Hey,Joe: A Slice of the City, An American in Manila

by Ted Lerner

"Hey, Joe, you like snake?" "Hey, Joe, welcome to Tondo!" "Hey, Joe, what's your name?" It's the phrase that greets every foreign guy in the Philippines on a daily basis. And perhaps nobody personifies the meaning of this moniker better than Ted Lerner, an American whose popular, freewheeling column, "Hey, Joe," has been entertaining readers in the Philippines and overseas for nearly 15 years. In "Hey, Joe," Ted presents a collection of his best Manila stories, a kaleidoscope of funny and bizarre incidents, offbeat characters and keen observations dished up by a wide-eyed foreigner living in a city exploding with life, unfathomable urban chaos and a story around every corner. Readers will hitch a ride with the author and spend a night at the cock fights - the Philippines' violent and gentlemanly national pastime. Walk through bustling, colorful markets that turn the senses on full blast. Experience the harrowing thrill of riding a bicycle through some of the world's worst and wildest traffic. Visit a secretive girlie-bar reserved mainly for foreigners. Enjoy the party-like atmosphere in the cemetery of one of the world's most unique observances of the dead. Lounge in the authror's very own urban nipa hut. Hang out with the rather laid back and care free folks on Manila's lively and teeming streets. Simple daily living also provides material for fascinating and humorous reading. From his run ins with mangy Filipino mutts, to everyone asking him "Where's my Christmas?," to the characters who peddle every product under the sun through his neighborhood, the author captures perfectly the ups and downs of everyday life experienced by the foreigner living in one of the world's largest and most chaotic cities. In all, the 33 short stories in "Hey, Joe" paint a multi-colored portrait of this imposing Asian metropolis, a third world, urban travel adventure as told not only through a foreigner's eyes, but also through his ears, nose, fingers and mouth. Indeed, like the city of Manila itself, Ted Lerner's "Hey, Joe," is a full body experience. *This version of Hey, Joe is the official version of the book authorized by the author Ted Lerner. All other copies of the book sold on Amazon are either used or sold through re-sellers. Make sure to buy the official version and support the author. Thanks!

Genres: Travel

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Chilly SavageMelon]

This isn't badly written, just overall dull. If you get to the end of your collection of stories about living in another country and end up with a result like this, I'd argue it's OK to go ahead and imbellish for the sake of the reader... Part of the problem may be that I'm currently living in Indonesia and some of the "oh that is kooky" factor the author is trying to cash in on are things I experience daily, and thus don't seem kooky. On the other hand, it may be that Learner isn't an especially strong writer.

The horrid, amateur illustrations don't help.

[Tyson]

A nice collection of lstories on life in the Philippines, but anyone who has travelled to SE Asia will know many of these stories already. For anyone that misses the Philippines it should bring back all kinds of memories. Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic.

[Erwin]

Recommended if you plan on going to the Pilippines or have Filipino friends/family. It gives some insight in the culture while providing a good and entertaining read. Some stories are better than others, but all in all it's a nice collection of stories and experiences.

[Jen Freeman]

A little simplistic in style but enjoyable. Full of funny observations about living as a foreigner in the Philippines.