Call to Sue - April 18, 2009

Hi Family,

Mom and Dad called me yesterday and we had a great time chatting. They sounded really good, but were missing everyone and were eager to hear from all of you! They are still working on the internet. It was supposed to be connected yesterday, but nothing is really reliable there, so who knows when. They were at the temple all day, so they had no idea if the company tried to come by and get things hooked up. The company doesn't answer their phone calls either. FRUSTRATING! We had better use the pouch and send them some letters!
They are working from 5:30-2:00 at the temple every day except Sunday and Monday. Next month they will work afternoons. They have been walking the apartment stairs and the pathway under the road to the MTC and back for their exercise in the evenings. It is hot, but they stay nice and cool in their air conditioned apartment and the temple. Every Monday, they go to the Fresh Market and buy as much fruit (mangos, bananas, pineapple, oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries) as they can eat for about $10-$20. The meat market there is very stinky and Mom says she tried to get a picture of it, but couldn't get close enough for a good one because of the smell. When they go out, they do not wear their missionary badges or nice clothing. The mission president said they are service missionaries and he doesn't want them to stand out when they go to the city.
They had just received haircuts from a Filipino gentleman that works at the temple, who is a barber. He cuts with just a comb and razor. Mom got very nervous when she saw all the hair falling to the ground during her haircut. I guess he cut it pretty short, but she says it is a good cut and Dad said it looks really good! That is not all, he also gave them a head massage and back massage, all for $2 each. (Where do I sign up?) They tipped him for the great service. They also have their nice maid who comes and cleans and irons, changes bedding, etc.!
One of the couples they work with in the temple are from Mountain Home. (by Bluebell) They know Mike's family and actually worked in the Vernal temple with his parents.
They were able to watch the Priesthood session of General Conference, live. (There is a 14 hour time difference) They saw Saturday's session of conference on conference Sunday and last Sunday they watched the Sunday session.
Manila is the most densely populated city in the world, and it is a crazy place to drive in. Mom said she will never get her license to drive there. Dad will probably need to, but he is not ready for it yet. Traffic is usually slow moving (35-40 mph), but cars move in and out of lanes very close and they have actually had their van mirrors clipped a couple of times. Also, when there is no traffic coming in the opposite direction, they use the lanes for counter flow. Streets are generally not labeled. Street signs are only seen about every ten miles, so a map is pretty useless. Much of the city looks the same, so it is tricky to learn your way around. Most streets don't allow left turns, so you have to do a U turn and then take a right. Interestingly, they haven't seen a lot of accidents.

They send their love to you all!!! SUE