Mabuhay, Manila!!

Manila is NOT one of the 'Most Beautiful Cities in the World' because it's crowded, dirty, smelly, etc, etc, etc.

But, Good Gawd Almighty, I love this town.

To me it's always, "all about the people", and ah Manila, it's wonderful!!

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A while back, I took a cab from the airport to Makati, which is the commercial / hotel / entertainment heart of the city.

When I got into the cab, the young Filipino driver was playing the theme to the old TV show 'Miami Vice', set fairly high, maybe a 4.

He said, "Sorry Sir, I turn down."

I always thought there are similarities between Miami and Manila, and the tune could have easily have been called 'Manila Vice', so I asked him to 'pump it up', maybe to an 8 or 9.

He said, "Sir, did you say UP?"

I said, "o'o, salamat."

He said, "Yes Sir, Thank You Sir."

And oh, it just felt 'so right'.

The traffic into the city was terrible as always, but the laughs and beautiful smiles from the young Filipinas in the jeepneys when they first saw the literally "vibratin' Toyota" was wonderful indeed.

BUT THEN, to see them get into the beat and start dancin', made it the BEST $7 taxi ride of my life.