Manila

 A Short Trip to Manila

 

Last week, I attended a professional workshop in Manila. Tashkent is not very convenient to get in and out of. To attend the workshop, I ended up travelling for 24 hours in both directions (including 11-hour layovers in Seoul), and spending 2 1/2 days on my own in Manila. 

My hotel, and the school that hosted the workshop, are in a part of Manila called Fort Bonifacio. This area is pretty amazing; gorgeous retail areas, green spaces, orderly traffic, lots of restaurants. 

This is called a 'Jeepney.' It is a form of public transport. They're old American army jeeps that have been recycled. Brilliant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On my second day in Manila, I took a taxi to Intramuros, an historic section of the city. It was my introduction to the nightmare traffic in Manila. It took 1 1/2 hours each way. I found out later that many of the people who work at the international schools in Manila rarely leave their neighbourhoods, because of the traffic. 

On my last day in Manila, I visited the American cemetery, the final resting place for American servicemen killed in the Pacific arena during WWII. Seeing the rows and rows of pristine crosses (and some stars of David) was heart-breaking. So many young men, so many dreams, so many hopes, just wasted. 

 

 

 

Fall Break in St.Petersburg

Random Pics from St.Petersburg

I couldn't believe this woman was carrying around a tool to take selfies!

There were A LOT of Irish pubs in St.Petersburg!

This was painted on the lid of a wooden trunk, in the Russian museum.

dolls made from moss, Russian museum

To walk around the Faberge museum, I had to cover my pink Docs.

Inside the Applied Arts School. This institution was founded in 1878 by a millionaire who thought the students should be surrounded by beauty. The building is astonishing. During the soviet years, the building was defaced. It is now being restored, using private funds.

In a cafe window

Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Saviour

House of Meat. No Fish Restaurant. Another place I won't be eating. 

The Academy of Arts. Once upon a time, talented students would board here. This little museum was in the basement, full of copies made by students. 

The Gallery of Dolls

Yusupov Palace (where Rasputin was murdered)

Udelnaya Flea Market