Visiting Intramuros in Manila!
Hello Hive Family! Welcome to Manila! Hehe...
I am pleased to share my experience exploring the historic walled city of Intramuros here in Manila. What a magnificent place! I have always dreamed of visiting it and taking a romantic ride on a traditional Calesa (horse-drawn carriage).
That dream stayed with me for years, but I never had the chance to make it happen. Growing up in the province of Davao and then spending many years working in Hong Kong kept this experience just out of reach.
Bureau of Internal Revenue in Intramuros
Now, life has given me a good reason to be here: my son is going to school in Manila, and I have moved there to be with him.
So, how did I end up in Intramuros today? It was a happy coincidence! I needed to verify my TIN (Tax Identification Number) for a tax application related to publishing my book (it will still be a while until I can publish "The Journey of Life", about my life and my experience as domestic helper working abroad in Singapore and Hong Kong, but it is another big dream!), and the nearest office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is located in that area.
I also passed by the famous Quiapo Church again, though this time I didn't stop to take photos.
I didn't even have plans to blog today, but the moment I entered Intramuros, I was completely amazed! It's so cool, very clean, and steeped in history.
Beautiful Architecture!
Just look at the architecture! The buildings are very old, but they have a captivating beauty that is so pleasing to the eyes. I even saw a security guard wearing a very classic, old-model uniform that added to the charming, timeless atmosphere.
In the following pics you see the typical public means of transportation of the Philippines: jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles.
Using Move It!
And here is another experience for me in the Philippines: I rode a single motorcycle taxi they call Move It! It's such an easy access, especially when you are in a hurry and need to beat the traffic. A handy tip though: don't bring too much stuff with you!
What a Day of Wonderful New Experiences!
Wow! I suddenly miss Intramuros. My last visit there was last year, second week of December.
Yes, it's a very beautiful place, and I enjoyed my time there a lot. I hope you can go there again soon! 🙂
I wanna visit Intramuros again, but like a tourist naman hehe. I wanna try the Kalesa kasi, haha. Wow, congrats on your book! Is it hard to process it? 😃
!PIZZA
The book is my most exciting project recently, but yes, it is not easy at all. I hope I can publish it one day to give all OFWs a voice.
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@jijisaurart(2/10) tipped @gen-quimba
Come get MOONed!
Thank you a lot for this great support, @theinkwell!
Intramuros is great and historical. I have heard about that place in Manila and even read information about it in sone textbooks. This is a good read because it offers new story and insights about Intramuros at present. Your blog showcased its beauty and even included showing to all readers the typical filipino means of transporation. Jeepneys will always be the iconic one. And oh, a book? I am shocked because I always see your videos on 3speak and you look like enjoying only life but behind it is a woman dedicating time for her book, to give voice to the OFW's. From the title itself, I am sure it will offer new perspective about filipino workers from the lens of a worker in Hongkong. I am excited to know soon you finally published it. Can you give us some news soon?
Of course I will inform also the Hive community as soon as the book is ready to be published. Writing is fun am I am progressing fast, from my poor childhood to the reasons why I became OFW, my experiences as OFW, some lessons I learned and how I always tried to support my son and the rest of my family.
The part apart from writing is the really complicated thing. The editing (done by a friend), finding the best place to publish it (I will probably start with Draft2Digital) and annoying things like learning about the taxation rules (before I have even earned one single cent, hehe).
Oh I am sorry for I have overlooked this comment. Life got busy. I also know a close teacher of mine and he shared the frustrating process of publishing a book. He even said he was actually supported by the national library of the Philippines and got his book stored there. But you, I know you can publish it successfully. The story that lies in your book is an indicator you will have it relased soon. I will pray for that gen.
Thank you a lot for your good wishes and prayers! 😊
I should add that I am fighting hard to build a business in the Philippines. I quit a comparable comfortable job in Hong Kong to fulfill this dream and reach more freedom, even if it's not easy at all. But true: despite the struggle I always try to enjoy life as much as possible.
Oh that is a hard decision. Have you already established the business? Where is it located?
I was at first busy with fixing my home, for example changing the damaged door and the sink, cleaning and repairing a lot. Then I had to get appliances, especially a fridge to be able to store some food.
Now I have to find places where I can sell food but partly plan to sell from home also. Maybe sooner or later I will need to buy a motorcycle as traffic and bad public transportation in Manila makes it hard to reach the different places fast enough.
Just now I returned to Hong Kong because there is still some of my stuff like for example clothes which I want to bring home.
But I already made some progress and hope to start selling food soon.
I am living in Quezon City now.
Ohhh life will be good to you for sure @gen-quimba. Im looking forward to the start of your business. Please share some peek here so we can cheer for you. This will be a success.❤️❤️❤️ I hope you'll get to finish preparing and settling up your necessities. Especially the transpo which will help you do things more flexible than riding public transpo.
I haven't been to intramurous but I'd love to visit that wonderful place. I specially would like to try the kalesa. It feels just like I will be brought back to the colonial times. I have actually ridden one back in my college days in Iligan City. It was a memorable experience I had with my sister who went there to visit me. Also, a big congratulations to you and to your book! It's not published yet but still the hardwork and effort you put into making the write up itself done is already a big win. Looking forward for your book to be published soon! More to write and more to inspire. Fighting!
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Thank you for the good wishes concerning my book! It will still last a few months until I can pubslish it, but I keep pursuing that aim!
Wow the jeepney gives me nostalgia.I love how historic the place is. Thankyou for sharing ♥️
Thank you for reading and commenting! 😊