I have heard from many different people of how beautiful and friendly people in the Philippines are. I can add my testament to that as I have met so many beautiful people here, inside and out. My first real experience to this was the night I arrived in Borongan. Now, I arrived in Tacloban on Friday, September 4th. I was met at the airport by all the Oikos Sisters and some of the children they care for. One of the first things I noticed is that the children would take my hand and press the back of it to their forehead. It is a sign of respect and a request for a blessing. Now that I understand the custom, it is so beautiful and fills me with honor every time one of the kids do that to me. It is funny to watch people who are older and have equal respect for each other try to take the other's hand first and bend for a blessing. I guess the one who gets lower wins!!
When I arrived in my new hometown of Borongan on Saturday, though, I was tired from the day's journey from Tacloban, suffering from a little sensory overload and a bit tummy sick from eating days of airplane food and fast food in Tacloban... a treat for the kids who came with the sisters. So, I was looking forward to a bed and a fan!! (It's hot, hot hot here!!!) Well, what I got was a very warm and wonderful and loud welcome from all of the Oikos children. The sisters care for the orphaned and poor children of Borongan. Not all of them live with the sisters, many have homes of their own, but their families are too poor to care for them properly. There were about 40 kids there ranging in age from 1-1/2 years old (Abby) to college aged kids. So, first I was welcomed with hugs, then with song, then with dancing by the oldest children, then with requests for blessings. It was really beautiful. And the kids were doubly excited because Sister Clarissa, who has been in the US for 2 months, returned with me.
So, there I am, overwhelmed by the awesome welcome and even more sensory overloaded when I found myself alone with the oldest kids. It became a stare-fest. Very awkward... So I asked a question or two, they asked a question or two... but it was very stiff and a bit uncomfortable. Well, I'm sure you know me by now to know enough that I was wracking my travel-worn, beat up brain trying to come up with some story to break the ice and sort of win them over. Yeah... it wasn't happening!! So after a minute or two, a joke popped into my head. I wasn't sure with the language barrier if they would get it, but it was simple enough, so I thought I'd give it a try. By the way, these kids and sisters speak English pretty well. They are teaching me their language... it's slow going and ridiculously funny to them, but I am trying!!
So on to the joke...
Knock knock... who's there... banana... banana who?
Knock knock... who's there... banana... banana who?
Knock knock... who's there... banana... banana who?
Knock knock... who's there... banana... banana who? (By this time, they think I'm a little crazy and are looking at eachother like, "I'm supposed to think this is funny?" it's the teller's cue to move on to the punchline.)
Knock knock... who's there... orange............ orange who? Orange you glad I didn't say banana?
---complete silence---
I was on my way to a panic attack thinking oh my... they didn't get it.... I'd have to explain it (ie...complete joke fail) ... I insulted them... It took about one excruciating minute, and then...
All at once they broke out into uproariously loud and appreciative laughter!!! Phew!!! It was all too much for me, though! Geez!!! Anyways... the ice was broken and I wasn't the stiff, dull missionary they must have thought I was at first!!
Every morning and every time I leave or return home, I am greeted with happy smiles and shouts of Hello Atie Sarah!!! (atie is a show of respect, similar to auntie in English) I think they may be trying to come up with a nickname for me, as all of the sisters have nicknames here. I was told by one of the sisters that the kids were asking what they will call me. For now it is Atie Sarah... a name I am proud to have and hope I can live up to the respect the name denotes!! xxoo
