A Day in Makati: When Gut Feelings Meet Tastes of Home
How I Found Myself Looking for Coffee and Found Knafeh Instead
After nearly two weeks of intense experiences, it was time to take a breath and focus on work.
Organizing everything I’ve written, editing videos, developing my new Substack—in short, working like a regular person.
I spent the entire day working non-stop from morning until night, taking only short breaks for the gym and food. Even during meals, I brought my laptop with me. Who says you can’t type while chewing?
At some point, I caught myself smiling. Here I am, sitting in the Philippines, working from my laptop. This is exactly what I envisioned when I dreamed of becoming a digital nomad. And suddenly, it’s not a dream—it’s my everyday reality. What a crazy feeling.
The mantra running through my head all day? Save money. Unlike most people here, I’m not on vacation. I’m just starting as a digital nomad, and I need to act accordingly. That means no unnecessary spending and being smart with my money.
After an intense workday, I reminded myself that I should take advantage of my week-long stay in a central part of Manila to explore the city a little. After that? A full month of a very simple routine—wake up, gym, work a short pool break, and more work. That’s it.
It’s quite different from how I usually travel. When I arrive in a new place, especially a new country, I tend to explore every corner (case in point: New Zealand, which I saw from end to end). But this time, I’m trying to slow down. I keep reminding myself—this is not a vacation. This is my new routine. The key is finding a healthy balance between work and life.
I started searching online for interesting attractions nearby. There are only so many museums and historical sites one can visit, right? I quickly found a promising area—an amusement park, an illusion exhibit, and a dessert museum. It had been a few days since my last adrenaline rush, and I was starting to feel it.
While browsing, I came across a district I had heard a lot about—Makati. I explored its streets on Google Maps and discovered a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafés. My stomach started growling—I needed real food. And then I saw it: an Israeli restaurant in Makati.
I have never made a decision so fast. Within seconds, I was up, booked a motorcycle taxi (85 pesos, around 5 shekels), and was on my way.
Even on the ride over, I could see the difference. Makati felt much more Westernized, quieter, and more spacious than the area I was staying in (Malate). The biggest contrast? The number of foreigners walking around, unlike in my neighborhood.
And then it all clicked—no wonder someone tried to pickpocket me near my apartment. I now realize I was probably the only foreigner in an area full of locals. In hindsight, I should have booked accommodation in Makati. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it also feels much safer.
A small lesson learned—trust my gut. If I don’t feel comfortable walking near my building, I’ll just take a motorcycle taxi straight from my doorstep to wherever I need to go.
When I arrived at the Israeli restaurant, the smell of home immediately surrounded me. The waitress greeted me warmly, and when I looked at the menu, I saw all my favorite dishes—falafel, shakshuka, hummus… everything.
I made sure not to "order with my eyes" because I could have easily gotten the entire menu. Instead, I went for a small hummus plate, saving room for the real reason I came—knafeh.
The hummus was fantastic. The pita tasted exactly as I remembered, and every bite was filled with the flavors of home. And then came the star of the evening—a glorious plate of knafeh.
It was sweet and divine. The scoop of ice cream on the side complemented it perfectly, and I savored every bite. The meal was relatively cheap by Western standards—700 pesos (about 43 shekels)—but by local standards, it was very expensive. A typical local meal costs between 100-200 pesos, so the difference is significant.
As I got up to pay at the counter, I suddenly noticed the waiter bringing checks to the tables. Wow. I had gotten so used to Australia. Also, the fact that they automatically added a tip to the bill without asking felt a bit strange.
I continued walking, reminding myself that I was not in Australia anymore. There’s a whole new country to get to know, and plenty of lessons to learn. Australia taught me a lot, but here, the lessons are different—and I’m learning them as I go.
I wanted to stay in the area a bit longer, maybe even see what it looked like at night. I passed by a street full of bars and clubs that looked promising. I’m not a party animal anymore, but I’m in the Philippines! That’s got to be a good excuse to go out, right?
I wondered if I’d last until the evening and figured coffee would be a good idea. I walked into several restaurants and bars, but in every single one, they only had regular milk—no milk alternatives whatsoever.
Eventually, I gave up and just sat at a bar, ordering a blueberry cider. Who needs coffee when you have alcohol?
I did a little bar hopping along the same street. At every place, I ordered a drink, the waitress would immediately yell my order to the bar—it was hilarious. I wanted to try a few more local drinks, but in the end, I decided to head back to my apartment. Tomorrow is a workday, and I need a clear head.
Your support helps me keep experiencing new worlds and sharing them with you through my words. Sometimes, a single cup of coffee can make a difference.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Who Am I? | The Journey Through Time | The Daily Journey