Philippines to Korea, Culture Shock

Philippines and Korea are simply different, and sure, maybe it would be better to say how one is as mars is to a platypus as would be to the other, but the truth is the truth no mater the dramatization is given. The Philippines is an actual island and for all transportation and shipping reasons so is South Korea. South Korea's “island” state is for political and social reasons going back far longer than my arrival. When you are there, those political and social reasons have shaped South Korea and inspired a population to strive harder and work together to show North Korea how wrong they were by economic means—now that the war has basically ended. The war is technically still on and you can sense some of that urgency, while in the subways or just by the fact there is still a DMZ. The fact is combat ended decades ago in an armistice...okay, so lets get back on track with my experience, because I know that I'd rather write about me, than about a political matter I'm no authority on.

Some differences...

The Philippines had uneven sidewalks (most of the time, and I'm only talking about the times there were even sidewalks present), theft worries, inexpensive food (and I don't mean cheap), inexpensive travel (and maybe I should say cheap for most cases?), low cost lodging options, and all of their signs I could read (didn't always know what they meant or how they were pronounced but I could read them), while the opposite was true for most cases while in South Korea. Those above points of difference are a great window into the experiences I had in South Korea. As for the people, Wikipedia (yes, the all knowing beast that professors and teachers hate for you to use because it is so easy and proven in multiple studies to be as reliable and in some cases better than printed alternatives) let me know the population is near 100% Korean, which is the most homogeneous country in the world for that reason. If you look at the numbers you find this near 100% is because in South Korea you are Korean if you have any ancestor from Korea, which would be something unlike the U.S.A. In the U.S.A you don't claim that you are black when if 1% genetically is from an African decent and 99% European descent. Sure the truth is the person is black, but in the States it isn't socially acceptable to say they are. This ancestor social divergence in South Korea and the States is also a good window of difference between the two and the same would be true in the Philippines as it is in the States. My point isn't that the way things are done in South Korea, the Philippines, or the States are correct or wrong, just different methods to talking about yourself. And that is another insight about South Korea, it is often very different in methods than I am used to. I don't mean different as in weird either! I just mean another way was found to live and coexist with each other, other than I was used to. This difference from other nations seemed desired and a source of pride for most S. Koreans I encountered. I had several conversation with individuals simply asking about is “this” or “that” better, and at the root asking me is this different from that? Yes, they were asking if something was better but to that person different meant better. I just think different isn't better or worse if it works.

Whoa! I've out done myself from previous rants. Thank you for attempting to follow along my stream of thought...A.K.A. R.A.N.T. (Random Ass Nonsense Talking).

...Moving on to my actual stay in South Korea...

The first thing we did in Korea was meet-up with a now mutual friend of ours late on a very chilly night. We decided to stay out and talk. The night ended up becoming an adventure to find a place to sleep quickly. It wasn't all that late when we first began looking around but around 3 A.M. the hunt became desperate. We stayed in what is best translated as spa. The actual word for the spa I don't know. This spa had a place to work out, play digital golf, bath, relax, and of course sleep. We paid about 10 USD and were given cloths to change into. We changed and went to the sleeping room. Men and women go to separate changing areas, as well for bathing and such. The sleeping area is for both genders. Meg never showed up to this room but I was too tired to care. The sleeping room was a little warm to me and boiling to our friend. I was just glad it wasn't too cold, since I had just been to the very warm Philippines. I slept near some old ladies and was deep asleep until roused by our friend. Eventually, we got Meg to join us in the lobby by asking Korean ladies to go in and ask the girl with colored hair to come out :) Our friend didn't sleep at all and Meg had gone to bed on a massage table. The first day was a very long day.


The next day we went to a swap meet/flee market type styled market. There are building like (Seoul Folk Flea Market) this around Korea where people sell used goods of all sorts. In the place I found some interesting, rare, and odd items.

Walking around the area, we saw some more goods such as roasters and statues. On the walk I was told that the double parlor shop poles are really advertisements for places that give *special* happy massages. I don't know if that is true, but something to look out for and avoid. The weather was cold but otherwise the area was very nice.

We kept finding more places that sold goods and some building with far too many lights...

I found the subway to be very efficient and awesome. It was a change to see emergency supplies in the tunnels though, but for a country with constant vigilance about war preparedness it isn't that surprising. The screen with a windows error was a little surprising because I thought they would be running a specialized operating system (O.S.) for their trains'.

A few more random photos...

Overall the first few days in Seoul were great but a major change from the Philippines. I quickly remembered how much more difficult ordering food is when you can't speak the language.

Next time I take my first bullet-train to Busan!

Tip Of The Day:  Honking as you run a red light......completely okay, when in S. Korea! No horn, no okay!!

Tutorial Philippines: Philippines, A Brief and Rough Guide

Philippines, A Brief and Rough Guide

Outline, but there isn't a great reason for the order:

Intro

Basics

Transportation

Randoms

Cities (Manila, )

Intro:

The title should give you a basic idea of what this is all about. A forewarning on what information is included in this guide, this isn't meant as a replacement for the guide book(s) you might buy at a store. My guide will be more of a supplement with some overlap to your normal guide books. The main things I will try to focus on are topics and information missed in guides, anything I found confusing on my travels, and/or anything else of interest to me.

If you find any information I give incorrect, I apologize now for misinformation but give no warranties or guarantees on the accuracies or usefulness of my guide. Safe travels and have a blast.

Basics:

If you've chosen the Philippines you've made a good choice and remember this. If you're not used to a third-world nation, some pictures and stories might make you think twice, but then again...haven't you heard some real horror stories in your own country as well? The truth is much better than the dramatization!

As for guide books, I only used them for ideas of things to do, but I'd keep an offline copy of your plans and a hard copy when possible. A good free online start is http://wikitravel.org/en/Philippines And the US Government's information on the Philippines http://travel.state.gov/travel/

Security

First thing you should know is that you can't be lazy with your stuff. Constant vigilance! Really, just do the usual things: stay in public places and insight of others, if traveling with someone(s) keep in as large of a group as possible, don't leave your bag unattended when possible, hide what you can in your room when not there, don't flash your phone to ask for directions but instead have it written down, keep your bag in front of you on crowded buses and such, be aware of your surroundings, don't take candy from strangers :), etc...

If you use luggage locks only use them in your rooms...I feel (no evidence to support this, just my logic) that it makes your bag standout as a target.

Visas

REALLY IMPORTANT, most travelers won't need to worry about this but if you buy a one way ticket as you have other places to visit after your stay other than your original destination you'll need to show prof of a departing ticket from the Philippines. The date of departure can after the valid period of the 21 days even. You just have to show that you're leaving at some point, unless you have prof of why you're staying. If coming from the US (make sure to double check this, since this stuff changes often) you get a 21 day visa on arrival but can apply for an additional stay of up to 60 days from the visa office in Intramuros, Manila. To be clear the 60 days is from the date of your arrival to the country, and not on top of your 21 day visa. The price will change but the additional 60 day stay will cost about 60 USD.

Plug-ins and Volts!

The outlets are the same and so is the power as that in the U.S.A. or Canada...so if that is you, you're in luck! Just make sure your hotel room has an outlet...really, make sure.

Cash and Cards

First thing, you should know that some cities will have power and Internet but no banks or ATMs. Always keep enough cash with you to get you from place to place. Also, this is a country that doesn't always take cards and if you're outside the city some will even give you a surcharge, and that is on top of what your bank might charge you already. Be sure to confirm what surcharges your bank might charge you to make purchases overseas and at foreign ATMs. Cash is the way to go.

Hotels and Places to Stay

The Philippines has high-end hotels, but most of what you get at the lower-end worked well for me. Some places have Internet and some don't have outlets. Just look at the room first and then try to talk them down...if you get a price you want, do it! My experience is that you can get a cheap place even in popular areas if you really look around. The guide books don't even begin to cover all of the places to stay because of high turn over rates for hotels and such...look around.

Some online options for searching in advance though:

CouchSurfing http://www.couchsurfing.org/

Free places to stay but you have to deal with people and this isn't a good option on short notice.

Air BnB www.airbnb.com

Usually cheaper and nicer places to stay since you're often at someone's home but not good on short notice and in the Philippines look out for hotels on here :(

Agoda http://www.agoda.com

A great hotel search that is often lower cost than if you go to the hotel, or at least for hotels that won't barter but are online.

WWOOF http://www.wwoof.ph/

Is an amazing option if you're going to be staying for a longer time. It is a work exchange program. You usually work for about 4-6 hours per-day. The hours and days you work are based on what you establish with the host ahead of time. While staying, you get a free place to stay, with food for the day and for some the food is only the days you work but it will depend from host to host. I did WWOOF and loved it. There is an up-front cost for a year membership to be able to contact hosts.

Just remember there are often hotels and places to stay not online. Often the places not listed online are cheaper and not necessarily lower quality. This means you should plan your stay with time to look around and barter for a lower price. Having cash and saying you'll pay upfront can be one of the best ways to helps convince people why they should give you the place for lower.

Markets

The markets are a bit disappointing if you ask me, but then again, they are good for what they are...a cheap way for locals to get by!

Phones, Communication, and the Internet

If you have an unlocked phone it will probably work in the Philippines with a prepaid SIM card, assuming your phone takes SIM cards (Not all phones use SIM cards and some iPhones use non-standard sized ones). You can also test your phone with another carrier's SIM card while still in your home country if you are uncertain if your phone is able to take another SIM card.

I would recommend getting a SIM card because it makes communication so much easier in the Philippines. Note, most people text as it is much cheaper. I would also recommend buying the cheapest local phone if you plan on making calls or texting in the Philippines. I mentioned using your own phone first because it is a nice alternative if you can't buy a local phone right away or want to stay on a low budget. I recommend a local phone because you know it works in the area and the cheapest model because it should not be a hot item to steal...no needless showing off of your fancy smart phone.

Almost everywhere I went the Internet was painfully slow. Be aware of this slow Internet fact if you want to make WiFi calls back to the states or your home country.

Toilet/CR

If you ask for a restroom, bathroom, toilet, Jon, or comfort room and get a confused look ask for the C.R. Also, note that not all bathrooms will have soap for you (bring your own), or toilet paper (bring your own). It isn't completely uncommon to get charged to use a toilet. As for actual bathing, hot water isn't always common depending on the city and class of hotel you're in. Cold showers aren't all that bad in the warm heat but in the late night and high altitudes it can get chilly.

Randoms:

In the Philippines people use a lot of English, so you'll be fine with just that. Sir and mam is used commonly, so if you're younger you'll probably feel a little older when called sir—like I did.

In the cities, as well in the rural areas, there are chickens and roasters on the street, around people's homes, and in people's homes. Don't be surprised if you see and hear them everywhere you go! I got used to it by the time I left.

Trash cans hard to find, so dump your trash while you can.

I wouldn't trust the street food in this country. If it is being deep fried it might be okay. I did have a few deep fried items and was fine. Don't drink the water and be aware of the source of the water for ice and washed vegetables. Be smart and when in doubt don't eat it, because it most likely isn't worth ruining your next few days of travel for a single meal. And some fun pictures....

Lastly...BARTER!!!

If you've been reading all the way through or at least the hotel section, you'd know I've mentioned bartering at least once. Remember the best prices won't be found online, nor will online be necessarily higher quality. This means you should plan your stay or day with time to look around and barter for a lower price. Having cash is very important for bartering. If someone wants to counter with how far or difficult or much time something takes, just assume it is about half as much as they say, and ask for half the price...or less :) Good luck!

Transportation:

Transportation is at best...interesting and worst...crazy! It may really vary from city to city but usually the main transportation is the Jeepny (see below), the Trik (forgive spelling), or something either looking like a bus or the bus. Trains aren't very common and Manila is the only city in the Philippines that I know of to have something like a subway/monorail. There is an Android app for Manila's MRT system:

MRT-LRT Train Station Guide https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ista.phlrt&hl=en

As for other Apps and such, GPS dependent apps sometimes will get a lock and sometimes not. Just make sure the app allows offline storage. Mine worked, that's all the advice I will give you, other than don't flash your smart phone to strangers if you can help it.

For the taxi always ask for a meter price before taking off and if they say no, just get out and try another driver. The Taxis are legally supposed to use the metters. For triks and such that don't have meters, always try to talk them down...always!

For renting you might want your International Driver License, but in the Philippines the difference of not having it is usually just in the rental price :) http://www.idlservice.com/

As for air travel check out:

Cebu Pacific http://www.cebupacificair.com/

While often delayed and a misinformed staff, this local airline is also a low cost option. Remember that you have to pay for everything on this airline...even picking your seat.

Air Asia http://www.airasia.com/

Another low cost option...but not as many in-Philippines flights as Cebu. Remember that you have to pay for everything on this airline...even picking your seat.

Kayak http://www.kayak.com/

Kayak is an all in one airline search. It doesn't always cover every airline but it does give you a lot of options and I use it often for comparing. Just make sure to check the actual airline's website for their price, which is sometimes cheaper.

Cities:

Manila

Basics

A good first look is http://wikitravel.org/en/Manila. Manila has some to see and especially a lot to do. Most people try to just get out of Manila, but I think it is worth a few days. I will admit it has heavy congestion and horrid air quality, and was glad to leave. You might want to stay for a day or so to extend your visa for the Philippines at Intramuros. SM Mall of Asia is huge and you can lose yourself there for hours. Going to the theater is also a great experience because the quality is much higher than the USA and lower cost.

Transportation

Transportation is the same as the rest of the country with the exception being their MRT. The MRT is low cost and very crowded. Make sure to watch your belongings if you take this method of transportation. Taxis will get you where you want to go but I stress asking for the meter because you'll be over charged every time, even if you barter the price with them. If the driver doesn't want to give you a metered rate, simply walk away and look for another cab. The cabs are very frequent in the Manila area. You'll have this meter dilemma coming from the airport, bus terminals, and other places of public transportation. Just walk a little ways to the street and look for a passing taxi. At the airport it isn't always this easy and sucking it up and bartering down the price might be your only option.

Randoms

Manila has some crazy nightlife. I didn't see a lot of it but if you ask around or your taxi driver I'm sure you can find it. I wouldn't trust the street food any more in this city than another. If it is being deep fried it might be okay. I did have a few deep fried items and was fine. Finding hotels can be a pain as well since the city is so spread out. Don't expect to easily find awesome deals.

Tagayta

Basics

Again, a good first starting point for information is http://wikitravel.org/en/Tagaytay. I didn't find much to do in this area beyond seeing the local attraction of Taal Volcano. Hotels not over charging will be hard to find as well unless you spend sometime looking around there area and not online.

Transportation

Cabs aren't the best option, nor is a personal driver. I went with the jeepnys and triks because of the low price and the personal fun I had riding around in and on them. I will say the public method isn't faster but it saved me over 80 USD.

Randoms

If you go to a hotel and they want to set you up with a package for a boat or a guide or anything of the sort...just look at their plan make notes or take it and say you'll think about it. You are better off finding your own way there and bartering with the locals for a boat ride or guide if you feel you need one.

Baguio City

Basics

Yes, http://wikitravel.org/en/Baguio. This is a great stop if you want to get away from Manila or some of the heat. Baguio had a lot of character to me, as well as some nice streets to walk around. I didn't find myself needing more than a few days to see everything I desired and at a leisurely pace.

Transportation

The taxi might be your best bet in this city because many things are distant from each other and/or hard to navigate. The public options aren't as straight forward as I would have liked. I would take the public options though if you want to make it to the bus terminal.

Randoms

There are many nice cafes or places to eat. Take your time and look around.

Tuplay, Acop

Basics

I never determined the correct name for this little city. The only reason I even headed this way was for a WWOOF farm that I stayed at. The town its self is very small and not much in it. The usual places to each and an Internet cafe...but I say cafe for lack of a better name. The Internet cafes in the Philippines don't usually have food, just computers.

Transportation

Jeepny and bus is your way of getting out and through this small town.

Randoms

None

Bontoc

Basics

Take a look at http://wikitravel.org/en/Bontoc. A small town but not tiny either. Several places to eat but nothing to really do. Usually, Bontoc is used as a stopping point while on the way to Banuae or other destinations. Just make sure you use the ATM here because you might find your next stop doesn't have one...cough* Banuae, cough*...

Transportation

Bus and jeepny, otherwise you should be able to walk anywhere within the city you'd like to find.

Randoms

Check out Cable Cafe...that is about it.

Banuae

Basics

http://wikitravel.org/en/Banaue, and what I have to say is make sure you have all the cash you need before you arrive to Banaue. The city might have Internet and electricity but they lack a bank or an ATM.

Transportation

Trik or motorcycle is you best option to get to the nearby rice fields but within the city you can walk everywhere. Again, make sure you barter the price if you get a ride somewhere. The main office will give you certified drivers but at a higher cost (and no bartering). Your hotel will give you a higher rate as well. There are buses and jeepnys but those are only passing by a few times a day or leaving to other destinations. For the bus, they might want you to prepay for your ticket, which you can do but if you want to leave things opened ended you can also wait until the night before.

Randoms

Not much other than, the city is pretty dead at night and there aren't a ton of restaurants to choose from.

Bangaan

Basics

This is a very small and mostly traditional town. Amazing rice terraces, and it should be known not the largest amount of them in the area but some of the best kept. The newer section of town is above the traditional part of the city. If there are local accommodations I didn't find any. You could ask some of the locals to stay with them, maybe? :)

Transportation

You'll have to use a trik or some sort of shuttle, just remember to barter and having 2 for the trik is cheaper but having 4 or more for the jeepnys/buses is the cheapest option. There isn't any normal taxis to get you there.

Randoms

Watch out for people dressed in traditional clothing waiting for you to take their photo; these people just want to spring on you for taking their photo. Seeing the area is amazing, but it should be noted that so many people have been switching from taking care of the rice fields to tourism jobs for the easy money that the area is in jeopardy of falling apart and vanishing. My point is, it one thing to give money but putting too much money into the tourism jobs or buying too many souvenirs and trinkets don't actually help to maintain or create the area, and is in actuality doing more harm than good to sustain the wounder and beauty of Bangaan.

Cebu

Basics

Check it...http://wikitravel.org/en/Cebu. Cebu is a very large city and as such doesn't offer much difference from Manila. The culture and attitude of the city is different, as you can quickly tell if you go there. The culture and attitude of Cebu is a little more laid back and seemed more friendly to me than Manila. As for things to do and places to see it is much the same as Manila. Cebu offers many malls, shopping centers, usual attractions, museums, and historical sites you'd expect from a city with so much economic growth and history. I didn't find a lot to keep me tied to Cebu. I did find myself going through and returning to the city several times, because it is a major transportation hub, and as such it is often easier to backtrack to Cebu than try a direct route from destination to destination in the area of Cebu, Negros, and Bohol.

Transportation

Transportation is the same as Manila with the exception being no MRT. “Taxis will get you where you want to go but I stress asking for the meter because you'll be over charged every time, even if you barter the price with them. If the driver doesn't want to give you a metered rate, simply walk away and look for another cab. The cabs are very frequent in the Manila area. You'll have this meter dilemma coming from the airport, bus terminals, and other places of public transportation. Just walk a little ways to the street and look for a passing taxi. At the airport it isn't always this easy and sucking it up and bartering down the price might be your only option.” The quoted section is the same advice I wrote for Manila.

Randoms

I did notice a lot more tattoo shops than other parts of the country. I don't know if it is true but I was told from some locals that it is illegal to get a tattoo done in the Philippines but not to have one. Take that with a grain of salt...or maybe a whole cup.

Bacolod

Basics

Wait, http://wikitravel.org/en/Bacolod, ah yes, look at that. Bacolod is something between small town and big city. The city is divided off into sections of what feel to be smaller cities. There is a main shopping district with a market but not much in this city other than a place to stay and the nearby attractions of other cities.

Transportation

Best bets are taxi, trik, bus, and jeepny. If you've skipped my transportation section and want to know more about these methods, I'd scroll up a bit and read it over.

Randoms

?...None :(

Bago City

Basics

Yes, I'd start with http://wikitravel.org/en/Bago_City. Bago isn't very large and I didn't find much else besides a small market and some good food. I think this city has more to be found if you are willing to peel back the onion layers.

Transportation

Best bets are taxi, trik, bus, and jeepny. If you've skipped my transportation section and want to know more about these methods I'd scroll up a bit and read it over.

Randoms

Nada (Translation for those lacking ANY Spanish knowledge...literal: nothing; in this case: None)

Malapascua

Basics

Good over view: http://wikitravel.org/en/Malapascua. Malapascua is about 3 kilometers in circumference, or at least that is what I was told but it sure did feel longer than that if you try to walk around the island. Walking around you'll find all of the windy roads making your journey much longer and maybe like me you'll have my difficulties of getting lost on some of the cross-crossing roads. The place has excellent places to stay and many budget options as well. The cheapest places are not by the beach, so if you want a good deal don't even bother looking around the beach’s edge. As for food...most hotels/home-stays don't offer a good included breakfast, so if you can get the room without the price breakfast included. There are only a few places that had inexpensive food, so try to find them. There is one restaurant located between where you'd be dropped off and the other side of the island...sorry for lack of better directions. A few places had budget options on their menus as well, which I found some of them to give you more food than their main meals, but didn't include as much meat. I found the budget meals sometimes more filling because of the prior reason, which I only found out from ordering from several places.

Transportation

You'll have to take a boat to get there from the main Cebu island, and if coming from Cebu you will be most likely coming by bus. As for boats there is a public option that is much cheaper than the private boats. If you are able, take the public ferries (Note: they say ferries but in reality they are just the same type of boats as the private option). On the island there isn't much in the way of taxi beside someone giving motorcycle rides and such. I found walking the best option.

Randoms

There is a lot to do on this island but just know to shop around as I found I got what I paid for on this island...that and they had a 2 USD bottle of rum, which wasn't bad if you mixed it. Just saying ;)

Bohol

Basics

I found both of the following useful: http://wikitravel.org/en/Bohol & http://www.bohol.ph/article107.html. Bohol was the last place I went to in the Philippines and it had a lot to experience and see. There is a lot of natural wounder to the island. Most guide books recommend to rent a scooter or motorcycle to see this small island. In hindsight that is a great idea if you are experienced with one or both of those options. If you are not, there are private drivers and a few tours you can take as well, but these will end up costing you more than renting a scooter or motorcycle. I saw almost all of the island's big attractions in one day. I think if you want to hangout on the beaches here, which are nice, you might want to go to Malapascua instead. The beaches in Bohol are very touristy, like those of Boracry. If you want crowded beaches full of people bothering you by peddling tourist goods, than by all means hangout in bohol's for weeks. I found 3-5 days more than enough in this area.

Transportation

Best bets are taxi and private tours to get around the island, if you don't feel up for renting a motorcycle or scooter. For just getting around the main city parts try the triks, buses, and jeepnys. If you've skipped my transportation section and want to know more about these methods I'd scroll up a bit and read it over.

Randoms

Be sure to try kayaking and see the fireflies at night. I went through Abatan and had an amazing experience.