What Puts a Smile on Your Face?
A foreigner where I am staying in The Philippines is a rare thing - one that is tall, fair and blue eyed causes people to point and stare.
Initially I found this disturbing, annoying even until I decided that I would look every person in the eye, smile and say hello regardless of how I felt.
This at first was a bit of a strain and often my cheeks would ache from the continuous smile for every person I met.
I felt confronted and obvious often out of my depth not knowing how to respond, angry that people were staring at me.
But then something changed, I noticed how people's faces would light up from being noticed, the look of fear and concern would melt and they now beam back.
Especially the children.
In an area where poverty is rife, toys are sticks held together with string and often the littlest ones have the work responsibilities of adults around the house, a smile from a foreigner is precious.
They would run back to their friends with laughter whispering to each other, hands covering their mouths or watching silently as I passed.
The worst were the ones that were afraid, I was strange, I was foreign I was to be feared.
They now follow me with big smiles on their faces, the pied piper of Filipino children, and ask the two questions that they know in English - what's your name and where are you going.
I no longer mind and make sure I say hello to each and every one of them, it is the least I can do for people that are living in a tough and unforgiving environment.
There aretwo little boys in particular that attach themselves to me every day when I pass and walk silently beside me, looking up and smiling.
We don't talk the same language but none of us care.
Yesterday we were walking and I felt a tiny hand tentatively placed in mine then quickly drawn away.
I looked down and the smallest of the boys looked at me worried, I just smiled and held out my hand.
He returned my smile and we walked that way for a few moments, hand in hand till we reached his school and he ran inside.
This touched my heart and made me smile, I am humbled by these amazing people here who teach me so much.
Especially the children..
...
Initially I found this disturbing, annoying even until I decided that I would look every person in the eye, smile and say hello regardless of how I felt.
This at first was a bit of a strain and often my cheeks would ache from the continuous smile for every person I met.
I felt confronted and obvious often out of my depth not knowing how to respond, angry that people were staring at me.
But then something changed, I noticed how people's faces would light up from being noticed, the look of fear and concern would melt and they now beam back.
Especially the children.
In an area where poverty is rife, toys are sticks held together with string and often the littlest ones have the work responsibilities of adults around the house, a smile from a foreigner is precious.
They would run back to their friends with laughter whispering to each other, hands covering their mouths or watching silently as I passed.
The worst were the ones that were afraid, I was strange, I was foreign I was to be feared.
They now follow me with big smiles on their faces, the pied piper of Filipino children, and ask the two questions that they know in English - what's your name and where are you going.
I no longer mind and make sure I say hello to each and every one of them, it is the least I can do for people that are living in a tough and unforgiving environment.
There aretwo little boys in particular that attach themselves to me every day when I pass and walk silently beside me, looking up and smiling.
We don't talk the same language but none of us care.
Yesterday we were walking and I felt a tiny hand tentatively placed in mine then quickly drawn away.
I looked down and the smallest of the boys looked at me worried, I just smiled and held out my hand.
He returned my smile and we walked that way for a few moments, hand in hand till we reached his school and he ran inside.
This touched my heart and made me smile, I am humbled by these amazing people here who teach me so much.
Especially the children..
...
Source...