Happy New Year!

Wow!

A view from the Patio Deck and Pool

Last night was an experience. We had been told when we arrived here that New Year's Eve was a night to remember. In fact one of the employee's at the Philippine Area Office told me last week that "the Philippine people are poor but when New Year's Eve comes they are rich." They weren't kidding.

Not much of a view to see fireworks from the pool

Last night we thought it might be interesting to see the firework displays from the pool. Forty story buildings on all sides of the pool have a tendency to block any view that we may have thought that we would get. At 9 or so we went to Elder and Sister Hadlock's apartment which is on the 28th floor. For the first hour we socialized and ate the last of the bad food that we've sworn off for the new year. During that time a few of us tried to see the fireworks that were going off. Although their apartment is the highest of the missionaries the only room that had a good view was their laundry room. At the most three people would be able to fit in their at a time.

Marcia and Sister Edie Dupaix looking out from the 25th floor

Little after 10 we decided to move the gathering down to the 25th floor which is where Elder and Sister Bailey live. Their apartment faces toward Manila and the show was spectacular. We were able to watch from their living room as well as one of the bedrooms. Everyone was amazed at the amount of fireworks that were being displayed. There didn't seem to be any organization to it all. Fireworks would shoot up from all directions. The variety, the noise, and the smoke simply amazed everyone.

 The display was a crescendo as the fireworks were consistant
at the beginning. The closer we got to midnight the more the air
was filled with lights. It never slowed down until after 12:30 or
so.

Fireworks on the Patio Deck of our Apartment
building!

I will try to upload some video on this post but it appears to be taking a loooong time to upload. So if I can I will post one video with this post and tomorrow I will post the remaining ones. Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!

jsf/mmf