12. Horsing Around in Manila

Hi Everyone,



We had a lovely Chinese meal in Quezon City with Roger, Nieva, and their daughter Sherry, her husband Yanni and their two children.

This was the end of Virginia's stay with us. We all awoke at 3 AM in the morning including the driver who took us all to the Manila International Airport to see Virginia off. We really enjoyed her stay with us!




Then the next day Roger's son Jun-Jun took us for a ride through Manila. Filipino Catholics are devout and this is Sunday. So here's a gigantic crowd waiting to enter the Quiapo Church in Manila. They are celebrating Santo Niño and people flock to participate in this devotion. This is a famous church where on Holy Week they have the enactment of the Passion of our Lord Jesus. We couldn't find an opening for us to enter without standing in line and there's a history of people being injured by the surging crowd. We just wanted to visit this famous church and see the inside. No luck.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiapo_Church:

Quiapo Church, officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is a Roman Catholic church located in the District of Quiapo, Manila, in the Philippines. The church is one of the most popular churches in the country. It is home to the Black Nazarene, a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ which many people believe has miraculous attributes. Many sick people come to see the Black Nazarene, hoping that getting a chance to pray in front of its miraculous image would heal their sicknesses.





Lourdes and her daughter-in-law Penn pose by a gorgeous old car parked outside the Manila Cathedral where there is a wedding going on. This is not our car and we didn't ride in it. It was probably reserved for the bride and groom.




How about riding this instead? I prefer something still older but rideable. At least the doors aren't locked.




Yep, In Manila Heide and I got to ride this Calesa (horse-driven carriage) around the block for about five dollars. This is reminiscent of the aristocratic Spanish era. Actually, we didn't have to pay the five dollars. Lourdes negotiated with the driver and got us a better deal, which she paid herself.





Couldn't miss the sunset in Manila Bay. It's a classic.




Our last meal with Roger and Nieva at their favorite Chinese Restaurant. Is this woman enjoying her meal or what?! The "I love Iloilo" cap in the background is mine. (See the picture with the horse.) The next day the driver took Heide and me to the bus station for our seven-hour ride to Baguio.


Duane and Heide.