As it is April 1st I immediately adopted a sensible attitude and sent a text to all my team mates informing them that today was international talk like a pirate day. To err is human, to arghh is pirate!
On arrival of the gang at the RC some impromptu dancing was had and even Kate and Richard joined in with the carry on. More of this will be revealed in time but the people of Manila fairly often look on at us as though we are insane. Always makes me smile! Sadly they all saw through my pirate scam. Tbh it wasn't the greatest but I was working on little sleep and even fewer resources and the team kinda already anticipated I would be up to my usual tricks!
A trip down EDSA and we arrived at the Metro Manila Development Agency MMDA. This department sits under the office of the President and has wide range and scope in all areas of developing the 17 cities and 1 principality that makes up the Metro Manila area.
On arrival we were greeted by the MMDA band that blasted out several tunes much to our delight. This prompted some more impromptu dancing (well dancing by Natalie and general hoonery by me.) I'm not sure Kate always approves but the local Filipinos love our craziness.
After a really engaging discussion with some of the chiefs of staff around areas ranging from traffic to disaster planning and relief it was time to visit the command centre for emergency planning. Think FEMA in the US and not as slick and you have some idea. They are moving to new premises in the next few months and going on what they currently have it will be a massive step forward as the cross over of state of the art tech in low tech building was stark.
A trip in their earthquake simulated set at 5.0 on the Richter scale gave us all an appreciation of what they face being part of the pacific ring of fire and having read the US provided earthquake readings from the SONUS array based in the Pacific it was clear that 5 earthquakes ranging from 2.1 to 4.2 had been recorded on the 31st March around the Philippines alone. The best comment I could muster was "did I make the earth move for you!"
In fairness I found the entire visit really interesting and engaging and coil have spent more time there discussing local government concerns but I was whisked away and after waving to the assembled crowds and a short stint listening to the band it was time to leave and head of for lunch. I am now completely at ease with being constantly photographed and having a band play a song upon my arrival with my fellow distinguished GSE team. I fear I shall be rather disappointed upon my return back to work if these things are no longer there. I can see why fame and celebrity is a potent drug and I am glad that I have a good grounding to keep my feet on the floor and my head out of the clouds.
Just some statisticals (I know that's a made up word - just go with it) about QC.
Land area is 636 sq miles with a population of over 11 million residents. In terms of people per square kilometre they cram a whopping 18641 in. Basically there's a lot of people in a small area and it would appear from my experience that none of them sleep...Ever!
Interestingly the average earnings are around the 500 peso mark which is about £10 per month. Basically our cash goes a very long way out here and I have become increasingly good at having small amounts of sentimes (essentially cents) which are in smallest value of 1cent about a 50th of a pence which get handed to the street kids as and when required.
A stop off for a Chinese lunch and it has become evident that our appetites have all shrunk. The conversation turned to the upcoming district conference and how it now appears that my team are planning on pimping me out in full dress uniform for photographs and kisses with all the female Rotarians. Don't worry if you are reading this back home, I will not be coming back with a new Filipino bride, as I'll leave her behind!!!!!
Anyway 3,2,1 your back in the room. After soothing Dr Kate's fears that Amy and Natalie would be kidnapped, hijacked or worse when they left the sanctuary of the rotary centre to find some better wifi. I can only say that I now have three things I am exceedingly good at. These being fetching and carrying (technically could be classed as one but heyho) and close protection duties for the team. (Keeping tabs on where's Richard etc). Sorry girls I know you don't need looking after but I must have my uses!!!
An afternoon spent catching up on the presentation which was in itself we found next door, Natalie and I were dispatched to a local chemist by Kate to fetch provisions. This is the first time we have walked anywhere i QC unaccompanied by a minder and dressed in our smart business attire strolling through what appeared to be a fairly deprived area was an interesting experience. I now know what it is to feel like as a minority in a community. Everyone was staring at us Westerners probably thinking they must be boiling in suits! This was diffused by us talking to the locals and asking for directions. Needless to say after venturing about half a mile we still didn't find it and headed back to base. After spending some in the bar And drinking Amys suspect herbal tea that was full of ginseng and made me hyper it was quick change and then another multi club meeting with our hosts for the day RC Timog and RC Cosmopolitan Timog. The RC of Church of the Holy Spirit were also in attendance and our revised presentation with GB"your invited" video and GMP Gangnam style went down a storm. Natalie with her Zumba was the hit again and then it was off to a confusing start with my new host family.
Thanks go to my GSE teammates for keeping it strong today when illness, disappointment and fatigue had set in. A truly professional team. For everyone back home you should be very proud of them all.
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