Mabuhay (transcript of written entry 1/12/06 on plane)
It boils down to this word in the end. Their friendliness is a definite icebreaker, and conversations flow as easily as San Miguel Pale Pilsen does. If I land safely at Changi Airport later, I can safely say "I survived the Philippines!" It is not an easy phrase to utter. I weathered supertyphoons and aggressive boatmen to return home.
I think my excessive paranoia somewhat marred the purity of my maiden solo trip overseas. I was on guard at all times, even when sleeping. It became difficult to distinguish true friendliness from scripted hypocrisy. Nevertheless, my dad's gruesome picture of a lawless society where guns blazed freely did not materialize. I was somewhat terrified though, when I saw guardsmen armed with shotguns and machineguns everywhere. Being shot could have been a reality.
I had a great fear of crossing the roads initially. Manila's roads are all FFA style, lassiez-faire if you will. Traffic lights are ignored and it is up to the pedestrian's discretion to cross at the safest instance. Taxis and jeepneys use their horn to say everything, and it is difficult to find a quiet, hornless street in Manila. One needs a dogged self-confidence and belief that the cars will stop to cross the roads. Eventually, it became as easy as playing Frogger. I am hoping Singapore's streets are all Basic mode because of my experience now.
The people of the Philippines never fail to extend their services (or should I use Impose) to helpless tourists. As long as one looks slightly Korean / Japanese, one will be met with a greeting of ("whatever that korean greeting is") ,and plenty of numbers involving pesos. The scene at Batangas pier was the worst. I was fearing for my life as the eager boatmen attempted to drag me to their ticketing counters in all directions. Kind of like "wu ma fen si". Well, it makes me lucky to remember that I will be ignored in Singapore, relegted to being a normal citizen.
I am filled with anticipation for the days ahead. 2 days of express prom clothes selection via the browsing of 30 fashion magazines (where am I going to obtain so many?), and lots of photo-taking with cool people. It had better be a blast.
I think my excessive paranoia somewhat marred the purity of my maiden solo trip overseas. I was on guard at all times, even when sleeping. It became difficult to distinguish true friendliness from scripted hypocrisy. Nevertheless, my dad's gruesome picture of a lawless society where guns blazed freely did not materialize. I was somewhat terrified though, when I saw guardsmen armed with shotguns and machineguns everywhere. Being shot could have been a reality.
I had a great fear of crossing the roads initially. Manila's roads are all FFA style, lassiez-faire if you will. Traffic lights are ignored and it is up to the pedestrian's discretion to cross at the safest instance. Taxis and jeepneys use their horn to say everything, and it is difficult to find a quiet, hornless street in Manila. One needs a dogged self-confidence and belief that the cars will stop to cross the roads. Eventually, it became as easy as playing Frogger. I am hoping Singapore's streets are all Basic mode because of my experience now.
The people of the Philippines never fail to extend their services (or should I use Impose) to helpless tourists. As long as one looks slightly Korean / Japanese, one will be met with a greeting of ("whatever that korean greeting is") ,and plenty of numbers involving pesos. The scene at Batangas pier was the worst. I was fearing for my life as the eager boatmen attempted to drag me to their ticketing counters in all directions. Kind of like "wu ma fen si". Well, it makes me lucky to remember that I will be ignored in Singapore, relegted to being a normal citizen.
I am filled with anticipation for the days ahead. 2 days of express prom clothes selection via the browsing of 30 fashion magazines (where am I going to obtain so many?), and lots of photo-taking with cool people. It had better be a blast.