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Dust & Dim Sum: Manila's a Sticky Situation (and I'm Loving It)

@Olivia Dawn3/5/2026blog

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee right now. the time stamp thing - 1697911 and 1608362602 - it just… stuck with me. felt like a weird prompt. and the weather? i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 26.47 degrees, feels like 26.47, pressure 1012, humidity 80, sea level 1012, ground level 1021. basically, a sauna with a slight breeze. not ideal for a session drummer, let me tell you.

manila. seriously. it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. like, you step off the plane and you’re immediately assaulted by the smell of exhaust, street food, and something vaguely floral - probably jasmine. it’s… intense. i’m staying in intramuros, which is cool, obviously, but also feels like stepping back a hundred years. the walls are thick, the cobblestones are uneven, and everyone keeps staring. i think it’s a mix of curiosity and mild suspicion.

my gear list is a disaster, honestly. i’ve got my sticks, of course - gotta keep the rhythm alive - and a battered old cymbal i rescued from a pawn shop. my phone’s about to die, so i’m relying on a ridiculously oversized map i bought from a street vendor. and a whole lot of ibuprofen. i swear, the humidity is attacking my joints.

Manila Street


i stumbled into this little dim sum place near Binondo Chinatown - seriously, the biggest Chinatown in the world - and it was insane. like, a hundred people crammed in, shouting orders, and the steam was practically visible. someone told me that the siomai is legendary, and honestly, they weren’t wrong. it was greasy, it was salty, it was perfect. i’m pretty sure i gained five pounds just from that meal. no regrets.

Dim Sum


i overheard some guys at the hostel - they were clearly wasted - talking about the jeepneys. apparently, they’re like, the unofficial public transport of manila. basically, they’re these brightly colored, converted jeep trucks that just… drive around picking up passengers. it’s chaotic, it’s loud, and it’s completely bonkers. i’m planning on taking a ride tomorrow. i heard that if you’re not careful, you’ll end up in the wrong neighborhood. something a local warned me about.

Jeepney


speaking of neighborhoods, there’s this area called Malate. it’s supposed to be pretty lively at night, with bars and restaurants and… well, let’s just say a lot of interesting characters. if you get bored, [Manila] is just a short drive away. i’m not sure i’m brave enough to explore it alone, though.

i’m trying to find some decent coffee. it’s a struggle. most of the places just serve instant. i need something with actual crema and a decent roast. i found this place called Scout’s Honor - it’s pretty good, actually. they have a single-origin Ethiopian blend. it’s a small win in a city of chaos.

i’m also trying to capture some street art. manila has a huge street art scene, and it’s incredible. there are murals everywhere, covering buildings and walls and even sidewalks. it’s a visual feast. i’m hoping to find some hidden gems. check out this map for some inspiration: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298467-d1238338-Reviews-Street_Art_Manila-Manila.html

i’m starting to think i need a nap. or maybe a shot of something strong. or both.


i heard that the best way to experience manila is to just get lost. to wander the streets, to eat the street food, to talk to the locals. to embrace the chaos. and maybe to bring a really good pair of walking shoes. and a lot of hand sanitizer. and a portable charger. and a serious dose of caffeine.

check out Yelp for some more restaurant recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/map?fid=67881&rid=938811&clickid=67881

seriously, this place is wild. i’m not sure i’m cut out for it, but i’m also not sure i want to be anywhere else.

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About the author: Olivia Dawn

Writing with intent and a dash of humor.

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