Together? in Manila

OK, I know it's been almost a month since my last post. Thanks for being patient. Life can get busy when you're moving and setting up an apartment. And what a month it's been. And, frankly, I was too cheap to pay time at an internet cafe. It only took three weeks to finally get connected to the internet, get a land line, and cable TV.
I arrived in Ayala Alabang, thanks to Harv, a friend who works for Diego Cera Organbuilders. Learning to negotiate buses, jeepneys, taxis from there to Intramuros, where the churches are that I'm still hoping to play at, was a major job. It was a bit of a trek, and three weeks later I'm not sure if I could remember how! Ayala is one of the nicer gated cities, where a lot of politicians live, I guess. South of Manila about an hour or more, one sees how the wealthy here spend their money.
However, the main center of Alabang, Metropolis, reminds me of old movies from the 40's? that take place in dirty, industrial, crowded, yucky cities. It feels like black and white and gray, covered with soot, noisy, too many people, too much everything, two levels of road, clogged traffic. I don't mind not going there now that I've moved!
About a week into my move I found an apartment. After looking at two that felt really yucky I found one that had good light, some room, and a back balcony with a view. It's only two steep flights of stairs up, but the street is relatively clean and has only about 2 annoying dogs and a couple of yowling cats, along with the regular procession of people calling out their wares as they walk or bike through. It's amazing how they've all found the "groove" in their vocal range that is the most resonant. It really carries in between the generally three-story concrete buildings.
So I ended up moving the piano, and boxes and things that I had shipped from CDO in a big box built by my landlord in Malaybalay City -- by taxis. Two rides full did it, but alas I left the upright supports for the Yamaha in the back window of the taxi, along with a new DVD player and my sitting cushion. Did he bring them back to me? HA.
The apartment has a big bedroom with a huge closet, and a living/kitchen/dining room in the middle, small bath with cold only shower, and balcony. I'll get some pics taken. Go to Picasa (roddgi) for those, unless I finally figure out how I got the one slideshow attached.
So I went out and essentially bought bed, refrig, couch, rocking chair, table, chairs, and all, and signed a lease for a year. People here asked if I was planning to stay for a while! No duh!
But before all of that I had to catch up with Social Security, who rejected my request for continued benefits because I said I might make some money, so just this week I had to go back and say that I wasn't working, and wouldn't! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
I'll end this now and keep adding. There are stories to tell.