Philippines—day 2
We visited Taygaytay the next day. A beautiful volcanic lake with a domant volcano top jetting out the top. We had lunch at a wonderful restauran–Andrew zimmerman went there.
We weren’t as jet lagged, but still a bit tired. That evening, our best bud, travel buddy and reason forr the whole trip had us going to dinner with some local resident doctors at the Philippines general Hospital.
A word about the healthcare system in Manila. In short–there isn’t one. The hospital is decrpit and horribly under staffed. Families who seek medical care bring their own bed sheets and medical supplies. Often, the residents who make no more then say…25-30K USD a year will pay for their very own patients supplies. The IV bottels are still glass (think MASH circa 1950’s) and the wards are filled with people in beds beside eachother. In the emergency room, if a patent needs to be bagged–the family does it. if a patient needs something simple like dialysis and they can’t pay, well..they often die. HOWEVER–if you are a wealthy person, you can always go to a private hospital and get great care! Thanks, IMF and World bank for your awesomely shitty privitization policies!!!!
The residents treated us to a local favorite dinner–we had a wonderful dinner at the seaside. the dining experience was amazing. First, you go out to the seafood stands, choose your seafood (that was caught that same day) and bring it to the restaurant of your choice for them to prepare it the way you specify from the menu. We had scallops, oysters, talapia, mussels, soups with Tuna collars…the food itself was an experience. As we ate, we traded stories about life in the US and life in Manila. our Filipino friends were astonished that you couldn’t smoke in bars in the US.
After dinner, we had the full Asian experince and did the private Karoke booths! our Filipino friends were also interested with the way Americans do karoke—in front of the whole bar!
“Doesn’t that make you nervous?” one asked.
“Nope. We’re usually quite liquored up by the time we get to the mike!” I replied.
We had about four rounds and by the end of he evening we were all dancing around to “It’s raining men” undoubtedly–the highlight of our trip so far. We will be able to hook up with our filipino friends on our return to Manila on Mar 22.
As I type this, I’m sitting in Bangkok, Thailand. Lets put it this way—there is a HUGE difference between Manila and Bangkok—The total absence of third world debt. It’s like night and day.
Today—Bangkok day 1. Photos can be viewed at http://aaronichi.smugmug.com
