Well I'm here - sitting in the shelter right now and amazed at how easily I can get on the internet....

The journey over was pretty easy actually - I was stressing out a lil' bit as there were scary forms and scary customs and things but it all went smoothly (apart from a little hiccup at heathrow check-in with the seats) and we arrived slightly dishevelled and in need of a shower but otherwise well and excited. We were met immediately by Amor and Mercy - two of the shelter staff - who said they recognised us straight away because we were the only white faces there.... a situation I ain't used to, but now I know how it feels to be in the minority. I also feel rather tall as I am a head taller than pretty much anyone else (including the men!). The staff are all great fun and taught us some more tagalog so we can say slightly more useful things such as 'Hey everyone' and 'its very hot'.... oh and 'I am Ruth' (except obviously Judy wouldn't say that unless she was very silly and she isn't.... heh).

So we're staying at the shelter at the moment - slightly unsure of whether we're moving at some point or staying put. I saw a lizard on the wall which made me very excited, and there's coconut trees belonging to us on the other side of the wall.

I am already learning how lucky I am back home - we passed slum after slum and tiny run down stalls all along the way from manila to angeles. We also don't have drinking water from the tap, cold showers and wash by hand. Its a nice community feel in the centre though and there's always people around (including kids which is lovely)... there's also a rather skinny, slightly terrifying (Jo will understand - you know the paw thing...) cat that adopted the shelter as its home, already tried to scratch me - don't think we're going to be best of friends!

Amor tricked me into thinking we were going to be eating Dog and snake... i am a little gullible at the best of times...

anyway its going to be good! I'm going to eat now but i'll write again soon.

much love xxxx