Absorbed

I don't know what he's reading, but it must be fascinating. He didn't even notice me taking his photo.

Nail Tropics

And here's the nail salon I was talking about. It's called Nail Tropics and they are simply the best nail salon in the metro. In my humble opinion, anyway.

They have the best interiors too. Modern with tropical touches. I think in my other life I was a frustrated architect or interior designer.

Anyhow, sorry for the delayed posts. I just hate it when life gets in the way of, well, life. Har har.

Stuck

... in traffic, that is. It's rainy season again, so hello more traffic! Me, my friends, my friends' friends, this was our nightmare tonight. These days, it's hot in the morning, and then it starts to rain in the afternoon. The annoying thing is, the rains come when it's rush hour. It could come at 10 am or 3 pm or 11 pm, but no, it has to come just when everyone starts their commute home.

On the outside looking in

That's how we both were, me and this lady, anyway.

Where time is of the essence

Guess where this is? Haha easy enough. Welcome to the Manila International Airport. We're in Terminal 2, or Centennial Airport. Definitely not to be mixed up with Terminal 3, which is also an international airport. It's not exactly the most fun thing in the world to get those two mixed up just when you're hurrying to check in time for your flight. I should know.

Everyday life

I feel really lucky to be living in a place where coconut trees are an everyday sight, even in the middle of the city. I don't do very well in cold areas, since I'm so used to the tropics, even if I would love to travel in places like Paris and other places in Europe. Below zero temperatures during Winter? Aaaaack!

Look closely

If you squint your eyes, you would see a man standing over that narrow steel plank hundreds of meters above the ground. Eeeek!

Prayers

As the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, scenes like this across all our Churches are pretty common. I wonder what this girl is praying for. I hope that angel beside her carries her prayers all the way to heaven.

A time to play

... and a time to read. Every kid needs both.

Unlikely spot

A child escapes from the summer heat under one of Arturo Luz's art installations. Now, I don't know what this art installation is about. Any guesses? Rocket launcher? Telescope? Ship? In any case, for this kid it's momentary respite from the sun. Arturo Luz, by the way, is a National Artist, which is one of, if not the, highest award our country can bestow on an artist. Which means he probably won't be too happy about me calling one of his masterpieces all sorts of things.

A Day at the Museum

This is Daisy. She's one of the 50 kids from an orphanage who was given a Day at the Museum. It's a project by the Ayala Foundation that aims to give poor children a free trip to the Museum. For only 500 bucks, or about 20 dollars, you can send a kid to Ayala Museum, one of the country's premiere museums, to experience art and history and see things they might never otherwise get to see. They're given free meals and an art kit consisting of crayons and pens and coloring books too. It's not a bad way to spend the day, no?

Night out

Manila has an awesome night life. For people who just want to chill out, the M Cafe is a pretty good spot. Have a good Friday folks!

Taking a break

All of us could use one once in a while.

Criss cross

The heat is so intense this summer but at least we get beautiful, clear, blue skies.

Ride for free

The bane of every jeepney driver's life - the freeloader. Or in local parlance, the sabit, which literally means hitcher. Most hitchers don't pay anything, the rationale being they don't get to sit anyway. Is it dangerous? You bet. But they don't care anyway.

Let's go!

A sign on this little cart of watermelons says "Just 10 bucks. Let's go!" (Sampung piso lang, tara na!) It's so hot in Manila right now, those watermelons look extra yummy (Pardon the blurry parts. I was inside a moving vehicle and we were in a part of Manila where it's wise not to open your windows and flash your camera for everyone to see).

Gone fishing

I have no idea how anyone can just suddenly be inspired to buy fishing rods while driving in the middle of the urban jungle that is Manila, but hey, to each his own.

If nothing ever changed...

...there'd be no butterflies. That's what the mural says in this tunnel. Have a good Friday everyone!

Testing the waters

Manila Water, one of the biggest potable water service providers in the Philippines, regularly sponsors weekend races in Manila. Just last weekend, they sponsored a fun run around Bonifacio Global City, where they brought a couple of water trucks like this. After a marathon, what better way to cool down than to stand under one of these "showers?"

Mini

From giant, let's go to Mini. Mini Cooper that is. I don't think you can miss this showroom of Mini Coopers right here. A giant sign for a mini car, how cute is that? Plus look at the right side, there's actually a real mini cooper hanging right there. I'll try and get a nicer shot of that little car that could. Before they take it down, or before it succumbs to gravity. Whichever comes first.