Paul, Adam and Ann took off to photograph the crucifixions while I pulled out the beach chair and made myself at home under the tree with the tailgate up. I had some Jelly-bird eggs from after-Easter sales last year and I passed them out to about 6 kids. I was busily writing recipes onto index cards for a new card file, adjusting the recipes for two people. I was excited with the progress I was making with one of my favorite recipe books.
The people there were very nice and called me up when the large group of flagellates and the guy with the cross came by. They were in time with the large group, including nuns, leaving the big church that was behind and across a fairly large field. I was able to stand on the edge of the road and get a picture of the people leaving the church. Then I tried to get pics of the penitents as they walked by. 
All I got was a big mug smiling at me as some guy walked by, a tricycle driver's back, etc. Oh, well. After they had gone by I thanked them and mentioned to one of the ladies that I did not want to go see the crucifixion because it broke my heart. Jesus paid it ALL and nothing we can do can add to it or pay for any sin we do.
I returned to my chair and continued to write. I had just finished “salads” when one of the ladies came over to talk. No problem. I set my book, pen, and cards aside. She was so excited that I could speak to her in Tagalog as she was embarrassed to even try English with me. Well, from that moment on I experienced Philippine hospitality at it's best! Companionship. One of two ladies stayed with me
continuously until Paul returned about 2:30! The younger woman had two children, Carla, an 8 year-old daughter and Rico, 5. We had fun. Little Rico was quite bold in asking for more jelly-bird eggs. When the sun was shining on my legs they moved my chair to new shade. It was an amazing day of companionship. When the guy came around selling dried mangoes from a major exporter (the one for sale at Costco) I used the opportunity to share a little about Jesus and finally bought one bag. I tossed it in the car. I explained that I would use it to bake cookies with and broke out a cookie for them to taste.
Then came the peanut lady. Now we love garlic peanuts. P10 for a bag - about 2/3 cup. P5 for a little bag. I bought one P10 bag. Then I looked at Carla and pulled out P5, handing her the peanuts I received. Then I pulled out another P5 and gave little Rico the other bag. They were full of Jelly-bird eggs, so they ate their peanuts about 45 minutes later – one by one through a little hole in the corner of the bag. All the while they were playing around me. I played spider on Ian’s knee. He sang for me. I was Lola Patty (Grandma).
The crucifixions were late getting started. Then the crowds began to walk by. Paul called and I was concerned. He sounded out of breath to me and he was walking back alone. When he arrived all hot, red in the face, soaking wet and exhausted, little C and Ian took turns fanning Lolo Pa-ul with their mother’s paypay (a fan made of woven blades of wide grass) as he sat in my beach chair.
When Ad and Ann arrived, I started the diesel engine and the air conditioner. They grabbed the Blue Ice and started cooling their faces. Paul and I piled in and sat right there while we ate our big fat sandwiches on subway rolls. Yummy! Honey and Dijon mustard for the dressing, then avocado mushed onto the bread with orange slices on top of the avocado. Then I added rings of sliced onions, tomato slices, cucumber slices and lettuce. It has to be one of my favorite sandwiches. Of course we had kids looking in the windows to see what we were eating. Add multigrain chips and apples around topped off by Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies and mango cookies and we had quite a lovely meal sitting in the air conditioned car in the shade of the trees!Many hands were waving as we pulled out of the parking lot - men, women, and kids. I left friends behind. I will always remember today. If I didn't know the language it would never have happened.
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