Sooooo if you ever come across someone who says that Manila, Philippines is a nice place...1. they're lying to you... or 2. they work for the board of tourism for the Philippines. Actually...they're most likely a liar, because there isn't a board or tourism for Manila. So there you go.
I was in Manila for a few days when Nick's ship pulled in. We basically stayed around the hotel area because the surrounding areas weren't so nice. We spent some time in a mall that was close by...and went to dinner in a few places but the taxi ride to get to the restaurants in the other part of the city (while only $1USD) weren't for the faint of heart. So we only did that twice.
It was of course so great to see Nick. We went to the pool, hung out with his fellow squadron members and just enjoying being together. Unfortunately, the internet at the hotel wasn't great. It took forever for pages to load and neither Skype or MagicJack worked while we were there, so we didn't get to call anyone. :( Sorry about that one. Hopefully his next port will be better and he'll be able to call home.
The boat pulled out the night before I left so I had to take a taxi to the airport on Wednesday morning...it was interesting...and to make a long story short...I was sweating it big time. Mind you, the first time I took a taxi by myself in my life...was in Singapore three weeks ago. I'm a scaredy cat and you all know it...so this was no different. Other than, I had no choice, I needed to get to the airport on time so I had to get over it. To make a long story short (which I am not good doing...ever) I was told by our hotel front desk that in addition to the 300 pesos cab fare, there would also be an additional "international terminal tax" of 750 pesos to get to the international terminal. I had 500 pesos on me. So, I walked to the ATM (scary) before getting in the cab and heading to the airport. When we got to the airport it was CHAOS. There were lines and lines of people wrapped around the building, people shouting. I expected to see random chickens and roosters roaming the parking lot. Security was everywhere. Mr. Filipino Cabby asks me "How much you pay?" I asked him "How much on the meter?" No meter. Of course not. He started asking over and over, "How much you pay? How much you pay?" Security came to the window telling him he had to leave and he could not be parked there any longer. So I panic. I calculate in my head "Ok, 300 pesos + 750 pesos for international terminal..." and I toss the guy 1,060 pesos because I didn't have a 10 I only had it in 20's. He looks at me like I'm crazy and I panic again. I toss him my last 20 pesos because I think he's about to flip out on me for not tipping him. I grab my bag and haul it to the chaotic "line" that is outside the building. A security officer must have seen my face because he ushered me to a shorter "line" that led me inside to the airline counters. I checked in with Japan Airlines, checked my bag and was off to go through customs and immigration. Before that, I turn the corner...and walk straight towards the sign that reads "INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL TAX GATE 750 PESOS OR $16.00USD"....and I think to myself....ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????? NO WONDER WHY THAT CABBY JUST LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS CRAZY! I just paid him almost $30 for a $3 cab ride. Not only that...but I'd just spent my last pesos on it. So I went to the ATM, my card is rejected...in all three ATM's in the terminal. Soooooooo I empty my wallet...$4USD and plenty of Yen. THANK GOD! I went to the currency exchange counter and while I get screwed with the exchange rate, I get enough to pay the darn international terminal tax...for real this time. I felt like a complete moron, but I made it on the flight and "home" to Zama w/out any other issues. Will I ever go back to Manila if the boat pulls in there again? Not likely. Oh well. We live (and travel) and learn. :)
This past weekend I went into Tokyo for the first time. I went with 5 other girls (four of which live in Zama within walking distance of our place). We went to the New Sanno Hotel http://www.thenewsanno.com/. It's a hotel that is designed (and caters to) military personnel and their families. We had a blast. Saturday night there was an End of Summer Celebration Escoffier Dinner it was an 8 course wine pairing dinner. We really had a great time. Afterwards we went to a rooftop bar called Two Rooms. One room outside, one inside. We hung out outside. I met a bunch of people who work at the Apple Store in Shibuya (in Tokyo). It was a really fun night. We came home yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and I took a two hour nap....all in all, a great weekend!
Today I went to class with a friend of mine because I'll be taking over this class in two weeks to start teaching English! My friend is headed back to the states because their tour here is over, so I'm picking up where she left off. The pay is 12,000 yen so about $130 USD give or take. I really liked it a lot. It is one small group of 4 3rd graders during the first hour, one group of 5 5th graders in the 2nd hour and the last class is 2 8th grade girls. All of them know a lot of English already and their Japanese teacher is there with them and she speaks English very well, so it's a great set up. I'm also taking over a conversational English student starting next week. She is a 20 year old fashion student at a college in Tokyo. She just wants to keep up with her English conversational skills and you all know I LOVE to talk...so it should be a match made in heaven. PS...we're meeting in Starbucks...ummm....how perfect is that?!? That one pays 4,000 yen, so about $45 USD or so based on the yen rate for the day. Regardless, I'm PUMPED to get to teach again and super excited to get out there and meet people! (Not to mention having some spending money!). :)
Nick is getting back into the swing of things on the boat (or so he says). I'm still working on getting the house all set up - I only have to put things up on the walls and then it's DONE! I'll post pictures as soon as I am completely done.
I hope all is well and everyone is having a great week so far back home. We do miss you all very, very much. Keep the e-mails (and mail) coming! We received a really sweet card from Patrick and Emma Walsh - LOVE IT! It's on our fridge. :) I love getting mail! I've gotten packages from my mom and my sister too! It makes being away from home (and Target and Trader Joe's) a little easier. :)
Write soon and call often! I love you all! I'm attaching a link to a couple of pictures from Tokyo. (We only took one picture in Manila, in our hotel and I look tired...so it's a non-postable picture. Sorry! )
Love,
Janelle First Tokyo Trip Pictures- The New Sanno September 11, 2010 <-------- (click here)
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