blogging in manila no.6

Wednesday afternoon

I call this episode "Lawacha to the Max"!

I had a GREAT adventure last night with eight other trainees. We went to Greenhills! How come going to Greenhills an adventure, you wonder? Because none of us knows how to really go around Manila and because there's quite a number of us. Our trip going there consisted of an LRT ride, a rather long MRT ride, and a seemingly longer walk. The MRT was fun in a very uncomfortable-siksikan way. We finally experience Manila at its finest hour: the rush hour. The MRT was jam-packed, we barely have space to breathe. But it was a great experience nonetheless. When we got there, we were amazed by so many tiangge of cheap bags, shoes, clothes, gadgets, and basically anything (mostly imitations of expensive brands). Too bad my budget was limited. Most of the stores were also closing when we got there so there wasn't so much shopping done. After looking around the so many small stalls, we were starving so we looked for a place to chow. We headed to Greenwich for some pizza, spaghetti, chicken, garlic stix, and coke, and loads and loads of fun and bonding. Going home was even trickier than getting there. The easiest would have been the MRT and LRT, but they were no more trips during that time. So then, we asked around and decided that we would take the bus. The bus ride was sooooooo long. I realized that we have really wandered off quite far from where we're staying. When we got of the bus, we walked across the street and got on a jeep. On the jeep, I was already so weary I was falling asleep. When we got off the jeep, we had to walk another long distance to get to our accommodations. When we finally got back to the guest house I was dead tired, but I felt great. What was truly great was connecting with people you've only met, sharing whatever you can share (your insights and yourself), looking after one another, and having fun.

The whole adventure makes me wonder if anything like this would ever happen again. I guess not. After this training, we all be going our own separate ways, "back to reality" kumbaga and back to our own busy lives. But we will not forget (I guess).

Pics here...

Pizza at Greenwich at Greenhills

...and chicken!

Sir Chris and Sir Al: ready to attack

While we were chatting and unwinding our very hectic day, Miss Cathy was so determined to finish checking her students' papers...and she actually finished at 1am. Lupig jud mi dah!

The gorgeous four having breakfast at the guys' place (CSB Hotel)