Food and Water
I've been lucky enough to have lived in many different parts of the world.
I spent quite some time living in India. I have no regrets and so many positives were added to my life. But......there were some places where the local water looked like it had leaked out of my car and smelled so bad that it would make your nose hair curl.
Sometimes when I think back I have to smile when I recall how I would drink Coca-Cola and 7-Up all day and brush my teeth with the local beer (or maybe it was the other way round).
I can put my hand on my heart and say I've never yet experienced such places as those in the Philippines, but then again in my own experience, water quality does vary a huge amount throughout the country. Yes, I will agree that some provincial water systems are very good, very pure and tasty (well for water). However, there are a great many that are not.
My own body, common sense and my personal "experience" have told me that whenever I am in any city or any large population centers (especially Manila and Cebu) I should only drink bottled mineral water.
Metro Manila, for sure has some serious municipal water problems. For my specific personal needs, unless I'm 100% certain, then I will buy bottled mineral water. Yep, even for brushing teeth.
When I take a shower I also make sure not to swallow the water. OTT? Too cautious? Maybe, but my approach is based on my own body system and based on some very hard learned experience. You can develop your own over time if you want, or just think about what I am saying. No problem. Your way.
Some folks will also tell you that consuming the ice in "quality" Hotels and "quality" restaurants is perfectly OK.
Whoah, what I say is that you should always beware of ice and always beware of salads wherever you might be. I don't say don't do it, I only say beware, check it out, ask questions, observe, use common sense and make sure you can be 100% comfortable.
Yes, I know the ice and salads scenario has become so cliché it's almost an urban legend, but...... I know what I need to do to be safe and to be happy. To be able to travel around with that certain confidence and not resort to wearing adult pampers. Oh Yes!, I've been there. Not a nice experience in life.
In the provinces filipinos who make ice for consumption would never knowingly use contaminated water, but you do need to be careful. In hotels and in many other commercial settings the situation may be less than adequate. Local knowledge should usually be accurate.
In my view, food quality does depend totally upon who's doing the preps and the cooking. Personally, I feel I can confidently say, at a local level, don't be overly concerned about food, about refrigeration or about food contamination. Like many other similar countries the Philippines has managed with foodstuffs without refrigerators for thousands of years and besides nearly all those that can cook have excellent noses. I know my wife does. Even in UK she knows what's what. What's OK and what's not OK. Trust them, as I trust them and trust my wife.
Something else you will be warned about is street food vendors and such. You know, those places. For me fantastic aromas, alluring sights and tasty bites.
Despite all the stories you may have heard, despite whatever you may have been told about so called 'street food'. I have never had even the slightest problem. Just take a little extra care where you buy and use a little common sense.
You know, when food is cooked at a high enough temperature there is not going to be a problem. Use your eyes. Make sure your food is cooked in front of your eyes. Look and see where the raw ingedients are stored. Let your observations guide you.
Having said all that, well, personally I would definitely draw the line at eating Pag Pag.
If you feel you want to try, go ahead, be my guest but don't say you haven't been warned. If you don't know what is Pag Pag, Google it!
I do routinely eat from the street vendors when I'm in the city. I used to have my favourites when I was a regular traveller.
To be totally honest, I haven't always been able to avoid some minor issues, but I usually had a feeling that the most likely places I've gotten LBM (Loose Bowel Movement) so far, has been in the shopping mall food courts and some of the fast food outlets,and then only very infrequently.
Maybe you need a kind of 'practiced eye', but if you're like me you'll know or at least you'll have a gut feel for any doubts about the sources of foods you come across and you'll take your chances accordingly, like we all do. You might logically think that Filipino's have developed some special natural immunities, and to be honest maybe they have, for some things, but be informed, they do also suffer from the same bacterial parasites and intestinal infections or maladies that we all do.
I'd rather trust the street vendor, who needs their customers to return and so has a 'stake' in doing things right, than that disgruntled kitchen operative in Joe's Manok resto
For the most part, the problem that travelers experience is often caused by the mere change of environment, change of climate and change of diet.
If you're really concerned about health issue relating to these changes then do consider carrying a personal supply of your favourite (or local) remedy just in case and relax and enjoy the local delicacies.
Bottom line .....(no pun intended there Hehe) is stay healthy and stay happy
Think sensibly about food and water. I do.
Originally Posted by raynaputi
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