It will never be over

After a week to regroup, I can only say I think and hope my trip will never really be over.  It has been so memorable to have all your well wishes on my return.  Thank you so much for caring.  It has been very rewarding to hear from my new friends with their  pics of Holidays around the world.  The Philippines, Israel, Nepal, Mylasia, Bali, Australia, such wonderful memories and wonderful new friends. 

My trip home was quite a trip.  Got home on time, but having challenges getting over the trip.  My arthritis is angry about the cold weather, my stomach is fighting the sugar and processed food, and my sleep habits are rebelling about every 3 hours.  More later just wanted to acknowledge that I Live

Personal day.

Slept in, packed and went to Christmas Luncheon with Seminary folk then Marsha went with me to the beach where I did something I have wanted to do for at least 20 years.  I went Parasailing in Batu Ferringgi, Mylasia   I was down to my last 51 ringgit, so when the little old man said you wanta fly, and I said yes, how much, he told me 80 ringgit and I told him to much...he walked off.  He obviously didn't think I was serious.  So I approached him again, and told him I really did want to go but I only had 51 ringgit could I go for that, he said he would do it for 50.  He got me all fixed up, Marsha was there and kept him honest.  He explained why I needed staff to go along...and I was apprehensively excited.  Got all in my. Harness, man with me knew my rules.  He is not supposed to say a word cause I wanted to be alone up there.  He was perfect.  To start off you have to be ready to run a step or two then lift off.  Unfortunately I was not headed the same direction as he and the boat, but befor I got straightened out, we were in the air.  He said you can let go now and that's all he said.  I yelled and squealed and oohed and Ahhed for awhile then enjoyed the serenity and peace of it all, then told him it was ok if he talked now.  He said ok but that's about all.  We had not been up for 20 seconds and I was already thinking how could I get another 50 ringgits it was I ever imagined it would be.  Quite, the parachute flapping in the air was all I really heard, except for me squealing.  I waved at folks as we went by and they waved back.  It really was a great experience.  A great way to end my Adventure.  Then we walked along the beach, chatted along, sat awhile, all in all a great day.  And so the adventure of life continues.

Back to home away from home.

Been ack in Penang Sunday, thru thurs...it's now Wed noon ish .  Leave here tomorrow about 2:30 to head to the airport then Penang to KL then to Tokyo then Dallas.  About 6 hour ay over at KL andTokyo .  A 6 hour flight and a 12 hour flight and a 1 hour flight.  Christy is scheduled a Hysterectomy for my 2am Thursday morning and will be home before I get there.  Believing all will be fine.  God is good and trying to grow through my kids going through something big in my absence.  I have been blessed to always be there for such events.  4 months is a long time and a lot.  happens where I am and where I am not.  

These last days in Penang have been a great winding down time.  Very few decisions to make and loved ones to share with and be cared about, by.  I really love, enjoy and appreciate Marsha and Bill.  They are so calm, cool and collected, seem to live in a state of peace and calm.  That kind of environment is a real change of pace for me at home and abroad.  I like " boring" as they call it.  I have gone back to pick up a few things I saw last time and didn't buy until I checked out everything else.  And planning to go parasailing this afternoon.  Having a Christmas luncheon at the seminary today.  Went to a beautiful place on the other side of Penang last night.   Really a cool pace and magnificent view of the island and especially of the island.  We ran a little late and almost missed the sunset and pretty much missed the island view, but it was also great by night.  It probably would take 3-4 hours to drive around the island and this pace was a bit further than they remembered.  I got to see a lot more sunset than Marsha and Bill, he was driving and the us and downs and turns of the curvy mountain roads stressed her eyes, so they didn't get to see as much as I did, between the trees.  We had fun, saw the sights and had a good dinner.  They will just have to go again earlier and they can do that, since they live here.  I can't believe I have been in the land of cheap massage for 2 months and have not indulged yet.  I guess it was not that important since I kept putting it off.

Monday , Marsha and I went to visit a friend in the hospital with Dinky fever.  Get it from misquotes .  Not contagious.  Then to lunch and the mall.  Really enjoy running with my cous.  Just lie it was with Paula in Alabama in March except we are on Marsha's home turf.  In Alabama, Paula and I were both tourist.  But cousins really are special friends.  You have common ground and sorta know what they are all about and kinda why.  Can't hide much and feels good not to be able to hide.  We have already started planning a cousins reunion/ get together in May when they come home for 4 months.  They will be moving back to Texas on retirement.  Life is good.  Marsha's vision is not any better but she is managing to avoid stressing them, since she realizes that makes it all worse.  It's been fun, but it's almost over.  Glad to go home.  Sad my adventure is ending.  Already started planning shorted adventures, closer to home.  It's been to good to stop.

Another full moon

Travel day

Very busy travel day. Left the hotel with no wifi for 20 hours, at 7am and got to Marsha and Bills at 3pm and it is a 55 min flight.  Ww.  bill prepared a great dinner and Marsha ad made a special Fresh Coconut by for me since that is my favorite pie.  Yum yum.    Got up Sunday and Bill had to go somewhere across the island to preach but Marsha and I went to their regular church.  Met some great people.  Actually

Celebration in Cebu.

My friend Val is the choreographer for the incredible Sandiego Dance Group and they perform cultural dances for many events in Cebu.  Val's mother now 88 started the first Dance group in the Philippines and his wife and children all dance as well.  He also designs all the costumes and has the studio in his home where costumes are made.  That night he had been asked to have the team perform at the Fort by the Major to entertain the UNICEF members in town for an event for the Pacific countries.  There was a brownout in the area so everyone got dressed and ate in the dark, then when the power came on they had the performance including the doxology as a dance and song written and performed by the winner of the Philippines got talent program like Americas got talent.  Then the National Anthem by 3 dancers and the winner.  It was all very beautiful and touching.  I got my pic taken with all the performers, and it was a time I will treasure always, but they acted like they were the one getting a treat.  Talk about a win win.  I toured the Fort, had dinner with the performers and got my pic with them all, then back to Val and Ofelias home to see the studio and how Philipine peope live.  A remarkable evening.  They live next door to the Capital of Cebu, and it was inspiring to see a life size nativity on the capital grounds.  Very openly Christian Nation.  Hello America!?!

Pictures speak louder than words

Back at Val and Ofelias home

Such a night

Skipping ahead a little, but all is well.

At the airport about to leave for PAnang.  Looks like the flight is late...again.  I spent yesterday and night here and was so tired from the previous 24 hours that that is about all I did.  Great little hotel, but wifi not working at all.  Said it was out all over that area, but I can't believe people sit still and let wifi be out from noon till next morning.  So with wifi out, I just got up early and left cause I didn't know what airline I was or time of my flight or how long it would take to get to airport.  All that comes from the Internet.  I am gonna have to Wein  myself off when I get home.  It has been a lifesaver and I have truly taken this all one day at a time.  Several have asked about writing a book.  I thought of a good title today.  I could write a book about bathrooms, or toilets, and call it Crappy bathrooms around the world.  At least I have always found one when I needed it.  Just glad I didn't HAVE to go on the bus in Nepal when you just climbed down the mountain a few feet and did your thing.  I was able to wait.  But I thought of that today in the KL airport today when I found this one.  

I also found another Won today.  A very sweet Muslim lady on the train.  we were able to vist about our culture and religion and hug and take pics and share email.  a very new and rewarding experience for me.  

A squat one

A square one

My new friend Won

Such a day

Yes it was a whirlwind of activity and variety.  Started at 3:15.  am. I got up, showered, made coffee went down to wait for my friends to pick me up.  We drove in a pickup for about 3 hours to get started.  geo drove with me as shotgun with, Gwen, about a 40 year old mother of 4 , Elmer, quite, didn't get to know him, King Kong  reminded me a lot of NB,  very friendly and a Jack of all trades in the group, and Val, all in the back of. The truck.  We were going into the mountains, to pick up the Nepal, which is the roofing material made of palm frowns .  The locals make the Nepa so that is what we were waiting for. That way, the locals get work and money and the victims of Yolanda get roofs.  They dry out in a few weeks, then last for about 5 years.  They are cooler than metal roofs, and those  are the choices.  Even the metl roofs had been peeled .of by Yolanda.  We made 3 stops to pick up enough Nepa, then traveled down to the beach area to deliver to. I time.  We met at the church and they all gathered around to get their supplies.  Seems like I bundle was enough for and average house/hut.  Having not seen it before the storm, I didn't have a point of reference but to me it was beautiful, in spite of the destruction.  There was a tiny road and a few houses and many palm trees between us and the ocean, and waking up to that every morning would have to be glorious.  This is Avery remote area but still on a piece of land I'd guess about 5 acres, there was a church, a basketball court, and about 20 huts.

Theses people literally have nothing, and not sure what they had before "Y".  They have no electricity, so no appliances, no running water so no bathrooms.  Cook outside and eat outside, mostly rice and fresh fruit, and meat, , so all they do is sleep in the hut, with big windows and a floor elevated about 4 feet off the ground by bamboo poles.  So the floor and roof is there only protection from the elements. I did not see anything to sleep on, but did see occasional mattresses lying around in trash heaps.  What little they had is strewn around in trash heaps from the storm.  Food is basically brought in every few days for them by organizations.  I've helped pack for 2 diff org. And it is basically, rice or noodles and canned fish.  At least it keeps them alive.    One of the nearby villages had been skipped and almost starved to death before they got food too them. Really it was the water more than the food.  They usually walk good distances daily to get their water supply. But even that was cut off by Y.  Thedelivery  of supplies is from a list and if for some reason you miss the hand written list, you don't get anything.  Remember, this is1 month after the storm and an island away from ground zero.  3 weeks before Y there was a 7.2 earthquake 1 island to the west of Cebu then Y was 1 island  east.  So resources had been hit hard, and the earthquake damage is jst having to wait till Y victims are stable.  EQ island still has no electricity 7 weeks later.  They are such patient and long suffering people, just getting by until help comes. There is another tragedy in the making.  There is a major crack Ina mountain on Cebu.  They are trying to evacuate almost 100 families before they are smashed by rockslides.  With all the displaced families around, they don't want to leave what they have and risk having nothing.  Here, the land is not there's in most cases.  It is govt land and although they are not really permitted to build there, they do and the govt looks the other way.  However, in the last few years the govt has been saying no to rebuilding if something happens.  So if they loose their home they may be forced to relocate and not be with family rear job or whatever.   Just 2 days ago I was walking around 4 pm and thought we were getting a big dark cloud but it was a fire downtown. Destroyed about 200 homes.  There culture is just very fragile because of no codes and overcrowding and quality of building materials.  Soo very any homes are basically dried brush which is what we see go up in flames every. Spring in Texas.   They are very vulnerable to many natural situations.  TP me it is so beautiful that it is hard to see dirty, but I'm sure cleanliness causes sicknesses to spread rapidly, closeness then causes more widespread illness.  But when the dust settles, I see such a happy carefree country, I would be reluctant to want to see changes.  If any of these things had to change, it would bring on such stress that it would destroy some of the charm.  But when the dust settles, I see value in govt regulation, of things like building standards, occupancy guidelines, sanitation.  I would not want to go back, but I see greater value now than ever before.   

So back to the village.  After they got the Nepa passed out the people took them to their homes for use.  But before they parted, Val ha d Christmas package for each of them. Don't know what it was but it was in red plastic bags and pretty heavy, probably food items.with no water, they wouldn't need soap,  combs or brushes, what nots, everyone wears flip flops so no socks, many of them are too late for tooth brushes, what do you give someone who has nothing.  Anyway, my new. Friend Val is so intuitive.  I had been unable to really contribute anything but a smile so far, and had taken up room in the truck, so was feeling helpless.  The Nepa  bundles weighed more than I could budge, so Val asked me to hand out the gifts.  He had then lined up in 2 lines go I started passing out bags to everyone just as if it was Rally or Sales Meeting.  I hugged ever neck and s lied and said God Bless you to everyone of them.  They all smiled back and thanked me.  Then we did pics of everyone , I didn't know they had already taken pics of me hugging everyone, but it was delightful for all of us.  I thanked Val for giving me the opportunity to hug all of them. About 50.  Don't think the men had ever been hugged by a white women before, but no one passed out. Val told his wife I hugged em all even the hot sweetie ones.  I told her I didn't know who was sweater me or them.  I was no prize, but felt like the winner.  Willingness has gone a long way on this adventure, God has been faithful to provide everything else.

So next Val invited me to go up the hillside and see some homes.  Most had cleared away the rubble and some had started to rebuild with 12-20 foot long bamboo poles.  They put 4 upright in the ground the start to attach a pole to outline the floor, then the roofline.  That is about as far as most had gotten,  waiting for the Nepa.  Some had retrieved old walls and made a little shelter from it.  The home they were building would be more like a campsite than what we think ofBut they were happy.  Many little children being carried by Momma.  A lot of old folks, as wel.  A new baby had been born that morning, and I met the midwife but not the Mother.  Proof to all of us that life does go on.  Those who I had a chance to talk with for a few minutes at their site, I told them we are all praying for them..., so please pray for the. The looks on their faces and their words said thank you and for some, that is all they ave, is faith that gives them hope.  On our way up, we had stopped for coffee, but they didn't have any cups so we stopped again and had coffee and bread, then we stopped again at the river that meets the ocean and they said Val was getting fish.  Well after we finished at the village, we went to Val's weekend getaway on the beach.  Basically gone with Y. And he and some of the neighbors prepared lunch.  The fish they caught that morning, the coconuts right off the trees, sautéed vegetables I don't know where they came from and did recognize anything but red and green peppers and onions and tomatoes, and pork. Now I didn't see any pigs either.  Anyway it was awesome.  Sooo fresh.  We drank the coconut juice and ate the coconut meat.  Al so surreal to this ole gal.  Wow.  Now Val's beach house.  All I know from what is left is that there is a beautiful big round room about 20 feet off the beach lever, once covered with natural roofing, and a natural rounded set of steps leading up to in.  Could probably entertain 50 people comfortably.  All open air even before Y.  As you come up the steps, there was a kitchen off to the side with cooking area and sink and I didn't notice much else but nice and large for cooking for large crowds and prep space.  They cooked the fish and pork over an open fire of palm wood from the damaged home.  On either side of the round room, but on ground level, were comfort stations with showers and toilets.  Obviously a great place for friends and family getaways.  They have had this for 12 years and will rebuild.  The cool part is that all along the beach is private homes and everyone knows each other.  So they all came by to visit and help and compare progress reports.  Felt like Brock after a storm.  On a level between the kitchen and round room was a huge table and chairs where we dined,  everything overlooks the ocean.  Between the house and the beach is grassy n with lots of flowers and palm trees and large flowering trees.  They didn't loose trees but did loose a lot of the landscaping.  Then a little step down to the sand from the grass, the maybe 25 feet to the beautiful clear as glass water.  It probably went out 200 yards before it got over ankle deep.  It was low tide.  There were neighbors fishing, boating, snorkeling, trapping, everyone doing their own thing in their own ocean.  Such a different atmosphere than any beach I've ever seen.  Such quite and such peace, and such beauty.  I walked around the each for awhile, visited the snorkel rs who were really picking seaweed.  I had my gear, but it was too. shallow at that time, but you could tell. By the shells it would have been great.  On the beach there were Many moving shells.  I hated to walk on it cause I knew I was killing something.  But when I got in the clear white water, I really had to stop.  The ocean floor was filled with starfish and sand dollars.  They averaged about 4 in in width and just payed there occasionally wiggling a foot.  I stood amazed.  There were hundreds in just the area I walked in about 20-30 feet off shore.  Then they stopped so I could walk again. When I came back to shore I had to stop and pick my way carefully again cause there they were starfish and sand dollars whit against the white sand.  I'll never forget the beauty of that.  We hung for awhile and then back in the truck to come home.  They made a shelter for the truck bed so they could have some shade.  I felt terribly guilty in the cab.  Now that I realized the value of a smiling unfamiliar face to these people who had nothing.  It was just in outraging to them to know that someone out there knew they existed, gave me the impulse to wave and smile at everyone along the way.  I felt like the queen in a parade, and they all waved and smiled back.  I pray God will take the events and feelings of the day and magnify them to a point of usefulness.  Back home now for a nap and a night out with my new friends.

.  

At last

I can't believe I ave not blogged since I got here.  I love Cebu.  I love this hotel, I love theses people.  Got here late Sat night.  I feel like I'm in recently mode.  Recently into real life.  Weather is great, food is great, especially breakfast buffet included in room, which was really cheap because of the air which was also cheap.  I knew I was supposed to Come here.  So I got up Sunday and had a beautiful American breakfast of omelet, fruit, juice, cereal, toast with marmalade, coffee,  all delicious.  Also on the buffet was rice, chicken, pork, fish, even fish head on the fruit table.  I can do vegetables and even chicken, but the fish s just too much.  The baptist church was quite far so I walked to the nearest church which was Catholic.  My ain purpose was to e among believers and find out how to serve the victims of Yolanda.  I could not find anyone who. Spoke English and the service was not in Engish so I went into the garden and prayed.  I knew I was supposed to e here and I knew God would show me how to serve him and I wa rating that I would hear him and not do my own thing, I would wait for him but move about as I waited.  When I got back to the hotel, I picked up the newspapers in the Bly and in reading articles about ongoing efforts and volunteering projects, I found RAFI and they were opened 24 hours a day to take donations. So I thought I'd go there and help with whatever they were doing.  I took a taxi and we talked all the way.  I did not understand all that he said but he wanted to help me help others and shared a lot that I agreed with but wasn't sure what he meant.  I say this to say, I'm not sure what I was agreeing too.  When he stopped I got out and entered the nearby building.  It was very dark, and someone said come in,  I said thanks, where am I they replied Cebu and I laughed.  I said are y'all doing something to help the victims of Yolanda?  They replied yes we are.  I was expecting boxes of donations but no, I was in an amazing old place, come to find out it was the Yap Sandiegom heritage house, the oldest residence in the Philippines, fully furnished with antiques.  Absolutely beautiful for 329 years old.  But anyway, I sat down with the an who said yes and he began to show me what hey  doing on his I pad.they are helping build houses for the victims in Cebu.  It is the next island west from ground zero which is tacloban.   I told him that I didn't have money but I had time and wanted to do something to help.  He said so you are my angel from God.  They need encouragement, a smile a hug .  I said he took the the words right out of my mouth.  That is what I do well.  He said the main problem is supplies.  The suppliers are waiting for boats of supplies and then we will go.. Would probably be Tuesday or Wednesday.  I gave him my contact info and he said how do you happen to come here. i told him about the newspaper, the taxi and arriving.  then he informed me that what i was looking for was the building next door.  i was at the wrong place.  i told him i was happy.  if i could help him, thats where God lead me.  Then they gave me a tour of the beautiful facility.  Seems he is the 8th generation of the Yap Sandiego family and the current owner of this home.  He also as a place in the city and lost his beach home in the storm.  With this info I looked him up online and he is a renown dance choreographer, arrived with 3 daughters.  He had shown me pcs of the family and wants me to meet his Mother, and he as 2 daughters who went to college in US and are currently working in Miami.  He is also very active in Philippine restoration.  I again felt so blessed to have followed God lead and met such an interesting person and I told him I looked forward to working with him.  He corrected me and said we were ministering not working.  He offered to take me to my hotel or to meet his family but I told him I was just going to walk around the area.  He told me some highlights and off I went.  See pics of Heritage square and his house.  Then a Basilica her recommended.  Well I still don't really know what a Basilica is, bit I found this huge Catholic Church.  I was attracted by the beautiful music coming from inside. I ave really been thinking a lt about how divided the Christan faith is by denominations.  If we were just all Christians, we could make a much more significant impact on the world than we do as baptist, catholic, church of Christ, etc, etc, etc.  so I decided I could make the first step by not worrying about finding a Baptist Church but find a church where Christ is glorified.   It was a wonderful service.  My first Catholic Mass.  Big beautiful building, all English,  very good sermon about what is meant by the advent and meaning of the 2nd Sunday of advent and I guess I didn't learn it, but understood it at the time.  It was the 1 month anniversary of Yolanda so prayer for all involved in that. It was very enjoyable and informative.  Had to leave early cause it was getting dark and I wanted to get home before dark.  Ordered pizza for dinner and it was awful.  Soft crust, sweet sauce, cheese like for nachos at the ball game.  Oh well.  I can't wait to eat pizza and cheeses enchiladas.  

Next day I anxiously waited to hear from Val but gave up about 10am and went to get a haircut.  There is no sense in waiting till I get to my scissors when a haircut is110 pesos or about $3.  That was at a very nice Paul Mitchell salon.  Very nice people.  I talked to them about my plan and desire and asked what they would do.  Well my guy said e had actually volunteered with the DWDF, and they were a worthwhile foundation and actually delivered.  Seems tons of donated food items have been stolen out of the warehouses so people are careful who they donate too. He gave me the jeep eh number and ame of the group and away I went.  Ad an unbelievably captive audience in the back of the jeepney.  They wanted to know all about me and were really appreciative and challenged by my presence in Cebu.  Then they listened to my soapbox discussion about women around the world.  It as been beautiful here to see women anticipate in life.  They were just as shocked as I was that so many women around the world have no rights.  However my hairdresser had told me that when you get married and have children, the husband will insist that you stay home and raise the family.  Often that means moving back to her family home, and because momma loves her children, she meddles in their business, and it makes it hard for the marriage.  Go figure!  I withheld the urge to say if she really loved her children she would allow them to make their own lives and keep her mouth shut.  Back to the Jeepney,  they were a great audience and all Catholic, believer, and I probably got to talk to about 20 people or more on the trip.  So now I'm wondering if that is the best was to witness in this culture.  They were very appreciative and told me how my presence there meant a lot to the.  I told them Texas said God Bless the Philippines. I went where I was supposed to go and they sent me across the street and they weren't taking volunteers anymore so they sent me somewhere else.  Now I'm thinking "what the heck,  do they need help or not.  The paper and the news says they do but they aren't taking volunteers". But I went there and it was a huge auditorium.  Maybe a convention center called CICC but there were 2 aides there laying down, so I figured not a lot of volunteer work going on, but it was lunch break.  They were ver. Nice and turned out 5. Women were there who work for DWDF, and they were not really able to do anything cause they are waiting for the shipment of rice.  Very much like Val Avignon to wait for building materials.  So there is food here, but not complete sets so they are just sitting while people out in the damaged area are hungry.  They invited me to come back tomorrow.  I explained my day and my desire and gave them my soapbox speech, and built a passion in. Them so they found that we could do a little double checking,until that was finished, but the police dept. was doing that, when they got back from lunch.  We started, the policemen returned, and here comes the rice.   So now we. Can work.  Uh oh.  Because of the missing inventory in other p,aces, now we have To have an official come do an inventory.  It is really hot here and I decided to go get a drink.  There is a couple there he fromAustralia and she from New Zealand.  They were here to volunteer as well so we want for coke and water.  We discussed how backward some of this was going and why some cultures or civilizations just don't seem to know how to get organized.  It really is strange. uA is really new on the whole scene of things and yet we are so far ahead in so many areas.  Yes, all our progress s not for our best, but we do know how to step back and see the better way to do things,  other countries jst don't seem to get the whole thing of efficient.  Once the rice is checked in, we start breaking down these 100 lb bags of rice int0 about 5 lb bags,  then had to twist tie the bags and then put these bags into the original bags that were packed yesterday with 5 cans of sardines, tomato sauce and 8 pack of dry drink mx. The 5 lbs rice.  See pics for vastness.  Stayed till almost dark, rubbed blisters on 2 fingers and bruised another.  Went to the mall across the street from there where there was plenty of security, had dinner and took a taxi home.  Slept really good and felt much better today.  This morning, my new friend Val called and they will pick me up at 4am tomorrow to head north.  I am really excited about meeting the victims.  Pray that I will show Gods love.

Well I guess I'm the only woman around who can turn a 1hour flight into an all day task

I got here about 2:30.for my 6:00 flight which was delayed to 8:45.  There was another flight same airline at 7:30 and they put a lot of our people on that flight.  Now the last flight has left and I'm concerned because there are only 6 people left.  Ok they just had. Meeting with u s and we are still going.  There will only be the six of us and crew.  Strangest thing I've ever seen an airline do.  But hey. I'm ok with it.  Would rather be there cause the Internet here is out and 6 hors without Internet and with TV I can't understand is BORING .  That is just how things go here.and in many of the places I've visited.  It's like the country s being run by 8 year olds.  They just don't know how've to run a country or a business.  How did we, the new kids on the block in the big scheme of things, get smart so quick.  We need to go back to those history books and start being thankful for our forefathers.  What they did worked and I bet we've changed too much and just need to get back on target to lead this world for sure.  Yes God has blessed us,  but he has blessed other countries as well and they can't even run a sewer system, much less a country.  Just looking at roads and transportation systems, is earthshaking.  Take my hotel for instance.  breakfast is free.  So you go down get a ticket from the desk, sign in on a hand written paper beside your name, then tell then from the buffet what you want then sit down and wait.   In the first place why not just show your room key.  Then why do you need to sign in?  What about privacy issues?    Why can't they just put it on the plate when you show them what you want and then bring your drink to the table.  Never been over 8 peope in there when I was.  Then if you get a second coffee or a piece of fruit or an extra anything, they charge you.  A banana is 18 pesos or about40 cents.  Either include them or don't have them.  Today I didn't want fish so took 2 eggs.  They gave me fish anyway.  I didn't eat the fish.  A few minutes after I went back to. My room, the little girl who takes the money came to my door to see if I wanted the 15 peso egg put on my bill or pay now.  I paid now.  No need to try to explain.  Those words are not part of her list of words.  They are very sweet about any mistakes but I think smiling and acting like it is not a problem, just makes it worse.  But their culture is sweet and nice and it really doesn't matter.  So they live in poverty because they don't call wrong wrong.  I probably could live like that, but I choose not too.  After the first 2 nights I changed rooms cause there was an AC outside my window that was clattering so bad it woke me up both nights at 3am. The new room the Internet didn't work.  They were so nice that I tried to be ok with it and do my Internet in the dining room.  Yesterday it was so hot in the dining room that I was sitting still on the Internet and sweating.  I went to the desk and gave her 1 hour to get Internet in my room or move me again.  This was about the 3-4 time I ad called it to their attention.  This time I was firm and in 5 minutes I ad Internet.  I just hate that it often seems like you have to be rude to get the job done.  I want to be nice!  Yeah, my plane is here

Early for flight.so I left the hotel at noon to see a few more sights and found myself at the airport way early. I think I must be gun shy from

almost missing that last flight.  I went by a big church and took some pics, talked to the men at 

the gate and asked what kind of church it was.  They said Church of Christ.  I said, oh so it is Christian.  They said No it is C of Christ.  Then ask if I. Was 

They said No its C of Christ.  Then they asked if I was Catholic. No I'm Christian.  Oh, would you like 

some literature about our church, well yes, I'd like that.  I'll take it home and share it with my Baptist 

friends.  They said good but I should read it now.  Would I like to speak with the pastor.  I said no.  

They said, lady, be careful.  Hold your belongings close.  These people are not good people.   

Talking about the thousands of vendors outside the gate.  I guess there must be some meanest here.

Any way I went to Jolibees.  Kinda like jack in the box etc but specializes in chicken, burgers and ice 

cream.  I had my bags up on the table while I ate so I could see them. I got up to get my fork and 

spoon, and saw them watch me and my bags.  When I returned to the table I whispered to them.  

I know you think I'm crazy leaving my bag, but it's only dirty clothes.  They laughed and I thought it 

was over.  When they left they stopped to say take care lady, you ave to be very careful.  

These people will take anything.  I told them I really appreciated their concern.  Maybe that's another 

reason I came on to the Airport early.  At the Jolibees, I realized something else.  All the baby's were

 looking at me and it occurred to me why I am getting such looks of interest.  These people are all 

dark skinned and all have very dark long hair.  I must stand out like you know what in you know what. 

 The adults give me interesting looks, and the babies just stare and smile.  So I guess I don't need 

my at and vest, I stand out all on my own.  Back to these Filipino females.  It must be awful to be 

ugly here.  99.9 % are beautiful.  Slender build, long silky black air.  Full lips, clear skin.  There are so 

many beautiful ones that the ugly ones stand out like a 66 year old grey haired lady from America.

I am stunned at how little English they speak.  We are sitting here in the airport watching an English 

game show and they all seem to understand it, but then they chat in English.  This morning while 

waiting my turn in the restroom, I was waiting in the doorway, and they just kept going around me 

and waiting at the door.  I'm accustomed to everyone waiting in the same line and ext one gets the 

next available.  After awhile I did not want to cut in line, so I loudly enough said, I need to understand 

how this works.  Do we pick a door and wait for it or how does this work. I'm about to pee pee my 

pants?  No one said a thing.  So I asked the little girl who had just cut in front of me, are you going 

to use that one, she said yes, I asked the next little girl and she said no.  So I got in that line.  So they

 understood me, but acted like they didn't even hear me.  Well I almost laughed out loud when I 

entered the stall.  I lady had been in before me but the seat was up.  I though, she's been standing 

on the rim.  I put the seat down and there were shoe marks on the seat.  I guess they prefer the 

squat pot.  I was in a nice restroom, by the way, and out of about 10 toilets 8 were sit downs, and 

2 were squats.  I thought why on earth did they do that.  I guess some people like it.  There were signs

on the door saying beware of wet floors, this is a some name so I opened the door and yep, 

squat pot. 

I have not determined the national food here yet.  I can't believe all the chicken places, and only 

1 pizza place.  Even the local places serve fried chicken.  There s a desert I can't believe.  Here it is 

called Halo Halo. It is flavored gelatin, maybe some chopped nuts, some sauces, abd BEANS then 

topped with ice cream.  I had it in Panang, and maybe, if I had not known, it would have been ok, 

but beans and ice cream,,couldn't do it.  A couple of days ago I was not hungry but knew I needed 

something, so I went I to Jolibees, and ordered a chocolate milkshake.  Had had dairy in awhile.  

Well it was chocolate milk with ice cubes and a scoop of ice cream.  I think translations are so amusing.

Lost it

Well I did blog and my battery died and I lost it all.  It was basically about how I am wondering aimlessly around Manila to tired to care.  I am so ready to be in Texas even with ice everywhere.  

I arrived here on some day and saw all the nearby sights.  Next day I was out walking and everyone was offering me a taksi or a bike or a carriage and I just wanted to walk.  I was trying to find the Manila Harbor.  A man stopped in front of me and where are you going.  I was so startled and figured he was a tour guide so I rudely replied, just walking.  He explained that I should not be out there alone.  Explained the kind of activities I could experience.  Told me to stay on that street and not to look to the right cause that's where homeless men hand out.  Seemed he had really stopped me out of concern for my welfare.  It was not bad there but he said turn back before 3 more blocks.  I explained to him that I was there to find somewhere to volunteer aid for the typhoon victims.  Did he know of anything around.  A church, hospital???  He referred me to the Red Cross and I was just a few blocks away.  He turned and started escorting me there.  After a couple of blockers I suggested he just tell me where to go and he could go about his business.  I guess by then he realized I was not the little old helpless lady he thought he saw so gave me directions and we God Blessed each other and off I went.  The area really never got bad, although I did get turned around once, but was quickly aided by a security person.  The all carry rifles here.  I found the Red Cross and the directed me to take a seat and someone would be right out.  I'm sitting there wondering what I'd be doing, if they would put me right to work or have to check background or just how this would work.  There were about a dozen young people sitting right in front of me packing food bags.  After waiting a few minutes it occurred to me that they were volunteers and I could just help them.  I got up took the scissors and started breaking down boxes.  god and many of you know I've done that for years in TW and Avon so I spent about 3 hours working with these great young people.  They spoke Philippine, but smiled Universal, and were very thoughtful.  I was able to leave and make it back to my hotel before dark and never saw anything scary.  God is good.

Next day I traveled to the train station a couple of blocks away.  Met a really nice Filipino lady who showed me around for awhile then we went to her church for prayer.  It was Catholic, open air, old, and beautiful.  The city has a lot of religious feeling and almost all is Christian.  Occasionally Muslim garb is seen, but stands out cause their is so little of it.  At 3 pm there were several hundred people in the church and no service going on.  They were just there to pray.  Wow.  It was now her way and my way so we exchanged contact info and parted with possibility of meeting tomorrow for a trip to the mountain,but it would take all day and who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Her name is Verna,  Hi Verna!   On our way there we had passed through an incredible market place.  HUGE.  As I went back I did stop off there to look.  They literally ad everything.  Not food, but everything.  I figured out what they should o about the Population of Philippines.  If they take all the money donated for the typhoon and buy what the people who lost everything from the local market, they would fix the economy and the victims with outside money.  Anyway it was a hoot to ang out thre.  Definitely the biggest I've seen on my travels.  It was all set up under the train tracks and on the street.  It is open 24 hours case there are no doors or curtains or any way to close.  Cheap, oh it. Was ard to not have space to carry stuff home.  

I finished out the train in the other direction.  A great China town, other interesting buildings.  Ocean, beach, mountains, lakes,  this is a great country.  Cheap everything, great culture of fun and music and dance and worship of God.  Great history with us as mentor.  Just feels good ere.  Yeah it's dirty, poor, but where isn't.  Lots of transportation possibilities.  I really like it ere and can see it being a great vacation destination.  Volcanoes, diving shipwrecks and walls,trekking, kayaking.  Lots to please .  Haven't checked air from US but cheap to everywhere in Asia.

Yesterday I wa up to my neck in funk and ice reports.  Did not leave the room until 2pm.  Walked and looked and had my meal of the day at the harbor and saw a beautiful sunset  over the China Sea while enjoying fish and chips and a pâté of veggies.  Have not had much veggie here.  Seafood is awesome and cheap, veggies not even offered at breakfast or many restaurants.  Just salad and I'm not interested in raw veggies in any foreign country.  I usually get inside before dark but the sunset was perfect so I stayed for all of it and took a taksi home. 

Have my plans for the next week now.  I leave tonight for Cebu which is closer to ground zero of typhoon.  Have a nice hotel there I hope.  Then back here late .thursday, then back to Maylasia on Fri morning, to Kuala Lumpur, then on to panang for a few days then back to KLOn Thursday to start my trip home.  I am completely ready to go home.  Some moments I feel like I am enduring the rest of this ordeal so that I get to go home.  I hope these next few days will be busy and challenging and rewarding on some level to pass the time.  In 2 weeks I will be home and I hope I'm not thinking of another trip...who knows though!

Ok here are some picks, I gotta pack.  Leaving 3 shirts flip flops and my raincoat here.  Basically down to my backpack and fanny PAC.  Yeah

Singapore to Manill

Landing in Singapore was as I would have suspected but more.  Wi

Hits marble floors, huge beautiful vases of pale colored Flores, and that was just at the end of the ramp.  Everything seemed quite and still and calm.  It stayed that way all day all over town.  Very little chatter anywhere even at the mall.  Christmas music playing everywhere over the intercom systems, and you could hear it cause there were not competing noises.  Almost surreal.  I had been told that it was the cleanest. Town on earth, so that did not surprise e.  it had just stopped raining when I arrived so the clean was very evident.  As I usually do, I took a local bus to get a feel for the town.  I had gotten money as usual at the ATM and even bought something so I would have change, but it was still too big of a bill for the bus, so before he thru me off the bus I asked loudly if anyone could give me change and someone did so off we went.  It was kinda funny when I asked, no one said anything but I saw several open their purses and wallets but someone nearby ad it.  Just no talking seems to be the custom there.  Even the traffic was orderly and not honking like usual on buses.  I have learned when I get on a bus to anywhere I have to tell them where I want to go so they can charge me accordingly.  So I say to the end of the line, finish and that works everywhere.  In Israel it was the same price no matter, and in maylasia I had a weekly pass, but everyone else charges by the trip.  Most of this trip was just through apts, and residential areas which means apts and local businesses.  I was really surprised to see towering apt buildings with laundry on. The balcony.  That ruined the image I had of the cleanest city I earth.  At. The end of the line I changed to the metro train.  Took it to. Barbour center.  I don't care for the underground trains.  You see nothing.  Harbor center was very nice but a shopping center in. The Barbour.  A dollar is a dollar and prices and fashions were about the same as ours.  There was a sky ride and a monorail.  I checked them out but did not ride it'll. $26 to ride I over some buildings, naw.  I did have a nice lunch there.  There was a second mall also that was very expensive.  Even had a sign as you enter that it was all very expensive.  Views were OK but $28 for a pizza, I decided to go back to the poor mall.  Found the bus to head ack about 5pm and plenty of organized traffic, and many sky rise businesses.  As we traveled very slowly, I could not hardly grip the size of Singapore.  It s an island, apparently with. A ar our that cuts deeply into it.  The freeways, much like Houston, twist and turn so much that one time you see things on the right then there it is on the leftmost then in front of you, the on the right again.  We drove a long time, but could still see the harbor.  Anyway, all in all...boring.  Got back to the airport just after dark, reclaimed. My bags I had left in left baggage.  I never heard of left baggage.  But it is for carry ons or bags while you wait for a flight.

Great idea for long layovers and this was going to. Be a long layover.  I arrived about 1:30 and would not leave until about 6am next morning.  I thought I could. Make that work, then I would see Singapore, and yet not waste a lot of time there.  Had heard that 1 day was plenty.  Well as it turned out, there was an area on 3rd floor that had seating without. Arms, and gate snot in use, so you could stretch out. And maybe sleep.  There were several others with the same idea.  I nested in there about. Midnight after running my batteries down and not finding electrical outlets anywhere.  I was very tired after my day of wafting and did not get much sleep the night before because I had of be enable to get my flight booked and lost of things were tentative.  I finally had to get CJ to book my ticket because of that Verify by Visa thing again.  So at about 3am I found out I had to get a taksi and leave by 8am to catch my flight in Bali.  So back to Singapore, I'm very tired and payed down with my alarm on hoping the battery would make it till 4:30 when I needed it.  I got up to potty ever hour so figured I'd wake up anyway.. At 3:51 I payed ack down and woke up again at 5:34.  Still 46 minutes to flight time I gathered me and my stuff up and headed to check in.  Long story shortened, counter closed , $145 to rebook on 4pm flight.  Another10 hours in that AP I had already been I for way too long.  I lost it.  I started crying, explained I had been there since yesterday and fell asleep upstairs and could sit there another 10 hours, couldn't she do something, she left, I continued to cry, she came back patting my hand and saying, I fixed it, but you must hurry.  After 20 questions, I hurried off to immigration, passport control to my gate to my seat, to sleep to Manila.  Horrible experience.  The worst part was that I had spent so much time an prayer hearing from God about traveling here in the first part.  When she said $145 and 10 more hours, I was very confused.  Was God sawing No don't go, or was satin trying one more time to interfere.  When she patted my and and said I fixed it, I knew it was God.  I just gave it to him and said whatever you do is fine.  If I get on I go, if not I stay, and all went well.  It was one of the most turbulent flights I have ever ad, and I thought, is this the end.  Well it's ok cause God got me on this flight.  And went back to sleep.  I don't know when I've been so tired.  Its now 24 hours after and I'm still resting.  

But I love it here in Manila.  The world s very colorful, people lively, much music.  There is evidence of Christianity everywhere.  Sights on buses, churches everywhere, scripture everywhere.  Talk of prayer even on the news.  Gotta love it.  The AP is about a $30 taksi ride from town or about 20cents by bus, so I took the bus.  They are not numbered I don't know how you know which one to take, but a security person foundme one.  There s a driver, a young an who gets off the bus at each stop to see if anyone s. going or way and then a young man who who comes around and collects your money.  I tried to give him what I got out of the ATM, but he could not make change.  The 3 of them were talking it over as we drove down the road.  The lady next to me spoke up and all was ok.  Don't know what happened for sure, but she was going my way, and it was ok.  She was not very talkative, very nice.  After a little we got off and got on a jerryjeep, for the rest of the trip.  She took me to my door, all the way me trying to get er to ake some money but she would not.  I think she may have been a guardian angel.  No really.  She was extraordinary.   But back to the bus and the jeep.  The bus was like riding in a hippy bus, stuff hangin everywhere.  Stickers all over inside and out.  Music blaring.  Painted with all kinds of pis in all colors.  Just had to smile to ride in it.  Then I started looking around.  Huts and shacks everywhere.  Thought I was already in the devastated area.  Then the happy colors everywhere, made it all ok.  Saw these cutest vehicles, called Jerryjeeps.  They are all painted up, no doors or windows, and are jeeps that US military left after WW2 and they are still working hard.  I was jealous and wanted to ride in one of those.  Well, when she got us off. The first bus, that's what we did.  Again she paid for both f s, would not take my money,I sat in the front with the driver and a cute little dressed up Filipino girl, and about 12-20people crowded onto 2 benches in the back.  Not tall enough to sit up straight.  As they get in from the rear, they pass their coin up for the ride. Constant in and ot.  Don't know how he keeps up with who paid.i did not fit in the front with my 2 carry ons, so my right leg hung outside, on the running board.  Too much funny.  I don't know what ours looked like, but I admired those I met.  They seemed to be named instead of numbered.  There was El Shaddai,  God is Love,  house of God,  many referencing God.  Then their were pictures all over them. See pics.

Anyway, I knew I liked the Philippines immediately.  Got to my hotel just in time for a delicious $2.85 or 99 peso lunch.  Very good.  Rice, chicken and beef with a wired veggie.  I think it may have been in the cucumber family.  Ridged with dark skin but kinda bitter.  Anyway, good, clean and cheap.  Delicious lemon tea with ice was extra.  There is a 7-11 across the street so I can keep up with hot dogs for dinner.  Then mc Donald's on the corner if I need some fries.  I can run across to 7-11 anytime cause there are 2 guards at the hotel and 2 ladies at the door that watch for me.  Lots f people working and a sign. Here says we discourage tipping.  I am so apply to see many women working in the Philippines.  Doing real jobs.  The lady from the bus is an equipment agent,  dressed nice.  Almost everyone working in the hotel is female.  My cousin has found me a contact here that can hopefully find me avenues of service.  I was just so tired I felt like I ad to take care of me befor I could help anyone.  I am felling a bit better.  Yesterday I could not help myself.  I slept all afternoon, got up went to 7-11 and back to sleep.  Woke up at 7:30am.  Walked a little then breakfast and back to the room.  No sleep, but catch up.  Booked my flight out of here on Fri the 13th at 6:45. Hoping to get to KL in time to see it and make it back to Marshs same day.  If not will stay over and. Go the exit day. I need to do all my sightseeing before I get back to Marsha's cause from there on ill. Be luggage bound.  From all I hear about the typhoon area, it is unbelievable still.  The devastation seems pretty widespread, and I not surprised.  They are paying locals to help with cleanup, so I think they will let anyone help. I will be checking out some possibilities this afternoon.  Really praying I follow God.  It would e easy to try to get ahead of Him and miss his will.  

Along the street, their hose ,she's doing laundry

My best selfie from outside the jeep 

Another JJ along the way

The front window of the bus, the boy on the right keeps the door open and gathers riders

Inside the bus

Bali is behind me now

2weeks in Bali.  It was wonderful an s fulfilled all me dreams and expectations.  Annoying in some ways but after visiting with some of the locals, it is a tough life for them. As I think back to other poor areas I've visited, I remember not just that the people were poor, but the country is poor and the hotels are not terrific and transportation is dreadful.  I'm thinking specifically of Nepal.  There, people who visit come to experience nature and not for elegance or partying, but for roughing it and experiencing the beauty of nature.  So the locals don't know what they don't have, cause no le expects finery.  

But in Bali, the hotels are huge and beautiful and indulgence is the tourist life in Bali.  There are very nice malls with anything you can image.  Very nice dinning venues. There are lots of nice cars and a good number of luxury cars.  The locals rub shoulders with the rich and famous then go ack home were they live on $100 usd a month.  My driver today pays $30 a month rent for sell and wife and 2 kids.  He thinks he has a good job for Bali and has done it for 5 years.  His Mother and other family members live in another shack behind his.  Sounds like Brock to me but not sacks.  They are truly living on top of each other as far as sizr of house goes.  There seem to be no building codes and many homes are made of native bamboo.  They build them for temporary housing but stay for long periods of time cause there are no options.  Like in Nepal, there are no addresses.  Some of the major streets are named AO you give crossroads as addresses.  My hotel was off Sakwa.  So you go till you find Sakwa then you find the sign for the hotel then you walk doe the walkway till you see the sign again.  As you are walking down this walkway, you pass about 20 private compounds.  There will e a temple for the group of homes, then each individual residence in the compound, maybe 8-12 all built separately and with a little dirt yards maybe 3-5 feet wide around the house.  But each house has a little private temple where you always see the little baskets offerings to the gods.  Usually the people in this compound are related.  I learned today that hen someone dies, they are always cremated...when they can afford it.  When is important here cause they are put in the ground until the family can save enough money or sell enough property to have them dug up and have a cremation ceremony.  So many of the families have had to sell property to bury properly the family members.that is why my young friend is renting.  Daddy died and they sold the family land to cremate him. Ceremony is ASAP so sometime same day, sometime years later when they can afford it.  This nice young man does not write Balinese well cause he had to quit school at age 10 to help his Mother earn money.  He said he is Stupid.  I guess labels are toss around carelessly here.  He was not stupid and I told him so.  He, like most Balinese have never left the Island.  He considers himself fortunate because one day his boss took him to Lombok.  E saw how a different island looks and lives and saw a difference.  Now he would love to travel and see other places.  The island he went to is about an hour by boat.   So he has not traveled far but far enough to want more.  HE has an opportunity to go to Canada to work with a friend, but is afraid to fly and would have to leave his family behind.  To me, thoses very limited choices would be like being in jail.again, we don't realize how blessed we are.  He has a great deal, but sees enough on his Island to realize he is missing a lot.  The Aussies have come over and built a lot and continue to do so.  Things like amusement rides and parks.  If they only saw the value in what they have and the fact that anyone can have an amusement park..  As I looked at the rural countryside yesterday, the though occurred to me that in 2years of Americanization, we could destroy that beautiful place and make a modern resort out of it.  What a shame progress is. 

Back to yesterday.  Wonderful day.  My ar picked me up at 8:30 and off we went to find 2 other girls for our adventure.  We drove into the rural area and because of the addressing issues I mentioned it was difficult to find them but beautiful to see the. Countryside.  After 2 hours, a dozen phone alls, stopping to ask 5 different villagers, we found them.  It was a nice ACd van so I felt like I was getting a free tour.  We got to the gathering site and got our helmets, and paddles and waterproof bags and life jackets.  Then drove always to the trekking point.  You could not see or ear the river cause it was so far below and such think forests.  We walked a very long time very steep.  I had noticed before that all their stees are really stall.  They must have very long legs, cause it is difficult to climb and they are not evenly spaced.  Now it s also very HOT and very Humid.  There are about 20 of us from 10 -66.  Carrying all the aforementioned stuff.for some reason, I am leading the way, can't get lost, no options. The guide started us off and I was ext but then he went back to help someone so I'm lead dog.  I am wet head to toe and water just pouring off of me.  There are 2 little boys behind me and I keep encouraging the, to go around me but no takers.  There really was no where to stop cause it is about a 3 ft wide path with no rails of course.  I knew I needed to stop my hands were so wet I could not hold my stuff and my glasses so drippy that I could not see, and at the next curve, and their were p,entry, I was going to find a way to stop, about then my right foot caught a rock just right and slid to the left, dropping me flat on my bottom, as it scratched my leg against the rocks on the path.  I was so made.  If I had stopped when I needed to it could have been avoided.  I just sat there and let everyone go around then pulled up my dignity and tried again.  They told me we were almost there, and I could hear the water rushing, but could not drink it or cool off in it.  You could not see it yet,but very soon I was seeing it.  I slowed down and made it to the bottom and immediately knew it was worth it,  but could not keep from wondering how the heck we were going to ake it out of there.  I was not alone in my struggle..  Everyone was exhausted and struggling. And being the lead dog, I don't know if anyone else fell or not.  Several of the men and guides were bragging on me for doing so good, one said e would have thought I was as strong as a man.  That gave me a perfect opp to announce that women can do anything they want to do and are as strong as they need to e and sometimes can o better than men.  Didn't hear a lot of cheering but the lad from Maylasia agreed.  Anyway the 2 hour river rafting was incredible.  So deep within nature, the waterfalls amazing.  It was very nice and cool and often quite and serene.  Whitewater was beginner level and perfect for me.  When we finished, we left our life jackets and took everything else to the top.  A guide took all mine, for me.  OK being and Old lady has its perks.  If you've walked much with me you know I do better going up than I do coming down, so had I not been previously injured, I would have been fine.  But I took it slw and easy with lots of breaks, I made it.  Another gent from Maylasia was there with asthma so we kept up with each other.  I do t think I would have gone if I would have known how hard it would have been..I'm glad I did not know cause I would have missed an adventure of a lifetime. And beauty that could not have been seen any other way.  Thank you Lord for keeping that secrete from me, and for helping me make it in and out

Had lunch but I couldn't eat it.  I've just been so blessed with no food problems that eating out like that kinda scared me, so I ate some rice and drank some packaged water.  When I got back to Ubud I had the driver let me out a bit from the hotel so I could walk around and find some food.  I knew if I went home I'd crash and be starving at midnight.  Well I was really tired and after lunch tried to be creative in finding my way home.  Unfortunately chose the wrong shortcut and turned my walk into a 2 hour effort to get home.  With creeks, rivers and forest, lots of streets did not go all the way through, so I knew where I was, but could not get there from here.  Got home, showed red,and went to bed

Pic of the day.  We are following this guy on his motor bike carrying about 6 trays of raw edges down Main Street