Manila. Love you guys. Will keep calling as I can. Mom/Caroline