Filla From Manila

Just enough time for a quick report from Manila. What's the city like? Hell if I know. We got in late Monday night and went directly to our hotel which is about three blocks from the office building where we're meeting at. Despite the short distance, we were advised not to walk it, especially at night. Which happens to be when we're doing most of our work. We have walked back to the hotel a couple of times just as the sun is coming up, but have seen very little of Manila so far.

From what I have witnessed, I'd say it's a bit like Mexico and China dashed together. Which makes sense I guess, considering the country's colonial history and geographic locale.

Manila does not lack for teeming masses. People everywhere, doing every sort of job you could possibly imagine. If there's enough work for one person, you can count on four being on hand to perform the task. Walking through the hotel lobby I was accosted by no less than six anxious-to-please employees offering to open the doors, tote my luggage, and any other unpleasant duties I would rather not perform myself. John Kerry's kind of place. No hassling with the worry of a hair brush here. Someone will gladly handle that arduous chore for you.

There's also the type of security that leaves you with mixed emotions. It's initially reassuring to see the guard with a bomb-sniffing dog at the front entrance to the hotel who won't allow you to enter without checking your bags. But then you start asking yourself why it's necessary.

In a meeting last night, we were discussing how the Manila folks would deal with a disaster. Backups, redundant systems, that sort of thing. We were told that they had contingency plans for an earthquake, terrorist attack, and coup d'etat. Coup d'etat? We're not in America anymore Dorothy.

Or are we?