The Hillary Clinton in Manila Live Blog: Wheels are up. (UPDATED)
The American Cemetery in Taguig (or Makati?) where Secretary Clinton led a wreath-laying ceremony. Shot from a speeding car; this camera has an excellent stabilizer.
She’s left. Two hours ago she came to the US Embassy to swear in new Peace Corps volunteers and have a meet-and-greet with the staff. A little over an hour later the motorcade roared off to the airport and now life in the embassy is returning to its regular pace.
Meet-and-greet at the Embassy
I managed to sit down to lunch for the first time in two days. After checking on my equipment (I was worried about losing the lens cap), I realized I had acquired a small bump on my head from where I’d hit the door of the van. Considering my klutz level and the amount of physical activity in the last 36 hours, that’s minor.
Never did get face time with the guest, much less ask her any of your questions. However at 1137, just before the meet-and-greet with the staff, I went to the bathroom, lost sight of our wrangler, took a wrong turn, and ended up by a door just as Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Secretary Hillary Clinton were walking through. “This is our (embedded) blogger, Jessica,” Ambassador Kenney told the Secretary, who extended her hand and said, “Hello, Jessica.”
My total lack of a sense of direction works again!
I’m going home.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
November 13th, 2009 at 14:06
WOW! Ambassador Kenny knows you on a first name basis and you got the chance to shake hands with Ms. Clinton.
I hope Ambassador Kenny and all future US ambassadors will again request you to blog for them should any VIP guest from their country decide to visit us.
November 13th, 2009 at 15:04
Hey, Jessica! :)
I’m envious! Fabulous job on the live-blogging. Congratulations!
I only got to read everything now as I’ve been mired in deadlines for two weeks already. Too bad you didn’t get to do an interview, but hey, next time, right?
But I’m curious: Were the questions during the town meeting screened? You said the international press who follow her around said that a lot of the questions have been asked before so I’m wondering if these were what the US embassy approved.
November 13th, 2009 at 15:25
cool! hope you got a photo!
November 13th, 2009 at 20:03
Uyyyyy!…journalist!…hihihi…
Umeeksena ang PLDT DSL kaya hindi ako nakahabol ng tanong dito, pero, tulad ng U2 song, wala rin naman akong masabing hindi pa niya nasagot.
TIP: Ibang klase parin ang mag blog live, pero kung hindi mo sasamain at tutal hindi ka naman luddite at sang-ayon ka naman sa mga gadgets (ibang klase ang dslr mo!), at gusto mo rin namang tumaas ang STATS mo dito, ba’t di mo subukang mag Twitter, at e-link dito ang account mo dun ?
Akong unang magsasabing sang-ayon ang Pilipinas na bahain mo kami ng tweets.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:28
I’ve been following your Clinton visit blog from the U.S. where it’s sadly not getting an incredible amount of coverage. It’s great to get a feel for what’s happening during the visit from the perspective of someone on the spot. Thanks!
November 13th, 2009 at 23:36
Hi Jessica… Awesome job with the live-blogging! May you get to do more of this in the future.
Your total lack of a sense of direction pointed the way! Hahaha!
November 13th, 2009 at 23:46
your id says united “state” of america
November 14th, 2009 at 09:15
@endure07
You’ve got a very keen eye. United STATE of America nga. hehehe
November 16th, 2009 at 19:03
Congratulations! You should have been paid for doing this live blog.