Manila

Following a quick trip to my home in Scotland (to pack my bags) I went on a long flight from Aberdeen to Manila in the Philippines.

This wonderful opportunity came through a company called Biomatrix Water which offered to pay food and accommodation while working for them. The greatest thing was that I was actually helping to do good work, this project involved transforming ca. 650m of a polluted river (and I do mean polluted, seeing shit floating about was not the worst of it) into a clean (pretty relative in this case) river. We went about doing this was by building floating Islands which carry plants that clean the river naturally. Also the root systems of the plants allow for bacteria to develop that aid in the cleaning process. Not only do these floating islands support the rivers health but they also add so much beauty once the plants are fully grown.

Together with some enthusiastic local workers we managed to complete this massive project in only 3 weeks. In which I got my first in-depth experience of a culture so different to the one I have grown up in. However at the same time I got to realise that wherever I will go people are going to be friendly, funny (Filipinos have a very good sense of humour) and helpful.

Besides tons of asshole taxi drivers, one hobo who excitedly waved his penis in my face (yes waved) and the fact that Manila is one of the most polluted cities in the world this was a great experience which will stay ingrained in my memory forever. I was offered the opportunity to take Jeepneys and TucTucs around Metro Manila, to taste many beforehand unknown fruits and work with locals at a great project while being hit hard by torrential rains. So many beautiful memories and also some of my first experiences of what living in poverty can really mean.

Update: Virgin has written an article about this project here.