Makati CBD: A Leisurely Walk

The commuter is back! It’s really up to us to think of ways to unwind despite our busy work schedules. If I get the chance to have a break from training, then I’d take the opportunity to take a walk. I love walking! Sometimes I discover new places just by doing it. Today, I’m gonna share one of my leisurely walks around Makati CBD. Most of the visuals you see here are streets and intersections. These indicate the areas I’ve walked along. They’re not meant to single out a specific building or place. If you’ve been to Makati CBD, then I enjoin you to point out those specific places yourselves.


My walk begins at the corner of Makati Avenue and Buendia Avenue (now named Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue). Despite the name change, this popular avenue that starts from EDSA and cuts across through Manila and Pasay City has remained to be called  “Buendia.” Fortunately, this day is a mixture of cloudy and sunny skies. Walking is also my form of exercise and so I grabbed the opportunity to go on a leisurely walk.

Buendia Avenue / Makati Avenue Intersection

 

From the corner / intersection of Makati Avenue-Buendia Avenue, I walked along Makati Avenue that leads to Paseo de Roxas. Along this path, you’d see landmark buildings such as Pacific Star, Banco de Oro (formerly Equitable-PCI Towers), UCPB Building, and across the street, you’d find Development Bank of the Philippines and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. 

Makati Avenue (Mandarin Oriental Side)

Makati Avenue / Paseo de Roxas Intersection

As I walked along, I found myself on a another busy intersection--Makati Avenue-Paseo de Roxas. While waiting for my turn to cross the street, I’d look around and see the Atrium, the Ayala Triangle Gardens / Park, and a statue of Sultan Kudarat (placed on a corner island, close to the Ayala Triangle Park). This is one of many statues found within Makati CBD. 

Crossing Paseo de Roxas, passing through the corner island where the statue of Sultan Kudarat is located, I stopped at the corner of the Ayala Triangle Park. We are still at the intersection of Makati Avenue-Paseo de Roxas. From this corner looking towards Paseo de Roxas, you’d see a row of trees along the sidewalk. But for this walk, I decided to walk along Makati Avenue. Although it had lesser patches of shades from trees, my aim was to get to another busy intersection of Makati CBD. Since this is a leisurely walk, I’d get to enjoy the open space and green atmosphere of the Ayala Triangle Gardens to my left in contrast to the row of buildings to my right (e.g. the Atrium, Sommerset, Escolta). 



After the gardens, you will also see the Filipinas Heritage Library.

“Since 1996, the Filipinas Heritage Library has served as a leading one-stop electronic library of Filipiniana books and other resources. Today, FHL continues to reach out to a much wider audience by harnessing the power of the Internet to provide researchers anywhere in the world access to the wealth of information it offers; promoting a love of reading and contributing to the improvement of literacy rates through educational programs and reading campaigns; instilling a sense of pride in the country’s cultural and artistic heritage through exhibits and cultural shows; and helping communities across the nation build and nurture their own libraries.” (taken from Filipinas Heritage Library)

Filipinas Heritage Library

To know more about this library, check out their website at www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph. I’ve been to this library a couple of times for research purposes. This was way back in college. I haven’t gone back to this library since then. Maybe the collection has improved somewhat. The library also has a series of seminars on arts, writing, photography, journalism, etc.

Well, here I am at the corner of Ayala Avenue-Makati Avenue. Under the shade of the Gabriela Silang Statue, I took pictures of two famous hotels--Shangrila and Manila Penninsula. I’ve been to both hotels, not because I stayed there (too expensive for me!). My aunt and uncle once stayed at the Shangrila when they visited the Philippines for a vacation. Both of them live in the USA. Then, I was invited (on two occasions I think) to a wedding reception that happened at the Manila Penninsula.

This corner was the end of my walk and I must be heading back. 

Instead of going back the same way, I decided to go through the Ayala Park. I went through the strip that’s all lined up with various restaurants and cafes. On the grassy areas, you’d see benches, some sculptures, well-cut grass and people--friends and lovers too! 

I ended up seated on a bench where you could see the Philippine Stock Exchange. I sat down to take in the relaxing atmosphere of the park.
 
I went through the park and exited to Paseo de Roxas. The park has many gates. I think I counted around five gates--three located along Paseo de Roxas and two located along Makati Avenue. I walked along Paseo de Roxas, relaxing and taking advantage of the shades that the trees were providing. I've gone back to my place of work.



So that ends my leisurely walk around Makati CBD. How far have I walked? I absolutely have no idea! Sometimes when I look at Google Map, the map seems to show that my walk has been quite lengthy. But for me, no walk is too far or short because it is my form of relaxation.

The Commuter in Munich, Germany: A Neighborhood Walk

In the summer of 2009 (in Europe at least), I had the opportunity to go around selected cities in Germany. It has been a long time dream of mine to visit the country. In this first city that the choir and I have visited (see my previous blogs regarding this choir), I looked forward to a walk around the neighborhood.

Welcome to Munich!

What else could be neighborly than this sign located near the arrival exit of the airport in Munich. The choir and I have gathered around this sign as marking our first ever trip to Germany. We've had lots of pictures taken around this sign and so much more when we exited the terminal building.

Taken just outside the terminal building

Everyone wants to get a shot at the first plaza that welcomed us just outside the terminal building. You see some members of the choir and our luggage scattered almost everywhere. Not that we would want to abandon anything. But you know the feeling of being so excited to come out of the airport, of a country that you've never been to, that you simply want to go around and take pictures of things that are seemingly ordinary? Click, click, click!

A tram terminal similar to a bus stop

Of course, we had to be on our way. So we boarded a train from the airport to our first destination here at Rosenheimer Platz. Why did I take a picture of what looks like an ordinary bus stop? Well, it ain't a bus stop. It is a terminal where people wait to get on board a tram.

Tracks of the tram

Well, the tram hasn't arrived yet. So I took this picture of the neighborhood around the terminal. Here you can see the tracks of the tram. When the tram did arrive however, I had to get a handle on my luggage (we came from the airport, yes?) That means I can't miss this tram! When it did arrive, my hands are full as I was holding on to my luggage, one big and one small. So I missed taking a picture of it.

Beautiful rows of trees, surrounded by a flower bush along a footpath

Instead of living in hostels or paid lodges, my choir and I were hosted by a group of German families. This is thanks to the connection of our German friend, Ralph. My host family escorted us to their apartment, which was walking distance from the school where we were picked up. It was a delight to me. I could see a lot of things and this has truly become a neighborhood walk.

Town Plaza or a roundabout

We met our hostess' hubby here. He came to us riding on a bike and he actually came from work. As our hostess was taking us around, she told us that everything that we need is within walking distance: grocery stores, restaurants, drug stores, bakery, and so much more. One can actually go to work on a bike. Meanwhile, I took a picture of this fountain. Love it!

Looking around the Platz (or town plaza), I happen to see a familiar sight. In the Philippines, you'd normally see this bank in one of the high-rise buildings. Here, it's part of the neighborhood.

The Bakery! Those breads look absolutely appetizing!

Grocery store! Let's take a look inside.

Berries of various kinds: you wouldn't want to miss this before coming into the grocery store.

Food stuff: the interior of the grocery store

Fresh vegetables!

Curiously enough, when we passed by the bakeshop (or the bakery?), my friend and I wanted to take a peek inside. The owner was gracious enough to allow us to take pictures inside. The breads are huge and really enticing to eat. The smell is just awesome...hmmm...freshly baked bread! Moving on we came across a grocery store. It was quite small, but well packed with a lot of fresh items: meats, deli, fruits and vegetables. Wish we had time to actually shop, but we had to go home as our hostess beckons us since it was already time for dinner.

Well, this is the way home to our host family's apartment. See that person with an umbrella? It's suppose to be summer when we went to Munich. Yet the weather, like in Austria, remained cool and also rainy. It didn't actually dampen my spirits at all. Because of this short walk around the neighborhood, I grew to appreciate the new atmosphere and almost looked forward to the prospect of visiting more sights, more places around Munich--rain or shine!

The Commuter in Austria: Serenity at Millstatt

In this third of the series in Austria, my friends and I were taken to Millstatt. Still in coordination with the activities of the Internationaler Chorwettbewerb, we were asked to sing at a Sunday mass in Obermillstatt. After that, we were taken by bus to Millstatt, where we would sing in a friendship concert at the Castle of the Knights of St. George.

Capture it! The scenic mountain side on the road to Millstatt. I was in a bus when I took this picture.

This is our first destination: Obermillstatt. We were asked to sing for a Sunday Mass.

Signs that tell you the location of establishments in town. This was just outside the church.

The church's steeple, taken while walking towards the church. The road was kinda uphill.

Th interior of the church of Obermillstatt

The altarpiece

Scenic views of Millstatter See (Lake)

The trees, the mountains, the lake, are all contained in this beautiful scenic view from the bus ride

This was our ultimate destination. This was where the choir groups sang in a friendship concert. This is the former castle of the Knights of St. George.

After the concert, we headed towards the park. These flowers were adorable, especially...

...when these tiny little bumble bees came along and pollinated. They were quite difficult to capture because they'd hop from one flower to the next quite fast. But they are so cute!

A stage and concert platform at the park

Across the lake from the park, I saw what looks to me like a group of houses. I asked myself if this could be a little village by the lake or another town. Whatever it is, they simply looked serene, simple, and quite a relaxing sight. I hope it truly is.

And here I am, just looking out the lake wondering what was going on back home. I think there are people by the pier relaxing too. This place is really a change from a buzzing city life.

I could only think of one word to describe my trip to Millstatt--serenity. I could use serenity right now. I've had a busy week and the coming weeks would be just as busy. At work, you'd rarely have the time for yourself, to simply take a breather and relax. I'd do that over the weekend, but it's simply a time off from work. You wouldn't get to do other things simply because you are tired and you feel like doing nothing at all. That's why when I look at this place and see all the wonderful pictures I've taken, I'm wondering if I'll ever get the chance to come to a place like this, go around, do the things I'd like to do (like singing in this case) and simply be worry-free, at peace--serenity.

The Commuter In Austria: The Charming Spittal an der Drau

Charming was indeed one of the first few things that came to my mind when my friends and I were given the chance to go around Spittal an der Drau. We didn't have to ride a train again nor go from one place to another by bus or taxi. Just a few blocks from our hotel, we come to the venue of the annual Internationaler Chorbewerb. It was a pleasant change from commuting by train to simply walking around. Aside from the Portia Castle, there is also the park, the churches, and of course, our own hotel looks like a charming, cozy, cabin set against a background of green and snow-capped mountains.

Our hotel in Spittal an der Drau

The side of the hotel

Interior of our room, three of us share this room. My friends are just getting settled on our beds.

The balcony outside of our hotel room

The river, bridge, and roundabout as seen from our hotel room

Close up shot of the roundabout

Schloss Portia

Interior of the Schloss, taken during the opening concert that officially starts the choral festival

The coat of arms

Exterior of the Schloss

The Tower

The Park, located beside Schloss Portia

Flags of the different countries being represented in the choral festival

Here is the Philippine flag, on a windy day like this, the flags get folded and twisted

That's me, enjoying the flowers. Didn't I say the place was charming?

The Crucifix within the church grounds of Sankt Maria

Interior of Sankt Maria, or the Church of the Annunciation of Mary

Trees and snow on the mountains

So that's the second installment of my trip to Austria. This is really a place that's good for walking and relaxing. Being a commuter, walking is a regular exercise. But as a commuter who goes to work, walking to work is truly different from a recreational walk. What's nice about a recreational walk is getting to commune with nature: the trees, the flowers, the bushes...they all offer a source of sanctuary from the usual busy, busy world. I was truly charmed by this place.