Okay, the phrase of today is “Culture Shock”. In a good way.
I got a taxi and rode to Ayala Mall..probably best described as two sports stadiums side by side with 4 levels. It is not a Mall, It is a SUPER_MALL. No need to exercise, just wander around the mall–it is huge.
I got my first look at the streets of Cebu in the daytime. Crowded streets looking similar to areas in San Francisco. A lot of people, attractive, bustling or relaxing, and risking their lives crossing the street. Again, the taxi drivers honk and cut in front of other drivers and I swear the taxis must have invisible bumper car bumpers because I don’t know how we didn’t sideswipe half the cars on the road. And the motor-bike riders..Just think of motocross using cars as out of bounds markers and the riders must miss them and squeeze into spaces, while moving quickly, that they shouldn’t fit in.
The mall — air conditioned but still hot. I immediately started hyper-ventilating and running out of energy. Not a lot of places to sit down but I sat at a few restaurants and when then came out for my order I just patted my chest and they understood that I was taking a breather. After 20 minutes my hair and my T-shirt were soaked..and I couldn’t find where to buy bottle water.
I wandered on the 3rd floor and there were about 6 to 10 phone company shops. I only had 250 P with me and I didn’t know if they took Visa or where I could get some money. I decided that I would wait until I met my online friend tomorrow and have her help me buy a phone. Finding a power converter was my only task and I had to ask several people where I could find one and then where the True Value store was (thankfully in the mall).
I carried 5 converters for international travel…about a pound of weight and the volume of 2 softballs. What?????they didn’t have a Philippine adapter yet they said they did?????? That was $20 shot to hell.
I found an adapter for 60P (1.30 US) and am currently writing on my laptop while using the converter. I would expect to pay 10 to 15 dollars online back home.
What next?
I am not invisible to women here as I am in America. They notice me and then quickly look away!!!!! At least they acknowledge that another human is in their area!! However, everyone I approached for directions and help were super sweet. I don’t feel bad as I was hyper-ventilating, getting dizzy, and fit the stereo type of an American Sex Tourist.
And then I saw it….the American ex-pat with a beautiful young woman. The guy was at least 400 pounds with gray hair. He was gigantic (and the only person I saw that was bigger than me (not deprecating humor….just the fact)). The woman across the table from him was well dressed, good make up, and very beautiful. She obviously was with the gentleman as a couple.
So, it is 2:00 PM, Friday night here, and I’m just going to rest and then get dinner downstairs. With my delayed acclimation to the climate I’m not going to go out tonight. I do have a chance to meet a local woman tomorrow afternoon, and at least I’ll get a phone for the area.
So…jumping from island to island and adventuring all over has been delayed as I am having trouble catching my breath from the heat and exertion. But…I get to meet a real Philippine person tomorrow.