Home at last! After three months in Melbourne, I am glad to be back. Melbourne is a beautiful city, but there’s just something about Manila. As the 70’s band Hotdog sings, there’s simply no place like Manila.

The things I missed most about Manila are:

1. The noise
   Weird, isn’t it? In Melbourne, only the sound of the passing trains are heard in the suburb where I lived. In the city, apart from the hum of conversations, and clanging of the trams, you’d hear buskers performing in the streets making music. In Manila, the sounds aren’t as harmonic, but oddly endearing. Or maybe that’s just me.
2. The chaos
   There’s somehting oddly peaceful about Manila’s disorganization. I suppose after living there for more than 20 years, it’s something that you miss, even though you don’t really like it.
3. The street food
   Isaw, barbeque, chicharon, turon, bananaque, oh how I missed you!
4. The neighborhood sari-sari store
   This is actually one of the first things I missed about Manila. When I’m having a junkfood craving, I have to walk for 20 minutes just to get to the nearest supermarket.
5. Tricycles and jeepneys
   As much as I love to walk, at the end of the day, there’s nothing like a short ride on a trike to take you right to your doorstep.
6. The taxis
   I may complain a lot about Manila’s taxi drivers, but compared to other countries, cab fare in Manila is cheap!
7. Greenhills and Divisoria
   Shopping overseas may be fun, but there’s just nothing better than getting a great bargain!
8. The malls
   A bit shallow, I know. But I sure am glad that Manila’s malls are open until late. It kinda sucks having the mall close on you at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
9. The smiles
   I don’t know how to explain this, but if you’ve seen the smiles of the kids playing by the railroad you’d know what I mean.
10. Family and friends
    I don’t have to explain this, do I?

Related posts:

1. Of Airports and Taxis
2. Isang katanungan…
3. Taxi!
4. Airport Taxis: The necessary evil?
5. A taxi-free day