Manila

Manila... is not a very nice city. Even in the end of January, it was hot and sticky. There was a lot of dirtiness and visible poverty, and we were harassed by street children to the point of needing police/security assistance on two separate occasions. It was definitely a place that made me examine my ideas about the world, about poverty, and about fairness. Such places are important to visit, but they aren't exactly nice. Recovering from my horrible stomach bug didn't help.

That said, we did have fun and see some great things. I'd recommend spending an afternoon in Manila if you get the chance, but I wouldn't give it more than a day or two before heading off to some beautiful island full of happy people and clear air.

We found this temple on the top floor of an office building in China town, albeit with the assistance of a several-person deep literal police escort. The lady there was very kind and walked us through the whole incense ritual, which we definitely messed up more than once.

China Town's lanterns overlook a Catholic church, which was itself decked out for the Lunar New Year. You have to love that multiculturalism.
China Town was a fun and vibrant place where we managed to do some great shopping and also have a sudden dance party with a huge group of ladyboys that appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly.

a fountain in the new downtown

monument to the liberation movement

This is the cathedral in Intramuros, the Spanish colonial part of town (literally inside-the-walls). That ornately carved ceiling? It's paint. That's making do with what you have, there. There were also Chinese lion statues outside this church, snarling prettily at the feet of saints.

This is me in the Intramuros gardens, a beautiful patch of green inside the city, full of wealthy school children in their uniforms. We were escorted here by a security guard with a gun after a street kid with no shirt attempted to jump on Amanda. Like I said, Manila hurt your heart a bit.

the gardens

That brings me to the end of my January trip to Taiwan and the Philippines. It was certainly a great trip, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these places that I'd never considered visiting before. I'm so very glad that I did!