Las Palmas Manila

... I'd share some of the pictures I took yesterday to put a face to the recent events here in the Philippines. I know some of you have already seen these so I apologize for the duplication.

If anyone would like to contribute just get in touch with me and we'll get it to those who need it the most. And most important, everything contributed goes to those in need, not administrative cost.

... I was lucky and first addressed room mate in the hostel sold me his copy as he was leaving the following day. Straight away I went out to observe more of the fascinating party time. Countless discos, bars and hookers guarding the streets uniquely decorated this sin city. It reminded me a bit of Bangkok, but here weren't many foreigners, vast majority were locals. Another instantly noticeable sight was ...

... chance I wouldn't die. Using the experience of the car in front of me, I followed him like a leech, utilising the paths he would open up for me. In this country, there are no traffic lights, or pedestrian crossings so traffic was controlled by human beings. There would be people in uniform with whistles, gesturing frantically telling vehicles to move but I suspected no one was paying them attention (at night, these people were practically invisible as they wore ...

When you make a life change like this you learn a lot about yourself in the process. Some things are so elementary that you wonder why you didn't know them long ago. Today I found out I am claustrophobic.
I abandonded Wii training and pretty much all other physical activity due to severe pain in the area of my shoulder. It's a recurring problem that came and went for years but this time it came and stayed. I think it was ...

... the most damage during World War II. The Philippines has one of the fastest growth rates in Asia. With the church playing a large part in this as forms of contraception are condemned. Unfortunately the economy’s growth is much slower than the population growth and the Philippines remains a poor country and Manila has ...

From January through May 2007, I lived and worked in Manila, Philippines. Quite an experience. Definitely the most difficult country for me to adjust to culturally. English was widely spoken, yet for me miscommunications were unfortunately common. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to further cultivate my already considerable (or so I ...

... where I can't get away with saying I'm 29 anymore. Or 39. After all the stress I've been experiencing I'm not sure I can get away with 49. 59 might be believable. Let me look in the mirror. Oh damn - looks like 69 might be appropriate. Good thing they have cheap cosmetic surgery at the mall. Unfortunately my birthday followed me to ...

... they don't run into you. Any space between you and the car in front of you is an invitation for someone to nudge their way in. There are a lot of one way streets but I've seen two way streets become one way at rush hour and you have to swim upstream hoping there's space to get by. Aside from that the police like to pull people over and sometimes you can't get a good explanation of why. You either pay a bribe or argue until they can't take it ...

... and screaming as they play, stray dogs, "Hey buddy! What's up! Come look!", chickens, goats for sale, "Do you want girl? Very beautiful!", clothes and rags hanging everywhere, Coca Cola signs, "Do you want some Ganja?!", the honking, the sun, "You want ride?!", the exhaust fumes.... overload. I finally get to Park Rizal and the world changes again. It's immense in size and very green. People are laying around and relaxing in the shade ...

... meni ja hermoja kiristi, ainoo nettikahvila oli just menny kiinni, puhumattakaan muista kojuista ja apua ei kovin helposti herunu. Loppujen lopuks yks paikallinen tyontekija paasti meiat sen toimistoon printtaamaan liput, eika ees ottanu meian tarjoomaa isoa tippia! Paastiin lopulta koneeseen yhden aikaan yolla, lento oli vahan viela myohassakin. Cebu Pacific vei meiat neljassa tunnissa Manila cityyn. Lentomatka oli ahhhhdistava, uni ei tullu millaan niis epamukavissa penkeissa ...