The climate is VERY hot and VERY humid. It has been in the 90s every day so far. One night it was raining (pouring!) as we came home from dinner and the streets even began to flood a little. The next morning, it was as if nothing had happened.
The Philippines is located very near to the Equator in the Tropics, so the outdoor world includes a lot of things that you would expect to find in a rainforest/tropical environment. The Philippines is also an archipelago, so there is water everywhere!
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| Thomas drove by :) |
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| Manila Bay |
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| Look at all of the trash in the water. Environmental issues are a big problem in the Philippines, as they are elsewhere. |
Manila is a huge city, so outside the buildings I have been going to meetings in, it really looks like a city!
On Friday, I leave for Batangas City, which is three hours south of here. Maybe the landscape will look different there!
It reminds me a lot of Hawai'i!
ReplyDeleteis there usally a lot of rain
ReplyDeleteYes! Lots!
DeleteIt's REALLY pretty there!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs.Sobek, Hope you are enjoying your trip. Which do you like better the weather in Coldwater or the Philippines, also can you swim in Manila Bay?
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer the weather in Coldwater! It is very hot here and it makes it hard to focus. Plus, it gets dark really early here -- like 6 pm!
DeleteI can't swim in Manila Bay. If you look closely, there's lots of trash. But there are lots of other places to swim in the Philippines, so I hope I get to swim soon!
Hi Mrs. Sobek! I hope you're enjoying your trip so far. The area you are currently in looks very modern, I was wondering if you know whether or not the area you are going to will be like that or not.
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa! The part of the city where my hotel is located is definitely very modern and Westernized. However, you can go just a few blocks and find areas that show just how poor some of the people here are. I hope to post some pictures of that soon so that you can see. The next place I'm going to is called Batangas City, and I think that it will be similar, with modern areas and less developed areas (though it is definitely smaller!). If you want to check out Batangas City, Google street view is available! Try dropping the little yellow pegman somewhere and see what it looks like.
Deleteit looks like there's less pollution there with how green everything is
ReplyDeleteThe Filipino people seem very dedicated to planting green plants wherever it is possible. Plants definitely help improve air quality! However, Manila is a very crowded city with lots of pollution (especially from cars).
DeleteAre there a lot taxis or other different looking cars there?
ReplyDeleteLots of taxis, cars, buses, jeepneys, and tricycles. And motorcycles too!
Deletehow many times do you move places like cities or hotels
ReplyDeleteI leave on Friday for Batangas City and then I come back to Manila on Monday the 20th.
DeleteWhat time do you normally get up in the morning there?
ReplyDeleteI have been getting up at 6 or 7 am each day. However the people who live in Manila are probably up earlier than that because they often have long commutes due to traffic.
DeleteSince it rains a lot their does it flood often?
ReplyDeleteYes, but not major floods. The streets will flood, but it doesn't seem like it usually does much damage.
DeleteWas the time change difficult to adjust to?
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm still not adjusted. They say that you can adjust 1 hour per day and I changed 12 hours. I guess that means it will take me 12 days! (I hope not!!)
Deletehow long do they go to school?
ReplyDeletePer day? 6-8 hours depending on grade level
DeletePer year? About 10 months
Per lifetime? 12 years
Do you have anyone there with you besides the other teachers?
ReplyDeleteYes, we have a host from Manila who is a principal of one of the schools here. He takes care of everything for us!
DeleteWhat do you do for fun?
ReplyDeleteVisit schools, learn from Filipinos, marvel at all of the things I am seeing/tasting/hearing/experiencing... Oh wait, did you mean what do Filipinos do for fun?
DeleteDoes the rain cool it down any
ReplyDeleteA little, but it seems to rain mostly at night.
Deletewhy aren't the other places, like manila bay, very polluted?
ReplyDeleteManila is a huge city with millions of people, which means more trash and more pollution.
DeleteDoes the land get flooded a lot?
ReplyDelete^^ Answer up there! (Abby asked the same question!)
DeleteTo the BTE
ReplyDeleteHave fun Mrs. Sobek!
Love,
Emma Finn
Thanks Emma!
DeleteIs the atmosphere a lot difference then ours?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean the air? It seems like it is very polluted. There are so many cars. Or do you mean the feeling of the place? Because that is really different too! There are people everywhere, but they are polite and seem welcoming.
Deletebtw thomas the train is blue not green
ReplyDeleteMaybe someday you can go to Manila and tell them they have it wrong!
DeleteIs that there thomas the train?
ReplyDeleteIs it very hot there?
ReplyDeleteAt this moment (Saturday at 1 p.m.), my phone says it's 89 degrees, but that it feels like 97 degrees. So YES!
DeleteHow much different is the temperature at night compared to the temperature during the day?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the difference is in degrees, but it FEELS like it's a lot different! At night it just feels like a warm summer night. But during the day it is HOT!
DeleteIt looks nice there.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really nice there and all but I don't think I would prefer the weather there either, because humidity is not for me, hahaha. But yes, I do agree that the weather may be a lot better here (in Coldwater), and more comfortable to be able to work in than a hot stuffy place. It does look fun though, enjoy your time as best as you can. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kendalyn! I will definitely be thankful for Michigan weather when I get home!
DeleteHope your having a good time looks fun.
ReplyDeleteThis city seems way bigger than grand rapids!
ReplyDeleteManila: Pop. 1,652,000
DeleteGrand Rapids: Pop. 192,000
So, you're right!
How do they get to school? Are there school buses? Do they walk?
ReplyDeleteMost students walk. Some come on public transportation like jeepneys or tricycles. Some ride the back of their parents' motorcycles. School buses are not really a thing here :) In the news earlier this week, it showed some students riding to school on a raft they made themselves!
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