the Philippine Mall: Davao City, Philippines.
The malls here in the Philippines aren't much different than those in the states but there are a few differences that definitely caught my eye. When you first enter the mall it feels a little like going through security at the airport with the guards, metal detectors, and bag searches. Ever since terrorists' threats and violence of the eighties and early nineties, the Filipino government has continued to keep their country safe, even if that means posting guards with machine guns at the front door of a shopping mall. Once you are in the mall it looks pretty much normal.
The coffee however is once difference that I wont forget. It seems no matter where I go and no matter how much I spend, its nearly impossible to find decent coffee. Most of the coffee they use is instant and only sometimes do they actually use real milk (instead of powder). For now my hopes and dreams of finding decent coffee here in Davao will just have to wait.
The movie theaters of the Philippines are by far one of my highlights. Although, there isn't much film selection and the ceiling looks likes its still under construction, it was by far an enjoyable experience. For 55 Filipino pesos, about 1 American dollar, I was able to watch Superman. For the same movie but 65 pesos, I could have watched it from the 'deluxe' view, which are the seats higher up towards the back of the theater. I'm not really sure why Filipinos would pay more to sit farther back from the screen but, that's just the way it is.