You’d think it’d be a shit show. You’d think people would be crashing in to each other and getting in to accidents. From the outside looking in it looks like mayhem.

But on the inside it has a rhythmic sort of feel to it. Once you’ve adapted, you adapt to the madness and it turns in to a sort of organized chaos.

Pretty unrelated, but I’ve come to enjoy these visuals quite a lot.

Things sort of flow in a weird turbulent waterfall sort of way.

It’s all the time. And it’s everywhere. You’d think the crackers would all be broken, but they’ve merely been organized in to a labyrinth. And once you understand it, it all seems to flow.

The reference point is America. It’s chaotic, but in a different way. There’s so many ideas. So many opinions. So many differing viewpoints and directions to go.

Here it all flows. No anger. No animosity. A mess. But in a sibling sort of way.

People mill around at midnight. Streetside snack vendors open their shop-gate-garages at 6 am. Sandals and umbrellas seem to go hand-n-foot.

Those dogs wander about. These dogs wander with those dogs. Those other dogs follow these other dogs.

And the cats sort of linger about.

The roosters are crowing at 4 am. And the other birds keep to themselves. A couple of cockroaches snuck their way inside the hotel lobby and some other cat followed shortly after.

I think they were cockroaches. Another rooster is clucking about right now… It’s 4 pm, but hey, at least they’re consistent.

The jeepneys are honking at each other. Now they’re honking at the taxis and the taxis are honking at the pedestrians. The walkers throng about; they don’t seem to mind too much.

Nobody’s yelling. It’s loud. It’s mostly the thrum of the engines.

Cars. Vans. Taxis. Trolleys. Tricycles. Bicycles. Icicles. Jeepneys. Minivans. Minibus. Motorbikes. Mopeds. Motorcars. Motorcycles. Motorola and Toyota Corollas.

The line of cars is constant. It keeps growing. Time ticks on and so do the people.

The ‘yes-sirs’ are noticeable. It’s every interaction. It’s an iced coffee or a chocolate croissant.

“Yes sir, with or without ketchup?”
“No sir”
“Yes sir”
“Thank you sir”
“Here you are, sir”

20 pisos and 2 cantelope. 3, for-the-misses.
“Thank you sir”
“Here you go, sir”

There’s cars all around. There’s people all around. There’s rain all around. It’s typhoon season, after all.

I guess the chaos feels similar to New York in that aspect.
But it’s more laid back. It’s calmer, weirdly. It shouldn’t be, but it is. It’s more ‘Organized’ than it is ‘Chaos’ here.

And they’re all willing to help. They don’t want to see someone in pain. They’re all jovial. Sometimes oblivious. But they aren’t angry.

Everything’s okay.
Everything’s going to be okay.

Streets flood. Rats scurry. Homeless sleep in the street.

Everything’s okay.
It’s all going to be okay.

Life goes on. The show goes on. We go on.

Some kid threw on a construction helmet and he’s directing traffic.
Someone‘s got to.

The 6 year-olds are riding 2 to a bike and the 60 year-olds are walking with their bag of bread… each of course with their sandals on their feet and their umbrellas in hand.

The birds and the bees are just as preoccupied. Quite literally.

Everyone is minding their own business… but in a collective sort of way.
It’s an organized chaos.

And nobody seems to mind.

There are rumors of some crime, but the worst I’ve heard is some stolen bags.
The worst I’ve seen are a couple greedy taxi drivers.
I’m hesitant to share any personal info but it’s easy to strike up a conversation. Everyone’s so chatty. It’s all so chill. It’s a mess, but we’re all in on it.

For some reason I’ve got Africa by Toto playing on repeat in my head.

Everyone’s so content.
It’s chaos but it’s calm.
There’s no anger in the air, merely absorbed in the movement.

Beep beep, there goes another Jeepney.

The traffic cops are different from the real cops and the traffic cops seem are just another piece to the puzzle. They aren’t above or below. Nobody is. We’re all just here.

The road lanes are indistinguishable. There havne’t been any crashes yet. To my knowledge, there never were any.

There’s bustle all around. There’s people all around. There’s life all around. It’s all the time.

The buses drive in the motorcycle lanes and the motorcycles lane split. Helmets-Schmelmet. We’ve got places to be, people to see. Anyhow, I’ve got my Crocs with me.

Street sandals and comfy crocs. Ugly sweaters and athletic shorts. Throw on a hat while you’re at it…or don’t.

We don’t mind.

They tell you to ‘keep calm and carry on’, don’t they?

Everyone’s friendly. They tell you they aren’t, but they are. They’re quick to lend a helping hand. They’re kind. They’re fair and they’re friendly.

Nobody seems to mind.

The electricity went out, but a mere ‘Dang’ was muttered. Business as usual, I suppose. It’s supposed to be back at 6. Do you want rice or noodles for dinner?

The typhoon’s been here all week. It’s been raining coyotes and tigers for the past 48. Some streets flooded and the highway shut down. Chicken or beef?

The signs litter the streets, poles, and sidewalks. They don’t really add anything, but they’re there anyways. They’re pretty confusing if I’m being honest.

The cars are parked diagonal.
‘Buildings’ is an appropriate name – They aren’t finished yet.
Sidewalks are cracked and the greenery grows straight through it.

Fashion? Says who? These slippers pajama bottoms and slippers seem to do just fine. Come on now, who cares?

We carry on with our business. We go on with our day.

What’s up kuya, this is the Philippines.