The colorful Jeepneys belt out rolling black smoke as they pass by the tall, modern sky-scraper buildings with the small, shanties right next to them. This city is a mix of the modern and still developing world. The traffic moves at a snail's pace. It's stop and go....mostly stop on the too-small roads in the city of 12 million people. I am in Manila, Philippines!

I flew into the Manila airport when I first arrived in the Philippines, but I did not stay . I simply got on another plane late at night and flew to the island of Palawan. I would spend my time in this large city just before my time in the Philippines was over. I would need to fly out of the Philippines from Manila and there are some places nearby that I want to see. So, tacking on my tour of Manila at the end of my one month stay seemed the best way.

After visiting the other island here I am, back in Manila. I get a taxi to my hostel. We mostly sit in traffic, move a little forward and sit more. It takes one and a half hours to reach the hostel. 

The hostel itself is pretty good, though. The staff are helpful and speak good English. Above the door is a sign reading "Christ is the Head of This House". Breakfast is included in the price of the room.
 
But, everything else comes at a price. Things that are usually included in other hostels are charged for here. if you want to take an overnight trip and store your bag here, there is a charge . If you want a towel, there is an extra charge. If you have a visitor come to sit and talk, there is a visitors fee. 

I leave the 4th floor where the hostel is located and walk outside. This is my first day here and I want to do my usual 'walk around' to see the area.

Right outside the front door that leads to the hostel are several police directing traffic. They have large weapons strapped to their bodies. Will they shoot the motorist that don't stop or the pedestrians that cross at the wrong time?

Around the corner is a large Catholic Church, surrounded by the small one-person food and drink carts so familiar in all the other Asian countries.

I walk the small streets and see money changers and small places to buy a drink or snack. And, right there with them as I walk the sidewalk, I see a coffin! The distance from the sidewalk to the open coffin is only a matter of feet . I see the person in the coffin as I pass. I am shocked at a funeral parlour being right here. Out of respect I do not take a photo but walk on by and cross the street, where I use my zoom to get a photo.

The next day I walk to a Pagoda where they polish the face of the large Buddha image every day at 4. It is a religious daily routine. At 3:30, they have everyone leave the immediate area of the Buddha and put up some barriers. But, nothing happens after one hour. I checked around and some say it happens at 4 a.m., not p.m. I will not come back.

I took photos of the Pagoda and a unique train station that I used the following day, but I cannot find all those photos now! If I locate them later I will add them to this post.

Filipinos love their Karoke! Here in Manila there is a Karoke place on almost every corner, it seems. I see one that says "yoo sing". (I don't!).

The Mall of Asia is here . It is the biggest shopping center in the world! I do not go to it. It's a shoppers paradise. If there is anything the locals love as much as their karoke it is the huge malls, where I hear there are always great bargains. People that live here or love to visit Manila come for the huge malls. Apparently you can find any designer goods you may want. But, I am not a shopper.

Also, restaurants of the highest quality are just across the street from the small, one-person food carts. But, restaurants don't hold me in a city, either.

I stroll around the small streets and watch the gaudy, privately owned jeepneys adorned with religious sayings or political slogans, make their way through the intersections. They are a part of Manilas' character. I understand the routes can be tricky for me to understand and getting on one I might end up somewhere I cannot get back from! I will wait to ride a jeepney!
 
One thing I have found as I have travelled the world the last 2 1/2 years is that I do not need to spend much time in the large cities. A couple of days to see a few major sites is all I need and then I am happy to travel to the smaller villages and towns. People that love the big cities of the world do so because of the restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

NEXT: In a couple of days I leave the "congested, polluted, concrete jungle" and head into the mountains, where I find 3 amazing small towns you will just love!