Manila, and most urban areas in the Philippines, has more street vendors
and peddlers than I've ever seen in NY. Most of these guys are trying to make
an honest living, selling anything from caps, and hankies, to food, water, and
cigarettes (by the stick). Before arriving in the Philippines, I was constantly
warned about rampant theft, and "snatching" of personal items, in particular.
Well, as a man who grew up in the rough streets of the Bronx, NY, I'm always
looking over my shoulder anyway. To their credit, no one ever touched me,
and I never worried about my safety, even riding on Jeepneys, and public
transportation. My advice: just be yourself, but don't be dumb! No need to
flash your bling-bling around your neck. Don't talk on that expensive cell
phone excessively, especially on Jeepneys. And by all means, do not carry
that big, expensive digital slr around your neck, looking like a tourist.
Photo buffs, I'll tell you more about what gear to bring, where, and when,
later on. By the way, for your knowledge of Filipino culture, the truck next
to the man in the above photo belongs to Jollibee, the number one fast-food
chain in the Philippines.