Close encounters - rip-off artists and police in Manila

We have had 2 great days since arriving in Manila and this afternoon was the most exciting. We are having a problem using ATM's as most banks only allow us to withdraw about $100 Cdn in pesos. Our bank in Canada charges $5 for that privilege. I must get BMO stock. We did better today at the main branch of HSBC which allowed us the equivalent of $900. Because we are heading to the smaller islands where there is little access to banks and money changers we needed to get some more cash.

We have US dollars with us and tried to change some at Citibank. Since we don't have an account here in the Philippines they don't allow this, so off we went to a black market money changer (as the bank officer recommended). On the Money Changer street we were led to a place by a man who offered us a great rate. The women who ran the place worked out the exchange, counted it asked us to count it too, and we exchanged money. No paper work!!

Nigel then went shopping and Geordie went back to the hotel where he counted his money again before putting it away. He was shocked to discover that by some brilliant sleight of hand he now had 10,000 fewer pesos than he was supposed to. Being good Canadians, we hadn't counted it a second time! Panic time! What to do?

Geordie ran off to find Nigel, calling him on the cell phones we had arranged yesterday and we met up easily. I felt that as good, trusting Canadians we should go to the police. The security guards at the shopping centre seemed reluctant to help, but finally gave us the phone number of the local station. One of the security guards suggested we needed a fixer! Rather than go out into the street and look for a likely big guy, I called and was told we needed to come to the station, so off we went and after realizing that the traffic was too bad we walked there and made our report.

After hearing our story, the police chief sent us off with two great policemen who were very funny but ready to get justice for us. When we arrived the police had us demand our money and then had a little chat with the woman, asking her name, and suggesting that she might want to make things right. Geordie did most of the talking and did not yell at all which often happens - he loses his cool easily.

The police pushed and demanded names. Meanwhile the woman was being a little sullen and looked unhappy, but was playing with her calculator. Finally she offered us P 8,500 to get rid of us. She said that she was doing this because the rate she offered was too much. I did not argue as I was getting most of it back. The police told her they were reporting her and it better not happen again. The 2 police men were great. We were laughing in the car and it was great traveling in the back of a police car. They used their siren to get cars out of our way and took us back to the station where the police chief made out a report to sign. He also gave us some good advice - never go to a money changer that doesn't have a name (ours was called Money Changer!) and always count your money after it's handed to you if the changer has had their hands on it after you've counted it the first time.

The two police officers who came with us were great. On the way back the driver started singing "Bay Boys", calling himself and his partner the bad boys who would protect us. They were very proud of themselves and told us that we were right to see them and that if we had any other problems to come back. They also showed us both their vision statement and their mission statement - which they followed to the letter - making sure the city was safe for its citizens.

So here we had money stolen and 50 years ago Geordie was pick pocketed of all his money the second day at the Boy Scout camp. I was left penniless. He too was taken care of in Manila although he did not get his money back. Nothing else bad happened during that trip so I suppose we are safe.

The people here really are quite wonderful, except those evil women. Everyone smiles. The little boys and young men call us Joe and ask us questions - "Where are you going?". They are just chatting and being friendly. When we go to a restaurant or coffee shop a second time we are treated like royalty. I am so glad that the money changer episode tuned out in a positive way as it shows that this country really is a great place to visit.