Life in Manila - "How tall ARE YOU?"

I have had the wonderful opportunity to move to Manila, Philippines as a part of an AAG assignment. So far I love the people, food, city, and my job. I have many things I could write about today but having just gotten off a bus I'll write about a question I hear everywhere I go: "Exactly how tall ARE YOU?" I'm 6 foot tall and I'll tell you a few advantages and disadvantages of being this height while travelling and living abroad. (in the picture below can you guess which one I am???)

Advantage 1: When riding a bus or train if I am standing I am a head above everyone else and it's a bit cooler up where I am.

Disadvantage1: I CAN'T sit on most buses because the seats are to close together and my neighbors generally don't appreciate me putting my legs in their laps.

Advantage 2: If I need to I can easily gain everyone's attention by standing up

Disadvantage 2: I always have people looking at me (can get old at times!) and pointing!

Advantage 3: Some people say I look like a model because I'm tall
Disadvantage 3: Dependent on the person's English level I am often called "huge". Come on people, it's "tall" NOT "huge"!

I could go on and on but point is that as with just about everything in life there are good and "bad" things about being tall. My choice is to focus on the positive which in this case generally just means making fun of myself and laughing at the fact I can't actually sit in a bus. So, if you are travelling overseas just remember you can choose the experience you have. You can have a good attitude and focus on the positive and you'll have a great experience. Focus on the negative and that's exactly the experience you'll have. Now get out there and travel!

Erin - AAG Pilipinas Office Manager