Makati: After our tour of Malacañan Palace, our van was caught in Manila rush hour, where I observed all kinds of Manila life, including the little cuties in the first pic. 💖 At this point we were staying in Makati (an area of commerce and high rises in Manila) at the Dusit Thani, across the street from another big mall and more shopping. By that evening I was overtaken by a combination of dehydration and something I ate or drank not “agreeing” with me, and spent the night involuntarily clearing my body of any and all fluids and solids- from both ends. Let’s just say I am confident I made an impression on the staff 🥴 The next day was my long-anticipated reunion with the uncle who held me as a baby the last time we were together (Uncle Jojo), and meeting with my Auntie Beverly and cousin Jomalyn for the first time. They traveled a very long distance to see me thanks to help from afar from my mom, but I was so weak I didn’t have the energy to leave the hotel. They were so sweet and gracious, and happy to tour the sites within the hotel and spend time with me even though I was pretty depleted and not my most vivacious. Nonetheless it was very emotional to see them, and I loved being able to hug them and take photos and catch up - my cousin Jomalyn was a wonderful interpreter as well! All things considered, I am incredibly grateful to have been able to spend any time with them at all, even though I couldn’t enjoy their meal with them…but I did get some fancy bananas at the hotel restaurant for dinner 🤙🏽🍌🍽️ A fitting conclusion to one of the greatest adventures of my life so far- going “home” to reconnect with my family and culture, making lifelong friends on an amazing adventure, and making a sacrifice to the travel gods that was both terrible and hilarious 🇵🇭✨👯♀️✨🚽 . . @joatwood #philippines #manila #makati #travelphilippines #visitphilippines #filipino #filipina #mestiza #family #philippinesborn #motherland #cousins #grateful #reunion #banana #fancybanana (at Makati City, Manila Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/Coba0PaLkXa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=