Travelling yakuzen vol. 2: Manila, the Philippines

Today it hit an unheard-of 37 degrees and the sweat is pouring off me.

There seems little point putting on make-up.

As I said last time, the Philippines is hot and humid all year. There are three seasons: the hot dry season from March to May, the wet season from June to October, and the cool dry season from November to February.

Which means I am here right in the middle of the hot one.

My sister lives in Manila, so I often get taken along when she sees friends,

and for some reason people arrange to meet a little later in the day.

When I asked why, it turns out that in high summer the middle of the day is simply too hot, so people set things for the evening where they can. Of course they do. It really is that hot.

Yakuzen has an idea called tenjin goitsu, the unity of heaven and humanity. It teaches how much it matters to live in step with nature: the place, the season, the surroundings. Food is part of that, but so is the fact that people in the Philippines stay quiet through the middle of the day and move in the morning and evening. That, I felt, is wisdom for living.

Staying flexible, and living in step with your body and with nature. That is what to aim for.

Read travelling yakuzen vol. 1