Random? sans transition lens

Namaste Readers,

How does one make the transition into the stark reality between a "1st" World country (US) and a "3rd" World country (PI)? By retreating into the luxury of condos located in the cool mountainous region of Tagaytay.  Just kidding.  But in all honesty, being "middle"class has its advantages: avoiding The Tourist fascade ( a flop of a movie according to hearsay ), and questioning reality: How does one go back and forth more easily between worlds? Is it even possible?

I accompanied my aunt to the market ( wet and dry market ).  A guy chopped buko with his machete a la Hibachi style and later scooped up the coconut meat and water.  I ate sweet corn and drank taho.  I watched my aunt barter with the vendors as she inspected poultry.

A little girl tried to sell me plastic bags.  I showed her that we already had bags, then she pouted her lips and looked inquiringly with her dewy eyes: "Sige na, kuya?" I didn't know what to do; I was amused and sad at the situation.  Eventually the little girl walked away.

My cousin's business partner lent him his condo for the weekend.  In the 2.5 bedrooms unit, we watched mostly Western movies ( comedy and horror ), ate merienda, and took many pictures.  On Saturday, we had breakfast buffet at the club house, and then we went to a mini-zoo.  We ended the day lounging with Watermelon shake and a view of Taal Lake and region.

By Sunday afternoon we were back in Manila.  The oppressive heat was going to be delayed temporarily.  Unlike in the US, where weather coverage is at least 20% of the news content, the incoming storm was mentioned in passing.  "Chedeng's" impact was estimated to happen on Wednesday ( many things could happen between now and then so it was pointless to have multiple updates ).

We went to the bank to exchange money.  I needed 2 IDs so my cousin exchanged the money for me.  Two $50 bills were rejected because one looked too "old" and another had a minor rip.  Why aren't they using those specialized pen and other machines that detect the watermarks etc. instead of their flawed eyes?  What confounded me was the policy that the rejected bills couldn't be exchanged immediately, but they could be deposited.

Food didn't save the day.  The burger I ate fell flat; its substandard burger patty was of a high school cafeteria quality.  At least I found a bargain ( a cool backpack and umbrella for $46 ).  Another day, another chance...