Well I flew into the Philippines last Saturday.. the last stop on my SE Asia wanderings.

First of all, I got into the airport and through immigration, successfully adding another stamp to my passport. Then I went looking around for an ATM b/c I needed some pesos, but the airport doesnt have anything but 2 ATMS for local banks. EEk! I would have been in a real bind except I had $10USD... the last of my US dollars, and that was enough to get my Noel Sarmiento's phone number and a taxi to my hostel.

I went looking around for dinner, but my guidebook was dead on... Manila is filled with either swanky restaurants that wont let you in wearing a Beer Chang tank top, and American-style fastfood joints. Boring!

The next morning I got up early thinking I would be industrious and go get my visa extended. The Philippines are quite stingy and only give you 21 days... plus the fact that the country is an archipelago makes border hopping more difficult tban in say.. Thailand. My taxi dropped me off and it was only when I went up to the front door that I was informed that ..DUH its Sunday and government offices are not open. So, since I was in the area I thought I would do a bit of a walking tour.... see the Intramuros and Luneta.

The Intramuros is the walled city that the Spanish built when they colonized the place. There really isnt all that much left since Manila got bombed silly during WW2. Now the place is just reallllllly sketchy.... some kids shouted "Hey Joe!" (a legacy from American colonization), but most of the people just stared at me like I had 4 heads. I dont even have any photos b/c I didnt feel safe bringing my camera out. Feeling a bit thirsty and a little tired I tried to sit down and rest in the Rizal Park (Luneta) under a wimpy tree. The park was a nice haven of greenness in the midst of Monster Manila. But I didnt even get to sit there long when Francisco Sarmiento (possibly Noel's relative?) started talking to me. He bought me lunch at Kenny Rogers roasters and gave me his address. Sure I'll keep in touch... YOUR WHOLE FAMILY IS SKETCHY!

Monday, I went back to the Immigration office and spent most of the day getting my visa extended. Beauracracy! While I was waiting around I went to the travel agent and bought a roundtrip ticket for Manila to Cebu... the main city in the Visaya Islands, as well as a bus ticket up to Banaue for that night. The appeal of more Dominos pizza (about that only thing I liked in Manila) wasn't enough to keep me there an extra night.