4 philippines

The ride to Go Hotels....

Walt got an easy break in to Filipino driving. When I arrived the first time it was at noon and madness was in full swing. Traffic for early Sunday 12:30 am was still quite busy but nothing compared to prime time hours.

Before we even backed up the driver reminds us tip me ok my son needs milk. Yes we all need milk. He told us its so hard in the Philippines, the economy is still bad with the average pay about 480 pesos per day for 10 to 12 hours. Conversion is 42.14 pesos to 1 US dollar. You do the math.

The check in went fine, Go Hotels said their taxi was there all we had to do was go to where the sign said travel accommodations. Now why in blue blazes didn't anyone tell us that?

Made it to the room, very clean but so spartan Walt was amazed, no hair dryer, ice bucket, clock and no window but it did have a large print of the city framed to look like a window.

We walked around a bit, tried a snack at a small food mart shark fin and crab stick, made by Fritos 29 pesos each. Bought two sodas' one a pepsi the other and Australian ginger soda, I go all the way to the Philippines to try Australian pop. Walt paid with a 500 peso bill the girl got confused and over paid the change. Walt explained to the manager what the girl did and gave it back. Tthe manager looked surprised.

We warned stay put don't walk around alone. Since we had each other Walt said I guess we aren't alone lets go so we walked a bit. It didn't take long to see the stark contrast between the States and the Philippines.

Almost 2 am Sunday morning traffic still quite busy. A fruitstand still open as well as other little convenient stores and food stands, Young men or maybe teens or maybe boys were busy painting street light poles, one wearing flip flops had climbed the pole and was balancing on the arm that held the light. Another was busy painting under a walkway painting with no light. In front of the mall a group of men were jack hammering the entrance wearing no safety gear only street clothes, not even goggles or ear plugs.

OH and lets not forget the smell of the city.

Gotta GoGo!