As I type away, Canada just celebrated their New Years festivities. We, on the other hand, celebrated over 12 hours ago. Since I usually celebrate New Years with family, this was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Kevin aka "Wang Wang" will tell you about it later.
Instead, I will describe the first few days of our adventures in the city of Manila...
The night we arrived, I found it difficult to sleep. Was it jet lag or was it excitement? Instead, I woke up around 6:30am and stood on Tita Mila's fourth floor balcony decorated with flower beds and other assorted plants. I grabbed our camera and began shooting away, as roosters and men selling Tuho yelled from every direction.
When we got up, Tita Mila prepared our authentic Filipino breakfast of rice, omlette and filipino Hot Dog (imagine a VERY red hot dog). While waiting for Tito Mon to take us to the Philuscan office, Tita Mila guided us through what she kept explaining to Kevin is the 'real manila.' Few steps from her small yet very tall townhome we explored the Market. The smells of fish, diesel and smog followed us through the streets as we were eyed hard by squatters. One of Tita Mila's friends commented that if she had married an Americano, oh how she wished he would look like Kevin. Just to complete the trip, we rode a two minute Jeepney ride back to her area just so we could say we did it.
Tito Mon drove us to the Philuscan office when we arrived. Tina and Christine's niece escorted us to the condo where we would be staying. Since it is very close to the malls and shops, we realized how CHEAP everything is here just as people say it is and how Kevin feels like a fatso since he has to buy pants that quote 4 inches bigger than he's used to.
Wait, let me clarify this CHEAP business. Bargaining in the Philippines is the way of life. I've managed to score some crazy deals on Grade A fake Bags, logoed t-shirts and flip flops. Yes, I should feel bad that the difference of 10 pesos is chump change, but like I said, it's the way of life and it's kind of fun!
That's it for now. For all you Kevin fanatics, he will be updating the blog shortly with details on our adventures in Boracay.
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