I stay in Makati City. Metro Manila is made up of 9 different cities. Makati is one of them. There's Mandaluyong, Pasay, Quezon, Ortigas, and some other names I can't remember. Today, I've decided to try out their version of MRT. Took the train at Ayala station, near Glorietta shopping mall, and went north, waaaaay north. Then turn back and went south, waaaay south, to Taft Avenue. Then I switched to their version of LRT, head North. It's a good way to see the city because the track is elevated instead of underground.
I had to walk a bit to switch from MRT to LRT. On my way, I saw this poster. There're two ways to be famous and and well-known in Philippine; either you become model for advertisements, or you become a dangerous criminal.
The view from the overhead bridge linking MRT station (Taft Ave) and LRT station (Taft Ave)
I didn't manage to get to the last station, because my curiosity got the better of me at "United Nation" station. So I alighted there and went for a walk.
See? I'm on United Nations Avenue
Their famous "jeepney"
Their menacing police bike. No sir, I'm so not going to break any laws here, even their bike looks threatening.
After walking for quite a distance, being conned by a man in horse-carriage (that's an embarrasing story, so I'm not posting here), I ended up at Fort Santiago at Intramuros. Just an old Spanish fort. I'm sorry but I don't know how to appreciate these structures. They look like they need to be demolished and a bigger swankier malls built over them. But I did come across this cute cute horse, can't say the same about its owner though. Cruel fellow. It's like I'm making my petite-size wife carry me around.
OK, how have I been conned? here goes.... I was walking along United Nations Ave, then this guy in a horse carriage came over and offer to take a picture of me and his colourfully decorated horse carriage. I declined, cautious about this con-tourist tactic, and afraid of my been-there-done-that camera being snatched away. Then he offered me a ride in his horse-carriage, bring me to Intramuros for "20". I've read of Intramuros, and 20 pesos is very cheap, like S$0.60. So I said, ok! I was tired of walking anyway, sweating all over. So he brought me to Intramuros, showed me the area, the original Manila, the Rizal (local hero) memorial park, and Fort Santiago. Once done, I asked him where is Mall of Asia. He said it's near, he can bring me there. But another "10". Wow... S$0.30! So I said OK! Off we go....
Ppl here are very safety-conscious, full-faced helmet even with their scooters. That's the way, fellow bikers!
The ride took about 15 mins before we came to this junction with more men and their horse-carriages. Ahh...so this form of transportation is normal, lots of them around. Then he stopped there and said he can't go further because we're venturing into Pasay City and it's different government there, he's not permitted to operate there. He pointed to some vague direction and said that's where Mall of Asia is and I can walk there. But I don't see any mall! I'm fed up with his attitude anyway, so i thought fine, pay you and off with ya. I took out 30pesos...and he said
"no no no, 30 dollars".
(me stare at him....)
me : Singapore dollars?
horse bastard : no no, i only accept US dollars
(me stare even harder, aware that some of his gang are starting to pay attention to us)
horse bastard : you want to use singapore dollars, then 50.
(he then took out a nicely-laminated card that shows the exchange rate)
me : %^$%#**&%$%%!
(we are very near his comrades, and I look around there's no police or anybody in uniform for help)
So I took out 1500 pesos (while softy mouthing all the tagalog obscenities i've learned for the past few days, at myself, for being stupid, and behaving like the typical tourist being conned) and paid him. I even smiled and said "keep the change". Yessir, I hope you go away, enjoy the money and forget about me, don't ask your gang to come beat me up or rape me (I'm saving my "v" for my wife on our wedding night).
So, that is the story of how I got conned. It didn't occur to me that "20" + "10" will be in US Dollars......
Forget about it. Let's continue my walk.... damn, I don't see any mall at all. Continued walking some more until I saw this group of aunties and uncles in uniform. All of them look at me as they sensed someone walking towards them.
"Excuse me, can you show me where Mall of Asia is, pls?"
"Ohh...sir, you need to take a cab. You cannot walk, it's quite far."
me...*blink* *blink*
"how far?"
they discussed among themselves in tagalog, then one of them turn to me..
"about 4 km"
me...*blink* *blink* *blink* some more...starting to cry because I've been conned the 2nd time.
"really can't walk? must take cab?"
One of the aunties then said "You want to ride on my bike? I can bring you there", while patting the seat of her bike.
I'm big. This aunty is big. Her bike is small - a kup chai. I saw the word MMDA - Metro Manila Development Authority. Ok, these guys should be ok.
"OK. are you gng to charge me for the ride?"
"up to you how much you want to give me"
"erm...50 pesos..?..."
Then one of the uncles said to me "Too little, 100 pesos". That's like S$3. I'm being chauffered by the authority, not some sleazy transport provider. Should be safe, I won't be conned ...again...right? The downside is, no helmet, and the bike look small for two big person. I decided to accept the offer anyway.
The bike may be small, but it has air-horn. Along the way, more men and women in the same blue uniform at junctions that we passed. She only had to blow her air-horn, and these men turn around, saw us, and will immediately attempt to block the traffic to let us through! Wow...now I feel like a VIP. hahahaha. We didn't have to stop at any junctions at all. She just blew her air-horn way through. But yes, Mall of Asia (MOS) is far. I'm glad I met these guys in blue.
Thank you, MMDA officer!
Here I am, the Mall of Asia
Ooo...AXN having an event to promote their Amazing Race Asia here today
First stop, FOOOODDDDD!
congo iced-tea
I forgot the name, but it's pork wrapped in some very very salty leaves. I had one, and left the rest
chicken sisig, minced chicken meat
After eating, walk around some more. Hey, a beer station. I don't drink, but I know a lot of people who will like the idea of beer station. hahaha
The mall is huge. But malls looks the same anywhere. There're some shop names that I've never heard of, probably local brands. There're also some brands like Mango, BreadTalk, M)phosis, etc. Price-wise, I don't want to look weird - a lone guy venture into these shops looking at dresses, so I don't know. What I'm good at, after a long walk, more food!
Halo-halo, local fav dessert
End of first weekend. Tired, but satisfied, *buuurp*
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