A view from the Philippines

The sound of the cock’s crow filled the misty morning air, overlapping with small chatter from birds of all kinds. Their song blended harmoniously as the orange sun rose above the bundoks, mountains. The white van was bummy along the crowded highway. As Mera and her family looked out the window she was reminded of much as they passed rice fields within the surrounding jungle, how fast the forty years since she had been in her homeland had passed. The difference was that there was now a concert jungle, tall shiny building on the opposite side of the highway. In all of this modernistic new wealth, there was still more than a hint of poverty in this land. Yet, everyone in this land had a smile on their face, and warm happiness in their hearts.

Within the streets of San Pablo, or the “City of Seven Lakes” The streets were filled with people, buying and selling various things from street vendors. Stray dogs and cats darted in front of the oncoming traffic. Oh, the traffic? The best way to describe it is organized chaos. People inches away from being hit by cars, jeepmes, and motorcycles. The motorcycles slithered through traffic from all directions, barely scraping the mirrors of the van. She watched, holding in gasps as the scene in front of her unfolded. No stoplights, no lines on the road, no designated parking spots, no crosswalks. Nothing like she knew from the “land of the free”. “If this would happen in the US, people would be dead” How were there no accidents? Even the traffic describes the loving and generous nature of these people. Unspoken law, that you will stop for someone crossing the street, or let a car merge in front of you, without angry “FBomb honks” More than double the amount of people than New York City, with none of the anger or animosity.