Back in the Developing World

Tita Minerva is a doctor and she owns the apartment complex that I'm staying in. When my Uncle Edwin was prepping me for my trip prior to leaving, he laughed about the complex resembling Osama's compound...I totally thought he was kidding. Jokes on me ha turns out it does. Zero Dark Thirty was actually the first thing I thought of this morning when I saw it in the light. My apartment is cute though- it's really nice to have my own space. Too bad the building smells like fish at night...ahh gotta love Filipino cooking. I'll make sure to get some pictures tomorrow.

I woke up this morning and wanted to take a walk but was too tired to make it happen. I ended up opting for sitting in a chair in front of the fan for a while before walking about 100 feet to Tita Minerva's so I could eat the 4th mango I've had in the past 20 hours of being here. Lola Fannie, my lola's older sister, kept complaining about them not being sweet. Amusing, considering I thought they were the sweetest mangoes I've ever had the pleasure to taste.

We went to a bazaar this afternoon, which is sort of like a mall but more of an indoor market because everything is cheaper than normal and you can negotiate prices. I didn't intend to buy anything but couldn't resist the 2-for-$15 deal of "Class A" Tory Burch flats. (On the black market here everything is ranked. You have the original product which sells for the regular price, and then Class A and B. Class A is the second best to the original and is sold at a much cheaper price. Class B follows suit. Needless to say I will be going back to the bazaar.) While we were driving, I couldn't help but be reminded of Guatemala the entire time. The crazy motorcyclists weaving in and out of cars, the lack of order in the lanes, tons of people walking around and hanging out, colorful buildings, businesses labeled with hand-painted signs, and tiny, gritty shops lining the entire street.

We got back a few hours ago and I'm laying on Tita Minerva's couch now watching her kids play Batman video games. I don't have wifi in my place (not sure if it's coming or not) but the air conditioning was installed and a mirror put up while we were out. Yay! Funny how easy it is to switch back to "developing country mode" where access to "modern conveniences" is so pleasing...