When we finally pulled into Manila from Clarksfield Air force base in the Philippines, I remember thinking to myself,
"Wow this city is so Americanized."
Of Course as in every urban city world wide, it was easy to spot a McDonald's or Starbucks on every street corner, but what shocked me the most was that I saw outlets and fast food chains from the west that I had not seen in years!
"Wow this city is so Americanized."
Of Course as in every urban city world wide, it was easy to spot a McDonald's or Starbucks on every street corner, but what shocked me the most was that I saw outlets and fast food chains from the west that I had not seen in years!
"Where is the uniqueness that is the Philippines?" I asked myself as our car became logged into a massive traffic jam that would have put LA's bumper to bumper freeways to shame.
As we slowly inched our way through the congestion of vehicles, I quietly observed this bombing metropolis from the solitude of our blue Ford 4 by 4. as the sweet melody of America ironically hoovered in the background. I watched as Jeepnees over took four door sedans while pedestrians ran full speed a head downing a Big Mac or a bubbling cup of brew.
We were on a tight schedule that day. We had a gala we had promised to be at, and unfortunately we were a little behind schedule. Our driver Rico was on auto pilot that afternoon as he weaved us inside and out of the traffic congestion that blocked our every way. We took side streets and main roads, back ways and alley ways and in the mean time I was able to witness two sides to this amazing city, the poor and the rich.
As we slowly inched our way through the congestion of vehicles, I quietly observed this bombing metropolis from the solitude of our blue Ford 4 by 4. as the sweet melody of America ironically hoovered in the background. I watched as Jeepnees over took four door sedans while pedestrians ran full speed a head downing a Big Mac or a bubbling cup of brew.
We were on a tight schedule that day. We had a gala we had promised to be at, and unfortunately we were a little behind schedule. Our driver Rico was on auto pilot that afternoon as he weaved us inside and out of the traffic congestion that blocked our every way. We took side streets and main roads, back ways and alley ways and in the mean time I was able to witness two sides to this amazing city, the poor and the rich.
It was a shock to me, one minute we were whizzing past the Hilton and the next minute we were cruising past barefooted street children in tattered clothes, while their mothers chased after them with a big steaming bowl of authentic Filipino noodles.
This stark difference is what makes Manila so diverse. Even though it may have adopted the 'American Way,' which to many may seem high class and desirable, the diversity between the rich and the poor is what makes it truly unique and a great place to visit for beneath the Americanization lies a culture that continues to live on.
1 comment:
Wow! Jacqui your descriptions were so clear that I almost felt I was in the Philippines. I really like the last paragraph, it aptly sums up everything. Way to go Jacks :)
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