The Connector
- Feb 6, 2016
- 3 min read
Location:
Manila, The Philippines
Sometimes you visit a place simply because it's the gateway to where you really want to go! One, of course should proceed with extreme caution and not fall into the trap of listening to other people's opinion especially where negativity is derived. It's always much better to make your own mind up. Listen to other people and your opinion will be tainted. A good challenge for any traveller is to embrace everything and everyone! The best part about any place is the experiences you have, which is why different experiences can lead to different opinions on a place, even if you visit that place a second time! Travel with an open heart!
To get to the airport, we had to catch a boat and a bus. The bus was so crammed, we couldn't even move! As usual, when we arrived at the airport we had a couple of hours to kill. Trying to pass the time, I noticed our names being called over the intercom. Wondering why they would call us even though we had already checked in and our flight wasn't yet ready for boarding. They informed us that our flight had been delayed and they wanted to put us on an earlier flight. Now that's what you call good customer service! There seems to be a major problem with flights leaving on time within The Philippines. Even our earlier flight had been delayed a few hours and only just took off. Thirty minutes before our original flight was due to take off, our earlier flight began to rev up its engine as it prepared to 'Fly like a bird!' A very big bird! What made the flight even more comfortable for me was having an exit seat where I could freely move my legs. When your nearly two metres tall, this is pure heaven!
To say our hostel, 'Lokal Hostel' is located in an interesting place is an understatement! With girls and lady boys standing on street corners asking if you want a massage and neon displays lighting up supposed night clubs, we quickly realised that we were staying in 'The Red Light District.' The worst part for me is seeing all the extremely poor children forced to beg for survival with their childhoods so prematurely taken from them!
While the hostel was nice with friendly staff, security was lacking in a country where most businesses employ security guards not only at night but during the day! When we discovered a fellow guest has had all her belongings stolen, we weren't surprised as anyone could just enter the premises where keys/security cards are not given out! It will do for a night or two!
With only one full day in the city and not much to see, we settled for a walk to the local mall where we enjoyed a bite to eat and a movie. On the way back we stopped off at a small city park which we saw the most amazing looking trees. At first glance I thought somebody must have painted them as they were coloured in both green and orange. Quickly, after further observation I realised that it was a design created by Mother Nature! 'The Mad Cat Lady' would be very impressed, with only three words ushered from her snowy lips 'Amazeballs darling, amazeballs!' Over in another area of the park, we could see a group of athletes lifting their partners up in different positions. It was really cool to watch, particularly watching a woman standing on a man's shoulders!
Later on that night, myself and Jason ventured over to get some munchies where we were stopped by a group of kids who posed for a quick photo! On our way out of the store, the kids were still waiting for their reward. Refusing to give money, I instead gave them a Cadburys chocolate bar to share. The kid I handed it to quickly ran off with it! Who knows if he showed compassion to his fellow friends in such a 'Dog eat dog world!'
Getting ready to go to bed, I could hear fireworks being lit as the city celebrated the new 'Chinese Year.' I quickly ran out to our balcony to get a better view! All across South East Asia, the continent has been waiting in anticipation for the 'Year of the Monkey,' in a world influenced greatly by Chinese culture!
While at first glance their might not be a great deal of things to do here, the true gems of any city are the hidden gems that require a more thorough search! With an amazing volcano close by to be discovered, this is one place that is not ready to be signed off just yet!
By Andrew
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