No. I haven't flown international last Saturday. I don't even have a passport yet. The Chinatown I'm talking about is just an LRT ride away from Cubao ( and a cab ride). My hny and I decided to pay the great town another visit because we have been deprived of an honest to goodness syaumai and ha kao for one week, honestly we were deprived of any luxury for the whole week. Imagine, no movies, no dine outs. Death. That's why when Friday came, i trooped to the ATM and withdrew my week's salary. And as I counted the hundred bills i felt exhilarated, i felt life surged upon my pale, ravaged veins, haa, power.

Our first stop after paying tribute to the gods who have made possible the immigration of Chinese traders in this forlorn country, was Bee Tin. It was our second time to shop there. The first time we went there, we shopped for nothing in particular, we look around delighted at every item we consider foreign with unreadable labels. We bought just a bottle of Thai dip, some champoy, and green tea. But we found the joys of dipping anything fried in a sweet and sour thai dip, we were mesmerized with the healing wonders of green tea, and the exotic taste of dried plum. And so our second trip.

I find a Chinese deli store, the whole Chinatown, an entirely different land, where gastronomic and ancient mysteries unfold before ones's eyes (and stomach). I am greatly fascinated by the Chinese culture. I find it very rich, mysterious and delightful. With their small, slit-like eyes, the yellowish, paper-like skin of the people, the beautiful silk dresses I greatly coveted, and the wonderfully fulfilling dishes they serve, glorious, comfort food. I can spend my days just eating and savoring the aroma of their dishes. Life is indeed wonderful.

I have observed that the stores are usually closed by 5 pm except for those serving food and grocery shops. But the big stores selling bolts and nuts, carpets, and lights are all afraid of darkness or being kidnapped. We walked the paved streets of the town, sometimes passing in places where the stench of horses' urine is unbearable. The sidewalks are littered with plastic and waste, and I thought, after all, this is still Philippines. The streets are all lined with cars, some nearly junk, most are expensive. There are a lot of apothecary shops and when you pass by, the potent aroma of the herbs will greet your nose and jolt your senses.

Call it coincidence, but we again encountered a batch of tourists riding the calesa, and they are waving to the children playing in the sidewalks who look very much like them, though shabbier. I have observed that the police are of different breed here and the fire fighters definitely came from another planet. The police patrols the street every so often and the big, red fire trucks are always ready. In this town, money really speaks.

Its difficult remembering the street names specially when you don't try to. You'll get lost in the myriad of streets and alleys, you have to bring someone who will drag you in the right direction, some sort of a personal human compass. :D

The fruits are cheaper, I think, because I bought grapefruit for only 20 pesos each while its sold for 30 at Rustan's. Cheapskate.

Walking past the Buddhist temples and the highly secured Chinese schools, one can't help but think how lucky this race is. Though you really have to credit them for their back breaking work ethics.

I'm really enthralled ( that's the nth time i said that using another word). And I am sure that I will be coming back, wrinkling my nose over the horses' smell and braving the kidnapping threats for that piece of Oriental mystic.

By the way , i have just finished reading The Joy Luck Club. :D