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 - 1712520, which felt ominous, like a secret agent assignment, and then another one popped up on my phone, 1608628412. honestly, i just ignored it and grabbed a taxi.

first impressions? *sticky. like, seriously, the air itself feels like a warm hug you didn’t ask for. i just checked and it’s hovering around twenty-five degrees, but feels like it’s trying to melt your face off. the humidity is at seventy-five percent, which explains why my hair has declared independence and is now living its best life doing…whatever it wants. the pressure’s a bit wonky, apparently, but honestly, i’m too busy trying not to sweat through my shirt to care about barometric pressure.

i’ve been wandering around Intramuros, the old walled city, which is kinda cool, but also swarming with tourists. it’s like a historical theme park, but with more jeepneys. i overheard someone complaining on TripAdvisor about the persistent vendors, and honestly, they’re not wrong. you can’t walk five feet without someone trying to sell you something. it’s…energetic.

i’m staying in a little guesthouse in Malate. the walls are thin, and my neighbor seems to be practicing karaoke at all hours, but it’s cheap, and the lady who runs it makes a mean mango shake. if you get bored, Tagaytay is just a short bus ride away, apparently, with views of a volcano. i haven’t ventured that far yet, mostly because the thought of navigating the bus system fills me with existential dread.

someone told me that the traffic in Manila is legendary, and they weren’t kidding. it’s less “traffic” and more “a parking lot that occasionally moves.” i spent a solid hour in a jeepney yesterday, inching forward at a snail’s pace, listening to a mix of pop music and someone’s very loud phone conversation. it was…an experience. you can find some local tips on Manila Expat.

i tried halo-halo, the shaved ice dessert, and it was…a lot. beans, fruit, sweet potato, ice cream, leche flan…it’s basically a sugar coma in a glass. i’m not sure if i loved it or hated it, but it was definitely memorable. i also stumbled upon a hidden market selling vintage cameras - score! - but the guy wanted way too much money. i’m still negotiating.

i heard from a fellow photographer that the best street food is around Binondo Chinatown*, but you have to be careful about where you eat. apparently, some places aren’t exactly known for their hygiene standards. i’m thinking of checking it out tomorrow, armed with hand sanitizer and a strong stomach. you can read some reviews on Yelp.

honestly, manila is exhausting. it’s loud, chaotic, and overwhelming. but it’s also…alive. there’s a energy here that’s unlike anything i’ve ever experienced. it’s a city that assaults your senses, challenges your patience, and somehow, manages to charm you despite itself. i’m not sure i’d want to live here, but i’m definitely glad i came. and i'm already planning my next adventure, maybe somewhere with less humidity. Check out Lonely Planet for more info.

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