Back to Manila Life

After a well-needed break in clean, organized, sparsely populated, non-humid, law-abiding, lung refreshing, technologically rich Canada, we have returned to Manila, and once again want to share new observations with you.

• why can we buy a down jacket but not a reference book on tropical fish in Manila? (we ordered the book online in Canada)
• one never knows what you will see as you take a taxi ride through the city - this week Jeff saw two men poking a large caged rat with a stick on the side of the road.  What was this all about?
• there is a new billboard in town (those in Kitchener-Waterloo will soon see similar signs soon).  It is an advertisement by San Miguel (beer and liquor company) announcing Oktoberfest!  There were six different events advertised, all taking place in September.  Maybe the "Oktober" in Oktoberfest is lost in translation.
• the Philippines is one of only two countries in the world where divorce is illegal (Malta is the other).  You can ask the church for an annulment if you wish, and have enough money and power to do so.
• the papers have ads asking you to send in your nomination for the country's "most valuable entrepreneurs" - winners receive the "MVP Bossing Award".  Would you want to put trophy on your mantle?
• we thought this ad from Philippine Air was a hilarious example of the differences in Filipino culture and complete lack of political correctness found here:

So, we are back in Manila life routine - Jeff working through many time zones and Linda wandering around filling her days.  We miss you all, and thank you for sparing some time to visit with us when we were home.