I am a Filipina, and I just stumbled upon your blog. Good thing that I did. This post is great. More so because it is about things that are close to my heart.

Yup, durian smells like hell. Haha! I just don’t like it. And the other fruit’s spelled mangosteen. But now that I’ve typed it, I’m not really sure about the spelling anymore. Hmmm…

I was smiling when you mentioned about you haggling with the vendors. How was it? They usually do. Chase after you, I mean, if you start leaving them for another shop. Well, unless maybe if they think they were already giving you a good bargain.

Good luck to your mission. Yes, we could do with a lot of compassion.

(I have yet to read your other posts about your stay in the country. I hope you had a good one, despite the culture shock and all.)