5 Year Old Temperature 96.5

34 - Caring for the child

Usually the social worker responsible for our case to the ICAB , which determines the steps in the process support the child. In our case it was the family home in charge of our child for 2 years, which determined how to do. Also, the Philippines, they prepare very well the arrival of children to parents. The family home, where our son lived, showed him the pictures we sent to the ICAB and every night before falling asleep, he kissed our 8x10 saying good night daddy''and'' good night''mommy.'' In addition, they have decided not to be called''mommy''and''daddy''but rather''Godfather''and''godmother''in Tagalog word.

First is the idea of foster to meet on Sunday to support our son only the next day. We learned that the family Home had to insist strongly that the course is done through a transition because the social worker responsible for our child (ICAB and Parenting Foundation) disagreed. We learned on Sunday talking with the host family, that finally, we would support our only child on Tuesday. He wanted on Sunday, serves only to learn about each other. Monday was our first official day to give them the necessary care in the community, that is to say without the presence of the couple, but with the help of the nanny of our child. On Tuesday we will start with him in the evening, but by doing the same routine Monday. We were in agreement, although initially we were surprised, because usually, the parents leave with the child after the first meeting, which may last a few hours. After reflection and after discussion with my stepfather, we were convinced we, too, that was the way to make his case. We are told that it is the host family is most aware of how our son reacted against the situation and after having lived most of his life with the same people, he could not sweep 2 years of happiness in a few hours.

For my part, I found it difficult to share with his host family. Especially since some experts say that our commitment must be made within 24-72 hours. To see him in the arms of the lady of the family home and see it still shared intimate moments with him made me a little jealous. But in hindsight, I think it was the best way. Anyway, I could leave these last moments of happiness, for me, I was going to live the rest of my life. I did well to let things go, not thinking about my needs, but rather to focus on what was good for our child. I am eternally grateful to the family home, of having fought for the transition, because I am convinced that it's the transition that led to a rapid attachment of our son to us both. So our stay in the Philippines was used to familiarize themselves and the arrival at home was the moment to deepen the bonds. So I think we should not always follow what the experts say, but rather rely on his instinct and say that each child is unique and has a personal story to her own.

In terms of my stepfather, who played the role of accompanist , even if we traveled both my spouse and me was an experience I would start a second adoption. For cons, the thing I change is not taking for granted everything I heard and read about the adoption. That first trip to adoption was not completely happy because I am too focused on what experts say about attachment and I experienced moments of stress and sadness, thinking that my son 's attach easily to me. During our stay in the Philippines, he rejected me frequently if I wanted to take care of him or take him by the hand. The woman's family wanted me home safe and told me it was normal because he had worked alongside more men than women and was more attracted to go to men. I had to concentrate on what she said, as she knows since he has only a few days. She was absolutely right, because since he is with us, I noticed that when he tells a new pair, so that the family friend, he is more comfortable with the first man. With this information, I would not be sad when my son preferred to take the hand of my father-in-place of mine to walk through airports and I would not have criticized my stepfather. I have seen this error on my part, when I noticed the rapid attachment of my son in front of me, from the earliest days at home. So even if some scholars international adoption do not think it's the ideal, the fact that my stepfather with us as the benchmark for us to secure both logistically with his experience of traveling and emotionally with his adoptive father of experience. He had no clear role, he made what appeared to be good for everybody. When the day we deal with our son in his family home, he decided himself to stay at the hotel. However, we found for dinner with the host family.

Day 1 (Sunday, 23 November): The meeting

We got up early the morning after an overnight rather short, because we had appointments 10:00 the lobby of our hotel with the social worker responsible for our child and that of the ICAB. Once ready, we went for brunch my stepfather, my husband and me in the hotel restaurant. For brunch, there were lots of choices. Luckily, at about $ 25 Canadian per person. So, noting the high prices, we decided not to eat again at the hotel restaurant. When we had finished eating, we headed all three (the host family was informed that my stepfather was with us and has also invited) to the lobby of the hotel. Pending the appointment, I was very nervous because I did not know how our child would react to our first meeting, we did not know the names of social workers and how they looked. So we did not include cents, my spouse and me, waiting for someone to approach us. Finally, the ICAB social worker met us with a few minutes late, but had to wait another social worker before leaving. When it arrived, we ask a taxi from our hotel. A chance that the Philippines is very small and that the trip was not too long because we were 4 sitting in the back. During our taxi ride, there was a girl of ten years, who knocked on my window, showing me the flowers. I wondered if I had to lower the window. But, as I have difficulty speaking English, I did not know what to do and respond. The social worker sitting next to me nodded to ignore. I understand that any small girl selling flowers and cute. It saddened me to see this young girl and worked to see that social workers could do nothing for her. So, I quickly found the problem of poverty in Manila. Once

the lobby of the condominium from the family home, we found that the mass take place there. The social workers made us meet the lady of the family home. She was very friendly and we learned that we were going to attend the mass. This is my husband and I, which leads to the priest lanterns. A few minutes later, the gentleman's family came home with our son. It felt awkward and did not get too close. He hid between the legs of the gentleman. My stepfather was filming the events and had the brilliant idea to take our son in his arms and show him in the small window his camera, he had filmed. Our son is recognized and appreciated became a little less embarrassed. He then propped his head on me while I was sitting on a chair but did not want too as I touch it. Each time, I wanted him to flatter head, he pushed me away hands. I knew he wanted to get close, but in its own way and at their own pace. I decided not to force things and let him do it. Then the mass started and we were the guests of honor. Given that our guy was known to everyone in the condominium, it allowed people to see us. After Mass, we continued the reconciliations, playing cuckoo. He later called my husband,''Daddy''and we had fun with him.

Then we went to the apartment torque with social workers and have seen the environment where our son lived. We continued to have fun with it, and my stepfather. He repeated''daddy''and social workers and foster family were surprised at the rapidity of attachment with my husband. Social workers took some pictures of us with our son and left thereafter, warning us that we meet again here on Tuesday for sign papers.

After we left the family home, the driver, nanny, our son, my stepfather, my husband and I dinner in a restaurant in SM Megamall because the family of home we were invited. I noticed they do not have the same vision for the safety of children in the Philippines. Our son was standing on the seat of the car and he walked without a problem. Also, I noticed the role of the nanny, who was to ensure that it does not hurt, but let him do it. We observed that the restaurant would run around with the nanny who was following behind. Once exhausted, he fell asleep on the nanny. After eating, we did some shopping together in the shops in the mall and lady of the host family showed us his shop and introduced us to his employees.

Then we all went back to the apartment of the family home. We continued to be tame and we were invited to dinner home. This is the range of the host family who prepared the meal. So with all these employees who worked for the pair (nanny, driver, cook), we found that our son was in high family very well off financially. Finally, the driver came to take us back to our hotel, not too late and without our son because we wanted to rest. We feel tired due to jet lag and stress of the day and we knew that the next day it was us, who would take care of our son. Before going to bed, my stepfather went to the business center and send an email (about $ 5 Canadian) to my stepmother to tell her about our first day in the Philippines.

Day 2 (Monday, 24 November): The first day to look after our son

On Monday morning we got up too early, because the driver of the foster family came to pick us 9:00 at the hotel with our son. Wait before our rendezvous , we went to lunch at a Starbucks near our hotel where we ate on a terrace and this time the prices were not too expensive. We ate at least $ 5.00 Canadian per person. We returned to our hotel room and we called my mother-in to talk to him orally. We should have let it go, even if we did not talk long, because the call cost us nearly $ 60 Canadian. Then we took a puppy and toys and we went to wait for our appointment, my husband and me. My stepfather did not come, he wanted to leave us alone with our son and he began to cover the flu. Also, we warned that he would look after us finding a larger room, saw that we were officially to support our son the next day and we found that our son was moving much air. Our room was too small for 3 adults and a boy with this degree of energy. So we called in the family home to tell us the new issue of our room (suite) and spent day at the pool. So he returned to the business center to send another email (about $ 5 Canadian) to my stepmother and he did every day to secure it.

Once the driver arrived with our son, we went into the mini-van and I gave her little doggie. Returned to the condominium driver left us at the entrance and we took the elevator. The employee has acknowledged and weighed the button on the floor of the family home. When we entered the apartment , there were only employees present. We gave the morning bath our son, changing diapers, have done eating and give the bottles with the help of the nanny. Then we played with him.

At the dinner, the couple arrived and they told us that we should dine with them. So they asked us how was our first experience of parenting. The cook took another delicious meal. The couple left in warning us that when they return we would go shopping for make sure you have everything you need for our son, because the next day was our day of official support.

Then we tried to sleep for his nap , but it's the nanny who succeeded by lying with him. During his nap, we listened to a movie from the personal collection of the family home.

Late in the afternoon, the lady of the family home and his driver took us to SM Megamall. We bought a bag for our son because the family wanted him to go home with clothes, toys, stuffed animals, photo albums (1 for him, for memories with her foster family and one for us, to live his 0-2) and other memorabilia. There were many, it would not have entered into our suitcases. So we bought some skin care products for our son because the lady wanted to make sure we have the same he used with them. Once all of our purchases for the family home called my stepfather's hotel room to invite him, too, at supper with them. The cook gave us another excellent meal.

Then the lady had a meeting with other women of the condominium and there were other children with their nanny in the apartment. Also, the eldest son of the lady came to meet us and he came, too, to see our son one last time. The other children of the woman preferred not to see again were too difficult for them. It was a grief to live for them, too, because they had rubbed shoulders for 2 years, since he had only a few days. Around 7:30 to 8:00, I asked the gentleman of the family home if it was time to give him his bath evening. He said no, as it was still fun. Definitely, it was made too late for his bath and we were trying, my husband and I once put on his pajamas to bed. Because our child was sleeping with his nanny, he would not stay down and it seemed to cry. What was not expected and gratifying for us, who was inexperienced new parents. Our Western culture (Super Nanny and Dr. Nadia) teaches us not to sleeping with a child, which would put us ill-at-l'aise this situation and we did not know how to react. A chance that my stepfather was there, because we do not start asuggéré discipline right away, because there were too many people (nanny, host family, us) with whom he could attract attention. He explained that when my step-mother kept the children and parents when they came looking for them, they did things they would not, when their parents were not there. So with these tips and after our unsuccessful attempts, we decided to give up and have let the nanny do it. By cons, we look, my husband and me, saying that made it home that does not happen like that and that we begin the discipline. for bed. Finally, the driver came to take us back to our hotel about 11:00 and when we left, our son was not lying. In arriving at our new suite, we found that it would be great for our 2 year old child who moved a lot of air and we noticed that we got a little extra bed. Also, there was no balcony inviting to Defenestration.

Day 3 (Tuesday, 25 November): The second day dedicated to our son and signature to transfer custody of the child

Tuesday morning we got up too early, because the driver of the foster family came to pick us 9:00 at the hotel with our boy because we had appointments with social workers of the Parenting Foundation and the ICAB for signatures of charge transfer. Wait before our rendezvous , we went to lunch at a small restaurant near the hotel. We ate on the terrace at about $ 5.00 Canadian per person. We returned to our hotel room to take the toys for our child and we went to wait for our appointment, my husband and me. My stepfather was not yet clear, he had a flu with a sore throat which he attributed to the pollution of Manila, and he preferred to leave us alone with our son during the day. While we waited for one of the social workers at the entrance of our hotel, my stepfather and we cautionary appeared that he had received a call to the room of the family home to notify us that our son had just get up, he would lunch and it reminds us of when a driver to pick us partitas. So we waited for the social worker and when it arrived, We'll explain the delay and we invited him to come wait with us to our room. Finally, we received the call from the family home and the driver came to take us only taken out of the apartment.

Once on the scene, the lady of the family home we believe that our son had the flu and he had a fever and it was the first time in his life it was happening. It was probably due to all the excitement of recent days. Also, she advised that she would prefer to keep the time it heals, that is to say that we do not repartirerions with him at the end of the day. We agreed, because it was our first child and that we would bring extra stress. In any case we would deal with him every day at the family home and we knew that eventually we would have for the rest of our lives. Moreover, another social worker arrived and we could sign the papers transfer the child from the foster family to foster family . I gave the check issued by the agency approved for child care expenses for our child to the ICAB social worker, as my body approved we had advised. In addition, the foster family social workers advised of how to make the transition and my the spouse and I talked over our support for this method. Before social workers are leaving, the gentleman from the host family had the audacity to tell them that he and his wife had been right for the transition and they (social workers) were wrong all along the line of want to prevent the transition. He defended his views with the reaction of our son, as he had never done anything of crisis and he called my husband daddy'''since Sunday. With input from the family home as well as ours, I hope there will be more and more families that will support their child with the transition. I am convinced that this is the best way to do, because we are children of foreigners even if they are calling''mommy''and''daddy.'' I am convinced that our son gain confidence in us when we noticed that a good agreement with those with whom he had complete confidence, that is to say, his host family with whom he lived 2 years.

Then we gave him his morning bath and tried to get him to eat. Also, we still had dinner with the host family with another wonderful meal Philippines that the cook had concocted. For the rest of the day, we were careful not too excited our son so he could have strength and heal as quickly as possible. We tried to give the bottles and do eat, we changed diapers and tried to sleep for his nap. During his nap, we had another movie in the personal collection of the family home. Around dinner time, the lady called my stepfather to advise that the driver was coming for him so he can come to supper with us. When he arrived, announcing that we will not leave us with our son that night because he was sick. He also thought it was better to wait until he gets better before taking him to the hotel. Finally, we left after dinner to leave our son alone in his business and he goes to bed early and take strength to heal as quickly as possible.

Day 4 (Wednesday, 26 November): The third day dedicated to our son

Wednesday morning we got up too early, because the driver of the foster family came to pick us 9:00 at the hotel with our son. Wait before our rendezvous , we went to lunch at the same restaurant cafe next to our hotel. We returned to our hotel room to take the toys for our child and we went to wait for our appointment, my husband and me. My stepfather had not yet recovered from his flu and he had decided to leave us alone during the day with our son.

Once arrival at the apartment of the family home , we repeated the same care as the other 2 days as the morning bath, do eat, make baby bottles and changing diapers. The couple arrived for dinner and we still eat them with a meal prepared by the cooker.

After the meal, the couple announced that he would prefer we keep our child one last day to be sure it is shaped to fly. My spouse and I were in agreement. So the lady of the family home we proposed that we take you to the SM Megamall for the afternoon. That would allow our son to rest as much as possible. So, I bought clothes, because the exchange rate allowed for savings. Also, we completed necessary purchases for our son and we bought gifts of appreciation to each member of the family home, that is to say, sir, the lady at the nanny, the cook and driver. When we got to the end of the afternoon with the lady and the driver and that it took my shopping bags, I did not know what to do. I never lived like a rich person and that was the first time someone wore my groceries. As I did I offend anyone, then played the game

After an afternoon of shopping, we went for my stepfather, because the couple's family home, had invited us to go dinner on a terrace of a restaurant typical Filipino . While we went to the restaurant, the couple went on the radio and advised us to listen. We were amazed and excited to hear a message in English, welcome to our family. The host family had been kind enough idea to contact the radio station to send a custom message. We thanked them for this great initiative. Then during the meal, there was a girl of ten years approached me with flowers. I did as if I did not see her, but she became more and more insistent. Seeing this, the lady of the family home of the cautionary leave us alone. The lady told us she never gave money to these girls, anyway because the money does not come back. It prefried help poor children in foster care as a volunteer. Knowing this and seeing that it was the second time that I met that kind of girl, I could not help but be sad and have pity for those girls. After

Filipino meal, we went looking for a lighted Christmas decoration for my father-in kiosks located on the edge of the road. We saw that the lady of the host family is a strong negotiator. She ended up finding a decoration in my stepfather has a very affordable price. Finally, they came to take us to our hotel.

arrived at the hotel, my husband, my stepfather and I went to SM Supermarket to buy snacks and the type of formula used by our son, because we knew that the next day there would be a good chance that we will definitely take.

Day 5 (Thursday, November 27): Visit the Parenting Foundation and the ICAB and official support of our fellow

Thursday morning we got up too early, because the driver of the family of welcome to come and get us 9:00 at the hotel with our son. We had an appointment with the social worker of our boy Parenting Foundation, because we had to go there to visit and get the foundation lifebook and sign papers to ICAB . Wait before our rendezvous , we went to lunch at the same restaurant cafe next to our hotel. Then we went to wait for the social worker, my husband and me to the hotel lobby. Once the social worker and the driver arrived with our son, we headed to the Parenting Foundation of the Philippines in the district of Muntinlupa City . The driver we cautionary instructions to follow the medication for our son because he was not completely healed.

Once in Parenting Foundation, we met and talked with the director and other social workers while the social worker of our son finished the lifebook our boy. It was the first time throughout the trip, I found the safety of ordinary locations. After the social worker that it hand over the life book for our son, we went dinner with the driver, social worker, our son, my husband and me at Max's Restaurant (a kind of rotisserie St-Hubert) to Paranaque because we did not have enough to pay Philippine pesos for everyone and we had found a restaurant that accepts cards credit. For cons the meal has cost about $ 30 Canadian for 4 adults and 1 child. Also, we should have had sufficient Philippine pesos, because when the driver made a full tank he asked us to pay. Then we went to the ICAB to sign the final papers. When we arrived, there was a poster Welcome with our names on top of dark wooden bench. We signed the papers on the bench and the social worker of our son gave us the form of permanent residence to surrender them to our arrival in Canada, bank drafts received , which we had expressed at our acceptance of proposal and keep our taxes, the Travel Clearance Form for a Minor and photocopy and return the original to the customs of the Manila airport and copying keep in our paper, passport our boy with the Immigrant Visa for Canada and Visa emigrating from the Philippines, the banner that was displayed on the wall, a small Jeepney and a small flag of the Philippines . In addition, she showed us around and meet with employees, rather quickly, because our boy slept in arms of my husband. Finally, the driver drove us back to our hotel with all the effects of our boy, because there were definitely with us.

At the dinner, we went to eat at a Mc Donald's at SM Mega Mall. Back at the hotel, we made him take a bath for the first time in our hotel room. He had a fit of caprice, because it does not try him to take it and he was testing our limits. We do not give in to tears and we gave him his bath. He cried through much of the evening because it did not work as he wanted. To help to calm down I took him in my arms and walked with him by singing a song of my own invented English. It succeeded for a while and when the tears began again, I was rewriting the same routine. When my stepfather was tired of crying, he went out and when he returned, most of the time the crisis was over. The bedtime was not easy but we managed to bed around 20:30. I calmed down in my arms and when he began to doze, I lay in bed and flattered him back. When it seemed to wake up, I flattered him back and he was singing my song in English invented. The night was not too bad, but I was happy with the course of the week as having had a good night's rest to counter jet lag, we were able to have patience not wavering.

Day 6 (Friday, November 28): Visit to the Aquarium Manila

Friday morning we got up too early, because the driver and the torque of the Foster came to pick us 9:00 at the hotel because they had invited us to go visit Aquarium Manila. The lady the foster family had Jamia take, because she thought it would be a good place to go for him with his new parents. She had spoken earlier in the week and we agreed with this idea. Wait before we went to lunch at the same restaurant / cafe next to our hotel, but this time our son was with us. Then we went to wait, my husband, my stepfather, our son and me to the hotel lobby.

Once the couple's family home and the driver arrived, we headed to the aquarium Manila near the Manila Bay . I noticed that Filipinos do not rely on written instructions, because it was registered to silence to avoid disturbing aquatic animals, and I found the opposite. There was quite a din that we had trouble getting along in our conversations. Our son walked on the shoulders of my husband and the lady of the host family made sure he did not stay too long in the sun. I took a chance that the cotton fabric that I had put in the back to ensure his t-shirt does not directly affect his skin. I have found that it was not the only one who wore This type of cotton in the back. Filipinos do not want their children feel the humidity, so they make them wear this kind of fabric on the backs of children and they change their shirts several times a day. I can understand that in the Philippines, the humidity is very present and they do not want their children to have the buttons due to moisture. So one can say different country and different customs. Personally, I think it's more important to protect our children by sitting in car seats when they drive around that to struggle to see if their shirts are wet (wet).

Then, the host family invited us to dinner go near the Manila Bay area on a meal outside on the grounds of SM Mall of Asia . They had invited us to eat there because they knew that my stepfather loved seafood, but they did not know that my husband and I did not like this type of food. So we went to another kiosk to order meat (approximately Canadian $ 10 for 2 adults). The lady of the host family met us to tell us that we had ordered seafood, but we told him we loved not like it and we would rather eat meat. We all ate together and our son would not sit in the highchair when landed and walked everywhere. We did not want to discipline to the host family, because we do not want to offend them, since they have the mentality of leaving everything to do if the child wants. But we said that Canada would have been different and we apprehended our outings retaurant.

Once dinner ended, we visited the SM Mall of Asia , which is the largest shopping center Asia. We spent part of the afternoon and the lady of the host family took us around his shop in this mall and we presented its employees. We bought ice cream for our son and we were all happy because it was his first with us. That being new parents, it is her first time with everything. Finally, the family came home us back to our hotel, but we asked the couple to climb to the hotel room. We gave them their gift of thanks for their great hospitality and asked to deliver small gifts to the cook, the nanny and driver from us. We asked for news of the nanny, as one who spent much of his time with our son. The lady told us she was sad, but she was glad to know he was in a very good family. We told them goodbye, but our boy is really aware that he never see her again. So the transition has been very beneficial for our boy, because he never felt that we had torn from his family home. It was a very good idea to spend the day with them, reversing the roles that they are the ones who came to meet us while our son was with us. According to me it would close the loop transition, because our son has not seen what was happening. So, following their departure, he made no crisis, because he knew it was us, his parents, he called my daddy''spouse''since our first meeting, he called''mommy'' since Wednesday and he called my father-in''Grandpa''since Thursday.

Once the hour of supper arrival, we brought our lunch (about $ 25 Canadian for two adults) the room from the menu at the restaurant our hotel. We did not want to sleep too late because our plane was at 9:10, but we wanted to be there for 6:10. In addition, we called the nurse at the hotel that was available on 24 hours, as regards the hotel doctor, he was no longer available. I was worried about our son, because I thought he was breathing oddly due to the flu and he touched the ears and I was afraid for an ear infection. I thought the plane would surely be painful if it was an ear infection. In terms of the otitis, the nurse could not confirm anything because it was not a doctor. For his breath that I found strange, she suggested him to breathe salt water using a mask. We agreed, but it was not easy because he did not want to leave, but when he felt it did him good, he let himself do. She suggested we go see a doctor as soon as we arrived in Canada. We had just one appointment with the pediatrician specializing in international adoption the following Monday. Finally, we made a good decision to leave his family home while he was sick because I was stressed about whether his condition was normal. This was our first child and I had no experience and yet less with a sick child.

Alot Ofdischarge 38- Weeks

33 - Staying in Manila

The duration of our stay was to one week (from Montreal Nov. 21, 2008 and arrived in Montreal November 29, 2008). In addition, during our stay, we had a shift schedule of 13 hours before . Also, we have seen from our exit from the airport that the climate was tropical, very hot and humid. On most islands, rainy season coincides with the summer monsoon, which lasts from May to November the wind blows then Southwest. The dry season corresponds to the winter monsoon, which runs from December to April when the wind blows from the northeast. From June to October , the Philippine archipelago is swept by typhoons (tropical cyclones) that can cause immense damage. In our case, we were in the end of the rainy season. We have seen with the presence of some showers, which made me think of our showers Quebec during wet summer. Then, for throughout our stay, we found that the English is everywhere in Manila (airport, hotels, restaurants, shops, foster care, Parenting Foundation, ICAB) and the Tagalog is present in families, when they talk among themselves. So it was very helpful that my spouse is almost bilingual and my stepfather is.

In terms of preventing disease trip, do not go crazy, behaving wildly and see the word "disease" throughout. First, we had taken him from the hand sanitizer and we have not used. We had a 5 star hotel in Manila and we washed our hands with tap water and soap. Also, we did not boil the tap water and did not put 5% iodine solution in water carafe for the same reason that our hotel was a 5 star. We brushed our teeth with tap water from the hotel and have had no problems. By cons, we drank bottled water provided by the hotel. In addition, we have applied Acuna protection against insects. Anyway, we have hardly been outside because we go every day condominmium family home. By cons, my stepfather went swimming in the pool outside the hotel and took some bites mosquitoes, but had no serious consequence. He had flu symptoms for which we were unable to identify the true cause, insect bites or polluted air.

Regarding the culture shock, we have not had a big in Manila, even if it was our first trip abroad. We thought that Manila was like Montreal but with more high rise buildings, more people, more and more homeless dogs. There was a lot of fast food ; as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Starbucks Coffee. Also, since Catholics are and we traveled one month before Christmas, we often seen Christmas decorations . However, we found it odd to hear Christmas songs, we knew (in fact they are listening to a lot of American music, I recognized very well the songs on the radio) in sandals and see the Christmas lights on palm trees . Also, we found special to see people doing karaoke at grocery stores and some department stores. We have seen that this type of activity is very steeped in their lives, as the family home we had offered, but my husband refused because he is not very fond of karaoke. By cons, which we made the more amazed to see is that there were no signal lights and stop Stop some very busy intersections . We saw''Full Stop'', but not many. For intersections, the boldest came first and those with a horn showed their priority. Anyway, the lady of the host family does not encourage us to drive ourselves, for a rental car because the police are corrupt in this country and we might have big problems, because we were tourists. Moreover, trying to force pollution, each day there was plate numbers that could not move with exception of emergency vehicles. However, for the rich that tactic does not work, because they take their other car. So we were somewhat anxious, because we found ourselves in a certain frame of reference known is to say, we felt that we could blend in some way in the background . Also, since there were few cultural differences, it has allowed us not to feel unsettled, and allowed us to avoid living through difficult times.

other hand, we found that Filipinos knew certainly not''Super Nanny''and''Dr. Nadia.'' We noticed in shopping malls in Manila and the aquarium on the plane that Filipino children could do whatever they wanted and they were very energetic . In malls, it was common to see a small Filipino child run or scream. At the aquarium in Manila, there was a placard inscribed with over''silence''not to disturb the aquatic animals and people do not respect at all. There was quite a hubbub of noises with the impressive number of visitors, who were trying to see everything. On the return flight (Manila-Tokyo), I noticed a Filipino boy, who upset the man sitting behind him without his mother to say a word and the man acted as if he did not see him. Consequently, Filipino people are very smiling and courteous . Whenever we met an employee in the hotel at the entrance or exit of the hotel, they greeted us immediately with courtesy by putting an emphasis on women (''Good morning mam'') . Also, in shopping malls, there were many committed visible and available to serve us. I could almost say there was one employee per row, but clearly more than one employee per department. When they saw us, they greeted us politely putting more emphasis on women (''Good morning mam'').

Definitely for security in Manila, it was very well organized. " At our hotel, she was present at the entrance to the courtyard with a Canine and entrance hall with security guards with explosive detector . Also, there were security guards in most restaurants (reassuring presence) near our hotel and entry and exit of large shopping center (check Hand bags and others). In the streets near the residence of the foster family is a secure area with a security officer who operates a barrier to let only authorized people. I noticed that when the driver of the foster family was leaving the secure area, he locked the doors. So I had no fear during my stay. When we were walking without the host family, I held the hand of my husband. When I put the skirts, I was noticed by some that my husband and my stepfather, but nothing serious. Moreover, employees of our hotel was dressed very sexy long skirt with notched up their hip.

Regarding the exchange rate, it is about 40 pesos Filipino U.S. $ 1 and there are exchange counters to airport, major hotels in and large shopping center. Also, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere (more favorable exchange rate). For us, we had no problem paying with our credit card because we have known before we left for him not to be surprised and he does not suspect fraud. The only time we had a problem Payment is on our shopping day Wednesday in the store in SM Department Store SM Megamall (one of the greatest ones of Asia mall). Since this store is on several floors, we paid our items for each department with our credit card, but we made several payments in a short time. Then, in a transaction, the cashier warned us that our card did not work and she scored a message to communicate with them. The clerk told us that our map does not work, it is not part of their duties to communicate with credit card companies. So we left our items on the counter and were told we did not have enough Filipino Pesos on us and that we were going to get. What we have done, because there was a trading post not far from this shop on several floors. Once, our money in hand, we returned to pay our articles. The next day we tried again our credit card and it worked perfectly. So we would have had to pay after finding everything you wanted, it would have avoided this episode. For other times, we had procured from Philippine pesos at the hotel.

Regarding the social worker responsible for our record to Manila , usually, it should contact us in the Philippines because it is informed of our arrival by the office Let us form a family (name of our hotel). However, in our case, we already knew the hour of meeting with the social worker, as our contact person, we called a few days before our departure to inform us of the progress. She called me at home to inform us that the first meeting would take place Sunday, November 23, because the host family, we were invited to attend with them to Mass on Sunday and that we would return at night without our child to take the final on Monday. I informed My spouse and I asked him if he was interested to attend the Sunday mass. He replied in the affirmative and I told my contact person. Thereafter, the host family has been informed and our contact person contacted us to advise us that the social worker responsible for our child would pick us up at 10:00 in the lobby of our hotel.