First Days in Manila

It's been 4 days in Manila already and as can be expected, it has passed really quickly. Manila is a huge, busy city but I think I will enjoy it here. The first few days we have spent on 'orientation' - meeting the people we will be working with, spending some time getting some cultural information about working and living with Pilipinos, learning the rail system, adjusting to the food and trying to find a decent place to live. After a rough day on Wednesday looking at a couple of very basic places to live, with the help of the great SAGRIC team who are responsible for our placements and orientation, Neil and I found a place to live in the same building as 3 other AYADs who will be sharing an appartment together. It is pretty far from where Neil and I will be working, however it is very close to the rail lines - an essential requirement in Manila where the traffic (as everyone reports) is truely incredible. What is even better is that it has a nice view, has a pool and has a spare bedroom! So people are more than welcome to come visit and have a place to stay. It's a bit expensive, but I think worth it to have a decent place to get away from the madness of the streets of Manila!

The food so far has been great - it is possible to live really cheaply and I've been managing decent meals averaging at about $4 Australian. Of course it is possible to spent a lot more if you want to, especially in the area where Neil is working, Makati, where many of the big 'Western' coorporations are located. Manila varies from looking a lot like any other 'Western' city (Makati), to the cardboard slums that you imagine when you think of a developing country. My health has been so far ok, but poor Neil has just suffered from a 4 day bout of the 'travellers bug' and had to take a day and a half off work. But thankfully, he seems to be improving and I think it is something that everyone will go through here - it will be just a matter of time!!

Before I sign off this post I just want to say a big thank you to Matt and Tash and Glenn, Lyn and Junko for putting me up before I left Canberra. I hope you come over so I can repay the favour! I'll try and write more soon - Em

posted by batik billy @ 5:08 pm