Manila, Philippines - December 16, 2005
Back in the Philippines again! Last time I was here was just after 9-11 in 2001. Okay, let's see. First, I left the airport and was charged 330 pesos (US$7) to go to a hotel nearby the airport. A little expensive, then the guy didn't have enough change so ended up giving him 400 pesos instead. That was my welcome to Manila. Not that bad though.
Once settled into a room in Pasay City (next to the airport), I decided to go out and see what was around. Went to a 'girlie bar'.. actually I was somewhat dragged into one. I felt tired and sober, and just wanted to relax, but swarmed by girls wanting me to buy them drinks and everything else. I turned everyone of them down. Then a really old lady who was trying to make me buy someone drinks, started messaging my back. After a very short time, she was then demanding a tip. Right about that time, I decided I would leave that place. Just too overwhelming with the give me give me give me. As I left, they called me 'the asshole. Oh well.
So, with that, it concluded my first night back in the Philippines. The next day, I checked out of that hotel, and went to find Korean Airlines in Makati. A taxi down there cost me 200 pesos (US$4). The area around Korean Airlines and the entire Makati region was REALLY NICE! Unfortunately, its also really expensive. There were some really nice parks, trees, buildings, everything. Tons of people working 9-5 jobs, and few if any of the creepy people hanging around Pasay City near to the hotel I stayed the night before. This time around, I was also determined to avoid Malate/Ermita (downtown Manila as well). Pasay City reminded me of them. But not nearly as bad. Makati, on the other hand, WOW! Beautiful. Being in Makati really gave me a much different perspective of the city of Manila itself.
Also in this area, I found the Ayala Mall. Once inside, I really understood why so many Filipinos love their malls. It was like a little overwhelmingly clean city in there with just about everything you can imagine. Plus you avoid the heat of the city streets. I even found my favorite Vietnamese food in there - the kind where you take a rice paper and wrap beef, veggies, and fish sauce in there much like a fresh spring roll, but much different. Actually all the food there, was quite incredible. From the mall however, it was really difficult to get a taxi out of there. I ended up walking everywhere else, and found a lot more cool places outdoors around the mall. This was definetely the safest and most upscale area of the city.
For whatever reason, well actually I was thinking that this is really the only region of Manila that I actually really like - and its definetely the most expensive. I looked in my guidebook, and saw nothing affordable in the area, and the only cheap places were once again either downtown (Malate and Ermita) or near the airport (Pasay City), so I made a last minute decision to go to the airport and see if I could book a ticket out of Manila and into Cebu the same day. I loved the Makati area, but I'm sure there is much more to see elsewhere in the Philippines.
This time, all the way from Makati to the airport, only cost me 150 pesos (US$3). Much cheaper than the other two combined which got me there. Amazing if you can get the taxi drivers to use the meter! Once at the airport, I found Manila to be quite relaxing once again, and the people incredibly friendly. While on the waiting list, I ended up having all kinds of conversations which people sprung up everywhere. I also had some of the best pork adobo in quite some time as well. I have to admit, the food is amazing so far. So much more variety than up in Seoul as well.
Also, found it really interesting how common English is everywhere. People are so personable in this country as well. At the airport, everytime there was a Cebu flight about to leave, we all had to stand around and see if our number was going to be called. Seemed like I met so many Filipinos and a few foreigners at that time as well. Made me feel like I was back in the US and able to have any kind of conversation with anybody I wanted at anytime once again. Didn't realize how much I missed that until now either.
Continued journal entries in the Philippines:
December 17, 2005
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com