Manila

I visit Manila en route to my summer seminars 2 hours or so outside the city. Not much happens on my way to Laguna, since I am able to get my sisters to pick me up at the airport.
Now I might be talking about places outside Manila (hehe), but Makati has some nice spots to visit.
Could anybody help me out with the name of this Italian coffeeshop in that area? Friends are gushing about their coffee, claiming its the only authentic Italian coffee for miles around.

This place entirely changed my life because this is where I studied college. I met friends, lovers, and been to places. All of this memories are greatly cherished and treasured.

Head out to the country somewhere, or up to Baguio, where all of the Philappinos go for their vacation. Go hit the amazing beaches up north or cruise to a different island. Manila is just another dirty city.

I have family here, so I come every so often to visit. However, beyond Intramuros, I don’t know that there much of tourist interest, unless you enjoy shopping malls. I will say that the people are warm and the food is fantastic.

Everytime I travel to Manila, I always get a sense of nostalgia. The smell, the sights, the street, and the locals… I’m cravin’ Jollybee and some good Filipino cuisine!

Living here for six months! It’s gonna be a wild ride! :-)

But still a lot of fun. It really does have the feel of Bangkok, but a little dirtier and things don’t run as smoothly. The people are great though. The food will leave you craving vegetables and things that are not fried but after a little work, you can find yummy noodle bowls and things for super cheap.

This is around the area I was born back in 1992.

Theres this place called Intramuros which is the historic center of the city. Have a taxi or jeepney drop you off there, and get the horse-carriage tour around the historic cities landmarks.

They’re kind enough to drop you off for 15 minutes so you can cruise around at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery of the area, and take photos and things like that. Its built near an old WWII base (I think) and the old cannons are still there to be checked out.

At the end, you get dropped off at the Intromuros center, where you can see where the Philippine national hero, José Rizal, spent his final days.

I don’t know if they’re still there, but around the park theres the thing where its a cardboard body, and you put your face where the cut-out its. Its a great for photos for the folks back home.

YAYYYY IT DID

A bit boring… very calm and placid, not vibrant… feels like vancouver.