Holiday in Manila

I'm almost at the end of a week's holiday in Manila. I've spent Christmas at the home of  a friend, and her family has been very gracious to me. I've seen Intramuros, which is the old Spanish walled city within the city, I've been to Manila Bay, Casa Manila, which is an old home turned into a museum, several imposing malls, a family party, and too many restaurants to count.

My host family is Chinese- Filipino, so the food I've eaten had been amazing. I don't think I've tried anything I didn't like. Filipino food is not spicy. They tend to use a lot of vinegar and sugar for flavour.

This photo was taken on a landing at Casa Manila. The house shows the way the Spanish affluent set used to live. Intramuros was built as the seat of the Spanish government in Manila, and the walls were built to keep the local Filipinos out.

One thing that has struck me is the abject poverty, and how it is side by side with affluence, and very visible. The family I am visiting is fairly well off, and they live beside a bridge. Under the bridge live several other families, including my host family's driver and his family.

Another thing that has surprised me is the sound of fireworks going off day and night. Just this morning I read in the paper of several people being injured by fireworks on Christmas Eve, and authorities expect more during New Year Eve. Apparently there is an area that is the centre for manufacturing fireworks, many of them in backyards. Safety cannot be guaranteed, and there are even some types that have been outlawed that are still being sold. It was one of these that blew off a young man's leg over Christmas.

Today will be a fun day, as we are going to buy some classroom supplies that we cannot get in VN. I will be flying back home tomorrow night.