Our Dearly Beloved Family and Friends,
Since a mission actually starts the day you report to the MTC, we have now completed our first month. One down, 22 more to go. It’s amazing how fast time fly’s.
For those who believe in the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, don’t believe it. Sister Bailey and I have had to learn very quickly how to text. That is the method of communication here in the Philippines. No one talks on the phone.
Driving here is a real treat for those who have never been to foreign country where they really don’t have any traffic laws to speak of. We got our Philippines drivers’ license this last week, so we are legal to go play bumper cars. They also made us get our Motorcycle endorsement, (as if I’m going to get out on these roads without a lot of metal around me). There are four basic rules to driving over here. “Flow”, “Pick”, “Pick-Flash” and “The No-See-Chicken”.
Flow – It doesn’t matter where the lines are painted or how many official lanes of traffic there are – flow with the traffic. If there are only two lanes painted on the road and there are four lanes of traffic, don’t worry – just flow.
Pick – This principle is as simple as the first. Whichever driver can pick (place) any portion of his vehicle in front of the other vehicle, the successful (first) picker has the right of way. The slow learner who waits for a break in the traffic is bound to spend much of his traffic life waiting for that break. All it takes is a little courage coupled with a small portion of bumper or fender picked in front of another vehicle and you have the right of way. Of course this works both ways. If another driver picks his vehicle in front of yours, you have to give the right of way.
Pick Flash – While the pick principle applies to traffic in the flow or at intersections, there is an important special application of picking when you face another vehicle head-on with room only for one lane of traffic. This occurs when you’re on a 2 lane road and one lane is blocked by road work, a stalled vehicle, a landslide or whatever. As two vehicles approach each other and the one lane section it is not always obvious who can win the race to get through, the “pick” is won by the vehicle that flashes its headlights first. Playing this game correctly requires good eyesight, distance judgment and a quick hand on the light switch.
Along with the Flash Pick is the “Vis-à-vis pick”. This applies when passing moving traffic on a 2 lane road. You pass, and while passing the slower vehicles, an oncoming vehicle appears. If you flash first, the on comer must slow down and let you get around; if he flashes first, prepare to fall back, escape or abandon ship.
The No-See-Chicken – This is a version of the old American game of Chicken. It is important in the no-see-chicken situation not to let on (no-see) that you see the other vehicle(s). For example, when entering an intersection, if there are vehicles coming from your left or right, you have to act like you don’t see them. The best procedures are to maintain your speed and look straight ahead. If speed is slowed or you turn your head to look in the direction of the other vehicle, the driver will know you have spotted him and the old American variety of chicken goes into play. Be prepared to give the right of way.
All the above is done while you are watching out for motorcycles that go wherever they want to and pedestrians who walk into your traffic lane or stand on the line in the middle of the road. Enough about driving here in the Philippines.
We were able to find a nice furnished, 2 bedroom townhouse apartment on the third day. Mostly out of desperation. As temporary housing they had us staying at the Temple Patron house for two nights. That was about all we could stand. It had a bathroom (very nice) and a sleeping room that had 6 bunk beds. Nice for a night if you and your family were there to go to the Temple, but not for long term living. Our apartment is in a complex of 4 apartments. The owner (landlord) is in apartment #2 and he is the 1st Councilor in the Stake Presidency. Apartment #1 is occupied by the Family History Senior Missionary couple. Apartment #3 is occupied by the City Zone Leader Missionaries and we are in apartment #4. Gee, a 100% LDS community in the Philippines, how wonderful is that.
Things have been very busy for us since we arrived. Yesterday, Sister Bailey and I were able to relax just enough to finally get to the Temple. It was so wonderful to be there. I know it hadn’t been all that long since we had gone but when you were used to going twice a week every week it seemed like it had been a lifetime. The Temple here in Cebu is new, clean and very beautiful. The session we attended was full to overflowing. They had to bring in some extra chairs to fit everyone in. Most of the sessions here are that way. It is wonderful to see a people so dedicated to serving the Lord.
We definitely see the need to learn the language here. As we attend church each Sunday we have a very difficult time understanding what is going on. In one sentence the speaker will use English, Cebuano and Tagolog.
We want all of you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and miss you and will stay in touch. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Love
Elder & Sister Bailey
Philippines, Cebu Mission
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