Welcomed by a flood of kindness

Here we go again...another adventure! For those of you who haven't heard, I moved to Manila earlier this week for 5 months. I'm studying at the University of the Philippines, Manila (UPM) to finish my Masters in Public Health (MPH). I'll do a quarter of school, a 10-day tour of health finance in Northern Luzon and a 6-week internship (hopefully at the WHO). 

When I landed in Manila Tuesday night, I didn't realize quite how dire the situation was. It had rained for 10 days straight, at one point not stopping for 18 consecutive hours. After 20-some hours of travel and a stopover in Tokyo I finally made it to the Philippines, only to have a hell of a time finding my ride (no thanks to you, Verizon). Once we connected, the drive from the airport to my hostel was filled with flooded roads, some entirely impassable. The school had suspended classes and offices indefinitely. Where I am the flooding is gone, though other parts of the city are still covered in water. As I write, the rain is coming down hard again. Relief efforts are still going on several days later for those displaced. Everyone joked that I was getting a true Filipino experience (not so much the flooding, but the general chaos and issues of the third world, which they speak frankly about with a smile).

On Thursday the rain subsided and my advisor Dr. Leonardo sent her son, Alvin, to help me look at a potential apartment in a nearby highrise. After a quick inspection, I decided the tiny place, which has enough room for a fold-out couch/bed, kitchen, bathroom and small balcony (19th floor) was worth the $333/month I'd be paying. I only found out today that that price also includes access to the gym! Only issue is that there is no closet or drawers, meaning I'll be living out of my suitcase (and wishing I had brought less clothes). The rest of the day we spent walking around the city, trying local foods and of course enjoying some local beer, San Miguel. The nightlife is just as hectic as the daytime. 

Today started early - being accepted into the school (phew), signing up for classes, trying to get my student permit (and being turned away), taking out 5 months worth of rent in cash (eeeek!), checking out the place again, getting a background check and certificate, walking around the old Spanish town within the city, Intramuros. Poor Dr. Leonardo's assistant, Dharyl, escorted me through the entire 8 hour process...!

If there is anything I have learned so far, it is that Filipinos are extremely willing to help, going above and beyond anything I could have expected. Dr. Leonardo, Alvin, Dharyl, the hostel guys who keep giving me a place to stay since my apartment isn't ready yet, even my realtor Hector have all done everything in their power to get me settled. It is more than I could ever ask and they don't think twice. 

I have to be at school on Monday to get my permit and ID but then I don't have class until Saturday (I'm taking two classes, one of which is a field project so I only have one real class a week). Meaning I'm looking to do some great traveling this week! Thoughts on the underground river in Palawan? Or maybe visit the Chocolate Hills? And of course explore Manila further - full description to come.