Cebu, 15/11

The first day shopping

We didn't have an easy start in the day, first figuring out that the car we wanted to borrow was not available and the other two cars that were available were broke down... Luckily Bernard spared some of his time and drove us around in Cebu.

We lost a few hours in the immigration office, we had to show up for visa extensions. The computers had some problems and didn't work than when they seemed to work, there was a burn out, starting again... and shutting down again. When we finally decided to give it up for now and planned to return at the end of the day, suddenly the miracle happened: The stamped passports were handed over to us and now, let's go quickly to Cebu!!!

In the huge city of Cebu, it wasn't easy either : tarpaulin prices have risen excessively and their stocks are melting away. The vendors are definately making good profit with this typhoon and it's difficult to bargain with them even knowing that it is for the help op their own population.
It's weekend and a lot of people are shopping in the town to find supplies that they can send to their families living in areas affected by the typhoon.
Soon it's already midday and not much has been done yet.. Let's go and have lunch.
Filled stomachs seemed to have made us working more effectively, because in 5 hours we arranged 500kg rice, 400kg of corn, 600 cans of beef, fishing gear , 10 rolls of rope , 60 kg of nails, 35 hammers , 35 saws, 1500 candles !
Our visit at the red cross turned out to be only a vaste of time as they don't support a small island that is not on their list....

We are quite tired even a bit tensioned...we are feeling what a big responsability it is to spend your donations in the best way.
We are mainly only 4 people oganizing the whole action.
At 2 am we finally go to sleep, after having done the accountance of the day and having made a plan for tomorrow . Before going to bed we give each other a big hug ...we have to be up at 7 am.