MORE LUNETA PHOTOS

An interesting thing happened when we were in Luneta..When we were a few meters away from the Manila Bay, one of Miguelita's sandal straps broke. And she did not bring a spare for who would think that would happen? ( Now we believe that in MANILA anything can happen! ) More ONLY IN MANILA anecdotes in the next entries, but let us finish this one first..

"Now what shall we do?" I asked her. "Wanna walk barefooted up to Pope Pius Center? ( our lodging room )."

"No way, Jose!" she snapped. And my name is not even Jose.

"Okay, I have an idea..I will go to Mabini st. That is the nearest street from here with some botique shops. I am sure some are opened already..It's about 20 mins walk, back and forth.."

"So I will be alone in here for 20 mins?" she asked..

"Yeah, just enjoy the sea view; anyway there are lots of people around." Gosh, it seems many just sleep there under the trees or behind the bushes. Saves them hotel money.

"Okay, but hurry up!"

So I did a fast walk, like I was doing a morning jog. I know stores in Manila open quite early. After 15 minutes, I found a bazaar which sells almost everything.I felt hungry and thirsty after that brisk walk. The first thing I did was check the snack section. I picked up 2 bags of sitsaron and a bottle of coke. It's almost merienda time anyway, I said to myself.

Then I went to the footwear. "What do you want, sir?" said a young sales clerk with a silky smooth tone.

"I need some footwear."

"Here, sir." she pointed at some men's shoes.

"I need some women's shoes" The clerk looked at me in a funny way. "...it's for my wife." I added immediately. "Oh," the clerk broke into a smile and pointed at another shelf..

"How much are these?"

"3000 pesos sir, Imported pa yan. " I had only 600 pesos with me..I looked at the other shoes. Then I saw some flip-flops which locally were called Japanese slippers.

"How much are these?." I asked ..

"200 pesos, sir." I grabbed a pair of them with green straps before the price would change. I know green is her favorite colour. I dumped it in my shopping basket together with the snacks, then looked my watch. Again the girl smiled. That's what I like about Filipina sales clerks, they are sooo friendly.

Well, the trek from Mabini to Manila Bay took shorter because I had to run this time. Scenarios started to form in my nervous mind. Some distance away, I looked for her and was so relieved when she was still there in the same spot, watching some boys diving into the dirty waters of the bay.

"Oh that was fast," she said.

I was breathing so hard like a long distance runner. "Are  these rubber sandals okay?" I asked.

"Of course, its only for walking up to Taft. "

"Anything  happened?"

"Well there was the guy who approached me, asking  KUMUSTA, MISS..I guess he thinks I am a you-know-what waiting for a pick up.."

"And?"

" I told him I am okay, just waiting for my husband..He stayed a bit near me for say 10 mins, then he finally walked away."

"Really??" Could have been worse, I said to myself. "For a while, I was worried a bit too," she said.

"I know," I said.."Scary s..t that was..."

I changed the topic. "Want some snacks?.."

"I am good", she said.." There was this vendor with a cart. I bought some sitsaron sprinkled with vinegar. When he was giving me the change, I told him to keep it.

"Then he started to pass in front of me  every 3 minutes..."

"Maybe your tip was bigger than the price of the snacks.Did you check the coins you gave him?" I joked.

"Of course!" she said. "Ako pa?"

She  put  on the sandals and started our walk back.--#