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Manila What to Do

in Expat Life, Manila, Manila What to Do, Uncategorized

Recycling in Manila: From Single Use Plastic to the Victims of Decluttering

September 14, 2021

By now, almost everyone has heard of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report on climate change. If you haven’t, click here to watch a quick summary. Long story short, we’re the problem. And, there’s just too many of us. For a while now, I’ve been quietly looking for and learning ways to help out by lessening my emissions. I also have some mentors who have been so helpful in this journey of sustainably lowering my carbon footprint without sacrificing too much of the lifestyle I enjoy or making it too inconvenient.

Recycling and cutting down on our plastic waste is one of the most straightforward ways to lower our emissions. While I do try to avoid single-use plastic, there are some establishments both here and abroad, that still use them for their packaging. At the same time, it’s quite difficult to give up on the convenience it brings. Let’s be honest here.

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in Manila, Manila Food, Manila What to Do

Here’s Where You Should Be Celebrating Bastille Day in Manila & Cebu in 2021

July 12, 2021

We’re two days away from Bastille Day and celebrating in Manila despite the pandemic is actually doable. True, huge parties are still quite the risk. However, there are ways for French people in Manila to honor Fête Nationale and for locals and other expats to join in on the fun. All while following pandemic protocols. This year, the French Embassy in Manila partnered with restaurants all over the Metro and in Cebu to offer special menus for Bastille Day. It’s a great way for people to learn more about French culture and for foodies to indulge.

Here’s what’s on offer:

Spiral at Sofitel

I’ve always loved Spiral’s buffet with its 21 dining ateliers. So much so that I went there for my birthday dinner last month. I admit I was a bit hesitant to go at first after my husband suggested it. A buffet during a pandemic? How are they operating? In the end, the call of the cheese room was stronger than my apprehension. I’m glad we went anyway as Spiral is handling the whole situation well. Just like before, you have servers filling up your plate but now, there are clear dividers between you and the food to keep everyone safe. Going to the ateliers also require a mask and there’s so much space in between tables. I felt safe and had such a wonderful time. I may have spent most of my tummy allocation on what’s in their cheese room but I left with no regrets.

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in Expat Life, Manila, Manila What to Do, Manila Where To Go

Manila Shopping Guide: SM Aura

June 11, 2021
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In each new posting, you’ll always find yourself learning everything – even day to day life – from scratch. Finding your way around is one thing and knowing where to go and who to call for certain things is definitely another. After all, it’s a new country –  a whole new place, culture, and maybe even their language is completely new to you. I remember that before I had local friends, the internet was the one that held my hand as I searched for the right grocery store to visit in Berlin or the best place to get fish head curry in KL within 30 minutes as I had a high ranking official coming over for dinner and he was craving for that particular dish. If you know me well enough, then you already know cooking something that complicated is a road I refuse to take – but I digress.

My point is, one of the more practical ways to know if – as an expat – you’ve already settled in a place is knowing where to go for one’s needs. Ranging from the basics to the things that exist purely for inducing joy. I recently had the pleasure of seeing what SM Aura has to offer along with our group of embassy ladies who are currently posted here in Manila.

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