Part 16: Holy week....
For the first time since I arrived in Asia I had no plans for a few days,
especially after the ordeal at the airport, all I wanted to do was relax. It was good to be back in my apartment over looking Manila because this was really starting to feel like home now.
It was the week before Easter and the Filipinos make a huge deal out of the celebrations here, on 'Holy week'
I learned that everything quite literally shuts down for a few days for a national holiday, so a quiet week beckoned for me. This would be interesting to see as the area was 24-7 busy normally.
Shops, restaurants, malls etc would all be closed, and since most of my Filipino buddies where away for the week, I was on my own. No problem, it was a good opportunity to read my books, write more blog and have some more 'me' time.
The next day I got up early for a swim in the communal pool. 'this is the life' I thought to myself. After, I decided to go for a walk and discreetly take several pictures of the surrounding shanty towns, local graffiti and general street life.
In Paranaque city where I was staying, there were not many foreigners at all, apart from just a few Arabs that I noticed living close by, which if I'm honest, are not even remotely interested in making any conversation - they stick to their own social circles, unlike the local Filipinos.
It wasn't really a threatening atmosphere in the surrounding areas when you get used to it. Most people just greeted me with the customary Filipino friendliness, or wanted a closer look at my tattoos. I took several really good shots and would have fun editing them for Instagram later.
Today was also the last day that the shops and supermarkets would be open for a while, so I thought it wise to stock up on plenty of food.
The 7-11 quick-stop would be open, but they sell mostly junk food and I was on a healthy tip for my mountain run in 2 weeks - so I headed back to my condo to grab some cash and recharge my phone. It was around 5pm, the weather was hot and humid and I was looking forward to an ice cold shower first. I then glanced just ahead at my block where my Condo was, where a large crowd of people gathered outside for some reason, also noticing several police cars and security guards cordoning off the area with police tape.
Something was clearly wrong so I asked one of the officers what the problem was.
'Nothing that concerns you sir!'
'Excuse me' I replied.
He gave me a stern look and would not reveal what was going on. Since I was not going to argue with a man holding a machine gun across his chest, I politely tried to explain to him that I needed to get to my flat, as I did not have any money on me, and needed to go shopping before the supermarket closed.
'Sorry sir, I am afraid I cant let you do that' he replied.
There was not much else I could really do, but just sit on the step and wait for news; no one knew what was going on.
A couple of hours passed and still nothing, then it suddenly filtered out.
A dead body was found in the septic tank directly beneath my apartment!!
It was a big shock and people were really concerned, including me.
This was something you don't hear of every day. Especially right on my door step. They would not release any more information at the time, other than it was a man who lived in our block.
Nobody was allowed to enter the building at all until the forensics team arrived, which of course was understandable.
The supermarkets, malls and shops were about to close and I was getting quite hungry. There went my plans to have healthy food and supplies for a few days.
Not many options were open to me at this moment in time with all my friends and contacts away for Holy week.
Still I texted my friend - on the off chance she may reply, even though I knew she was away with her family.
Also by now my battery was running low on my Iphone. Luckily for me she instantly replied. She was like Winston Wolf from Pulp Fiction and said not to panic. Sending word to her house maid who was at home house sitting at the time - Instructing her to drop off some money for me in 30 minutes.
The maid arrived in 25, with 1000 pesos.
I was certainly not expecting that but was extremely grateful nonetheless.
The malls and shops were all closed, but at least I could get food and water from the 7-11 quick stop. I thanked her and walked to the shop to buy water and snacks. With still no sign of things getting resolved by the police anytime soon, I just sat by the pool for another couple of hours, but at least I had food.
More news filtered out that the dead body was that of a Korean man.
Rumours were circulating about very suspicious circumstances indeed.
Finally after nearly 6 hours, just before midnight we were allowed back into the block. I was looking forward to an ice cool wash after being devoured by mosquitos, so I stepped into my shower and turned on the tap.
Anticipating the ice cold water washing away all the sticky sweat whilst giving me relief from my itching insect bites.
It made a popping pressured sound, spitting out a few warm teat pipette drops over me. Turning the tap off and on again made no difference before I finally twigged that the water mains had been switched off.
I sighed, but then quickly spared a thought for the poor Korean man.
After going down stairs they announced that because of the dead body being found, the septic tanks were being drained, disinfected and sterilised, meaning I would have no water indefinitely. Thinking to my self, oh this could get interesting now. It was time to find out just how resourceful and adaptable I was, but for now all that was left for me to do was turn in for the night. Not the most comfortable sleep I had.
The next day there was a notice for all tenants explaining the situation about the water supply. It would take a few days to sterilise the tanks and arrangements were being made to bring in some emergency water supplies - not mentioning any time frames, although I had a good idea it was not going to be a quick fix.
Even more sticky and itchier than the previous night, I thought the pool would be the best place to hang out and cool down. Think again Vince! ..they drained that too - the other option I thought of was checking into a hotel for a few days. Think again Vince!...
It was Holy week remember.
Most, if not all in the vicinity where fully booked and the ones left were extortionately priced! Geez, the airport drama was spilling into Holy week now.
I was trying my best to get on with it and just improvise a little, washing with wet-wipes and mineral water.
Typically the weather was ludicrously hot which made things even more uncomfortable. Later that afternoon a small truck arrived at the condo with emergency water supply and Immediately a huge line formed with people filling up large buckets and blue barrels with water. laughingly, all I had were 2 mineral water bottles to fill up - It had to do. I used those to flush the toilet, the less said about that the better. I managed to scrounge two larger containers from the condo reception and filled those up thankfully.
One of my fitness buddies invited me to his apartment later just so I could take a shower - I was really grateful to him and his family. You find out just how helpful and resourceful Filipinos are - they just get on with it here, nobody complains.
later In the evening, families gathered round the communal area down stairs and a group of young Filipino guys where singing acoustic songs
on guitar in Tagalog - It was a cool moment and pretty amazing to see, certainly taking my mind off things
watching them all sing.
This was my routine for the next 3 days till the water was switched back on.
They were working round the clock in scorching heat, pumping the tanks with disinfectant in order to decontaminate the water supply.
Like they say here when difficult circumstances arise, of which there are usually plenty. 'Pasensya' which roughly translates as 'patience and forgiveness' in English.
It certainly was not easy but like my Filipino neighbours, I learned to just get on with it - and unlike back home...
Not complain.