Since I don't have work hours yet again, Toni and I decided to go to the center and get a gift for Nena, who will celebrate her birthday on Friday.
Tampere is a big City, but very laid back. Its even bigger than Helsinki, but the life is not as hurried. Theres just enough number of malls. But not enough shoes selection. Well, girls can't have enough shoes anyway. They have decent clothings but again, not enough selection. Its like every other 50th girl has the same blouse as yours.
Theres a very good Asian shop that sells Jasmine rice for about €1.05 a kilo (go get a calculator - Php67.00), a lot of spices, fresh tofu, sometimes fresh veggies, frozen seafoods, noodles, and even candies. I go there at least every 2 weeks to get my kikkoman, kropek, lumpia wrapper, Mama Sita's BBQ marinades, and sinigang mix. Theres also an Egyptian shop that sells frozen Tilapia. Of course its not as good as the ones you buy from your "suking palengke", but its good enough. For a bit there, it taste like home.
There is also a "palengke" here and they call it KauppaHalli. Where you can find fresh beef, pork, lamb, fishes, and veggies. I know what you're thinking, no its not as "mabaho" as in Alabang Market. Its quite clean and not smelly at all. If you're lucky, you can find one fly during the summer.
Night life is almost the same as the next European City. Only the bars closes very early. And no, there's no such thing as "Open 24 hours" here in Finland. But I guess what's really amazing here is the people. They maybe shy and not at all sociable, but they are very honest and helpful people. You can go by public transport in the wee hours without worrying about safety. Which is not a good thing to do back in Manila. Taxi's are very expensive though, but rest assured the driver passed the driving test and will not steal from you. Flag down starts at €7.50 (calculator again - Php 502.00).
Oh well, there's no place like home. I would still want to be born in the Philippines. I am patriotic indeed!!! Shoes, clothes, food and booze are cheap, and where all the girls are pretty. And as the song goes...
Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila
Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga
Mga jeepney mong nagliliparan
Mga babae mong naggagandahan
Take me back in your arms Manila
and promise me you'll never let go
Promise me you'll never let go
