I took a walk around Makati this morning after my delectable buffet breakfast… Full-on American AND Filipino AND European AND Japanese AND who knows what all else. The hotel, part of a Thai chain, is quite striking, gold leaf everywhere.

It’s not even all that hot, but the humidity is impressive, after half an hour’s pleasant stroll I am drenched with sweat. The gardens outside the Ayala Museum were very pretty, and many of the big trees have lanterns like these strung them, I’m sure it would be beautiful at night. I’m almost as sure that I would not want to be out walking at night by myself… I picked up a “tour guide” who had to be fended off just out on my walk this morning.

These jeepney buses are everywhere, some totally empty, others crammed with people, all unique and individual like Gypsy wagons.