May 18, 2011

Mind the gap

Not all of the kalesas remaining in Metro Manila are for tourist use only. Some districts of the City of Manila still allow them as public transportation, most notably in Binondo, Manila's Chinatown. In fact, one must take care when walking in its streets—look where you're stepping!

a kalesa in Binondo


Unfortunately, just like our people, the horses also suffer terribly from the effects of poverty.

a kalesa in Binondo

15 comments:

Oakland Daily Photo said...

It's hard to see old, sick, or hungry animals doing such hard labor.

Cezar and Léia said...

What a contrast in a busy street there.
I'm also concerned about these horses.
Léia

brattcat said...

the second photo brought tears to my eyes, hilda.

George said...

The horse in the second photo looks too thin to pull the cart. It's interesting to see the kalesas and the modern vehicles on the same streets.

Kaori said...

It looks like a nice ride but the poor horse in the second photo...so sad.

arabesque said...

yes, the horses can be nakakaawa sometimes.
i try not to look at them. ^0^

Judy said...

The top picture is beautiful, the horse looks well fed and strong. The second picture is kind of sad with a horse looking old and worn out.

Anonymous said...

Asian horses are We have similar horse-drawn carriages in my country. See it on my blog, search: andong.

Anonymous said...

Correction on my comment: Asian horses are small.

Photo Cache said...

i hope that the horses get fed properly.

Lakad Pilipinas said...

How much ang pamasahe pag sa non-tourist na kalesa?

VP said...

Not many horses here, but better watch your steps, not all the dog owner clean properly 'after the fact'...

Hilda said...

Christian:
Sorry, but I don't know. In Binondo, I'd rather walk because of the narrow roads and awful traffic; always faster that way.

Rob Siemann said...

It is a kind of slavery, in modern times.

JTG (Misalyn) said...

Nakakaawa naman yung horse sa 2nd photo :( Pati yung kalesa parang mahuhulog ka na pag sumakay ka.