A Sunday Stroll Through a Manila Neighborhood

My Dear Great Ones,

I find walking through a neighborhood an incredible cultural experience.  Seeing how people really live is interesting to say the least.  Last Sunday morning I went for a little stroll, before the church service I was attending, through an average Manila neighborhood.  It was an interesting twenty minute walk to say the least.

To get around the neighborhood one can rent one of the motor trikes above for a few pesos.  Not built for western size men so I do not recommend long journeys with these things.

Roosters, to eat?  Or roosters for cock fighting, were on the side of  the streets.  Hmm interesting.  My filipino friends said the roosters were mainly taking a break from the chickens nearby.  

In this neighborhood those with some money live in well barricaded townhouses.  Close by are rough makeshift shacks.  So typical third world.

Electrical cables hung everywhere.  Scary to think what would happen in a major storm.

Many homes had laundry hanging out to dry.

In many parts of the neighborhood the streets were alive with kids.  

See it is possible.  Kids don't need video games to be happy.

Many families were hanging outside chilling and enjoying the sunshine.

This little fella was doing his part for a clean Philippines.

Filipinos love basketball and makeshift games on the streets of the neighborhood were everywhere.  Note the key drawn on the road and the boys foot wear.

Some people had important things to discuss.

Proud dad holding up his little one.

A troop of kids in Sunday best heading to church.

Everyone I encountered were friendly and wanted their picture taken.

This little guy was not sure what to make of me.

Everyone seemed happy being with one another.  

A family in front of their home.

This little girl was in front of her home.  Note the coal and the slippers on her feet.

Families would set up in front of their homes and watch the action on the lively street.

Some more basketball.  

People were very friendly and said hello.

A few local stores selling their wares.  Here you can get a coke for about 20 cents Canadian.   

I remember before the advent of cable tv, video games, and computers that neighborhood streets in Canada were alive with kids playing and neighbors outside saying hello.  Kind of sad that for the most part in Canada neighborhoods resemble ghost towns as everyone stays inside.  Ok weather is an issue, but I think gadgets and maybe even fear are keeping people in Canada from the healthy interaction I saw and experienced while wandering a Manila neighborhood.

God bless you all.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk