As with any country the Philippines has its fair share of local quirks. For example in houses and offices it is common for the toilet to be attached to the kitchen. This raises many obvious concerns, not the least of which is hygiene, but privacy is a problem. I dont need to go into detail here, but you can imagine preparing lunch while one metre away someone else is sitting down to a special task of their own. Its strange. Very strange.
But the biggest thing I cant get used to is the security here. It is on the one hand exceptionally tight, but only to a point. See exhibit 1: security checking under cars with mirrors before they enter a carpark. They will even open the boot and snoop around.
This kind of security is everywhere - at the entry to a supermarket, the hotel, banks, office buildings, department stores and shopping centres, coffee shops even have their own security on the door. But the funniest part about them is that they carry small sticks about the size of a drum stick and they just stick it into your bag. Some pretend to look, but generally the stick goes in, the stick comes out and if a bomb doesn't go off, or a terrorist doesn't get pulled out with the stick then you can enter your desired store etc. Half-arsed security is the greatest kind.
I mentioned the jeepny earlier, but here are some closer shots for you to get a feel for the wonderful beasts.
And a jeepny wanna-be... Karen
On that note I say good bye :)
Sarah.
