Our morning walks allowed us to observe some scenes in the city. Along the R.T. Lim Boulevard, there are stretches of what was probably a public beach. We saw these vendors along the shore selling shellfish and clams.

Vendors selling shellfish – suddenly I recalled the tongue twister: “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.”

Conchs are sea snails and considered a delicacy in the Philippines

Other sea snails that some people generally call kuhol are in buckets to keep them alive and fresh.

Clams make for good clear soup that will go with any viand for your meals whether it’s lunch or dinner. 

These are the scenes you usually miss when you’re driving or riding. Walks or jogs bring you closer and provide the opportunity to stop and look (even inquire or take a few photos). They enhance our walks and allows a glimpse of how life was along the shores when a city like Zamboanga was not as developed as in the present. Manila used to have public beaches before the first reclamation projects eventually wiped them out. The attempt to bring those back in the form of the dolomite beaches don’t really help considering the water pollution that makes swimming or wading risky for people.

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