Maasin City: Where Humidity Hugs You Like an Overbearing Aunt
okay so i’m typing this while sweating through my shirt again-turns out this whole ‘digital nomad’ gig ain’t all sunshine and co-working spaces. just checked the weather and it’s *swampy soup out there, 97% humidity clinging to you like cheap velcro. feels like the air’s been microwaved and left to stew. anyway, landed in maasin city last week with a backpack full of regrets and zero expectations.
first thing i noticed? everyone moves in slow motion. locals say it’s the heat, but i think it’s a cultural thing. this city’s got this weird energy-like it’s permanently stuck between a nap and a daydream. stumbled upon some hidden street food stalls near the port, though. fried bananas and weird purple rice balls that’ll make your tongue go whoa.
someone told me the old cathedral here has ghosts, but honestly? the humidity’s so thick you can’t tell if it’s spirits or just your own sweat dripping down. heard whispers from a drunk guy at tita’s karaoke bar that the mayor’s got pet monkeys. who knows, man. this town runs on local gossip and coconut juice. if you get antsy, surigao city’s just a three-hour tricycle ride away-supposedly has better beach spots.
tried working from a seaside cafe once. the wifi died faster than my motivation. spent three hours watching fishermen mend nets instead. turns out the real ‘remote work’ here is just surrendering to the rhythm. found this great hole-in-the-wall place called kainan sa dalan-nobody speaks english, but the food’s so cheap you’ll cry.
‘avoid the tricycle drivers at sunset unless you want a life story about their ex-wife and her singing pig.’-some dreadlocked german guy i met at the port
‘the best halo-halo is where the sign’s peeling and the menu’s only in bisaya.’-a grandma who threatened me with a broom for asking about sugar
seriously though, the pressure’s dropping* like it’s trying to give you weather whiplash. feels like the sky’s holding its breath and then letting out a sigh every afternoon. might stick around for another week. maybe. depends on if the roaches in my guesthouse get worse.
check out the local spots if you’re brave: tripadvisor/maasin, yelp/makan, or this facebook group where people post blurry photos of random saints.