it was the first time Friday night actually felt like Friday night for us. But just like all previous Friday nights we lived it up with a big bang. The city of Manila type of bang: traffic. I ignored all better instincts and put my family through traffic on Edsa instead of taking the train. I wanted to see Edsa...at least the part that should be familiar to me from childhood. We saw it alright! ^_^ Over two hours of only 11 miles. What was once bad in the 80's is far worse. But hey, we dipped into a few bags of peanuts and chicharon [aka pork rinds] from the vendors.
It was our first time going to the annual Philippine National Bookstore Fair. Some people could get into a lot of trouble seeing all the great literature and carrying a wallet. Like me. But fortunately, it's Mike that holds the wallet and I gladly surrender it to. It was so neat to see the plethora of scribbled wisdom. Secular and Bible based. Especially if the oldest daughter asks for one entitled, "Twelve Months of Better Prayer". Also so fun to see so many Filipinos into books, authoring books and marketing books. While I've witnessed bookstores in America closing, it's neat to see bookstores here thriving and making it fun to read and educate oneself [i.e. with coffee shops and the likes inside]. Mike enjoyed meeting some potential partners for the station. Our station sold a nice number of our devotionals: Word4Utoday ...thanks to the help of a few volunteers.
Maybe it's also the first time we ever saw the entire Bible put into something so teeny tiny....who could possibly read it??
It was also the first time that we took the kids to Mall of Asia. Until the Chinese decided they wanted to one up it, it was the largest mall in Asia. But who really cares about that, right? I asked Tyler what he thought and he said, "it's too big". I would have to agree. It attracks 200,000 daily but I've heard it averages 4 million on the weekends. Not hard to believe since it is in a city that houses 14 million plus. But there are some fun shops and entertainment for those hungry for such.
At last (!!!) we enjoyed some KFC for the first time since we got here. And just like at McD's, Shakey's and others we enjoyed it the Filipino way...with RICE! [At McDonald's some of us typically opt out of the sandwich concoction and go for the chicken and rice....I do the same thing at Shakey's instead of dipping into the pizza. I just LOVE how rice is served in these places as a wrapped ball. The first time I saw it (last year) at KFC I made the mistaken assumption that it was a biscuit. oops!] Filipinos LOVE chicken. You can order chicken in just about every small or big joint. [more evidence that I'm pinoy as I SO LOVE CHICKEN too ^_^]. So, it was no surprise that this KFC was packed. But as you can see, just like a many other things here in the Philippines, even the buckets are small. So, Mike came back with two buckets. [Chickens here are small too because they are not fed anything that fattens them up]. The only thing Filipino sized that I would ever vex over is the napkins in restaurants. ^_^ But everything else Filipino sized just makes one realize how out of control America has gotten...specifically when it comes to food. Too much of a not-entirely-healthy-thing
We look forward to going back to this area in the very near future when we can walk and experience Manila Bay. It's not likely going to be the same experience as it was in the 80's. However, I put in my 40th birthday order: a sunset boat cruise. At least they still do those.
Between all the SM malls, the Robinsons, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Mega Mall, Mall of Asia...this place is a city of malls. It never ceases to amaze me how every time a new one goes up, it's like Manila doesn't run out of people to fill them. And they really are filled. Sometimes to the crazy madhouse brim. ^_^
Being in this city is just so great already. Thus, this weekend started out great!
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