An story instead of a dollar

So it was evolving into a quite Sunday (15 Aug). The TV was lacking the usual exciting line-up likely as a result of the Olympics. While we only have one local station showing the Olympic Coverage, it is still Sunday morning and so the mass for shut-ins remained underway….

So it was time to make a decision. To be a bump on a couch or not to be, that is the challenge. So by noon I am washed, packed and ready to head out. this weekend at Intramuros there is a “showcase of the best of the best of Northern Mindanao (music, dances, fiestas, culinary delights, street parties, arts and crafts). It aims to give a glimpse of what happens in the various provinces, and provides a venue for the region to sell their tour packages, products and open their doors to business opportunities” What the hell. Time to stop cocooning in the condo, I think.

So off I went. Met my MRT (Metro Rapid Transit) train, and connected the the LRT (Light Rail Transit) which took me to the “Central” station. Stepping down from the overhead rail system I hoofed it the 300 meters and through the arch entry into the walled city of Intramuros.

The Philippines Tourism sells Intramuros as “Right in the heart of Manila is found the “Walled City” – Intramuros. Constructed in 1571, during the period of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines, it comprised of European buildings and churches that have been replicated in different parts of the archipelago. It had been one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities. Here, dungeons and old churches share space with art galleries, theaters, a nature park.

At the center of Intramuros is the grand Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Then there is San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in Metro Manila and one of the four Philippine Baroque Churches inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip is Fort Santiago, one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Built in nearly 150 years through Filipino forced labor, it now houses a lush park with flowering trees, homing pigeons, and rides aboard horse-drawn carriages..

As I passed through the fortification, I was met by 4 women out on their Sunday stroll. Not young, and not poor (one was well dressed and sporting an umbrella to keep her “white”) we walked around the community visiting and sightseeing. Eventually they offer to take me to the “metal church” another highlight outside of intramuros. They were going and would I like to come along? Why say no when you can say yes. Eh? So off we go …jeepney followed by jeepney and voila. It is indeed a metal church. SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH, Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila, is a small jewel-box church is the first all-steel church in the Philippines and in Asia; and the second in the world. Design for the church was finished in 1883 and was prefabricated in Belgium. The completely knocked-down church was shipped backed to the Philippines in 6 ships. It weighed close to 50,000 tons while its stained-glass windows which are intact until now were, according to Father Ceniza, done in France.

Cool.

We departed the church and did the jeepney-tango again and made our way deeper and deeper into the bowels of Manila. Then by tricycle into a neighborhood…and then by foot through a maze of alleyways into the tenements of the working poor.” “To pick up my Aunt, who will be singing at a wedding in Intramuros” Sure…whatever.

The house was a simple affair. Shoehorned into a long line of tenements it was surrounded on 3 sides with concrete and one side by tin. The living room contained one couch (of the tin-tubing style with futon cushions.) and two matching chairs. A standing fan, a stereo and a TV tuned to the vid-karaoke station. A sheet curtain separated the living room from the kitchen, and it appeared that there was a second level to the apartment.

While we were waiting for the “Aunt” to show out came the beer quickly followed by the food. And since we were all eating communally I felt safe enuf to tuck into my Bicol Express , another pork dish and white rice.

Things were jovial, and karaoke was constant. I even joined in for another attempt of stretching my vocal chords. I was feeling slightly drunk…funny for only having one small glass of beer (I was on my best behaviour).

Then things went really haywire. I was more dragged than invited upstairs. My shirt and pants were removed (I was given a towel) so that I could have a cooling spunge bath. I must say that I quite enjoyed it – but could not understand why it was happening and I was unable to resist. I was feeling a bit woosy – but way more than I would be with one beer in me. Never before has one beer made me so incapable of rational thought. Through this whole thing I had no concern regarding my safety (or the security of my stuff - it was beyond my mental capacity. But before I could settle into my sponge bath, it was over. I got dressed and we decided as a group to go back to Intraumros. (this is where they search my clothes for stuff...)

So jeepney tango again and we made it to Intramuros and then in a surprisingly quick manner goodbyes were said. What’s up with that? Left alone dazed and confused, fighting to remain lucid looking for understanding. I wandered around the festival taking pictures and munching on snacks. I did wonder why I was being a bit more clumsy than usual….

I am having trouble accounting for all my expenditures, and I am having trouble remembering how I got home, Did I get back to the LRT station? Was I able to make the transition to the MRT station? Did I get off on the right stop at Ortigas center? Did I walk home to the condo? This is still a conundrum.

I got home and Sara noticed that I was talking funny. And I kept nodding off while trying to watch the movie on the TV. Finally she booted me out and sent me to bed. I thought all I need was a nap after such a weird adventure.

So I awoke after just a short nap and noticed that it was 7 o’clock. I raced up and out of the apartment – I needed to get some Bicol Express spice mix pack cuz I was looking forward to making supper. As I headed out of the apartment, my friend the security guard said his customary “good morning Sir”. That was strange. And it was light out. That was strange too. Really strange. I starred and starred at my watch. Indeed it said 7:10. that is 0710! Holy cow. So now I gotta race upstairs and get my workout gear – the store is closed and it is too late for supper. Time to go to work.

I left on my adventure in the morning with something like 300 pesos. (I did have a 1000 peso) note hidden in another pocked. They may have taken some money from me (or tried to take some while I was getting the sponge-bath) but were probably disappointed in the amount to be found. While I can’t account for all of my expenditures and believe I have been relieved of some money – I still have the 1000 note. I also have the camera (with pictures of the perps) and my Oakleys. And my kidneys.

Known expenditures:
MRT 12.5
LRT 15
Souvlaki 40
Jeepney 27
Popcorn 20
McDonalds 107
?LRT 20
?MRT 12.5
Expenditure Total:254
Cash available 1300 pesos cash at end: 970 pesos
Unaccounted 76

A cheap adventure to be sure.

If all they got was say…76 pesos (2 cad) then they covered the expenses for the beer. Oh well.

So loss of memory, loss of functionality...could it be a case of drugging? It is indeed a typical story one hears about Manila. It is too bad for me as the lesson is to be more cautious. It is not a lesson I take easily. I like to "get underground" and feel the "essence" of a place. This will curtail my efforts in this regard.

Had I been a smaller person, or a woman I would have been in trouble. As it was I was only a bit on the "drunk" side and so was able to move and function in some fashion. While the details of my getting back are vague, I am remembering some things. Like, I had a huge feed at McDonalds. Like...I must have been impaired!

All is well. Life is one big-assed experiment. Sometimes you win in spite of yourself.