The 'Something' Big!

I visited… the Philippines! Yes, the third world country we’ve all heard about. I went with my parents, and I loved it. I’ll admit it was different, sometimes awkward, challenging and at first sorta scary. But I gained an insight, also experiences, which I wouldn’t have otherwise.

We flew in on the 12^th of March. Manila was busy, crowded and as we arrived late in the evening, sorta creepy. Especially at the hotel we went to! First appearances weren’t most favorable. I was thankful we were there only a night, as the next day we flew to another island – Cebu.

In Cebu we hired a pre-arranged honest, friendly, kind taxi driver who helped us around all day. I started feeling more comfortable there – the Philippines weren’t so bad after all, I decided. That being said, my nose protested at the revolting smell that came from the markets where all the dried fish was sold – that, I decided, I did not like.

The mall we went to felt very Western. I even felt a bit at home! Though the peso system threw me a bit. Forking out hundreds of pesos at a time really knocked my frugal nature. Even though consciously I knew that it wasn’t much – 40 pesos to $1; subconsciously I cringed.

The front of their SM Mall. It was fancy - as they pretty much all are, inside.

On our second day in Cebu we got tickets on a boat and headed to another island – Bohol. The ride was two hours, and when we arrived we started experiencing real life – a ride in a tricycle was first. We were going to have to ride on a bus, but when we saw how full they loaded them we opted out and took a taxi. Sadly, you have to really watch most Filippino taxis. They’ll rip a foreigner off, first chance. Being newly landed, having only dealt so far with honest drivers, we were easy game – at least that time. That we did not like.

Staying with our friend in a native house, I found that, hard beds aside, I didn’t mind the lifestyle. Much simpler – I like simple. J We had to cook on an open fire, shower with a dipper and wash up in a tub – though he did have a sink, just no running water. Sorta novel, if you ask me. He did have electricity, we found. That was a blessing – especially when the menfolk weren’t home once and we had trouble starting the fire, as he – our friend – had an electric frying pan.

I did have a problem washing my hair. You see, my habit is to wash it in the evening – no problem when you have a hot shower and no need to be outside…. So I did it in the evening – with cold water, and in my swimmers – so I could just dry off outside. Not the best idea, considering the cold breeze that suddenly started blowing. :/ By the next day, I had a sore throat that developed into a real head cold that then spread to my new friend Myn, and Mum and Dad. Not cool! Oh well, I decided, next time I’d just do in the morning. J

So, to break it down…..

Likables:

•  Smiling people.
•  Getting a honest, friendly taxi guy in Cebu.
•   Their malls.
• The simplicity of their homes and lives.
• Their cool-as jeepneys.
  

  

  Jeepneys ahoy! You can ride in any fashion you wish. XD

Unlikables:

• ·How crowded it was – I like a bit of privacy and space: walking down the road and getting stared at isn’t comforting. Lol
• The smell of fish – dried or not.
• Exploiting taxis.
• No showers. I managed, and sorta enjoyed it, but I can’t imagine living without a shower.

Learnables:

• People living on land in country areas there, are better off in some/a lot of ways than we are.
• It’s better to not wash your hair in the evening – at least over there!
• You can’t trust everyone. Well, I sorta already knew it… but yeah – it’s well grounded now!
• Pesos flow out of your hands fast and easy. :/

And that is all for now! Stay tuned for part two – our week in Bohol! Whenever that happens…. :P

P.S. A sad fact is that I had flat batteries and didn't really start taking photos till I was in Bohol. Till next time!