TravelBug

Moving to Manila

It was about a year ago, when I received phone call from my hubby asking me what do I think about Manila. I wasn't sure, I said I've been there before, memories rush to the surface of my mind. Crowded roads of jeepneys, the smell of exhaust, constant horning, traffic jams, YMCA's hotel, people selling food from small carts....I stayed only a day in Manila before heading down to Boracay about 12 years ago. I remember I had an awesome time, I came back to the Philippines a few month later before heading back home from Asia for good. Or as I thought that time.

"Why are you asking me?"- replied with surprise, thinking that may be he is planning a family holiday for us. "Because we might be moving there! -came the answer quickly, I just for a job offer" Whauu...I was out of words, which barley if ever happens to me and needed to take a few moment  to settle with a thought. I looked around, we just moved into our small house, with a huge garden and all the fruit trees I have ever dreamed of, my kids loved the outside, I had 2 cats and a dog, and the house was always loud of children and friends of children running around. Am I going to give all this up to move to MANILA!!!! And yes, the final answer followed the initial offer in a few weeks time and we started to move the ball, within the next month, we had to pack up our life, house and belongings, store whatever was worth storing and spread the rest between friends and family. Sold some of our old stuff to be able to finance the move and at the end of October with 4 suitcases at hand (and about 20 boxes sent by a cargo ship), we boarded the plane to Manila via Hong Kong .

Our stop over in Hong Kong was quick and interesting. My kids (2 girls) were the center of attention of passing by Chinese tourists, who asked them kindly to take pictures with them. They posed, smiled, the camera clicked everyone was happy. Upon arriving to Manila the contrast couldn't have been bigger, the all bright and clean Honk Kong compare to the dark and old airport of Manila. As we step out we could feel and literally smell the humidity in the air. "Welcome back to Asia" rushed through my mind, while I was trying to carry the suitcase in one hand and a child in the other. The stroller got lost in the transition! How typical.  We filled a few forms and hoped for the best, now with all of out languages and 2 sleepy cranky kids, we were out to find our driver.

It was dark already when we headed for our temporary apartment, seeing the way from the airport to Legazpi village, brought back old memories, it somehow felt familiar. In no time I was down in the closest Watson stocking up on hygienic products, and tooth paste....all those things I did not carry due to overweight and soon we were all sound a sleep. Our first nights of many in Manila!