Adventures in the Philippines!

Hey There!

 Today I am in Manila, Philippines! Before I came, I thought it would be… maybe like India. No no … it is definitely its own country. Unique in every possible way, it is absolutely gorgeous here. I woke up around 4 am this morning, I know that sounds awful but I got to do my devotions and watch the sunrise, so it all worked out .J

The Filipino culture is incredibly beautiful. I spent my first day here with the pastor of the church that we are working with and his wife. They took me to a beach 2 hours away. They were so sweet! They wanted to make sure I got every possible Filipino experience that I could. I am so happy they felt that way, because I want to experience it all!

 They taught me how to properly eat a mango….

How to drink and eat a coconut…..

We also had Filipino food on the beach! SOOO much better than your American sandwich and chips picnic <3

Speaking of Filipino food…. I love it so much! I could eat rice three times a day for the rest of my life, I really could!

Like I said before, the Filipino culture is so beautiful. They live quite simply, depending on where you are. Manila is the Capital city in the Philippines with around 12 million people, so it is rather developed. Before I came, I had two ideas in my head of what Manila would be like. I thought it would be either very poor with slums, or it would be (since it is a city) very industrialized! Well, it’s both. It’s so unique in that it does have slums, but right next to the slums will be a Dunkin Donuts or Chilli’s. I feel like there is more American chain restaurants here than there is in an hour radius around where I live back home. I also have had more Starbucks here than I have had in the past year in America! 

Shopping! Yes, I love shopping. Shopping in the Philippines was a little different than American shopping though…Walking through the isles and going through all the vendors, each person would call out, Barbie doll! MAM! Barbie doll! (Actually, I’m going to miss being called Barbie Doll J) Each vendor would grab my arm or try and lure me into their little shop( I know that it’s only because I’m American and they think I’m rich), but It was a little overwhelming. All of the grabbing and everyone trying to get my attention, it kind of made me want to be invisible. I had three incredible ladies with me though: Ruth, Binky, and the Pastors wife!  (My body guards)  They helped me get all the good deals, and haggle down the prices! I am an awful haggler on my own!

I have been LOVING my time here! It’s Friday, and I feel like my time is running out! I don’t want to go home yet!!  I absolutely adore the people I have gotten to know and spend time with so far! The stories shall continue! As I continue making memories, I will continue writing about them!

Well, until next time!

~Tory B.