Manila Mayhem: Humidity, Halo-Halo, and Honestly, Just Trying to Survive
okay, so manila. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, usually chasing light in quiet places, and this is…not quiet. i landed with a code - 1686078, which felt ominous, like a secret agent assignment, but it was just my baggage claim number. and then 1608134009, which i’m pretty sure was the number of jeepneys that immediately tried to run me over.
honestly, i’m sweating just thinking about it. i just checked and it’s…sticky out there right now, like walking through warm honey. the weather report said 24.96 degrees Celsius, but “feels like” 25.73? that’s a lie. it feels like a thousand degrees. the humidity is at eighty-five percent, which explains why my hair has declared independence and is forming its own ecosystem. the *pressure is normal, apparently, but my internal pressure is reaching critical levels.
i’ve been trying to document the street life, the markets, the sheer energy* of this place, but it’s overwhelming. i spent an hour yesterday just photographing a guy expertly peeling a mango with a knife. it was mesmerizing. then i almost got pickpocketed while admiring his skills. that’s manila in a nutshell.
someone told me that Intramuros is the only place you can actually breathe, but that’s probably just a rumor spread by tourists who haven’t ventured into the real chaos.
i’ve been staying in a little guesthouse in Malate. the neighbors are…enthusiastic. they’re always having karaoke parties that start at eleven pm and end sometime around dawn. if you get bored, Tagaytay is just a short bus ride away, apparently. i haven’t braved the bus system yet. i’m clinging to Grab like a lifeline.
i tried halo-halo yesterday. it’s…an experience. shaved ice, sweet beans, fruit, leche flan, ube…it’s basically a dessert heart attack. but a delicious heart attack. i found a decent review on Yelp for a place called Razon’s, but honestly, every street corner seems to have its own version.
i overheard a couple of expats complaining about the traffic. “It’s just…constant,” one of them groaned. “Like a metal river flowing in every direction.” Accurate. I also heard someone say that the best way to navigate is to just “go with the flow” and accept your fate. Which, honestly, feels like the only viable strategy.
i’m trying to find some interesting locations for a shoot. i’ve been looking at some of the old churches, like San Agustin Church (TripAdvisor). it’s stunning, but also swarming with tourists. i’m hoping to find something a little more…authentic. i saw a post on a local photography forum about a hidden street art alleyway in Binondo, so i might check that out tomorrow.
i’m starting to think i need a new camera bag. this humidity is wreaking havoc on my gear. i’m also seriously considering investing in a portable fan. and maybe a hazmat suit.
a local warned me about the jeepney drivers. “They have no fear,” he said, shaking his head. “They think they’re in a video game.” He wasn’t wrong.
i’m trying to stay positive. it’s a challenging place, but it’s also incredibly vibrant and full of life. i just need to remember to breathe, drink lots of water, and avoid making eye contact with the jeepney drivers. and maybe learn a few Tagalog phrases. “Magandang araw po” seems like a good place to start.
i’m off to find some more halo-halo. and maybe a strong cup of coffee. i’ve heard good things about Kape Blanco. wish me luck. i have a feeling i’m going to need it.
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