Shopping Day
There's a system in Manila whereby certain vehicles are restricted from driving on certain days. It's called Coding, and the way it works is that if your licence plate ends in a 1 or 2, you can't drive on Mondays. Likewise a 3 and 4 are prohibited on Tuesdays, and so on. If you're caught it's a steep fine. This is to help keep the traffic somewhat manageable, though I can't even imagine it being worse. Still, the people take it in stride knowing that it will just take a long time to get anywhere. There's no angry hooting of horns. Horns are used all the time but mostly to indicate to the neigbouring vehicle that you're there, or passing, or he's too close. But it's a gentle honk applied with a light touch.
On this day Anna's vehicle was prohibited, so she arranged for Teng, the spouse of the incoming president, to pick us up in her van. Thank God they all have large vehicles!
We met at the nearby shopping mall where first - you guessed it - we ate. Sort of a fast food Italian place where I had a salad, to the amusement of the slender Filipinas.
Then off to Green Hills, an incredibly huge shopping mall. I didn't think I'd get too excited about shopping in a mall but... I knew the minute we walked through the doors that this was my place.
It's a covered mall but inside, it's like the market in Istanbul. All small kiosks with goods jammed into every available nook. It's like the street markets in Korea and China, only this is under one roof. I was in heaven.
The first kiosk had knock off handbags but we had no time to browse there. Much more to be seen. I was taken directly to the pearls where, according to Alethea's instructions, I bought ropes of them. I had 2 strung together to make a longer necklace, then bought a few other pieces and each time Anna would negotiate prices for me. It was great.
She was on a mission for us to buy Barongs, but I found none there that fit. Luckily, I had already found one elsewhere close to Anna's home and we needed one for the Friday night Filipinana night. Barongs, in case you don't know, are the traditional embroidered Filipino shirts. Usually they come in a cream colour, but are also available in other shades, and when they're long sleeved, they're worn for dressy occasions. Short sleeve barongs are worn by men to the office, just an everyday smart shirt.
We split up and with their many cellphones, we had no trouble getting together again when it was time to head back, laden down with our goods.
Incredibly, Marion and Ray had gone here independently with their hosts and half of our group actually ran into them. this is akin to you being in West Edmonton Mall and unexpectedly running into your neighbour. Amazing.
Sorry - too busy today to take pictures!
On this day Anna's vehicle was prohibited, so she arranged for Teng, the spouse of the incoming president, to pick us up in her van. Thank God they all have large vehicles!
We met at the nearby shopping mall where first - you guessed it - we ate. Sort of a fast food Italian place where I had a salad, to the amusement of the slender Filipinas.
Then off to Green Hills, an incredibly huge shopping mall. I didn't think I'd get too excited about shopping in a mall but... I knew the minute we walked through the doors that this was my place.
It's a covered mall but inside, it's like the market in Istanbul. All small kiosks with goods jammed into every available nook. It's like the street markets in Korea and China, only this is under one roof. I was in heaven.
The first kiosk had knock off handbags but we had no time to browse there. Much more to be seen. I was taken directly to the pearls where, according to Alethea's instructions, I bought ropes of them. I had 2 strung together to make a longer necklace, then bought a few other pieces and each time Anna would negotiate prices for me. It was great.
She was on a mission for us to buy Barongs, but I found none there that fit. Luckily, I had already found one elsewhere close to Anna's home and we needed one for the Friday night Filipinana night. Barongs, in case you don't know, are the traditional embroidered Filipino shirts. Usually they come in a cream colour, but are also available in other shades, and when they're long sleeved, they're worn for dressy occasions. Short sleeve barongs are worn by men to the office, just an everyday smart shirt.
We split up and with their many cellphones, we had no trouble getting together again when it was time to head back, laden down with our goods.
Incredibly, Marion and Ray had gone here independently with their hosts and half of our group actually ran into them. this is akin to you being in West Edmonton Mall and unexpectedly running into your neighbour. Amazing.
Sorry - too busy today to take pictures!
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