As we crest the top of the hill I take in a deep breath of the polluted Metro Manila air to satisfy my burning lungs. This trek is no refreshing mountain climb in Vermont, but the hike is equally challenging as we literally hike uphill both ways to get to and from our ministry site. (It’s physically impossible, but it is true…weird)
I’ve got my guitar in one hand, the team water jug in another, and as I take the next step I can’t help but feel like I could be on a wacked out remix of Sound of Music. My dream world dissipates as little hands emerge from nowhere and latch to my collar, “Kooya Caleb!! Ta-as! Ta-as!” (Brother Caleb. Toss me! Toss Me!)
Ok, so now I have a guitar, a water jug, a backpack, and 7 bodies hanging off of me as I am trying to walk. Somewhere amidst the chaos I get a chance to think “This is my life” I smile and just keep walking.
I take some time to throw some kids in the air, and then as I am about to lose all balance I start the only foolproof trick I know “3-2-1” MACARANA! The kids start dancing and I have a whole 14 seconds of freedom.
Yeah it is sort of weird that there are about 120 children, and yet I only can barely speak to them. But it doesn’t change that I legit love them. So I brave into the new world of linguistics and take a stab at speaking Tagalog. I see one of my favorite little guys and tell him “Mahal ki ta Jerry!” All the kids stop and just look at me. “Mahal ki ta Nika!” and now all the girls start giggling. I dont know what it is about me, but the more I love people the more they run away from me!?!?!
Leave it to me to not notice this weird reaction for a whole week . I was so proud of myself. Here I am world, speaking the language, bridging gaps. GO ME! That was until last night.
A few of us went back to our community to just hang out. I was talking to one of my older friends SP, and just listening to how she was going to miss us. As we talked some of my favorite kids climbed into my lap and started playing with my leg hair (a normal activity these days) I turned to them and said my normal greeting “Mahal ki ta” and once again I got the giggle from the girls and the boys backed away.
“SP what is going on?” I said as I turned to see her doubled over in laughter. “SP talk to me!”
SP finally caught her breath, and told me the worst news ever. She told me how Tagalog (the Filipino language) has two different I love you’s. The kind that you tell your friends, and the kind that you say as you propose to someone you love, and you had better be bringing chocolate and flowers if you are telling someone “mahal ki ta”
oh no. So for the last week I have been telling all the boys that I want to be their boyfriend, and all the girls that I really want to marry them.
I would like to say that I am shocked at my ignorance…but lets be honest. Its me. Same day, different problems at fitting into society =)
Okay love ya’ll. Later
I love you, but I am not in love with you.
