By the time I got through customs and out of the airport it was nearly 1am. I was so tired that I found the first car that would take me to my hostel and wound up paying 1000P (about 20 bucks). Too much! That is twice as much as I am paying to stay in the hostel for one night...oh well..chalk it up to being tired..I would have payed anything to just get some sleep! And sleep I did...aaah. On my way to the hostel I was really surprised to see how alive this city is. 1:30 in the morning and the sidewalks are packed with people and the streets packed with cars. It is true what they say about the traffic here and people driving like crazies. Makes sense though...there are no street lights or stop signs at any intersections! Every man for himself on the road. I stayed at the Malate Pensionne in Malate Manila. I woke up this morning and checked my email only to find out that they had put a hold on my bank account for irregular activity. Figures. It's going to be fun trying to sort that one out without access to a phone.
I decided to take it easy today due to the jet lag so I headed out to the mall to shop for a new camera...mine stopped working in Hawaii :( When I arrived at the mall I was frisked and searched before entering...that was a first. I am pretty sure that this is the largest mall that I have ever been in! 4 stories...a full hardware store...a full grocery store..geez. In the center of the mall was an Easter celebration for children and blaring over the speakers for their enjoyment was a rap song about taking shots and getting fucked up. Yes. Fucked up. This is apparently kids music.
After the mall I decided to take a walk around the city. Manila...loads of character and a pungent smell of urine. The latter probably has something to do with every other building being a bar that run specials like all you can drink from 12am to 6am for 199P (about 4.50).
I have to note that on my walk I passed a midget man on the sidewalk standing on a chair giving shoulder massages. That made me smile :)
While I was hopelessly lost wandering around the city (...what? Me? Lost? Surprising...I know.) I got to see first hand the poverty that I have always heard about in this area. To see children sleeping on newspaper in the street makes me want to cry and scream... I was followed for about 5 blocks by a small boy asking for money. I realize that if I gave cash to every child in this city that begged for money I wouldn't last a week before I was broke. I remembered that I had an apple in my bag and I gave it to him. He was delighted and went on his way. I went straight to the grocery and bought a bag of oranges and a bag of apples and carry them with me now to give to the street children. I wish that I could take them all with me and give them a proper meal and a good home.
After getting lost and finding my way again I checked out of the Malate Pensionne and into Friendlys across the street. This hostel has more backpackers and socializing. I think I will like it better. I think I will stay here at least one more night before heading north to hike the rice terraces.
I didn't buy a camera yet but as soon as I do I will post lots of pictures!!
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