Swagman Manila

... body of someone who drowned. There is debris and garbage still piled in places and flood water still sitting in people's homes. The cleanup continues and some areas are expected to be flooded until Christmas.

One of the ways we tried to help is by going through all our things and seeing what we could donate to help out. We got rid of so much before we moved here but, in the true American spirit of ...

... to turn on the radio but instead I heard three morons talking about inane things interspersed by the female traffic reporter who sounded as if she belonged on a phone sex line (her report was given in a sultry and suggestive voice while the background music was a cheesy saxophone).

I finally arrived in Biclatan, and after frantically driving up and down many roads (signs are few and far between) I found the entry to the estate where my Mum's family were ...

... bring with them a unique character of the Philippines.









I arrived in Manila a couple of days after the fight between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao and the country was still on a high. Manny Pacquiao is a national hero here. Apparently when he fights the streets are a joy to drive as ...

... for the 60 day visa we would be forced to enter Taiwan with only a 30 day but of course – drumroll please – we were ineligible to receive the free 30 day landing visa due to the restriction stamped in our passports.

So the long and the short of it was this; we didn’t qualify for either the 60 day or the free 30 day landing visa so we would be forced to pay for a 30 day tourist visa which was, surprise, surprise, the same price as the 60 day ...

... find a parking spot without too much difficulties and head off. We were directed to window 14 where there was a short line, although there seemed to be a lot of people sitting and standing around. When we got to the window they had a handwritten sign "offline" taped to the window and everyone behind it was just standing around. Just what does "offline" mean, "quit standing in line?", "go away?", "the window is closed?" just not familiar with the ...

... to explain as they pulled out a can of vienna sausage tucked inside the koozie. I'm sure they must have thought something about "crazy american" or some such idea. Anyway, they looked at every thing put it back in the box and sent us on our way. All in all it wasn't a bad experience, again thanks to Fher for his help, but I don't think we'll be asking for too many packages to be sent to us while where here.

... declined his offer. In Kota Kinabalu, I had an intimate conversation on spirituality with a pretty, kind Swiss woman, who happened to be an atheist. When I entered a bar one sweltering afternoon in Kangaroo Island, everyone stared at me that I felt like a Martian who has stepped on Earth. Later, I learned from the waitress that it was the first time that an Asian entered the bar. "I hope you don't mind, but can I touch your skin?" she awkwardly asked, "I've never seen ...

... party neighbourhood and hang out there for the weekend. Manila is a zoo. The trip to Malate is maybe 5 Kms, however when competing for a small uneven scrap of asphalt with an immense number of cars, trucks, jeepneys, buses, bikes, and tricycles it takes close to an hour. Not to mention, the drive is an absolute free for all. I don't know what it takes to get a license here, but the rules of driving appear to be simple - If I cut you off, I ...

... in a cage. Josephine was tired after work yesterday but she went with Cleo and did a good job comforting Cleo while Chico was treating him. You'd think Nini was talking to a baby. Today, she was absent so she could accompany Cleo to the vet. Super love ka gid sang partner mo. December 9, 2007 We arrived late from Palmas and the first thing Martin did when we got back was check on Cleo. The cage was open and he was dead. We don't know who did this. The dogs must have been able to ...