Okay, Finally Acctually Overseas

I haven't really had the energy to keep up with this blog while I was in the states.  Busy with work and friends.  Excuses aside, I'm now in Malate City within the greater metro Manila area.  It's the old red light district, and there are still lots of bar girl bars/street walkers outside the guest house early in the morning.  Also backpacker central, so you see lots of aggressive begging.  That always leaves me cold.  It's hard to stay open when every other person is asking for money or selling you...sunglasses, watches, Viagra (seriously), and jewelry.

So, more  about Manila : smells bad, polluted, poor, sad.  I was up really early and decided to have a walk around while the party people/"hobbiests" were asleep.  Headed up along the ocean shore to Rizla park on the north side of Malate.  Lots of joggers, and probably three or four large groups of people doing the Filipino equivalent of Jazzercise.  Didn't get any pictures, unfortunately.  Also, badminton must be some kind of national sport.  Shuttlecocks everywhere.  After my very weird Friday, it's time to move on I think.  Booking a room in Cebu and passage on the SuperFerry.  (thanks Lucas!)

Pollution :

Ever Friendly, the US embassy is ready for the Riots:

Not just in Seattle, Starbucks across from Starbucks  :