Adventure!!

Hi there, 

I was to post the previous post last night, and just as I finished writing it, the power went out.

During the monsoon season, Manila struggles through brown-outs and black-outs.  As far as I understand, a brown-out is when there are difficulties with electricity; nothing is stable (that has happened while I have been here and it is the reason that at times it is impossible to return an e-mail or send a blog, or cook a meal with electric heat, or do anything that relies on electric energy).  Last night, shortly after we arrived home we had a black-out.  It had started to rain as we were coming into Manila - not lashing rain (not yet!) but enough for the conversation to turn towards flooding stories.  For here, when the rain comes down so hard and so fast, the streets get flooded; so I heard stories of people sitting in cars for hours as they are stranded by the waters, or of gridlock on the roads as everyone is trying to find higher ground so that their engines do not flood.  Drivers in Manila are very creative I have noticed, but in listening to the stories I imagined that I have not seen anything yet!!

So we made it back to the church before the heavy deluge of water came crashing down, which caused two transformers on the street to blow, bankrupted the church generator, and left the place in darkness.  (Except for my laptop which was running on battery and provided me with light!)  

I took this as a sign - time to head upstairs.  There were a few battery-powered lights but not on the third and fourth floor and I must admit, it was very dark!  But in my rooms there was a battery-light as well.  So, I set out a meal of fruit and crackers, and then read a book!  What luxury!  I know that Amanda would not appreciate that comment - those who live here have had more than enough of their share of these things! - but I immediately thought that it was very hermit-ish, and loved having no other choices to make.  It reminded me of snowstorms and icestorms growing up in Ontario, and of the few times that wind storms have caused this sort of havoc at home in Vancouver.  And of course, once you are home and cared for (which is a very important pre-requisite!!) then you snuggle in and settle down for as long as it is happening.  Growing up I remember wanting it to last forever - no school!  But here the concern is not how to keep warm, it is how to keep cool!  and I needed to know that Amanda had made it home okay.

I opened all the windows, took a shower and then went to bed.   During the evening, people came to my door to offer me food and comfort, candles, and to make sure that I was okay.  

The electricity was restored in the night, and life is happening as usual.  

Trust that all is well with you,  

Much love, 

Peace, 

Mary