Good times so far

Hello from the Philippines! :)

We are having an amazing time here and really loving the chance to experience such a wonderful country and meet so many new friends from all over the world.
Big thanks to Brian and Julie Woolery (check out their Woolery Wanderings blog on the right hand side for more info on what we're all up to) for letting us stay with them for the first couple of nights we were in Manila. It made a huge difference being able to stay with friends and be welcomed immediately, and it gave Max and Justin a chance to meet and make friends before leaving for the conference out at Rizal.
They get on ok, although Justin is a little nervous of Max since he is a bit bigger and very enthusiastic in his greetings (hugging and high-fiving). They mimic each other and do have fun being around each other though, and are cute to watch for all of the delegates.

Max is fitting in really well, as Cam has posted. I was a little worried about how he would handle sleeping in so many different places and beds, but he is so good at going to bed and even asks for it when he is tired, and is happy to lie still until he falls asleep and then sleeps very soundly both for his daytime naps (sleeping roughly 3 hours each afternoon, which is better than at home!) and 11 or 12 hours at night as well.
This gives me a great chance to join in on the activities in the evenings after he has gone to bed. I've been very encouraged and inspired to see the vision and energy and passion that the people here and worldwide have for Jesus and for the youth in their churches - it's a real privilege to participate. There are some photos up on Facebook that others have posted - see here to have a look.

Not surprigingly, Max is loving the food and always surprises us with his appetite, especially for rice which is served at every meal. I am also really enjoying the food, which is tasty and healthy and really excellent at the campsite. It's a great way to try some of the Philippino food without having to guess at what to order from a restaurant.

Today we went into one of the neighbouring towns called Lipiw which is famous for its shoes. We soon saw why - every second shop in the main street sells, you guessed it, shoes! Unfortunately both Cam and I have feet that are too big and so couldn't find anything to fit us. Hopefully we will have more luck in some other markets or in Boracay, which is where we head off to on Sunday after the assembly finishes.

Highlights - Days 3 &4

• The weather has been hot and steamy but Max and Jo have been having big swims and using the waterslide.
• The food continues to be excellent. I was speaking to the lady who runs the kitchen and they bake the bread from scratch every day. She gave me a tour of the kitchen and it was compact but well run.
• We saw today why they called it the wet season. We have had a couple of tropical down pours. Just like home, I even saw something that looked like a canetoad tonight.

• We are meeting lots of new friends and spending time catching up with some old friends.
• Tomorrow is the megalongday where the schedule runs for 20hrs straight as we start video conferencing with the states.

We will update in a couple of days again.

Cam, Jo and Max

Highlights - Day 2 & 3

• We survived the 3 hr trip to the conference venue. Driving is very different here.
• We stopped at a lookout and approached by some children selling quail's eggs
• Max has had lots of attention from our group and other groups at the conference venue.
• Max is swimming lots and even enjoyed the water slide.
• The food is very yummy we are growing in our appreciation for their cuisine.
• Max asks at every meal if he can eat more rice. He is fitting in nicely.
• Cam has caught up with friends from all over Asia-Pacific
• We have a family tradition on going to the snack bar on campus for a ice cream before Max's shower and bed. 2 ice creams for under a buck!
• Cam was asked by a local Filipino delegate if all Australians were as huge as him. The same day he was told by another delegate that he was physically intimidating in a good way because he was so muscular. I am not sure how positive that is.

The conference starts tomorrow so the updates may be a few days in coming. We will see how we go.

Highlights - Day 1

Some highlights from our first full day include:

• Dinner at restaurant called Max's. Very good chicken!

• We all had a ride on a motortrike to get to the Seminary. Max had so much fun he cried when he got off.
• Cam rode in a Jeepney with the locals and nearly hit a local when it stopped really quick and Cam could could not stop.
• Max rode on a small kiddy ride for 10 cents and had a blast and got lots of attention from the locals.
• Cam rocked up to Dunkin Donuts and the clerk looked at me and said " Are you having the 15 pack of donuts sir?" I must admit I did buy 15 Dunkin Donuts for $5.

• Whilst at a suburban ATM I had a gent pull out a bowie knife with built in flash light and tried to sell me the knife and a machete and meat cleaver as well. I politely declined.

That's enough of for now we will update when we can.

Cam. Jo and Max

Safe and Sound

Just a really quick update to et you all know we arrived in Manila safe and sound. Max did really well on the plane. He cried on and off for the last 10 minutes or so as he was frustrated from being on the lane for 7 hours.

We got to our digs after an hour or so and it was a little amazing race at times but Max settled quickly.

We will update ore when we can.