Starting Out

We spent today at the new apartment. It is in Fort Bonifacio on the 33rd floor of a high rise.  This is our view which is not too shabby. 

Kiki was disappointed that the windows only open a couple of inches.  Also, she wanted to know what would happen if she dropped her blanket out the window.  I told her it would be gone forever and that seemed to eliminate any temptation to drop something out.

This is our kitchen.  Part one of what I would like to say is this:  This was the filthiest kitchen I have ever seen.  It's not large, and I still went through an entire container (the large one) of Clorox Wipes cleaning it.  Also, if you want to sleep at night, never EVER pull out the stove in a rental unit.  It's too late for me of course, because pulling out the stove was exactly what I did.  The owner of the rental unit told me several times that she had THREE maids when she was living here, and I repeatedly asked myself how it was possible to have that much help and still live in filth.  Part two is this: There is a little room at the end of the kitchen that has the washer and dryer.  It is also the maid's room.

 To the left of the washer is a cot on the ground.  If we had a live in maid, this is where she would sleep.

To the right of the dryer is this tiny bathroom.  The maid, you will notice, doesn't even get a toilet seat.  Also, her shower is just a shower head that comes out of the wall by the toilet.

So, if you come to visit us now you know where you will be staying. 

We went to S&R, which is like Costco, and did some shopping.  We were fascinated by these fruits which were like huge, spiky coconuts.  I asked our driver about them and he warned me that they stink but taste good.  I don't know how that is possible. 

We are amazed by how nice everyone has been here.  It was nice to start unpacking today and once my kitchen was clean I did feel like we could be at home here.  The roads are insanely busy with cars and motorcycles and jeepneys which are crazy old jeeps converted into taxis.  I saw three adults on one motorcycle.  I'm glad we aren't driving here because I think the dividing lines for the lanes are more just a suggestion and the guy who drove us from the airport never touched his turn signal.  Also, there are security guards everywhere and most of them are armed.  I've had my purse inspected at several places and our hotel has trained dogs at the entrance all of the time.  It's very interesting, but everyone seems used to it.

Lastly, you all know that my Kiki loves McDonalds's and loves spaghetti.  Imagine her delight when we saw this:

Also, at McDonald's here, they ask you what prize you want in your Happy Meal and then hand it to you immediately at the cash register.  The girls think that Filippino McDonald's=The Celestial Kingdom.