Philippines update #2

I don't think people will recognize me when I come back, I'll be darker and fatter. haha I had chicken joy (or is it chick n' joy?) from Jollibee. I have Chow King and Lapids left to try. All the other places I can pass on.

It's been a few days and I'm still not used to the HEAT! It's so humid, no wonder people take two showers a day.

In one day I witnessed 3 accidents. With that said however, people believe that "If you can drive in Manila, you can drive anywhere". I think it's true, they're hella good drivers here! Some Jeepney drivers are careless but for a place where road rules almost don't exist (Wearing seatbelts, staying in the lanes, etc.) people do very well. Traffic is an everyday occurance but I like it here, don't ask me why.

It's really sad to have it be 'normal' here for little kids to beg for food or money. It's not even like how people beg for money in Toronto on the sidewalks. These kids are 3, 4, 5 years old walking in between cars on the road tapping your glass (and usually being ignored). It's really sad.

On a complete opposite note, I'm also not used to having help around...maids. I leave my room and later come back with my room and bed fixed. I go to the kitchen, sit down, and have every meal prepared for me, never having to get up. I can be in one room, call the maids with the phone and ask them to bring me something. Instead of getting Jollibee delivery (since they apparently prioritize walk-ins over delivery service, so your food comes with disclaimers like; "Disclaimer: your food may be in a different condition" or "Disclaimer: your ice cream may be melted") so we send the maids out to get the food instead. It's a nice feeling, and it's good that they're not treated poorly because the help we get is amazing.

In a couple hours my cousin Martina and I leave for Boracay. It's a big tourist spot. We're staying at my Tito Kim's hotel (he's Kuya Kim for those of you who know him, he has a show and I call him the Filipino version of The Crocodile Hunter). He won't be there, but he booked us a room facing the beach! My parents have never been there so I'm lucky I have the chance and means to visit. The only downside is that the airport we're going to is 2 hours away from where we're staying because the usual airport that people use in Boracay is closed.

Anyway it's 4:30am (12 hour time difference b/w here and Toronto so I'm still a bit jetlagged)

Laaater!