Back Where It All Began: Christmas in the Philippines
Well, I'm back in the Philippines. This is the country in which I consider my trip to have truly began, since Hong Kong was a bit of a false start. It's funny how much I forgot about the Phils, having been in so many other countries since I was last here. First of all, the people are far nicer than I remembered. I mean, I remembered them being nice, but I guess having spent so long in Vietnam, I grew used to people walking directly into me on purpose, rarely smiling at me, and trying every way they could think of to scam me. I forgot that there are places in Southeast Asia where people don't just regard you as a walking dollar sign, or the reason for all their misfortunes. That place is the Philippines, where people genuinely just want to say "hello" for no other reason than to hear your kind response.
I also forgot how easy it is to communicate here - everyone speaks English! I was shocked when I entered the country and spoke to someone (in simple English, of course), and they responded in near-perfect English. Then, I remembered. I'm not trying to be a bad tourist here; of course it's totally fine if I'm in a country where not many people speak English - I respect their culture and their language and I don't expect them to be able to speak my language just because I'm white. BUT - it sure is nice to be able to communicate without a giant game of charades. It's just...comfortable here.
I had also forgotten how much Filipinos love their dancing, drama, and singing. Just walking down the street, you'll run into a guy or girl singing at the top of their lungs, or walking into a mall, you could come across a variety show with small children dressed up like dolls, dancing to "Twist and Shout". My friend Maou told me that he is spending his work days practicing a dance and song for his office Christmas party.
Oh, that's another thing - they go nuts for Christmas here. I mean nuts. The Philippines is mostly Catholic, and they start their non-stop Christmas music on September 1st, I'm told. And it would appear they spoil their kids rotten with presents. A friend of mine told me that he and his family agreed to buy each child six presents each. He has four nieces, five nieces, and a son. There are seven adults, which means 42 presents for EACH KID. I'm not even joking. And he tells me that all the adults went shopping together at Toy Kingdom, and bought about 1/4 the store. They really, REALLY love Christmas here.
| Comments |
|
3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|