Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Philippines Pt.1: Culture Shocked.

I'M BACK! Terribly jetlagged and missing the Philippines very much but happy to be home as well.

For my next few posts, I will be re-capping different aspects of our 2.5 week long trip to the Philippines. Many people thought that this trip was our honeymoon but it was really for our second wedding reception. I think it'd be a little awkward to go on your honeymoon with your parents, brother, and sisters. No offense to anyone that's done that. :P

It has been 10 years since my last visit to the Philippines so many things were surprising and new to me.

I have to pay to use the clean restroom
that has toilet paper???

Here are some other things that culture shocked me:




What countries have you been to that culture shocked you?


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28 comments:

Dirt On The Rocks said...

aw man i definitely haven't been back in a very long time just as long as you. i probably would be all kinds of weirded out by the culture shock since it's been a decade. it's so weird how there are 2 entrances male and female? lol. i'd be a little intimidated if there are security guards everywhere with shot guns, lol.

btw, i hope you had a fantastic second wedding reception! i definitely can't wait to read much more!

??? said...

i have never being to the Philippines...but WOW at the shot gun...i mean really???do they need short guns???what if someone gets hurt accidentally...and the make/female entrane...like whats that all about....but i think in alot asian country you have to pay for the nice toilet...im not surprised about that...lol


Jessy

Nikolett said...

Aww welcome back to Canada! Though I creeped all your photos and it looked like you had an AMAZING time there, with the reception and meeting Krissy and Jess and all the yummy-looking food (which I hope your stomach was able to hold onto!). In Poland they also charge you to use the washroom (unless it's a mall or something) so I'll make sure to have pocket change ready. Crazy about the guards with shot guns, that's so intense!! Can't wait to hear more about it (and I'll write back to your email soon) :D

ochikeron said...

good question! i think countries other than japan is kind of shocking all the time... and at the same time i feel japanese are too organized. haha

sometimes it's good but sometimes it's very frustrating. u know...

Ricademus said...

There were a few surprises during our trip to Canada. The employees at Tim Horton's all looked like their moms just scrubbed their cheeks--it was quite a shock after passing through Buffalo, where the fast food workers resembled extras from the cast of "Mad Max". (sorry Buffalo) =)

It's good to see you posting.

Leah said...

Welcome back to umm.. your blog! Haha! Glad you had a blast here in the Philippines. Our culture is really something huh? :P I worry about those guards with shotguns sometimes. Anyway, can't wait to read more about your Philippine trip! :P

Kalmo said...

Welcome back! Look forward to your travel post. Wah I'm shocked about the shotguns and guards but as guess as long as everything is peaceful. LOL at the bathroom decision, better pay for the nicer restroom.

Jessica said...

What can I say, walang ganyan sa isteyts (or in your case, sa Canada)...only in the philippines! Haha! But you know seriously, those heavily armed guards scare me as well. Shotguns are no joke!

We miss you too kym! Let's make our Bali meet-up happen! Tutal next year pa naman, there's still a lot of time to prepare! :) Don't miss the cheap'o goods here too much, okay? :)

Wenny said...

I've never been to the Philippines eventhough it's only a 3 hour flight from my country. Hope to touch down one of these days.

Btw, your wedding photos are sensational!

Denysia Yu said...

I never congratulated you on getting married! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Iram said...

That toilet thing is quite funny actually... hehe xD
Can't wait to hear all about your adventures in the Philippines!

xo
http://www.sonotiram.blogspot.com

Becky said...

Oooh phillippines looks like so much fun! Hope you're having a good time, minus the toilet paper haha!

Marie. said...

Wow, I haven't been to the Philippines in 16 years! And whoa, you have to PAY for TOILET paper? The hell?

R. Castro said...

I can only imagine the culture shock that I'll go through when I go back,it's been 21 years since I've been back there =/ yes a very long time! Shame on me !

I can't wait for the rest of your pics from PI =)

XOXO
www.renvieannemo.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, shotgun armed security guards in front of the liquor store, jeez.. they should post up a sign that saids: "steal and die".. lol

btw in case you ever go to China, remember to bring your own toilet paper, i heard they don't carry them in the bathroom stalls xP from what i heard..

Anonymous said...

ahaha that's so funny you need to pay to use the restroom with toilet paper. I don't think I've really went to a country that culture shocked me yet, although I have been to bermuda and being a #1 tropical fan as I am I was amazed at how beautiful the oceans were. My mouth literally fell open when I saw the oceans for the first time haha. Thanks for the comment on my blog by the way! turquoise sounds like such a pretty color to incorporate in a wedding! maybe I'll do the same for mine someday? haha

Mar said...

Sometimes your own country does that, after you've been away too long! However, these things are whats normal to me. Congratulation on your wedding by the way! - Mar
http://notyourordinarybeautyqueen.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I'm not surprised with what you've seen cause I see it everyday. haha.

Congratulations on your wedding! :)

I'm a new follower
http://mimistop.blogspot.com

Tisha said...

Some malls have toilet paper in the free restrooms.:) I guess the reason you have to pay is malling is a national pastime--if you have free toilet paper in restrooms catering to thousands and thousands of people a month, the malls would spend so much just on toilet paper!

You forgot to mention the bomb-sniffing dogs near the shotgun-wielding guards.:D

Nashe^ said...

LOL. The last time for me was probably when I went to Vietnam! Didn't know traffic in any asian city could be that ruthless! Plus everyone was like vegetarian *gasp* hahhaa.

shirley said...

welcome back :) i hope your second reception was just as amazing! how exciting you're starting a new chapter in your life as beautiful married woman ^____^, your collage of pictures look so interesting. i can't believe there are separate entrances, i wonder if anyone ever tried to go in the opposite... i think the most surprising thing is the paying to use a clean restroom, oh how we are spoiled in the states. i remember going back to China when I was younger and the restroom was a hole in the ground -___________- talk about torture and uncomfortable use. lol i hope you and the hubby are well, enjoy, embrace, and live it up!

SGRMSE. said...

some toilets here in my country (that are in malls, mind) require people to pay, too. it's a crazy concept and i hate it. i think it's absolute deprivation. welcome back, by the way. (: (:

Shop N' Chomp said...

Welcome back!! =D

Hehe...I guess paper is scarce in some parts of the world. =\ You have to bring your own tissue for many of the restrooms in mainland China too.

Anonymous said...

japan when i first started living but anything goes in these days!

Haze said...

it has been more than 10 years since I went back myself. Wow @ the paid toilet paper. sigh. I am enjoying reading you r blog + wedding. Thanks for following.

xxo
http://www.iamheizl.blogspot.com/

Mana said...

Welcome back Kym!!! That's great you're happy to be home because I'll admit it I often get "travel sick" so it's like getting homesick but the other way around and lately I've been having Disney withdrawals, yes it's very serious hahahahaha bf just rolls his eyes when I tell him or if he's in a good mood he'll cheer me up LOL

Whoooaaa paying for toilet paper?...actually I had this culture shock when I went to hongkong! My aunt handed me a small package of tissues and told me to always have some on me because there's no toilet paper!!! A culture shock I got when I went to Tokyo was how clean everything (not sure if it counts) but it was spotless....not even a cigarette butt on the ground and people there smoke lots! I guess another shock was how much people smoke there, about at least half the population there smokes, I guess it's because I always though they were a very healthy country and since cigarettes aren't very healthy, I didn't think they'd go so well together lol

Can't wait for your next post and thanks so much for joining my giveaway! (I would be so embarrassed if no one did T_T)

Meream said...

I do love these nice restrooms, though. They make for less stressful mall dates. :)

TG said...

In Taiwan I'm experiencing a culture shock on a daily base -_-