Grocery shopping used to be an event.
I got showered, dressed in my ‘going out’ clothes, hailed a taxi or took the car and took on traffic and parking.
It was always hot, humid, noisy and crowded….but the prices were unbeatable and the grocery store staff the friendliest in the world!
15 years of grocery shopping in the Philippines was a non-stop adventure! I always came home tired but delighted at my bags full of chippys, tropical fruit, 3-in-1, and of course a giant sack of rice.
As we were ending our time in the Philippines, I did my grocery shopping early to beat the heat and try to carve more time out for my busy day. I zipped around the shop like the typical frenzied, in-a-hurry white lady. I loaded my cart with whatever my heart desired. My mind was on the day, the business, the looming move back to the States and all that needed to be done before then.
With groceries bagged and purchased, I stepped out into the sticky, tropical heat and saw the most precious, sleepy broom-seller. Probably 10 years old, clutching a bag of pan-de-sal (bread) in one hand and his other arm wrapped around his daily inventory of straw brooms. The heat/work combo had gotten the best of him and he fell asleep right there on the sidewalk.
Scenes like this tug at my mama’s heart. But, they also fill me with honor and respect at little guys like this. A small, but mighty warrior. Battling hunger and doing his part to put rice on the family table. His mom must be so proud of him. I know I am.