Something I saw....

In this city its very easy to get used to seeing poverty all around you. Occasionally something hits me really hard.

About one week ago I was on a jeepney going down the high street and I saw this old man sitting down by the side of the road. He had his tray of cigarettes and gum he was selling around his neck.

His job is not a pleasant one. He has to stand in the middle of the road all day, every day selling cigarettes at 1.5pence a time to passing motorists. The traffic is idangerous here - really busy and fast. The pollution is also so thick you can see it and the sun is extremely hot. This man has probably been doing this job all his life. He was sitting down to rest and wipe his face. Everything about him said, 'this is life....? ah well'.

I nearly started crying.

Filippinos say 'that's life' a lot. That pretty much sums up their attitude to their problems. They keep on smiling and don't dwell on their hardships. Doesn't make it any better that they have to suffer though.