The BF got sent on an unexpected business trip, so I decided to make a last minute stop in Philippines. I made a brief one day stop in Manila before heading to the more touristy islands, and It’s not quite what I expected. The city was big, with sprawling buildings and congested roads like many others. Nothing really stood out except for the people, so here are a few stories.
The Singing Restaurant
Upon my arrival at the hostel, the small but welcoming Our Melting Pot in Makati City, I asked the reception where I could find some good food. Instead of telling me, the friendly hosts walked me to the restaurant, sat me down, and even ordered my food for me before going about their merry ways. The restaurant was a nice establishment, where a guitarist was sitting on stage with a girl singing lovely ballads. As the waiters and waitresses came by, they would sing along with the guitarist, and they were superb at it! Through out dinner, the waiter and waitress ended up going on stage and sang a few songs, and then jumped off when there were too many guests. It was a wonderful welcoming surprise.
The Taxi Drivers
Manila is big. As a big city, it’s surprisingly difficult to get to places via public transportation, especially for a tourist. Thankfully the exchange rate is in my favor and taxis are not out of the budget. I was warned against the dubious behavior of certain taxi drivers by various Internet sources, and certainly got my fair share of said behavior. The first time I tried to ride a taxi in the city, the driver refused to turn on the meter and when I insisted, he claimed that he had to pick someone else up in half an hour and made me get off. The second time, the taxi driver overcharged me and then asked to keep the change as tip (which made me point out he overcharged me, and he gave me some money back). The last driver who took me to the airport quoted me one price, then raised it after I got in the car, then asked for additional money for the toll booth even though I was already paying him double what the fare should have cost. But there was one driver, who patiently helped me figure out where I wanted to go, drove me straight there, dropped me off at the perfect spot, and we had a great conversation about American cars along the way. So every time I start generalizing about cab drivers in Manila, I stop and think, at least I was lucky enough to meet him.
The Two-Faced Boy
While exploring the old city, I wandered off the main street into a small alley, and saw a young boy playing on the sidewalk with a little girl, perhaps his sister. They were playing the simplest game of chasing after each other, and their unrestrained laughter was infectious. I smiled and walked slower, raising my camera to capture the moment without disturbing the scene. Before I pressed the shutter, the boy looked up and saw me, and I watched his beautiful smile change into a frown. I wasn’t quite sure what was wrong, until he walked towards me and reached out his hand, asking for change with the saddest expression. I pressed the shutter anyway to remind myself of this brief encounter, but I wish I could have captured his genuine smile instead.
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