I made it to Manila! As usual, I did quite a lot of research while planning my itinerary. Most of what I read suggested that Manila wasn't worth visiting; it’s dirty, congested, and there's nothing to do. I mean, come on! That sounds like most major cities! But I would disagree. There’s a lot of history here, and if you look past the congestion, I think it’s worth spending at least 2 days here. Besides, you typically have to fly into and out of here.

Day One: The Culinary Adventure

On the first day, I always embark on a food tour. It’s a great way for me to learn about local dishes and try a smorgasbord of food that will assist my taste buds throughout the trip. Not to mention, tour guides are like GPS for your stomach; they give out the best directions and recommendations—this works for me, so I’m going to continue this process! It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you find lumpia and adobo!

Not only are we tasting a variety of street food, but we are also learning about the city. I got to try two local types of transportation that, honestly, I’m not sure I would have tried otherwise. One involved a jeepney, which is like a colorful bus that looks like it was designed by an artist after a few beers. The other was a tricycle-more on these later.

Language Hacks

I also discovered that due to the American occupation, about 60% of people here speak some form of English. Quick tip: just throw a "po" after your English words, and it looks like you’re speaking Filipino! For example, “hello, po.” Easy, huh? It’s like adding sprinkles to your ice cream—makes everything better! But seriously, it's a sign of respect. Most people appreciate it when you attempt to speak their language, just as I do. Usually, if we work together, we can communicate—or at least they’re more willing to try. That’s all I can ask. Well, that and a side of extra crispy pata!

Adventures in Jeepneys and Tricycles: A Comedic Journey

So, picture this: top left corner of my travel scrapbook is a Jeepney, that glorious leftover from WWII that’s been repurposed into a public transportation marvel. It's like the ultimate recycling project, but instead of a fancy coffee table, you get a ride that feels like a roller coaster but costs less than your morning coffee!

The Jeepney Experience

These colorful beasts are independently owned, and riding one is less than a dollar. Most locals use them to get around town, and I was feeling adventurous enough to hop on board. Little did I know, I’d be playing the role of the fare collector! Yes, folks, I went from tourist to “Jeepney Cashier” in a matter of seconds. Talk about a career change!

So there I was, squeezed in right behind the driver, trying to look like I knew what I was doing while collecting fares. It felt like I was on an episode of “Survivor: Jeepney Edition.” But guess what? Everyone was super cool! Turns out, collecting fare isn’t as terrifying as it sounds—unless you count the time I accidentally gave someone another passengers change. Oops!

Tricycle Terror

After my brief stint as a Jeepney entrepreneur, we decided to take a tricycle. Now, if you think Jeepneys are a wild ride, you haven’t experienced the thrill of a tricycle! Picture this: a tiny vehicle with three wheels, a driver who thinks he’s in a Fast and Furious movie, and me, clutching onto my seat like it’s the last life preserver on the Titanic. I’m pretty sure I screamed at least three times, and I don’t even remember what I was screaming about. Was it fear? Excitement? Who knows! I was just happy to clumsily climb out.

Conclusion

So here I am, in the Mandaluyong area, late afternoon, with my travel buddies Lauren, Mathew, and Nell. We survived the Jeepney, conquered the tricycle, and lived to tell the tale. If you ever get the chance to ride one of these magnificent machines, just remember: hold on tight, keep your fare handy, and maybe leave the driving to the professionals!

So on to the best part. What we sampled today:

• Top left: Pork and Shrimp Siomai with a spicy vinegar sauce and juice from a mini lime. This dumpling is like a culinary jack-of-all-trades—found everywhere and filled with enough surprises to make a magician jealous!

• Next to that: Gulaman drink—this was really good! It reminded me of banana Laffy Taffy, which means I might have accidentally just drunk a childhood dream. Who knew nostalgia could be so refreshing?

• Middle left: Isaw Manok (chicken intestine), BBQ pork, Pichi Pichi, Pork Atay (pork liver), Walkman Tenga (pork ear), and Isaw Baboy (pork intestine). Yes, you read that right. It’s like a meat-themed potluck where everyone brought their weirdest dish. I half expected to see Kat’s mystery casserole on the table!

• Bottom right: Cassava cake and Puto left of it—both are like Jell-o made from cheese. I mean, when did cheese decide it wanted to be a dessert?

• Bottom left: Banana Turon (fried banana in egg roll wrapper and brown sugar)—think crème brûlée but with a banana twist. It's like the dessert version of a superhero—sweet, crispy, and ready to save your taste buds!

And then there’s Chicken Proven (crispy chicken stomach) and Kwek Kwek (fried orange boiled quail eggs). Lumpiang Toge (beansprout and tofu egg roll) made a cameo too. Honestly, I was just trying to keep track of what I was eating without getting a degree in anatomy!

All the rolled-up napkins were what I had to spit out after trying the Atay... just saying. But I promised my tour guide I’d give it a shot. She refused to tell me what it was before I ate it—classic move! But hey, the food didn’t go to waste; we gave it to the homeless. So at least someone enjoyed my culinary adventure—probably with a side of “what on earth did they just eat?”

Our second to last stop was at a bar the locals frequent. You know, the kind of place where you can play pool, sing karaoke, eat, and drink until you forget the lyrics to your favorite songs.  First up, we tried a local craft beer, San Miguel Pale Pilsen. It’s like liquid courage, but with a hint of “I can’t believe I just sang that!” Then came the Sisig dynamite - pork stuffed chilies that are like jalapeño poppers on steroids. Seriously, these bad boys are stuffed with pork and tofu and served with their version of thousand island dressing, which is basically ketchup and mayo. Because why not?

Next, we had the Tokwat Baboy, which is crispy pork head and tofu. Yes, you read that right: crispy pork head. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited, even the disembodied head! Finally, we made our way to a dessert shop that sells assorted Puto (rice cake) and iced popsicles. They had flavors ranging from “there's that cheese again” to “I definitely need this in my life.”

Overall, it was a really good experience. I took a bite of food I would have NEVER tasted otherwise. I even rode in a tricycle and a jeepney—again, something I never would have tried unless I was dared by a friend or had lost a bet. And guess what? I learned a little about the city too! A great way to spend half a day, minus the existential crisis from all the new experiences. Oh, and here’s a little tip since we’re talking about food: if you’re ever concerned about having ice in your drinks, just remember that if it has a hole in it, it was made with filtered water. So, you’re safe! Unless, of course, you’ve had too many of those Sisig dynamite chilies.

Tomorrow, I'm off to the historic walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago to see some Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and all the Instagram opportunities I can handle. And then it’s off to Binondo—the world’s oldest Chinatown. Because who doesn’t want to see how long it takes to get lost in a place with a million dumplings?