Aunts and Meals

We met with my Auntie Heidi and Uncle Jerry today whom I haven't seen in 22 years. Auntie Heidi use to stay at my mom's house when they were kids. It was interesting to hear many of their stories about their childhoood and my grandma who died before I was born. Michelle felt out of place cause they were talking in Visayan but I tried to translate as much as I could. Today was spent on catching up with them and searching for a few key meals that I promised myself. Michelle and I took a taxi to the Ayala Center which is one of the big malls here in Cebu. Surprisingly, the prices at the malls are equal or even more to the prices in the U.S. I can't even begin to understand how people can afford the basic necessities let alone designer goods. There really is a discrepancy between the rich and the poor here. I don't think the middle class really exists here. The problem is that the price doesn't necessarily guarantee a real brand product. Michelle went to look for eyeglasses and I saw a Banana Republic branded pair which cost 8000 pesos ($160) and I know Banana Republic doesn't make any eyeglasses. Anyway, we resisted any impulses and just window shopped. It is weird to see alot of lower rated US brands sold as main brands here. For instance, one of the main imported beers is Colt45 and Mossimo is still real big here.