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I could have easily stopped in Bohol for a few days longer but decided to get up to the capital and experience it. I've heard of Manila ever since I was very young, predominately due to my old man talking about "The Thriller in Manila" back in 1975, a fight between Ali and Frazier. It's always seemed an incredibly distant land, literally across the other side of the world and I remember well looking on my brothers globe at the islands that make up the Philippines, as a young boy, recognising Manila and well, here I am now.
I have spent just 2 nights here so naturally have had minimal time to get to know the real Manila but still it's long enough to get a reasonable feel for the place. I stopped in a place called Makati, one of the 16 cities that make up Metro Manila and also classed as the financial centre of the Philippines. I arrived mid afternoon on the 28th and navigated to my hotel which was located just north of the Pasig River. The hotel provided me with a basic map so I dropped my stuff off and went for a wander. First impressions of the place was what a very busy city. I thought Bangkok was busy but this place takes the biscuit. The place I was stopping was in a developed area with high rising hotels and buildings dominating the landscape. But take a turn down the wrong street or away from the shining lights of these modern structures and I soon found the Barangays and shoddy looking houses I was used to. That first night I spent just people watching really from small bars on P. Burgos Street which was a busy road and a general hub for the nightlife in the area. I also managed to find a place that served a roast dinner. It's food I've been craving for a long time and I really enjoyed it, Guliver's of San Francisco based within the Great Eastern Hotel did a good job.
My second and last full day in Manila was spent shopping and sight seeing. I needed to get a few items of clothing that id trashed while volunteering so set off for a shopping mall that was close Ayala Triangle park which I visited on the way. The park was a nice break from the busyness and if I'm honest dirtiness of the city. Although situated within the city, when you look around and look at the trees it kind of blocks out the layer of pollution that you can usually see so it was a nice place to have a breather. After picking up a few bits and bobs shopping I then went to the Makati museum and learnt a little about the history of the place. Makati has a strong Spanish influence and I learnt about the Philippine Revolution in the late 19th century and the subsequent American Period and then also the destruction caused upon Makati during WWII. I then visited The Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church which is a baroque Roman Catholic church established in 1601 before heading back to the hotel and getting my disco clothes on ready for my final night in Manila.
I headed to the road I was on the previous night for a few cheeky beers and some decent food. I started off in a place called the Woodmans Head. This is like a very old school British pub with local expats (mainly old and bald) getting steaming all day and attempting to put the world to right. I soon left and continued my wander. I hit a few more bars before finding a place called the Ringside Bar. I thought I'd have a gander so popped my head through the curtain door to find a dark and dingy establishment with a ring in the middle, local half naked women dancing on the ring and midgets running around. It was enough to tempt me in and have a drink so that's what I did. I ordered a mojito and got chatting to a local lady who informed me that it was a bar that women and midgets fight (not against each other) which although I found a bit strange, thought why not stay and see a fight. About half an hour later a couple of midgets came out and went for it in the ring with the song "eye of the tiger" playing in the background. I was in stitches at this but everyone else seemed to be taking it very seriously. In all fairness they probably had cheeky wagers on the winner. I stopped for a few fights more and then left the place in search of some food. I walked down a road I'd been down earlier that evening where I saw a little girl literally washing herself in drain water. At the time I walked on by but it had been playing on my mind all evening. So I went in search for the girl and soon found her and her dad sleeping on the pavement under a bridge. I woke the father and gave him all the money I had on me which was only about £11. He looked a bit angry id shook him to wake him but still, took the money and nodded at me in appreciation. I then continued to bimble down the road, got myself a pizza and hit the sack for the night.
My time as a whole in the Philippines has been unforgettable and there is still so much to see so I'm certain I'll return. My time volunteering was undoubtedly the highlight. The people are amazing and when you break down the social barriers that the locals tend to put up, you really get to know them. As a whole they are very respectful and appear to almost look up to you, simply because you're a Westerner. The amount of times I told locals not to call me "Sir" and to call me by my name was countless. In the end I just called them "Sir" or "Ma'am" too, just to attempt to put us on a level playing field. Just because in general income is lot higher from where I'm from and that living conditions are better, it certainly doesn't make you as a person any better and that's why I really made an effort to knock down these false barriers and to get to get to know the real Philippines and that tactic didn't disappoint. I really look forward to my next visit.
I'm now at the airport waiting for my flight to Bangkok where I'll then journey down to Koh Toa. I'll be there for 3 nights with the middle night (1st August) spent on Koh Phangan for the full moon party. To say I was apprehensive would be an understatement but as with everything I'm ready to embrace it. I've picked up a few cigars from Manila so look forward to reuniting with my German mate George and hitting the island pretty hard. I'll see you on the other side.
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