Manila

I have been exploring this very large Asian city for the past few days. It looks and feels so different from the rest of Southeast Asia. Perhaps this is because of more than 400 years of colonial history. The streets are certainly busy but there seems to be no chaos. Everyone is friendly and helpful. There is plenty of evident poverty but I don't see desperation. I am very surprised by the evident youthfulness of the population. The old walled city, where I am staying, is full of educational institutions of all sorts and young people flock to and fro incessantly.

While roads are generally filled with traffic, driving is orderly, all the traffic lights work and are obeyed. It is possible for pedestrians to cross safely when the lights are in their favour. There is no constant honking of horns as in India.

This is a quiet side street in Intramuros, the old walled city within a city. Many people hire small forms of public transport, such as this tricycle.