More jeepneys

Here's some more photos of Manila jeepneys for your viewing pleasure. I have to admit that while I love the colour and excitement of jeepneys I have forsaken then in favour of a FX for my daily commute. An FX is basically an air-conditioned version of a jeepney. The driver waits until 10 passengers have squeezed in and then picks up and drops off on a regular route. It is 2.5 pesos (about 7 cents) more than a jeepney but for that you get air-conditioning and no fumes- a good investment I think!

Aah I do love an acronym!

I am working in an organisation that LOVES acronyms in a country that LOVES them even more. This has led to a steep learning curve on my part. I have been compiling my own little referral list and was feeling pretty confident that I had mastered all the new terms I needed to know. That was until yesterday when I volunteered to take minutes for a meeting....suddenly I was confronted with a whole raft of new TLAs, FLAs and SLAs - that translates to three- letter acronyms, four and five-letter acronyms and six-letter acronyms for those of you who speak English!

Here are some examples of terms that came up in yesterdays meeting:
APIS: Annual Poverty Indicator Survey
FFL: Female Functioning Literacy
GOP: Government of the Philippines
HRBAP: Human Rights Based Approach to Programming
MTSP: Medium Term Strategic Plan
RSCWC: Regional Sub Committee for the Welfare of Children

And my absolute favourite:
SM/EmOC/IYCF: Safe Motherhood, Emergency Obstetric Care/ Infant Young Child Feeding

Footwear fetish

On Saturday I went to the Marakina Shoe Museum, a museum dedicated to fancy footwear. The museum's main collection is the hundreds of designer shoes worn by former Philippines first lady, Imelda Marcos. Imelda's love of expensive shoes is well known- it’s been reported that she never wore the same pair twice! The museum certainly had an impressive collection of high heeled numbers in every color of the rainbow.


A small section of the museum is dedicated to non-Imelda footwear. Exhibits include a white pair of heels worn by current President GMA (Gloria Macapal Arroyo) when she was sworn in as President. However the exhibit that caught my eye was the "Footwear of Australia", a random pair of RM Williams boots which had been donated to the museum…strange but true!

And here's a pic of me outside the museum with my fave footwear, red Birkenstocks!

What are they really searching for?

In Manila everytime you board the train, go into a mall or enter an office building you are stopped by a security guard and must open your bag for inspection. The guard then sticks in a wooden stick and has a look…but they never really search it properly before waving you on. I was starting to wonder about the effectiveness of this search when a random conversation with a colleague revealed what I think the guards are really looking for …it’s not a bomb or even firearms but a durian!

Whether you love or hate durian, you have to admit that the fruit has a VERY distinctive smell. I would say it's putrid but I know thousands of durian-lovers would disagree! So distinctive is the smell that in many parts of Southeast Asia including here in the Philippines you are not allowed to bring durian onto planes, buses or trains. Maybe that is what the guards are really seaching for?

Calamansi - an obsession?

Calamansi next to a five cent piece

Those of you who know me well know I have a penchant for all things citrus. In Australia my weakness was lemon tarts and caipiroskas…well I have found a new obsession and that is the mighty calamansi. Calamansi is a tiny native lime that is used to flavour anything from noodles to drinks. I have become quite addicted to calamansi juice- fresh lime juice which you can have either hot or cold. Bloody delicious!

Bellisimo Bohol

Back in Manila after a wonderful trip down south to the idyllic island of Bohol. Bohol has everything from beaches to lush jungles and even the world's longest python!

My travel companions for the five days were Cynthia and Liz, two other Aussie volunteers. Cynthia is living in Bohol and she did a top job playing tour guide and showing us around her island on her new motorbike.

We spent the first two nights in Loboc and stayed at Nuts Huts a great little eco-resort set on the banks of the river. Had a fun time hiking, swimming in the river and sipping mango shakes in the very comfy hammocks.

On Good Friday we visited the beautiful Loboc Church and got to see the floats being prepared for the Good Friday procession.

From Loboc we headed to Panglao and the white sands of Altona beach. The highlight was the day we hired a boat and headed out to Balicasag Island. Crystal clear water and some fantastic snorkeling-bellisimo! Am feeling very relaxed and quite sun kissed.

One for the legal eagles

The lease I signed for my apartment was a very interesting legal document. One of the most bizarre passages read as follows:

"The Leased Premises shall be for the exclusive use of Ms. Sophie Ford, his immediate family, and household help. The Lesee shall exercise the diligence of a good father of a family in the use of the premises and of the furnishings and appliances supplied."

I did point out to the Real Estate agent that I wasn't a father and would be sharing with another volunteer- perhaps she could change the wording? Instead she assurred me this was a standard contract for the Philippines and the paragraph remains....hmmmm

New home

I have a new home! A lovely apartment that Iam sharing with another volunteer, Reggie. It is already furnished and is big and cheap. It is a bit of a hike from where I work but I have convinced myself that having to commute is more of a genuine Manila experience...

Jeepneys - gotta love em!

Jeepneys are one of my favourite Filipino things. Efficient and cheap transport with lots of kitsch and madness thrown in. Each jeepney has its own name and wonderfully over the top decorations to go with it. I have decided to start a photo essay of jeepneys around the country. Here's a couple to get started: Fatima, Rose Ann and Four Sisters..

And the blog begins...

So here's my first foray into the world of blogs....hope to be able to update you all on my life here in mad Manila! I plan to publish lots of photos and maybe entice some of you over for a visit? Here's a photo of Manila at night to get started- the pollution means that sunsets here are gorgeous!