For some people, living on a small island can feel very restricting. We keep ourselves busy enough that it hasn't been an issue for us. There is PLENTY to do here...so much that we don't even get to enjoy most of it as much as we should. That being said, it is nice to wander around this side of the world a bit...Something we haven't done nearly enough in the last 4 years. L's swim team was invited to an international swim meet at Yokosuka Navy Base in Japan last month, so it was a perfect excuse to get out for a bit. We've been to Japan (outside the airport) twice. Narita International Airport is just North of Tokyo. Both of our visit destinations have been just south of Tokyo, so we still haven't actually made it TO Tokyo yet. We did stay in Japan's second largest city, Yokohama, this time. We were planning to stay almost a week, but Nick's home office in Manila decided to hold a training the following week, so our Japan trip was cut short so we could scope out our potential new home.
While in Japan, we did get to play tourist for a couple of days while L wasn't swimming. We figured out the train all by ourselves this time (last time we went to a Science fair with my students and they helped us navigate the system). I had identified some spots to visit in preparation for our trip, but we only made it to a couple due to time constraints and construction (the sail training ship Nippon Maru was going through refitting). We did get to the Cup Noodle Museum (NOT Cup OF Noodle). They take their noodles very seriously. We even got to make our own! It seems that someone else had done a little investigating before our trip as well, because we were led to the Yokohama Pokemon Center (only because we didn't have time to go to the BIG one in Tokyo). His grandmother had sent some money for Valentine's Day, and we told him we would match whatever he had...and he spent HOURS trying to decide how to spend his money. Too many choices. What did he come home with you ask? Something totally practical for a 14 year old boy.
The swim meet went well. Well, his first race went well anyway. Diving in with goggles is tricky. Need more practice. All in all, it was a good experience for him and when we got to the pool at our hotel in Manila he asked me to teach him how to do butterfly. It seems that there is a LOT of competition for the 50m freestyle...
For the first two days of our stay in Manila, Nick was away working...so the kid and I were left to explore on our own. We were a little tentative actually leaving the hotel, so we just rounded the block at first. When we had made it almost all the way around, we spotted a "Speedo" store in the building and checked in with the security guard at the entry to the mall. A bit of racial profiling happens at these checkpoints, as our realtor told us, "we're ok...they probably won't even check your bags". I dutifully opened my bag every time we walked into a mall anyway.
So, let me explain what I mean by "mall". Our hotel is in the same building and the lobby is on the 4th floor...because the mall takes up the first three floors. It is at least one entire city block. When you leave this mall on either side, there is a walkway over the streets...to two other malls. It seems that they have made this part of the city "walkable" by making malls the walkable area. I've seen this in other cities, but it seemed that the marketing aspect was an afterthought. This area made it seem as if the walkability was just the a reason to celebrate blatant consumerism. We had a hard time finding our way out of the mall..and when we did we found ourselves in the neighboring mall...
Since I hadn't brought a swimsuit, I thought I would pick one up while the shopping was easy and accessible. We found our way to a discount store and the ladies working helped me pick out something...they handed me the appropriate size (without asking what that size was) and led me to the changing room. I looked at the garments and responded that these would be too big...I've NEVER worn XL anything before. Their response was, "This Filipino size. You Extra Large." If this relocation goes through, I'm definitely going to have to do something about my "Filipino size". (Yes, "Filipino" is spelled with an "F" unlike "Philippines")
Overall our first impression of Manila (Makati, actually) wasn't too bad. Maybe too much city for me, but I will adjust. At least it's a nicer part of the larger metropolitan area and everybody was really friendly. We were approached several times while checking our google maps. We obviously looked lost and several people stopped to ask if we needed help. Nick will have to stifle his "New Yorker" reaction to strangers stopping to talk to you.
While in Japan, we did get to play tourist for a couple of days while L wasn't swimming. We figured out the train all by ourselves this time (last time we went to a Science fair with my students and they helped us navigate the system). I had identified some spots to visit in preparation for our trip, but we only made it to a couple due to time constraints and construction (the sail training ship Nippon Maru was going through refitting). We did get to the Cup Noodle Museum (NOT Cup OF Noodle). They take their noodles very seriously. We even got to make our own! It seems that someone else had done a little investigating before our trip as well, because we were led to the Yokohama Pokemon Center (only because we didn't have time to go to the BIG one in Tokyo). His grandmother had sent some money for Valentine's Day, and we told him we would match whatever he had...and he spent HOURS trying to decide how to spend his money. Too many choices. What did he come home with you ask? Something totally practical for a 14 year old boy. |
| Yes, this now lives at our house. |
The swim meet went well. Well, his first race went well anyway. Diving in with goggles is tricky. Need more practice. All in all, it was a good experience for him and when we got to the pool at our hotel in Manila he asked me to teach him how to do butterfly. It seems that there is a LOT of competition for the 50m freestyle...
For the first two days of our stay in Manila, Nick was away working...so the kid and I were left to explore on our own. We were a little tentative actually leaving the hotel, so we just rounded the block at first. When we had made it almost all the way around, we spotted a "Speedo" store in the building and checked in with the security guard at the entry to the mall. A bit of racial profiling happens at these checkpoints, as our realtor told us, "we're ok...they probably won't even check your bags". I dutifully opened my bag every time we walked into a mall anyway.
So, let me explain what I mean by "mall". Our hotel is in the same building and the lobby is on the 4th floor...because the mall takes up the first three floors. It is at least one entire city block. When you leave this mall on either side, there is a walkway over the streets...to two other malls. It seems that they have made this part of the city "walkable" by making malls the walkable area. I've seen this in other cities, but it seemed that the marketing aspect was an afterthought. This area made it seem as if the walkability was just the a reason to celebrate blatant consumerism. We had a hard time finding our way out of the mall..and when we did we found ourselves in the neighboring mall...Since I hadn't brought a swimsuit, I thought I would pick one up while the shopping was easy and accessible. We found our way to a discount store and the ladies working helped me pick out something...they handed me the appropriate size (without asking what that size was) and led me to the changing room. I looked at the garments and responded that these would be too big...I've NEVER worn XL anything before. Their response was, "This Filipino size. You Extra Large." If this relocation goes through, I'm definitely going to have to do something about my "Filipino size". (Yes, "Filipino" is spelled with an "F" unlike "Philippines")
Overall our first impression of Manila (Makati, actually) wasn't too bad. Maybe too much city for me, but I will adjust. At least it's a nicer part of the larger metropolitan area and everybody was really friendly. We were approached several times while checking our google maps. We obviously looked lost and several people stopped to ask if we needed help. Nick will have to stifle his "New Yorker" reaction to strangers stopping to talk to you.
Comments
Post a Comment