Manila Munitions

Guns are everywhere in Manila. Armed guards outside and inside banks? That makes sense.

But at McDonald's and Starbucks; at hotels and 7-Elevens; and inside and outside of shopping malls and pharmacies? And half-a-dozen patrolling around the cathedral? That's a little unsettling.

For someone used to a couple of burly Samoan bouncers being all who are needed to provide security at New Zealand bars and clubs; armed guards outside of restaurants, even in the afternoon, sure seems excessive.

Yep, security is tight here- and there are some good reasons for that- but after being subjected to an umpteenth security check just to get into a shopping mall and the slightly unnerving sight of all these guns, first impressions of Manila are not so good.