My beloved and I went walking in the Quiapo district (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiapo,_Manila) on Wednesday night, best described as the centre of old Manila, and inadvertantly discovered a huge market that stretched into different streets around Plaza Miranda and the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, a church founded in 1586.
In and amongst the deafening noise, everything imaginable was available for sale; fresh fruits, vegetables, electronics, pirated cds and movies, clothes, rabbits, dogs and, turtles.
Despite always finding them a rather amiable creature, I had no intention of ever purchasing a turtle. I do rememember my grandparents having a tortoise for years that seemed to just swim around happily enough in a tank in the backyard. I had passed a stall selling goldfish that attracted my attention but was quickly upsold on a small turtle for 130 pesos ($4) being kept in a small plastic bag submerged in a cup of water.
In the cab in the way home I started questioning the judgement of my purchase. Sure the turtle was cute and I did feel sorry for it in a little plastic bag but what the hell was I going to do with a turtle that in all likelihood would outlive me? 4 days on I still haven't resolved this question.
Anyway, the purchase price of 130 pesos has been easily outmatched by the money I have spent on creating suitable lodgings for our new friend. It bit Nerri earlier today who teasingly placed her finger into the water so my respect for the little turtle has increased considerably. I note it has never bitten me.
I took a trip to White Plains Road around the corner from Eastwood City yesterday which holds a string of nurseries and florists. 3 kilos of sand and 2 kilos of rocks 20 minutes later we headed back home to build a new home for our little friend.
I see a budding candidate for Body Corp Presidente.
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