Manila Mayhem: Humidity, Jeepneys, and Questionable Street Food
okay, so manila. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, and honestly, i usually chase light and quiet. manila is neither of those things. it’s a full-on assault on the senses, and i’m kinda here for it, even though my camera gear is currently coated in a fine layer of something i really don’t want to identify.
this trip started with a weird set of numbers - 1700926 and 1608000077. don’t ask. it’s a long story involving a lost bet and a very insistent friend. anyway, i landed and immediately walked into a wall of…air. i just checked and it’s currently 23.23°C, feels like 23.7, with humidity at 80%. it’s the kind of humidity that clings to you like a second skin, and honestly, i’m pretty sure my hair has a life of its own now. the pressure’s 1016, sea level too, but honestly, all i feel is the weight of the moisture.
getting around is…an experience. jeepneys are everywhere, these brightly colored, repurposed military vehicles that are basically mobile art installations. they’re chaotic, they’re loud, and they’re surprisingly efficient. i tried to take a taxi, but the traffic is legendary. someone told me that the best way to avoid it is to just embrace the jeepney life, and honestly, they weren’t wrong. you just kinda…hop on and hope for the best. TripAdvisor has some good info on navigating Manila.
food. oh, the food. i’ve eaten things i can’t pronounce and things i’m pretty sure are illegal in some countries. i had this street food thing - some kind of grilled…something - from a vendor near *Binondo Chinatown. it was amazing, but i also spent the next hour questioning all my life choices. i heard that you should always go where the locals are eating, and that’s generally good advice, unless the locals are eating something that looks like it’s glowing. Yelp has some reviews of restaurants in Manila.
my neighbors here are…loud. really loud. karaoke seems to be a national pastime, and it’s often practiced at 3 am. if you get restless, Tagaytay is just a short drive away, offering a cooler climate and views of the Taal Volcano. i’ve been trying to find some good vintage shops, but it’s proving difficult. most of the stuff is either brand new or falling apart. i did stumble upon a cool little art collective in Intramuros, though. Check out this forum for local events.
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i overheard a conversation in a coffee shop (yes, i found a decent coffee shop, thank god) about a haunted house near San Sebastian Church. apparently, it’s been abandoned for decades and is full of…stuff. i’m seriously considering checking it out, because, honestly, what else am i going to do?
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someone warned me about pickpockets in Quiapo Market*. they said to keep your valuables hidden and to be aware of your surroundings. which, honestly, is good advice for pretty much anywhere.
overall, manila is exhausting, exhilarating, and utterly unpredictable. it’s not a place for the faint of heart, but if you’re willing to embrace the chaos, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. i’m off to find more questionable street food and maybe, just maybe, a haunted house. wish me luck. and send air conditioning. Here's a guide to Manila's neighborhoods.
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