Stapleton, Staten Island

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Stapleton, Staten Island http://ow.ly/5VHQt

This is the neighborhood where I currently live & I’m happy of being in Staten Island! We’re closer to the St. George Ferry Terminal, which allows us 45 minutes commuting time to downtown Manhattan. This neighborhood has lots of businesses that are run by the owners themselves; most of the owners live in the same neighborhood. It’s got fascinating character, history, lots of people of different races, and a cool mix of the suburb and the city found in its old streets.

Travel time spent on commuting can be a challenge for some; you can take the train, the bus or take a walk to the ferry terminal. Or you can take the express buses to Manhattan, which is costlier. Or you can drive your car and pay extra for having such. But no matter what your choice in doing your daily travels, the time you spent on coming back home after a day’s work can be worth it; the community is progressive and a pleasant place to live in (depending on your personal requirements).

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Disadvantages to living in New York City

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Disadvantages to living in New York City http://ow.ly/34MRV

Notes to the link above:

Having lived in NYC for close to 6 years now, I can always pinpoint the many disadvantages of living in NYC. But I have to emphasize that I really like living in this city, even with all its disadvantages and irritants that get into me from time to time. Nothing is really new about that; most readers have read about these thoughts from papers; viewers have already seen repeatedly these not-so-pretty scenes on TV and from the movies.

1) It’s not the cleanest city you’ll ever visit in your travels; my friends would tell me this observation right away even if they live in another big city here in the US. I don’t mind that – it’s true. But it doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. It’s just that certain parts of the city can, indeed, be dirty looking; it’s not only these parts as even some people you meet on the streets are dirty-looking themselves.

2) It’s costly. Nothing new about this, OK?

3) It’s can be lonesome even if you’re with good friends and family. Yes, it’s paradoxically lonesome even if you find yourself in the crowds. I think this gets highlighted with the changing of the seasons.

4) It’s annoying to meet so many people on the streets, in the subway system, in the parks, in the many attractions in NYC and they behave like they want to be treated like they’re ‘important people’ just like they’re so used to be treated back in their home countries. You’ll see so many of them, and you’d just wish they’d just write the announcements right away on their bosoms so you won’t need to figure things out when you come face to face with them. The best approach is to wear that ‘you-don’t-care-at-all’ attitude, and they will soon understand that. Just leave them in their illusion-filled world, and have fun with your own life.

5) It’s noisy. YESSSS, it’s really noisy!

6) Expect a lot of shocking events, people and activities you’ll face in NYC.  They’re shocking but not necessarily disturbing, I have to add.  For example, I’m shocked by seeing so much display of wealth and I’ll see homeless persons walking by.  The first time I saw a homeless person reading a thick paperback, that scene kinda shocked me — he was even asking for specific amount from me and my friends who happened to be chatting beside him.

7) Although public transport is still relatively cheap, there’s something REALLY troublesome with how the subway, the bus system, the Staten Island Ferry system have been providing their services to the riding public. Of course, its workers are indeed working hard; there’s no doubt about it. But remember that it’s a bureaucracy that is really become ineffective at its delivery of public transport services. Repairs go forever during weekends, so it’s best to make well-made plans when going out during weekends. The Staten Island Ferry is often late in arrival especially when it’s a nice day when so many tourists go about visiting the city — and if you live in Staten Island close to the Ferry, you’ll have to wait another 30minutes for your connecting trip to wherever you’re destination as the bus or the train would have left by then. And with the news that the MTA‘s top honcho gave up his job for a better paying similar job in Hong Kong, this just says that the system’s overall-leadership in providing such services is turning out to be a failure (probably in the long run?). This bodes badly with the rest of the system. Well, we can just hope (and pray!) the system can continue correcting and improving itself.

I have to add that I’ve met so many kind-hearted, helpful, real people in NYC, hence I’ve decided to stay here. And despite all disadvantages, NYC is still worth spending all your time to live, work, and love in.

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A guide to the best food trucks in Manhattan

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A guide to the best food trucks in Manhattan http://ow.ly/565IS

Notes:

A mentor who decided to build his businesses using his knowledge about European culture (he was born and raised in Italy) once remarked to me that I could very well get into the food truck business here in NYC. The business is dominated mainly by Arabs and of course, the Chinese people. But then he thought I may not really like it, which is truthful. I actually don’t like being in and running the business as I gained very practical experiences on it back in the Philippines – it actually entails so much work than what it seems to most of its customers who think they’re paying so much from the food they decide they like to buy from these food trucks. Some of them would even have the gall to point out that profits are derived from charging 200% from costs, & voila, the owner pockets the money! And seldom you’ll see food trucks owned by people from the Philippines; I think most Filipinos know it better that the business is not at all glamorous as some people may think of it when looking at the surface.

But we have to agree that part of being in NYC is to experience having food from food trucks; they certainly offer the best food you’ll have here in NYC. Coffee, hotdogs, shawarma, ice cream, yogurt, pancakes – name it, you’ll see it offered in one of these food trucks and presented lovingly by the entrepreneur and/or his helpers. I’d even see the mayor having hotdogs with some top ranking officials with their pictures splashed on the tabloids, which can be very amusing. What’s so unusual with that? It’s not because you have much cash in your bank account that you won’t consider having food from food trucks. The issue of ‘cleanliness and hygiene’ can be valid for some, but I can see that most who have issues against buying food from food trucks are merely projecting their own uncleanliness in their personal lives – I can say this because I’ve observed it a lot of times with the people I’ve meet here. They behave as if you look ‘dirty’ but you go take a closer look and you’ll see they’re slobs as well in the privacy of their homes. And I’ve got lots of stories to tell about this, which is all together a different topic.

And going back to the topic of food trucks here in NYC, consider exploring them as there is more to be learned from them other than the food. They’ve been built by great entrepreneurs who actually serve as the backbone of the very strong food industry (and industries further in the business and commerce industries) here in NYC. They’re committed and hardworking, and most of them love what they’re doing, which is something you’ll seldom catch a sight of from countless workers who are employed by small/medium/large sized companies alike in NYC. You’ll see the results with the food they offer as you can get an excellent feeling in your guts of their usual happiness, enthusiasm and thrill over preparing, selling, and making profits from meeting the needs of hungry New Yorkers!

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Stapleton in Staten Island, among Daily News’ Best Places to Live in NY

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Stapleton in Staten Island, among Daily News‘ Best Places to Live in NY http://ow.ly/4VOlH

Notes on the link above:

Stapleton is an old neighborhood in Staten Island, which happened to be in a borough most NYC people would rather not consider visiting for one reason or another. But I know they’re missing a lot – I used to have the same attitude until I got the opportunity to live here. I would have chosen to live in St. George, which is the closest neighborhood to the ferry terminal that’s a 30-minute ride away from Downtown Manhattan, but Stapleton beckoned. This neighborhood’s the second stop of the Staten Island Railway (our subway here, which is still a solitary line until perhaps NYC government decides to open the line along the north shore that faces New Jersey).

I’ve since then learned a lot about this neighborhood that even has a book written on it {Images of America: Stapleton}, which I bought even it’s over $20 as I felt so proud of living in this neighborhood. It’s fascinating to check and discover a lot of the houses pictured in the book that are still standing. As the Daily News has reported on it, Stapleton is where prospective real estate buyers may get to purchase their next properties if they know what they’re doing.

It’s an interesting neighborhood that deserves a look-see trip from all curious and adventurous visitors of NYC. Part of it is called ‘Stapleton Heights‘, which I think is a way to differentiate it from the housing projects that have been built in the same neighborhood in the 60s and which some residents have been giving it a bad name. They don’t know that they ought to be proud to have well-maintained, nice looking really old houses here that are lived in by single or dual families. But should I even be bothered by all these pettiness? I know a lot of NYC’s neighborhoods, even in Manhattan’s highly desirable neighborhoods (e.g. East Village, Upper East Side), that have lots of housing projects, too (and I’m talking from experience as I personally know people who live in these so-called housing projects). For now, I’m happy I’m here and able to lead an interesting life of a creative person who owns and runs his small business here; I live in a century old house where my bedroom’s at least 4 times bigger than the last room I had in Chinatown‘s East Broadway. Of course, amenities are not comparable with those found in most NYC’s neighborhood but just the same, the quality of my life here is better. I’ve been here for 2 winters now and I plan to stay as long as I am able to do so.

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Moving-on 365 days in NYC’s subway trains & Staten Island’s ferry, too!

Image by Jose P Isern Comas via Flickr

Moving-on 365 days in NYC’s subway trains & Staten Island‘s ferry, too! You will seldom meet someone who lives in NYC who has not taken the subway at all. But you may probably meet some who have not taken the Staten Island ferry boat.  This ferry boat’s the alternative to getting a grand view of Lady Liberty on her island.

Taking the subway is part of New Yorker’s daily life, practically. it’s the most convenient, though not exactly always reliable transportation method in NYC. The MTA (the agency that runs the system) always does its repair and construction works during weekends and evenings so keep in mind that the schedule can be spotty at most on these periods. The train rides offer you a different view of how other people live in NYC. Each rider has a story to tell whenever [s]he takes a ride in the system.  Taking and riding the system is a very egalitarian experience, which is a concept that’s so strange in societies where you will see subtle and loud ways that attempt to always separate social classes due to economic reasons.  All you need is enough cash to get into the system and you can reach your destinations (most times!) in due time. Just look at it as an adventure – you’ll see faces of humanity that you never thought are there for you to explore. You’ll meet workers, students, religious people, professionals, homeless, the poor, smelly persons, the stylish and snotty ones, the politicians, artists, musicians, foreigners, dancers, tourists, writers, businesspeople, among so many others (including a few animals – the pets – of the passengers). Just by observing them , you’ll see commonalities from among them that you probably possess. And you’ll be surprised by a lot of scenes that take place while being in the subway. Just open you eyes and ears.

http://ow.ly/4oRIP

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On a Pinoy Trans-sexual in New York City

Image by Tony the Misfit via Flickr

In this blog posting, I’ve talked about someone I’ve met on many occasions in New York City. I meant to write about her months ago when I showed up in her birthday party but I soon lost the motivation to do so. It’s one of those parties that I believe some people ought to hear about as it’s very edgy and has been orchestrated just like a big show jammed inside a very crowded tiny room that’s so common in New York City (the clautrophobics among us would surely have instant fits!). I just had to wait for the next meaningful opportunity to write about what she’s been doing, which came recently.  In NYC, she’s had been working on transforming herself from who she was in her former life in the Philippines – another common friend told me about her when she was still a “man’ back in her Mother country. She’s from one of the big cities in southern Philippines. I’d prefer that she remains anonymous here as I didn’t tell her that I’d be writing about her – she may end up not talking with me anymore or maybe I really don’t know her that well even though we’ve seen each other many times and we share a lot of common friends. In terms of physical looks, she can easily out-do all others in her league as well as other women who show up along her way. I’ll reserve judgment if she’s being smart with the strategies she’s pursued – that’s simply her choice as she sees it fit according to what the most loving Lord shows her. Also, I admire the attitude of all the other common friends I share with her as they’re not behaving like they’re being judgmental on what’s she’s been doing and making them understand what’s she’s into these days. They all admire and rave on her for her intelligence, gutsy-ness and business sense (there are lots of Filipinos in NYC who’ve done well who are not talked about in most papers, which topic will be written about here as the right opportunity comes along).  She’s known to have been earning much money and doing a lot of investing back in her Mother country.

In this occasion, we saw each other again in a birthday party, where she came late.  Again, I just wonder why she had to be over-doing herself that night, which really caught me off-handed.  Maybe she trusts me that much, and she’s being comfortable with me. Maybe she’s in a way trying to make me think about my situation as I also wear long hair like her. I’m just so amused just writing about this. We never really know how things will turn out to be. I didn’t think she’d do what she did during this party which was relatively sedated compared with the parties she’d usually host. Read about it in this link: http://ow.ly/4kRqC

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History of the Chrysler Building

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History of the Chrysler Building http://ow.ly/48wDs

Some notes on the article found in the link above:

The Chrysler Building on the far end of  42nd Street on the east side of midtown Manhattan has caught my fancy since I first came here in NYC. I’ve always been surprised at the way it looks, and have always told people I know and meet here in NYC of it ‘being my favorite building in NYC.’  Actually, it has inspired several other structures, one of which I saw when I visited downtown Philadelphia.

The Chrysler Building remains very interesting to look at anytime of the day, unless if it becomes too cloudy up there such that the upper floors are covered from view of the people down below. What distinguishes it from other buildings is its very crown: very iconic, daring and proudly designed and set-up amidst other building tops that are generally very boring to look at.

My researches about the building when I was writing the article have instilled some pride  in being able to see this building every chance I’ve got. Fortunately, I’m still here in NYC. I get reminded from my readings that this building has been designed by an architect whose succeeding other works after the Chrysler Building have been relegated practically to oblivion. I can only guess the genius of a man gets to be shown only once according to the Lord’s purposes, and not for anything else – the architect got his only chance with this work that remains to impress and awe people even up to now.

The Chrysler Building remains interesting because it marks a defined period in architectural history when people would compete furiously to come up with something beautiful and unique when building skycrapers before WWII. The story continues up to now as we take note of other buildings being put-up in other locations. I’d love to be given the chance to check what’s inside the Chrysler Building one of these days, and also the chance to visit and see soon other outstanding structures that I only chance upon now in pictures.

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A visitor’s guide to Staten Island

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A visitor’s guide to Staten Island – http://ow.ly/47GwV

After reading the article found in the link above, you may get to become more curious on what else can you do if you decide to visit Staten Island here in New York City. Don’t head off just yet to the ferry back to Manhattan. For starters, you can decide to take a walk from St. George Ferry Terminal for the next 20 minutes in whatever direction you feel like following. Check the 9/11 Memorial that’s set-up on the Esplanade somewhere outside the eastside of the Ferry Terminal. You will also be led to what the St. George neighborhood has in store for its residents as well as its curious visitors. This is the same neighborhood that has hosted the early creative lives of celebrities including Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and Martin Sheen.

1) If you judge it to be nice day for you to walk, head off to the Borough Hall of Staten Island as well as the Museum of Staten Island (‘SI Museum’ as it is written on the building somewhere on the right side if you’re fronting the Borough Hall.

2) Check Snug Harbor, which is a must-see destination for all non NYC residents who are fond of old buildings that have been re-used for more modern purposes. It used to be a residential community for retired sailors decades ago, and has since been offering surprises to those who are curious enough to know more about Staten Island’s offerings.

3) Take the Staten Island train up to Tottenville, which is at least 30 minutes.  From this station, you’ll get a view of the Outerbridge Crossing, which has been featured in a number of movies. Earlier, there’s also the Verrazano Bridge that you can view from the train, which may probably make you think of exploring on another occasion. You’ll be seeing how sub-urban looking Staten Island can be, which will probably remind you of your own place back home.  On certain parts of SI, you’ll also see that the island’s closer to New Jersey than NYC. Residents often wonder why this fact is not being harnessed more aggressively to bring in more business and development to Staten Island.

4) There are beach walks in Staten Island that you can visit and spend your time in for the next 2 or 4 hours.  They include South Beach and Midland Beach, both of which can be reached by the S51 bus that usually waits for passengers of the ferry before completing its route at the other parts of SI.  The shore actually forms part of the very long shore that passes by the Jersey Shore and in turn goes south all the way to Florida and beyond.

Visit Staten Island in the morning when you have all the time that you can probably spare to discover what the island offers. Depending on the season, your SI trip may turn out to be more pleasant than what you were expecting.

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The best restaurants in New York City Chinatown

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The best restaurants in New York City Chinatown – http://ow.ly/44m2D

A rather long note to the link:

Don’t wonder aloud if you think you’ve read the article in the link from somewhere else. I’ve got 2 versions of this article that are found online, which resulted from the editing and updates I’ve been doing to the original article. Actually, this article grew out of the need to list down those Chinese-food restaurants I’ve actually been to, and have found to be among the best food places here in New York City (NYC).

I follow my taste buds and my wallet, plus my sense of what makes good quality service whenever I rate these food places I’ve been to.  Check the list itself if any of the foodplaces has been under your radar and would get you excited enough to consider visiting the place soon (or even be included in your to-do-list). I know from experience that the food in most foodplaces here in NYC has been updated to cater to American tastes. They’re actually different from the tastes I remember having when I came to China as well as those I’ve been to in the Philippines, which is a country much closer and more closely linked to China.

By the way, some regional Philippine cuisines have very strong similarities with regional Chinese cuisines. For example: lo mein or any other kind of noodle meal in Chinese cuisine has its counterpart in the Philippines – and what’s odd is that they taste very similar. And in other cases, Philippine Chinese-influenced cooking tastes better, hands down. Another example: the Philippine lumpia versus the Chinese spring rolls you’ll have in Chinese restaurants here in NYC – the Philippine lumpia is easily the winner! But we’re going too far with our topic here, as we say this.

And to be more honest about it, Chinese food here in NYC pales in taste and flavor for some reason or another. I think it’s the ingredients, including the condiments, or perhaps the way the chefs are preparing the food.  Most have that fast-food taste that you find in McDonald’s or something similar. Actually, the word is ‘bland!’ Chinese food here in NYC, with certain exceptions, is basically bland. I suspect that most of those who have been eating Chinese food here in NYC have never been to China. Ever found yourself in a lauriat where they serve Peking Duck in a Chinese restaurant here in NYC? They’re noticeably toned down in taste, just as to make the unknowing customer get convinced that [s]he is not eating something that’s cooked in its own oil. Peking Duck tastes a lot better when roasted in the oil from the melted fat that came from the duck itself….but it’s not done as often here in NYC as people are scared of confronting their own health issues as they munch on these Peking duck servings.

But nevertheless, take the courage to check these foodplaces I’ve been recommending in my list.  Begin with the noodle houses.  You want to make sure if a Chinese food place offers what can be considered ‘good quality’? Check if there are Chinese customers around who’d buy and eat food from the place. If you see them showing up there, you’ll be assured the food is really of good taste and quality. Most of these places are found in Chinatown – all the rest happened to be just visited most often by customers who are non-Chinese, hence, these places have become well-known.

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How to save money while visiting New York

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How to save money while visiting New York City http://ow.ly/44SrI

Notes to the link above:

After reading the article, you may want to read more about some other tips I like to share in order for you to save more money while you’re visiting NYC. They’re all based from having been here in NYC for over 5 years now. The main trick is to focus on a certain area, neighborhood, topic, theme that you really care about NYC, and try to know, explore, consider what you can about this specific place (which you may just have in mind but actually existing) while you’re visiting NYC. And in the process, you’ll be able to find ways to save your money during the visit. Contrary to most expectations, you’ll be in control whether you like to spend or just save your money while visiting NYC.

1) For very practical reasons, consider doing a paying gig while here. Focus on what you can do and actually share, and in the process, get paid in return. You may even do odd jobs while in the city. Focus on specific neighborhoods in NYC where you may get to see the sites, as you go about doing your gigs.

2) Do a handy, small business, i.e., sell stuff that are sale-able. And make money in the process. This is actually the best approach in saving money while you’re in NYC.  People will generally understand you as they will recognize you’re working to make some dough, which you’ll spend sooner or later in NYC.

3) Don’t stay in places where you will have to shell out cash. Do a favor to others and get lodging in return. Think about it: you’ll just be spending sleeping hours on a nice bed and the rest of the day you’ll be out exploring NYC, so it does not make sense to shell out money for a basic bed.

4) Learn to like walking, eating while on the streets, taking the subway & buses to/fro your destinations, being friendly but not so friendly people may think you’re so gullible. Make the most of the subway system and you’ll certainly save a lot of money.

5) Do window shopping while in NYC and reserve your money by doing actual shopping online when you’re back home. Walking around with lots of shopping bags can be arduous…enjoy the sites and keep your money in your bank account.

6) Check online for NYC events, and you’ll be amazed at seeing that a lot of them are basically free. Of course, you need to get yourself invited, which you’ll have to figure out more creatively. Focus on what strikes you strongly; don’t even try to be attending all events (or being into everything) or you’ll be lost along the way.

And try to keep away from looking desperate while in NYC, even if you’re not spending your money most times while being here. You’ll attract the wrong elements if you do so, if you continue acting like being in dire straits (which strangely may work at the first few times you don this attitude). You’d notice there are a lot of better actors in the streets, and who have been ahead of you in the game. Wear a more positive outlook on your face while you’re in town, and remind yourself  ‘this will be over soon.’

Despite the disappointments you’ll face while in NYC, there are far more unique experiences you’ll probably have here than in other places you’ve been to before. Enjoy!

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The best Persian restaurants in New York City

Image via Wikipedia

The best Persian restaurants in New York City – http://ow.ly/43YN1

Best hotels near Times Square

Image via Wikipedia

Best hotels near Times Square – http://ow.ly/41WvR

The best restaurants in New York City Chinatown

Image via Wikipedia

The best restaurants in New York City Chinatown http://ow.ly/40Rhw

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blog: d Williamsburg Bridge of my BMW series of NYC bridges

Image via Wikipedia

blog: d Williamsburg Bridge of my BMW series of NYC bridges – http://ow.ly/3ZYek

*I love this pink-colored bridge!

one of those buildings on the Brooklynside of Williamsburg Bridgeone of those buildings again that caught my attention on my way down to Brooklyn from the bridgei wonder why there's an enclosure from this side of the bridgethe subway tracks where the J and M trains runthere goes the Empire State Building againalmost like an abstract painting

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Reasons to visit Bryant Park, New York City

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Reasons to visit Bryant Park, New York City – http://ow.ly/3Yvg6

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A visitor’s experience at New York City’s MOMA

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A visitor’s experience at New York City’s MOMA – http://ow.ly/3XG17

Guide to New York City’s art gallery neighborhoods

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Guide to New York City’s art gallery neighborhoods – http://ow.ly/3XG12

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blog: the Manhattan Bridge of my BMW series of NYC bridges

Eerily quiet. And people still throw their trash into the can. Wow!

blog: the Manhattan Bridge of my BMW series of NYC bridges – http://ow.ly/3Eina

Shown here are some of the photos I took when I crossed Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The main article’s available by clicking on the link above; I remember this bridge and the experience of its cold character despite the warmth at that time of the day. And it was a such a solitary walk that I had. I soon understood that people actually don’t cross usually to Manhattan or Brooklyn on foot via this bridge. You’ll expect to be disturbed by the noise coming from the many vehicles and the subway trains crossing the bridge. The trip, however, provides an abundance of views normally not enjoyed by residents or visitors unless they cross the bridge on foot===Chinatown, as approached from this bridge, looks more elegant because of the arch

I forgot what these designs are...pls update me if you have the chance to be walking on the bridge one of these days...Portions of the Arch in Chinatown, Manhattan, heading to Canal StreetA view of Manhattan Bridge while walking on it; I was practically alone walking considering that it's a warm weekday at that.

(a view of which is shown in one of the photos here); there’s that beach that you never thought can be located just across Manhattan. Plus a lot more to explore and check out for yourself.  Take time to do this trip one of these days.

I would have wanted to cross the bridge in the evening after someone I know described his experience of crossing this bridge to his place in Brooklyn late in the evening. He only had delivery guys on their bikes as company, which was understandable, as Chinatown’s just across the bridge. I could just imagine how peaceful that crossing was…but I’m not sure if it was that safe a trip to make late in the evening.

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A history of the Bagobo people of Mindanao

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A history of the Bagobo people of Mindanao in the Philippines http://ow.ly/2ngK6

Notes on the link above:

I’ve met some who are from the Bagobo people of Mindanao; I met some of them during a trek to Mt. Apo in Davao, Mindanao. They are just like ordinary people like everyone else you meet on the street. Some of them are based here in New York City. They’re working and earning hard to get that much desired amount of US dollars to remit back to the Philippines for their families. I’m surprised they won’t tell me outright or maybe because I didn’t ask. On second thought, “Does it matter anyway?”

But I was able to know about the fact only when someone mentioned it indirectly, i.e., “he’s a Bagobo from Davao.” And the one who’s telling me about it delivered it in a derisive tone, as if people who are from the tribes are of lesser class, which is a tone that you will understand if you’re from the Philippines (or from other similar countries). I experienced that myself when I mentioned before a class in MBA school at the Ateneo that my paternal side’s from the Isneg tribe in northern Luzon in the Philippines [my paternal grandmother had very light skin, which is a surprise as that's not the stereotype. She's from the same tribe as that of the sexy 70s actress Alma Moreno who herself is very proud of her heritage]. Some classmates were amused for one unclear reason or another. I knew something was off, but I just ignored it though I particularly remember the smiles of amusement from some people who simply don’t know much about ethnic people. It’s as if it’s not cool to say these things.  Maybe it’s something similar to some people’s reactions when one introduces oneself as from one of those Indian tribes somewhere here in the US [which case has been similarly told me, when I've experienced receiving remarks that "I look like  an American Indian"].

But nowadays, you will seldom meet a full-blooded tribal person in the Philippines. A lot have intermarried with peoples of different races. It’s even strange writing about these issues here, as it’s seldom you’ll encounter a tribe back in the Philippines that has been barely exposed to cultural influences of other groups of people. The Bagobos themselves in Mindanao have intermarried with lots of Japanese people before World War II, the descendants of whom you may have the chance to meet even in Japan or in Davao these days.  You’ll see semblances of their lifestyle during street parades that take place during commemoration days that are officially sanctioned by the local government. You’ll see them in their traditional attire and being engaged in traditional dances. You wonder how much ethnic culture have been gone forever – much of what you’ll know about them are available when you research about them in libraries. Here’s hoping that these material sources will be readily made available in accessible forms soon (so you won’t wonder anymore about matters on ethnicity in the present imperfect society like we have now).

Related articles

• Trip to Davao – Davao, Philippines (travelpod.com)
• Davao (mskookiepookie.wordpress.com)

Brooklyn to Manhattan on Foot (with additional pictures)

Williamsburg Bridge and the Empire State Building from some distance where I paused to note how close these known structures are, actually.Manhattan skyline, another take.Manhattan skyline, another take.Darkness soon crept in and lights went on in seconds.

One time I had to buy my medicines from Cumberland Hospital in Ft. Greene in Brooklyn, I realized I could actually walk and cross over to Manhattan via the famed Brooklyn Bridge. I was then walking towards Jay Street, and I asked one black fellow I met on the street if the bridge that we were looking at from our distance happened to be Brooklyn Bridge. He didn’t answer my question, but he volunteered to tell me that I could just go strait, and the road will indeed lead to Brooklyn Bridge. But along the way, I noticed some posted signs that read “Manhattan Bridge” so I decided to ask a policeman who happened to be standing on a corner doing his traffic chores that time when it was getting into the rush hours. He gave me instructions that would get me to streets leading to the Brooklyn Bridge. Honestly, I didn’t really understand him as much, but I thought to myself, I could do this, and I would have fun doing this. I didn’t anymore ask for additional instructions and proceeded with my last-minute adventure.

The postings on the street have been fairly easy to pick up, and I followed my intuition. I then found myself at the foot of Brooklyn Bridge. People were coming back and forth in opposite directions, and the sun was soon ready to set. I saw the painted drawings on the very ground of the street showing “bikers” who would be ready to hit pedestrians anytime soon if they didn’t keep alert. Very soon enough, someone on her bike coming opposite my direction was shouting herself out: “Fucking stupid moron!” and I realized she was heading my way as she’s got herself fastened to her bike in such swift rate of pedaling motions. That was indeed a close call! I told myself: “I pray the great Lord’s gonna fetch you soon, even before you become aware of it.” I just laughed to myself at the automatic revengeful stance I got towards her.

Crossing Brooklyn Bridge’s an easy 10-minute walk, more or less. But I got myself distracted by all the people who were doing their walk that time. The clouds were greyish, dark, and lonesome to focus at during this first time Brooklyn Bridge walk. I happened to have brought my camera with me, so I took pictures, but I realized this camera’s failing me already. There were others who were having the time of their lives being up there; it’s not the most touristy place to visit especially if one is not on tip-top shape (but it surely will provide much needed exercises for those who would venture by crossing the bridge). But it’s a must-see, I would say, for those who have been to great bridges in other parts of the world. You’d see a lot from not so far distance. The statue of Lady Liberty, Manhattan Bridge, Manhattan’s skyline, Dumbo, the East River, Chinatown, Empire State Building, etc.

I was happy to make it to Manhattan island. I was trying also to reach a friend by making several calls to confirm a schedule to eat out somewhere, but my calls were not returned soon. I was glad and grateful I got to do my exercise for the day, at least. I soon found myself close to City Hall, where I then proceeded to take a bus that passed by East Broadway. I got out again, and decided I’d have dinner in a noodle house I’ve visited twice before. But I saw another food outlet, where regular Chinese who spoke exclusively Chinese were around to have their supper on their way home from work, either to stay or to go in that unpretentious small food space from a row of food shops. I got myself in, and joined them, and had the most filling meal I enjoyed that early night.