Subject: Re: choosing a restaurant
OK...to expand my story...

From Manila to Banaue there is an overnight bus. I hate it (can't sleep sitting up), but all of the extended family that came with us said it was the way to get there. While waiting for the bus, we all ate dinner at the giant chain. I'm the only one who had the beef soup. Within a couple of hours, I was in bad shape. 1poorlady had the driver divert to a hospital in a po-dunk town (not denigrating it...it was just really small). I'm guessing we were about half way to Banaue, maybe 3/4. I vaguely remember a wheel chair, but not much else until I woke up in the morning with an IV in my arm. From what I gathered, I had become severely dehydrated because both ends of my digestive tract were evacuating. So, they just gave me saline. And maybe something else (for nausea?).

We then had to get the rest of the way to Banaue. No bus or jeepney service, apparently. 1poorlady actually paid the ambulance to take us the rest of the way. I only ate "senorita" bananas for two days as they didn't upset my stomach.

Banaue was impressive and gorgeous.

And that is the only bad experience I've had eating local food. And it wasn't even street food. I've never had an issue with street food.