Day two, Thursday 8th, Manila, Cebu.
I awoke around 5 am, dehydrated as usual. I figured Jovy would be calling me around 6, so I hurried down to the Dunkin Donuts for my am coffee. I arrived back at the dump at 6, and hadn't been there 15 minutes when Jovy called.
We made arrangements to meet at the church in Quiapo as soon as we both could get there. I hopped on a jeepney that said Quiapo and rode it for quite some time. I didn't find Quiapo. We were headed back in the direction we had come from when I jumped off. I rode several jeepneys around this area for a time, and did some hiking up and down the Ermita area, finding the elusive Slouch Hat in the process. Out of all the areas in Manila I have been, this is the area I like the best.
I finally figured out to get to Quiapo I must ride to the end of the line and then switch jeepneys to get there. I arrived around 9 am. I walked around the church for a while looking for Jovy. There are people and beggars everywhere. At this point, I cannot spare a single piso. Finally I am charging up some steps to go to another area when a girl tugs on my sleeve. I make to get away from another beggar, then notice she is motioning toward someone standing against the wall. It is Jovy.
We walked around Quiapo for a couple of hours, looking for my elusive product. We found a place that had a very similar product, but at a much inflated price. Then Jovy bought us lunch, and I got on a bus back to Baclaran to catch my 1 o'clock flight to Cebu. The whole time we were together, I don't think I heard her friend say a single word, nor did I learn her name.
The flight was non eventful. I arrived about 2 pm, and took a tricycle into Lapu-Lapu. I then took a jeepney to SM mall. The jeepney was empty when I got on, but as we went across the Mactan bridge I counted 28 passengers including myself. At SM mall, I got off and hiked the 2 miles or so to Eddies Hotel. As usual, the staff was happy to see me, and made a big welcome. I was drenched in sweat from the walk, someone bought me 2 San Miguels.
After a brief rest and a shower, I got on a jeepney and rode it down to the Carbon Market to look for product. I found it, right where it was last year.
I told the girl who was attending the booth that I was interested in 1000 pieces, and she looked a little shocked, then refered me to an older woman, whom I assume is her mother. We talked for a bit, and she assured me that 1000 pieces would be no problem, and that it would take about a month to produce. She told me P65 each, and I looked at her. She then says "Ok, P60." I didn't haggle with her, this was fair. I told her I would bring my partner back the next day, and hiked back to Eddies Hotel and took a nap.
I aroused around 7 pm, and after showering again, went to see if my friend Bill was still running the Exotica bar. He was, but he was the only familiar face in there. I suspect he is a little hard to work for. Oh well.
Bill and I talked for quite some time, and several girls (GROs) came up and talked to me. For the most part, I ignored them all. After a period of time I went and sat down in a corner, and immediately a GRO joins me, but I ignored her also and when I refused to buy her a drink, she left. Then another one sits down and chatters non stop for a while. I ignored her too for quite some time, but she didn't leave, and didn't ask for a drink. Then I notice several things about her. First, she isn't bad looking at all, and rather large for a filipina, I'd guess 5'5" and 120 lbs. She seemed nice enough. So, she migrated to my lap where she continue to chatter endlessly. I did eventually volunteer to buy her a drink. She is 28, and has an 11 yo son she is trying to support. Her father is dead, and her mother is sick. At least, this is the story I got. I crashed.
