The snatcher and the Angelus bells

We've had many adventures since we got here nearly three weeks ago, but none as unfortunate as today when my purse was snatched by a guy on a motorbike, and this only a few meters from our new house, in broad daylight. I went to the police station to make a statement and had to go to the City Hall in order to pay the 45 peso processing fee (about one US dollar). I asked the police guy if this was far and he said yes, but for a hundred pesos I can get someone to go for you so you don't have to wait in line. Okay... in the end this administrative step served no purpose whatsoever; there was no way they would find the thief.

Later today my husband and I were shopping at the mall and couldn't find the elevator. I saw a bunch of sales ladies sitting idly in a group as they are wont around here and walked over to them to ask for directions. Strangely they were not chatting or texting as usual, they were just sitting silently, with their head tilted downwards. I looked around and everyone was still, as if frozen. It was the strangest sight. Then I remembered... I checked the time and saw it was 6pm. I turned to my husband who was looking around, visibly perplexed, and told him it was prayer time... everyone stopped in their tracks to pray at this time everyday. Again, a gush of incredulity, as with the princess incident a few days earlier. I have to admit it was a strange sensation, everyone stopping in their tracks as the loud speakers chimed the Angelus bells. A few minutes later, everything went back to normal, as if nothing had ever happened.