Manila - a surprise or two

Manila might not be on your list of top haunts.
But perhaps you should re-consider.

I've had some hilarious and thought-provoking trips there recently.

My first way back in June was for an Expo with work and while I didn't really see anything of cultural significance I was serenaded by a Marriachi band at a 2nd rate eatery.  It was quite earie - you know, when you're the only gringo and you are just waiting for them to come to you as an unfamilar face, expecting a tip larger than the average man's daily wage.  Table by table they got closer and closer; I was getting ever more nervous of the etiquette of such a situation.

Anyway, the unavoidable materialised and they plonked themselves (a bassist, guitarist and female vocalist) in front of our table expectant and eager.  They started with some nondescript muzzak from the 50s and then to my wonderment, asked if I had any requests.  I must say I was stumped for a while.  Seeing the creasing on my perplexed brow, the female of the group trumped up with: "We can do anything you like - even Lady Gaga."  The Gaga herself, rendered humble and lowly by a itinerant troupe in a Manila buffet restaurant - well that I had to hear.  I took a long breath in and suggested they try Papparazzi to test their mettle.

I had to pause scoffing my roast pork with boiled pork on the side (with an extra dollop of fried pork for good measure on a separate plate); the effect was stunning.  Convincing they were; tuneful they were; and they startled me with an acapella version of such a digitally-laden track, that really was impressive.  Never judge a book, I suppose...and this musical book deserved the 100 peso tip they got for making me smile ear to ear.

Who'd have thougt it in such ordinary surroundings.  Not sure who should be more suitably lauded: Lady Gaga for creating such malleable music or the wandering waifs who whistled their way through a challenging club anthem with nonchalant ease.  Great stuff.....!

More Manila mania next time.

Recent complaint to the Singapore bus company SMRT

This is a copy of a complaint letter I just sent to SMRT in Singapore about their erratic and dangerous driving on one of the routes (56).  Happy reading - if they deign to respond, I will let you know ;-)

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Dear SMRT,

I couldn’t find a feedback page on your website so am mailing you directly.

I recently travelled on the number 56 from Thompson Road to Toa Payoh.

It was one of the most erratic driving experiences I’ve had since moving to Singapore 7 years ago.

Route: 56 between Thompson Road and Toa Payoh, Jackson Square.

Date: 16^th September

Time: 11am

Bus registration: 8397

a.       First of all, when I boarded there was a woman running to catch the bus behind me so boarded slowly and indicated to the driver someone was running to catch it.  He had already started to close the doors and they part-closed on me, hitting my shoulder.

b.      Overall the driving was jerky and inconsiderate to the passengers.

c.       He approached bus stops far too quickly and then the required braking meant passengers were flung around inside the bus.

d.      Several elderly passengers almost lost their footing.

e.      Even sitting down, the swerves and heavy braking meant one was constantly grabbing handrails to prevent one’s self from being flung to the floor.

Please pursue this with the driver concerned.

There was no point raising this with him during the journey as even when I complained about the closing door banging against my shoulder, he looked straight though me as if I’d crawled from under a stone.

Yours disappointedly – and slightly bruised.

Darren

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