Cebu City: Humidity, Halo-Halo, and Honestly, Just Trying to Cope

okay, so i just landed in Cebu City, Philippines. it’s…a lot. like, a lot a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, usually chasing light in abandoned buildings or trying to make gas stations look poetic, and this place is just…loud. beautifully loud, but loud.

first impressions? the air. it’s not just humid, it’s like walking into a *steaming bowl of soup. i just checked and it’s hovering around twenty-seven degrees, but feels like you’re being gently roasted. the locals say it’s a ‘normal’ day. normal for who, i’m not sure. my camera lens is constantly fogging up, which is less than ideal when you’re trying to capture the crumbling beauty of Fort San Pedro.

spent the first few hours wandering around Colon Street, which is…an experience. think sensory overload. jeepneys everywhere, vendors yelling, the smell of grilled everything. i overheard someone saying it’s the oldest street in the Philippines, which explains the layers of history (and grime). i’m trying to be respectful, but honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming. i found a little hole-in-the-wall place selling halo-halo, though, and that immediately improved my mood. seriously, that shaved ice concoction is a gift from the gods. check out some reviews on Yelp if you're looking for the best spots.

my guesthouse is in a quieter part of town, thankfully. the neighbors are mostly families, and they seem…intensely curious about the weird foreigner with the big camera. if you get restless, Bohol is just a ferry ride away, apparently. someone told me the Chocolate Hills are worth the trip, but also warned me about the aggressive monkeys. apparently, they’re professional snack thieves.

been trying to find some good street art, but it’s proving difficult. i heard from a local busker (who was surprisingly good, by the way) that there’s a hidden alleyway near the Carbon Market* with some amazing murals, but you need to know someone to get access. i’m working on it. i also stumbled upon this forum (Cebu Forum) which seems to have a lot of local info, but it's a bit of a rabbit hole.

spent an hour trying to navigate the public transport system. it’s…an adventure. jeepneys are basically mobile art installations, but figuring out the routes is a puzzle. i ended up taking a taxi, which was surprisingly cheap. i’ve been reading about the traffic here (TripAdvisor Cebu Traffic), and yeah, it’s as bad as everyone says.

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i overheard two guys arguing about the best lechon place. apparently, it’s a matter of life and death. one swore by Zubuchon, the other was all about CnT Lechon. i’m going to have to investigate.
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so far, Cebu City is chaotic, humid, and utterly fascinating. i’m exhausted, my clothes are sticking to me, and i’m pretty sure i’ve consumed my weight in halo-halo, but i wouldn’t trade it for anything. i'm planning to check out Sugbo Mercado tonight, hopefully, it's as good as everyone says. i'll report back (if i survive the jeepneys).

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