Plane we flew on from Hong Kong to Manila
Long lines in the Hong Kong Terminal waiting to fly to Manila
Propeller driven plane to Naga
Our apartment is on the top floor to the right, the Assistants to the Mission President live in the apartment on the left.
This is our kitchen, dining, livingroom area
This is our bedroom
Very light traffic showing most popular mode of traffic (Jeepney, Tricee (motorcycle with side car), Bikes, cars. (another one that is not in this picture is a Pudjack - it is a bike with a side car on it and is pedal driven)
These are people waiting outside in 95 degree, high humidity weather to get their drivers license. We were part of this group. We waited 6 hours and they closed for lunch, so we had to come back and wait another 2 hours.
Jerry and the Security Guard for the Mission President seated in the waiting area to to assist Jerry and me in getting our drivers license
In Hong Kong we had to go through another security check (shoes off, carry-ons searched, had to walk through an x-ray machine).
At the Manila Airport, we had to claim our luggage and go through customs. They don't allow but one 50# bag each, and the other ones we had to pay duty of 3,850 pesos. When we went to the window to pay this, they made us stand on a scale (why, I don't know), and then we went through another security check point where the men had to go through one isle and the women through a different isle.
The airplane we flew on to Naga from Manila, was a prop-job. We were driven to the plane in a bus, and then boarded from the tarmac, climbed up some stairs and found our own seat to sit in. The flight was 55 minutes.
The whole experience of getting to Naga was interesting, to say the least. It makes me so thankful for our wonderful USA . Jerry wound up getting his actual drivers license, but they would not let me have a "real" drivers license. On my Utah license it says it is a "Class D" license, and in the Philippines a class D license is used for students learning to drive. So, I have a "learning permit". I am supposed to go back in a month and sit through one of their training films, take a written test, and then drive for them. GO FIGURE!!!!
We have a small Gecco (sp) living in our apartment. He apparently eats bugs, and there are plenty of bugs for him to eat. So, it is a GOOD THING to have him - I can't imagiine me ever saying it was good to have such a thing living in our home away from home.
We toured 165 miles of our area Saturday the 24th. It took a full 8 hours to drive it, so imagine how slow we had to drive. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way here - they step aside for cars and any other kind of traffic that may be coming. Markings on the roads mean NOTHING. If you can see to pass, then do it. You have to watch for motorcycles & cars, cause they pass on the left and right and traffic stops in the middle of the road if they decide to at any time. I could go on and on, but for now, I think I'll close. We have a lot of pictures showing the beautiful country, and we'll post them next time.
Elder & Sister Campbell
Your place looks really nice. I hope you don't get bitten by those little pests in your apartment. When I went to Florida with Linda, a little lizzard got into my luggage. I was screaming and the kids and Linda came running. The kids couldn't believe I was making such a fuss over a little lizzard. They loved them. I didn't sleep well that night. I wanted to make sure I wasn't sleeping with my mouth open. Carol, keep your mouth closed at nights. Ha! Ha! Jerry looks really happy even in that terrible humidity. It will be fun seeing more pictures. I loved them all.
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Oh, how we have loved reading your posts. Thank you so much for your great examples. We are very excited for you and for all you will do for those great people. We miss you terribly but we are happy you are doing this. The Mannings still have not gotten their call. We checked with them today and nothing yet.
ReplyDeleteWe are going through a very dry season. Lots of fires have broken in Utah and in Colorado. We had YW Camp last week and by Wednesday, the entire MIA Shalom camp had to be evacuated due to a fire that was about 12 miles south of it but was advancing very fast. The stake told them that camp was at the ward level from then on, so wards had to look for a place to hold it. Our ward went to Royal Crandall's father's place up by Strawberry. So our YW still had a camp experience and it was a fun one. Right now, the smoke is bad here in Provo. It has rained ash for a couple of days, and it bad for those suffering with asthma or any other type of breathing disorder. The fire did go through Bear Claw (Sister Nielsen's Place up in the mountains) and there is some damage, but we don't know how much. She was originally told that it had burned the entire thing, but now they're saying is not as extensive as they thought. Donna will try to make it up there this coming Wednesday. We don't know when they will lift the road closures. They are not allowing anyone up there. It is very sad. Many people have lost property, livestock, vehicles and such.
In church today, we had six baby blessings! Only 10 minutes left for testimonies bearing. Arturo is now teaching Sunday School. The 16-18 years olds and he is loving it. Lori is still working with the Laurel as their advisor. Eric went in today to speak with Bishop Jensen to get this mission papers started. He is very excited. He is working full time at BYU and is registered for the Fall semester. He hopes to leave on his mission right after it, around January. Christopher and Amy are doing fine. Christopher is working on his driving license and Amy attended the week long school camp. She loved it!
We sure love you both and our prayers are with you! Take care !
The Soza's~~
It is a great very nice blog and They don't allow but one 50# bag each, and the other ones we had to pay duty of 3,850 pesos.
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