ENTRY UPDATED: Pictures now link to full size….So today after 12.26 (we got a pedometer!) miles of walking, we managed to hit up: Rizal Park, the Site of Rizal’s execution, Intramuros, Casa Manila, San Augustin Church, Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, Manila Cathedral, the slums in the South Port District, Quiapo, Chinatown, the Goodwill Arches, and Binondo.
The gallivanting lasted about 5.5 hours from 11AM to 4:30PM, all done by foot. We then languished for 2 hours at Sharwarma Snack Center with some Halal food and Mint-White Grape sheesha (Al-Fakher, so nothing special there).
Manila is a really sleepy city that combines relaxed charm in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Almost half of the city is either driving about or sleeping in vehicles/in parks/on the street. It got busy when we reached Chinatown in Binondo, but the rest of the city exuded a pretty chill attitude. I think the most interesting parts of our day was the change in architectural styles when we crossed into Intramuros, as well as exploring the nooks and crannies of the slums. They’re very different from the slums I’ve been in India and Egypt in that the people are less curious. Although equally friendly, they are less likely to notice foreigners walking by and aren’t as quick to practice their English with you.
Anyways, a few more pictures for you all to enjoy before I head out to meet Shyama at the Pennisula Hotel from some nightlife exposure.
Total distance walked: 12.26 miles- At time of posting in Manila, Philippines, it was 77 °F -
Humidity: 100% | Wind Speed: 6km/hr | Cloud Cover: few clouds
Hey so I wanted to ask how the trips been so far. But more importantly… is that my shirt Corinne?! You did NOT ask to borrow it and bring it to another country!