During my stay in Cebu, I mostly spent my time relaxing at the condo with her. But when we needed to go out for groceries, I rode a tricycle for the first time. It's a vehicle you don't often see in Japan-it felt like and expanded motorcycle with a sidecar. Basically, it's a motorbike with a passenger seat attached to the side, truly a "local ride."

I quickly realized tourists rarely use them it seemed completely for locals. My girlfriend handled all the conversations, explaining where we needed to go and negotiating the fare in the local language, which made everything smooth.

The tricycle we rode could fit two people. Feeling the wind as we drove was surprisingly comfortable. It was slow, but definitely better than walking, and perfect for shorter distances. It was just right for getting to the shopping mall.

While we were riding, I recorded videos on my phone, looking at the local scenery. What I saw through the "wind-window", instead of a car window, was the real everyday life, not just tourist sights. It felt fresh to see the lives of the people living there, just as they are.