Update #5 February 24: Protests in Makati

Well, this is the first day I have every been afraid since I've been in the Philippines (crossingstreets doesn't count). Typically the sight of all the security guards and machine guns is pretty reassuring and makes me feel safe. Today, however, it was the opposite.

In preparation for my trial period of bed rest, I was going to do a quick shop at Market! Market to stock groceries in the house for the weekend. Boy did I pick a bad day. I should have figured just by my inability to catch a cab right outside of our apartment that I should not go shopping. Instead, I thought I'd just wander down to the main intersection of Ayala and Paseo de Roxas to catch a cab. It was then that I realized that something was up. At first, I just thought it was a festival of some sort that wasn't well advertised. Seeing as one night on our way to dinner, Dave and I came across a musical festival in the park right outside our apartment and neither of us had seen a flyer about it. My first impression seemed right as I then saw a bunch of reporters and TV vehicles and heard singing. Sadly, it wasn't a festival. It was a protest.

It seemed like all of a sudden I was surrounded by people and surrounded by guns and police. After the earlier crushing at a TV station for a game show, I knew that the safest place would be away from the crowds. So I quickly (as quickly as possible seeing as I was supposed to have limited activity) tried to get away. Unfortunately, in the Philippines they have gates on both sides of the street as a way to stop jaywalkers so I wasn't able to quickly cross the street. Then I found out that the underground street passes (that let you cross major intersections) were also closed. And more people were coming around me. I just tried to get away by going up streets that looked quieter all the while trying to catch a cab. I finally got a cab but we were only able to go about 2-3 blocks before all of the streets were closed. Then I noticed a bunch of ripped up white tickets coming down from the sky. I had no idea what they were for and where they were coming from, all I knew was that it wasn't good. Luckily I could see Dave's work building and I could figure out a way to get home from there. Dave's work is also in the same building as the Canadian embassy so I thought if things got worse, I'd just hide out there. Luckily though, it looked like I had bypassed the worst of it, and I took back streets to get back home.

I can't admit to knowing much about what they were protesting, besides the fact that they want to overthrow the President and it had something to do with her not allowing celebrations for the revolution. But I also heard that there were two groups of protesters and the police were trying to keep the two groups separate. Apparently there were also a lot of politicians watching the crowd and some looked to be pretty happy to see what was going on.

Update #4 February 20th: All is well

The Philippines now feels like home and I have fully adjusted to life as an expat. Surprisingly, it was a lot quicker than both Dave and I expected. Both of us feel that the Philippines will be good for Little Grape and teach him some valuable life lessons. He will learn the value and importance of hard work, recognize that not 'everyone' has the latest fad or toy, appreciate all that he does have, and the importance of manners.

I've even felt comfortable enough to get my haircut. For those of you who know me well, you know that this is a major test. My first haircut in Cambridge was devastating and resulted in me crying in the chair and refusing to leave until she removed what I considered to be a huge, glaring, mullet. By comparison, my first haircut in the Philippines was wonderful and I actually left feeling happy with my new look.

It might be because I went to the fancy mall (Greenbelt 3) to get it done and saw a poster advertising the new Creative Consultant from San Fransisco who has done celebrity hair was at the FX Salon. I, of course, got excited at the thought of getting my hair cut by someone who has seen curly hair before - it seems everyone in the Philippines has dead straight hair - and I admit the celebrity part was definitely intriguing. Anyways, I went to the salon thinking the cost would be outrageous. After all, in Toronto and Cambridge I would pay about $50 for a good haircut and that was just with a stylist - not the creative consultant and celebrity stylist. I was quite surprised to find that the price was only 1200 pesos, or about $24. The price was definitely worth it! i was even adventurous enough to get a layered chin length bob. Now, my hair curls nicely and is very, very easy to style. I will definitely go back - especially since I can also brag that I got my hair done by the guy who used to do Melanie Griffiths, Meg Ryan and Mandy Moore's hair.

I also got to meet my Ob/Gyn. Laine was nice enough to offer that I could go with her to her prenatal appointment so I could get to know the doctor and see what she was like before deciding to go with her. She seems very nice and knowledgeable and I booked my prenatal appointment for this coming Thursday. One thing that is nice is that in the Philippines, since we are getting private healthcare, you get a ton more ultrasounds and there is no waiting list to see a specialist. The cost, per visit, to see the Ob/Gyn is 500 pesos, or $10.00. The doctor wants to do her own Ultrasound so she can see exactly how Little Grape is doing for herself and when I'm about 30 weeks, she will do a 4D ultrasound where you can actually see the baby's face.

Dave and I spent the weekend together again (I love our weekends!). My weekend started Saturday morning with Dave coming home bringing my typical morning breakfast: bacon, egg whites, and croissants from Deli France. After breakfast I went to the mall to get my hair done while Dave napped and played his game. We decided that the weekend nights will be our special nights out for dinner seeing as I cook almost every other night during the week.

Saturday night we went to Queens restaurant (an Asian/India restuarant) located in what is commonly called Restaurant Row, AKA Jupiter street. The food was very good and tasted like the good Indian we used to get in Toronto and at the Tandori Corner in Cambridge. The price was cheaper than what you would pay in Canada, I think it worked out to about $7 for each meat item. Dave ordered Lamb Rogan Josh and I had the Chicken Tikka. We shared rice, naan and the peas and cheese. The peas and cheese dish was by far, the best with freshly made cheese.

Sunday we slept in till about 1:00 and then I did the Starbucks run while Dave stayed bed. Sadly, Deli France isn't open on Sundays so we make do with banana bread and lattes from Starbucks.

Sunday night (the equivalent of Saturday night in Canada) was our date night. We went to Tony Romas (in Greenbelt 2) for ribs and then to see a movie. The meal at Tony Romas probably cost about the same as it would in Canada but I think that's because the ribs were imported from North America. Either way, the ribs were very meaty and yummy and the meal tasted just like home.

Going to the movies in the Philippines sure kicks going to the movies in Canada. To start with, the theatres are the same big, multiplex things with familiar brands for treats and the movies seem to be pretty much the same movies that were being released in Canada. We went to see Firewall with Harrison Ford. The price is so cheap that we're definitely going to be seeing a ton of movies. It was 120 pesos per person, or $2.40. For the two of us it was less than $5.00. Then, we got into the theatre at about 10:25 for the movie that was slated to start at 10:30. We anticipated having to watch a ton of trailers and ads, but nope! There was maybe two trailers and then the movie started promptly at 10:30. Pretty good, eh?

Monday morning we slept in again and I went to Deli France to pick up our breakfasts. I arrived just in time to get the breakfast tray as they were setting up for lunch. Then Dave and I just relaxed for the rest of the morning as we knew that Dave had to go down for his nap shortly after noon. Dave is now napping as I'm updating the blog, checking email and then I'll head for a swim. After my swim, I'll do the dishes and prepare lunch.

Also on the weekend Dave surprised me with some magazines. Of course, the Philippines version of the 'latest' magazines is Fall 2005, but still they were magazines I've never read. I got a copy of the Philippines OK!, Good Housekeeping (Philippines version) and Parenting. What I find interesting in the Philippines versions is that they will interject bits of Tagalog in the middle of the sentence so a couple of times you have no idea what the whole sentence was about. Another thing that is different is the advertising. Apparently there are no rules for advertising here for medical claims. If any of you want a proven way to remove hair permanently, lose weight, or anything else, well the Philippines has the solution for you!

One product that is really big here is whitening cream. Not teeth whitening, skin whitening. Even Ponds, Dove and other big names have come out with their own whitening creams, soaps and deodorents. I find it so interesting that in North America the fad is to have tanned skin, but in the Philippines where they have tanned skin, they want whiter skin. I guess it is true that everyone wants what they can't have.

Asia has been making the news lately for not very good reasons. First there was the crushing deaths of people trying to win big money in a Philippines game show, then the landside in Leyte. The images are horrifying and I feel so badly for the families and friends of the people who perished. Then there was the Disneyland scandal in Hong Kong with visuals of children and parents climbing over fences with sharp poles only to have Disneyland staff shove them over the fence again. All because they underestimated the size of the crowds that would come for the weekend. Then just today there were reports that a bomb was found on the path the President would have taken to go to a ball. There clearly seems to be assasination plots and I would hate to see how it turns out. But through it all, Dave, Pheobe, Little Grape and I are safe and sound and doing well.

Love to all.

Update#3 February 12, 2006: Feeling at home

Well, the Philippines is starting to feel like home right now. Part of it has to do with the trip we took to Market! Market! (in Taguig, Manila) and the Power Plant Mall (Rockwell, Manila). Both are about a 10-15 minute cab ride away and can cost between 50 Pesos and 100 Pesos depending on the route and traffic. To do the exchange, that would be about $1.00 to $2.00. Taxis are definitely very cheap here! The other reason could be that I'm starting to get out of the house more and meet people. Also probably adding to it is that I've already hosted one dinner party for Dave's boss and girlfriend and have gone grocery shopping about 6 times. Dave is definitely loving having a stocked pantry and a hot lunch everyday.

The Power Plant Mall is in the ritzy area of Manila called Rockwell AKA as Bellair. It has designer stores like Anne Klein, Salvatore Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Esprit, Guess, Lacoste, Nike, etc. This mall also has a large bookstore, toystore and baby store. What I like about it is that I can find clothing that will fit - there is even a Zara store - and it is way, way less crowded than the Greenbelt 1-4 in Ayala Centre (Makati, Manila). It also has a larger, more North American grocery store / department store called Rustans. Rustans is similar to SM (in the Ayala Centre) in that it has a huge department section and then a grocery section. Think of SM as a WalMart-type store and Rustans as similar to The Bay - but they both also have a grocery store. However, while I can find some brands and items I am familiar with, I'm still having a problem finding meat and fish that doesn't turn my stomach.

Market! Market! is a mall that has a sort of farmer's market on one side, and then the rest of the mall is broken into different markets - fashion market, home market, etc. That way you only need to get to one section if you're looking for clothes, for example. However, the best part of Market! Market! is the store Metro. This is a large department / supermarket (similar to SM and Rustans) but the beauty of it is that it has President's Choice and a ton of North American brands. I can finally eat Tuna again as there is North American tuna (the Philippines tuna is disgusting) and I even found Tuna Helper. The meat and chicken looked like it was well kept and sanitary procedures were being followed. I totally felt at home there and can't wait to go back and browse around the aisles. This time, though I had Dave with me so my time allowed in the store was limited.

Also near Market! Market! is a store called Price Smart. I've heard it is similar to a Price Club / Costco, but I haven't been there yet. I would have really been pushing my luck to get Dave to go to that store with me after spending the afternoon at Market! Market!. I have heard though that this store also stocks a ton of North American foods and the meat is pretty good.

There are also familiar restaurants too - including The Outback Steakhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Tony Romas, TGI Fridays, etc so whenever I need a good taste of home I can head there.

What I am finding annoying though is the sales staff. I am used to shopping in the Bay, Sears, Walmart etc. where you can walk around for hours without getting approached. In the Philippines they are everywhere. I think they each have their own section of about 4 square meters. All of them saying 'Hello Maam". You pick up one item and they swarm you. They are all polite and everything but jeez it does take getting used to. I do know though that if I ever have a question it will be answered probably before I even finish asking it.

The moving company we used, Crown Relocations, has a representative named Camilla (who is also an Expat) who met up with me for coffee. It was great to talk to someone about what it is like to first live overseas. Anyways, she invited me to her bookclub meeting that night. I went and it was a lot of fun - although the books they choose are definitely more of the 'literature' type than my typical Maeve Binchy, James Patterson, etc fiction. Each person takes turns hosting and provides snacks and beverages. There were about 10 women there - all expats from either the US, England, India or Canada and they were in their late 20s to late 30s or early 40s.

I met a woman whose husband works in the Canadian embassy and she gave me an email address to get me hooked up with the Canadian Club. The club organizes special events and day trips and raises money for local charities. Then there is another pregnant woman in the bookclub and she told me that the doctor Dave chose for me is also her doctor and that she is amazing. She also told me about a pregnancy support group that I will contact. After Little Grape is born, we can join the Mothers and Darlings group - a post-natal moms and tots group. There is even a Gymboree here, so Dave can take Little Grape to the gym sessions. There is also a British Club I can join because I have dual citizenship.

I also got tips on what stores to go to (and which ones to avoid) and one what hospital to go to. From what I've heard, we might be changing the hospital I was supposed to give birth in from Makati Medical to the Asian Hospital. Luckily my doctor has privileges at both. My doctor is also one of the few doctors that will allow the husband in the delivery room without certification. Apparently in the Philippines, in order for the husband to be in the delivery room he must be certified by attending Lamaze or some other prenatal class. This is because there were too many cases of the husband fainting and taking care away from the mom and baby.

Just last night Dave and I had an early Valentine's Day Celebration. It started with a yummy breakfast at Delifrance (their croissants are the best I've ever tasted and the bacon tastes just like it does back home). Then we went to Market! Market! and shopped and had lunch at Kenny Rogers Roasters (think Swiss Chalet). In the evening we got all dressed up and went to the Peninsula Hotel and had dinner in the Old Manila restaurant. The Peninsula hotel is stunning. The entire lobby - even the stairs is this beautiful marble and it just oozes class. When we arrived, there was also a wedding party waiting to go into the banquet room. Instead of tuxedos and suits, men wear barongs - traditional white dress shirts with embroidery.

The food at the Old Manila restaurant was amazing. After every bite Dave closed his eyes to savour everything. The chef gave us a course of raw salmon to start (I had to pass). Then Dave had leek soup that was so delicious and light tasting. Then we got a sorbet to cleanse our palate. It tasted like grapefruit and lemon but is made out of a fruit called Kalamansi. Then I had beef tenderloin and Dave had duck. For dessert I had a mocha souffle with white chocolate sauce and strawberries and Dave had vanilla creme brule. Then afterwards they offered us truffles. It was definitely the best meal I've ever had and the restaurant is now our favourite. It is very affordable too for five-star dining. A bottle of red Australian wine - Bin 444 Wyndham Estate cost about the same as the meal.

One thing I find very confusing is the mixture of the extreme rich and the extreme poor. While not once have I been asked for spare change (unlike Toronto!) I did see one man eating out of a garbage bag and some shacks by the side of the road. I have also seen very affluent people with tons of expensive jewels, fancy cars, huge houses and just waving money around. The wedding we saw, for example, must have been on the same par as having a huge wedding at the King Edward hotel in Toronto. Dave also said that the average family income in Makati is $250,000 USD a year. Clearly the Philippines - while being a third world country - does have many very wealthy families.

In the links section of the blog, I've added a map of the Makati section of Manila. Our apartment is located in Salcedo village and on the corner of Sedeno and LeViste (formerly known as Alfaro). For some reason the building is called One Lafayette Square even though I can't find anything called Lafayette square nearby. The map still has LeViste marked as Alfaro. Closeby you'll see a triangular shaped park called Ayala Triangle. This is a beautiful park with tons of huge plants. Dave's work is at the intersection of Puyat Avenue and Ayala Avenue in the RCBC Plaza. This building is also home to the Canadian embassy. I've also added a link to a Web site that describes our building, One Lafayette Square. To explore what is going on and what is where in Manila, I've added the ClicktheCity link. This is similar to Toronto.com

That's it for now. Hope all of you are well.

Update #2 February 3, 2006: Getting Adjusted

Hi

We don’t have Internet access at home yet and might not until we end up in Clark so no Skype or Web cam hooked up yet. I’m using the local Starbuck’s Wifi access. It’s not too bad but I quickly use up my time, so this time I drafted the email on Word at home and will just spend my time copying and pasting into Hotmail.

Well, I’m starting to adjust a little more to my new home now. Luckily I haven’t seen any more roaches. Let’s hope it stays that way! Could be because Dave went through the whole apartment with tinfoil covering all the pipes and we’ve stored most of the food in the fridge or in ziplocs or tupperware. Whatever it is, I’m a happy girl.

I still haven’t figured out the phone. For some reason, it’s not as easy as just punching in the numbers. It changes depending on what you are calling (land or cell) and where. Sometimes there is a 0, sometimes not. Sometimes you use the area code, sometimes not. Most of the time people just text each other.

The weather has been nice. Warm but not too sunny. I think it would be similar to an early summer in Canada. Definitely a nice change from the snow and cold.

Most of my day is spent trying to find my way around the big city. Shopping is especially interesting. There are about 5 huge malls all about a ten minute walk from where we live. Each around the size of Eaton’s Centre. However, all the malls run into one another so you can get lost very easily. It is weird to see so many North American stores and restaurants. There is the Body Shop, Kenny Rogers Roasters, TGI Friday’s, McDonald’s (and their McCafe), Pizza Hut, Subway, etc.. The only difference is that the meals all come with rice. The taste of the meat is different, but passable. Also instead of ‘upsizing’ you ‘go bigtime.’

I’ve started stocking the fridge and pantry and cooking some meals - much to Dave’s delight. I’ve made a lamb tenderloin with potatoes and carrots, Shepherd’s Pie, and a fritatta. I’ll probably have to keep recycling those menu items as all of my recipe books are packed. It’s interesting that almost none of the meals here have vegetables or dairy. I have to make sure we both eat our share of cheese, yogurt, and milk at home and I always sneak veggies into meals. Fruit isn’t a problem as the fresh pineapple and mangoes are really cheap.

Walking is definitely different here - as is driving. Toronto has nothing on Manila. Noone uses seatbelts. In fact, in all the cabs I’ve been in I don’t think any of them have seatbelts. Walking is definitely considered a sport when you decide to cross the street. Lights are considered suggestions. There aren’t even lanes on the road. You can find about 6 different cars jockeying for what would normally be three lanes. Honking is used all the time. The first couple of times I crossed the street by myself I felt really proud.

We’re starting to settle into a routine. During the weekdays, we spend the morning together and then Dave goes to sleep around noon until 8:00 p.m. I do errands and go for a swim in the afternoon and join him at around 5:00. Dave goes to work at around 9:00 p.m. and comes home for lunch at 1:30, wakes me up and I start my day. I also end up taking some naps throughout the day. This weekend we’re aiming to go down to the Harbour and explore the city.

Some of the time I feel very big and wonder if people just think I’m huge or if they realize I’m pregnant. I must say I get very excited when I see a Philippino larger than me. Of course, noone is taller than me, but I have seen about 5 that are thicker. I’ve started to waddle due to Little Grape. I don’t really even notice it anymore. He is very active - as always. Both Dave and Phoebe have felt him kicking. Dave by putting his hands on my tummy, Pheobe by lying on my tummy. Today marks 20 weeks, so we are already half way through the pregnancy. I gotta admit, I am enjoying being pregnant.

I hope everything is well with all of you.

Update #1 January 30: Arrival in Philippines

Just a quick email to everyone to let them know that the three of us (me, Little Grape and Pheobe) arrived safely in the Philippines. The flight went quite well actually. Pheobe was silent the entire time and didn't have any accidents in her sherpa - probably because she was terrified. I had my first bit of culture shock when I went to the bathroom in the airport in Japan. The first couple of stalls didn't have a toilet. Instead, there was this kind of hole in the floor and I can only assume you're supposed to stand when going pee. I kept waiting in the bathroom, hoping someone would come in so I could ask them what to do, when I noticed there was a handicapped bathroom. Luckily, that one had a toilet.

My first exposure to the Philippines has been mixed. First the not-so-great. The airport was crowded and not air conditioned and then when you get outside you wait like cattle under your initial for someone to come and get you. The drivers all honk their horns to say anything from Hi, to you cut me off. It gets quite noisy. When we first arrived at our apartment, I was greeted by the largest cockroach I've ever seen. He clearly was the boss as he didn't even run away when the light went on. Luckily the doorman killed him. Roaches are definitely something I am going to have to get used to but since then I haven't seen another one (fingers crossed)!

After a long night's sleep, we got up to meet Glen and Laine (Dave's boss and his girlfriend) for brunch at the Shangri La Hotel. It is a very, very fancy hotel with a huge buffet. Afterwards, we went for a quick stroll around the neighborhood and the apartment building. The weather is very hot! I am definitely going to have to get used to not needing a coat whenever I go out. The rest of Saturday was spent relaxing and catching up on sleep.

Sunday we woke up at 4:00 AM and went for a long walk around the neighborhood until Starbucks opened up. After Starbucks we went to the large shopping area in Ayala Center and went grocery shopping at SM. I have never seen so many aisles of rice and noodles in my life! There is even a whole aisle dedicated to canned meats. Canned fruits and vegetables, by comparison, barely take up a half of an aisle. Luckily there is a lot of really cheap fresh fruit and some Northern American food. Apparently there is even a store that sells President's Choice - but I haven't been there yet. After shopping, we went to Glen and Laine's for a potluck dinner with the rest of the expats at Dave's office. It was a lot of fun! Everyone seems very nice and friendly. The food was good - there was everything from lamb (we brought it) to turkey, salads, tomato and mozzarella and ice cream.

Today, we went for our traditional coffee and banana bread at Starbucks and then hung out. I went for a swim and then picked up some lunch for us. Dave has now gone to work and I'm at Starbucks using their WiFi access. The rest of my night will be spent unpacking our stuff and trying to make our apartment as comfy as possible. Phoebe has adjusted well to the apartment and has already chosen her favourite place - the couch. Dave did pick up a dog basket for her, but Phoebe snubbed it until I made it all soft and cushy with sheets. Now she loves it.

The TV is pretty good here, I can even get the OC, CSI, Friends and I've heard I can catch Survivor and The Bachelor. However they will probably be older seasons as the Bold and the Beautiful is about 1 year old. Unfortunatley no Y&R, but I can catch the latest season of American Idol. Movies are on all the time too so the TV situation is definitely ok.

It's been amazing being back with Dave and finally being able to relax after the stressful last couple of weeks. It's great to have our little family unit all reunited. I'm adjusting well to life in Asia but can't wait until we end up at Clark as it will be where we will feel a bit more permanent. Clark will also be quieter and less polluted.

I want to thank all our friends and family who have been so helpful to us with this move and adjustment.

Hope all is well with you.
Dave sends his love.