One of the streets in my neighbourhood is named for William Howard Taft who, in addition to being President of the US and Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, was the first civilian Governor General of the Philippines after the Philippines came under US rule following the Spanish American war. The avenue is not much to look at, being dominated by the concrete pillars and trackway of the LRT-1 rail line, but it is a fascinating place to take a walk.
I set out along Harrison Street. There are lots of little businesses towards the end of the street, including this hardware store which sells mostly lengths of metal piping and metal plates. Business was quiet at this time of the day.
Not much demand for aircon either, and even the corner store, usually busy, was quiet.
At the end of Harrison a left turn takes me onto Epifanio de los Santos Avenue aka EDSA. EDSA runs in a semicircle across Metro Manila and is probably the expat driver's biggest challenge. At this end, and at this time of day, it's reasonably quiet. Usually it's a combination of gridlock and dodgems.
From the overpass looking back three of Manila's famous jeepneys are turning from EDSA onto Harrison. You'll notice that they are all trying to make the turn at the same time three abreast. Tough on anyone coming the other way on the two lane Harrison. The 'PUJ' sign is an instruction to jeepney drivers to take another route. Signs often don't mean much here.
A short way down EDSA it's another left turn onto Taft. This corner is wonderfully chaotic. As well as LRT-1 the MRT-3 light rail line terminates here and there's a constant flow of people coming and going. Once at ground level jeepneys, pedicabs, tricycles and taxis compete for passengers.
A little further down the avenue things calm down and one side of the street is transformed into a long line of small shops selling fresh veg, bananas, melons, eggs, rice, spices, dried fish and plenty of stuff I don't recognise.
The ubiquitous jeepneys serve as transport for goods as well as people, here loaded to the ceiling with coconuts and bananas, and loaded up top with yet more bananas.
And everywhere, of course, smiling people.
A little further along towards Arnaiz Avenue I come to the Pasay City Mall and Market. Outside, the tricycle riders line up waiting for the shoppers.
Inside, I take a walk through the wet market. There's plenty of chicken on sale, every part of the bird including trays of chicken feet which seem to be more trouble than they're worth. Or you can visit Cristy's Pork Place. Or you can go for fish, so fresh that they are still flopping about on the table.
View attachment 102487
View attachment 102488
Now I'm out on Arnaiz Avenue. At this point I'm running out of steam. The temperature is somewhere in the 90's; so is the humidity. It's time to put the camera away and head for a shower and a cold beer. A short walk takes me to Harrison and I'm back to base.
I set out along Harrison Street. There are lots of little businesses towards the end of the street, including this hardware store which sells mostly lengths of metal piping and metal plates. Business was quiet at this time of the day.
Not much demand for aircon either, and even the corner store, usually busy, was quiet.
At the end of Harrison a left turn takes me onto Epifanio de los Santos Avenue aka EDSA. EDSA runs in a semicircle across Metro Manila and is probably the expat driver's biggest challenge. At this end, and at this time of day, it's reasonably quiet. Usually it's a combination of gridlock and dodgems.
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From the overpass looking back three of Manila's famous jeepneys are turning from EDSA onto Harrison. You'll notice that they are all trying to make the turn at the same time three abreast. Tough on anyone coming the other way on the two lane Harrison. The 'PUJ' sign is an instruction to jeepney drivers to take another route. Signs often don't mean much here.
A short way down EDSA it's another left turn onto Taft. This corner is wonderfully chaotic. As well as LRT-1 the MRT-3 light rail line terminates here and there's a constant flow of people coming and going. Once at ground level jeepneys, pedicabs, tricycles and taxis compete for passengers.
A little further down the avenue things calm down and one side of the street is transformed into a long line of small shops selling fresh veg, bananas, melons, eggs, rice, spices, dried fish and plenty of stuff I don't recognise.
The ubiquitous jeepneys serve as transport for goods as well as people, here loaded to the ceiling with coconuts and bananas, and loaded up top with yet more bananas.
And everywhere, of course, smiling people.
A little further along towards Arnaiz Avenue I come to the Pasay City Mall and Market. Outside, the tricycle riders line up waiting for the shoppers.
Inside, I take a walk through the wet market. There's plenty of chicken on sale, every part of the bird including trays of chicken feet which seem to be more trouble than they're worth. Or you can visit Cristy's Pork Place. Or you can go for fish, so fresh that they are still flopping about on the table.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
View attachment 102487
View attachment 102488
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Now I'm out on Arnaiz Avenue. At this point I'm running out of steam. The temperature is somewhere in the 90's; so is the humidity. It's time to put the camera away and head for a shower and a cold beer. A short walk takes me to Harrison and I'm back to base.