When the company unexpectedly sent me to the Philippines, I had no idea what kind of adventure awaited me. The moment I arrived, I was immediately plunged into the reality of Manila: a heavy, hot tropical night after a huge storm had passed.
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, immediately impressed me with its immense size and busy life. This metropolis is an unusual and exciting yet chaotic mix of old Spanish heritage, American influence and pure Asian energy. The brightly painted, chrome-plated buses, converted from American military jeeps, jeepneys, swarmed through traffic, a visual symbol of Filipino culture. The smell of steaming street food wafted from every street corner, and the crowds of locals and tricycles were a familiar but unusual sight to European eyes.
The humid, hot nights and bustling crowds promised an adventure that was fundamentally different from anything I had experienced before.
I ended up spending eight months in the Philippines. During that time, I traveled to many places, from the secluded beaches of Palawan to the rice terraces of the mountains. But within the vast Manila, there was one district that became my second home: Makati.
Makati is the financial and commercial center, a contrast to the historic Manila: skyscrapers, well-kept parks, and a more Westernized atmosphere.
If there was one thing I miss most about Makati, it was the Salcedo Saturday Market. Every Saturday morning, this place was a haven for me with fresh produce, homemade food, and local specialties.
The fantastic assortment of fruits at Salcedo Market was unique: the experience of perfectly ripe mangoes, chewy-textured rambutans, the unique flavor of durians, and juicy pineapples is something I still miss. Especially now, during the cold European winter days, I miss the tropical flavors and energetic atmosphere that Manila and Makati provided.
