Wet market in the Philippines

I always like to walk the streets and go to the wet market, whether in Hong Kong or a foreign country.  Hence, on the morning before flying home from Manila, when I have a bit of time I took a walk towards the Wet Market at the Cartimer Shopping Center, from my hotel near De La Salle University.  

Along the way, I can see people going to work, having breakfast on the street, going in and out of jeepneys, going to the big bus depot, taking groceries home, …  When I see people taking groceries home, I know I am near the wet market.  

When I get there, it does not disappoint.  It is not too different from those in Hong Kong.  Lots of vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood.  

A lot of the seafood look quite fresh.  This is not surprising,  Since Manila sits on the waterfront, and the Philippines consists of many thousands of islands.  One is never very far from the sea when you are in the Philippines.  

Some of the fish and fish parts look familiar. 

Others are less common but not unheard of.  Some are really nice looking.  One sight that is common in Hong Kong which is quite rare in other countries is live fish swimming in big water tanks.  Here the fish is fresh, but not live in water tanks.  

Pigs and pig parts, such as hearts and stomach, are not uncommon.  

Live pigeons.  They kill them and clean them for you right there.  

Filipinos eat lots and lots of rice, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

In Hong Kong, people do that too in the old days.  There were numerous shops which sold nothing but  rice. It was big business.  The government has to carefully manage the supply and price of rice because people ate so much of it.   Not anymore.    Here, rice remains ubiquitous. 

Walking the streets and the wet market is a fascinating way to get to know a country, and its people.  

On the way back, I picked up a couple of soursop, to bring back to Hong Kong. More about that later.