A 5 hour walk around Pasay

I wanted to visit an area that looked really interesting, I had spotted it when I have been in a cab driving home from Las Pinas, I never really knew where the area was except that there was a huge bus terminal called "5 star". Anyway I asked at reception if they knew where it was but they didn't, we tried the cab firms but no cabs were available to take me there. So I told them that I would buy a map and walk there, they thought that I was mad, they were saying that it would take me 5/6 hours to get there and it wasn't a good idea. I know that Filipinos are not very good when it comes to walking anywhere they prefer to take a cab, Jeepney or trycicle.

I looked at the map and it didn't look that far so off I went, I was right within 90 mins I was approaching Pasay. I wasn't sure which way to go so just kept walking, the main roads started to fade and I found myself walking along small roads and dirt tracks, have you ever had that feeling as you walk along that says...... I don't think I should be walking along here and you say to yourself, no problem there will be a main road here shortly but as you walk you just keep getting deeper and deeper into an area that makes you feel uncomfortable. I didn't really feel unsafe as it was only the afternoon but people round here don't see many Caucasians as people were stopping whatever they were doing to look at me. I wanted to take some photos but couldn't as I would've felt like a bit stupid as everyone was just looking at me, I also had my camcorder with me hidden in a shoulder bag, I must stress I didn't feel that unsafe just uncomfortable. I continued to walk.. looking as confident as I could and smiling at anyone that took my gaze. I eventually ended up in this village selling all sorts of things, I would've liked to have looked and strolled around but it's not so easy when everyone is looking at YOU !!

Eventually I hit a main road.... my comfort zone returned...... I'm near the Skyway with a freeway beneath, alongside all of that is this area of corrugated huts and dwellings, I took a lot of photos here, people were living under part of the bridge and even had some sort of meeting which I took a pic of. I follow these homes around the freeway wall, there were some friendly children there that came to talk to me but they didn't speak English and I don't speak Tagalog, so it was just....... where (you) from......... uk.... strange looks, obviously don't attend school so probably don't know what I'm talking about, but they were sweet kids and I got a nice pic of them.
I continued along the freeway as it heads towards Makati where I live, the pavement is only 18" wide, I suppose it's not meant for people to walk along. I just kept walking............... for 2 MILES.... I couldn't get off it, fumes were choking me, people driving past must have thought what a plonker !! Anyway eventually it splits going into 2 directions but neither have a pavement ??......... there was 3 ladies cleaning an area alongside the freeway, I asked them is there a way I can get off here........... no problem they simply walked on the freeway with their brooms and stopped all 4 lanes of traffic for me........... only in the Philippines !!! I was grateful to be off it and popped straight into the first mart to get a drink of orange as I was so dry. I then just walked the rest of the way home, though I was tiring near the end with the heat and humidity I refused to get a cab for the last mile, when I reached Lagaspi village where I live, I popped into Starbucks and proceeded to spill a very large cup of coffee all over myself which looked as though I had just wet myself, so with my bag trying to cover me I retreated to my condo for a shower, change of clothes and a restful evening. There is still places that I want to visit in the evening, this time I am going to try and look less like a tourist.

Hope your day is as stress free as mine will be.