Summer's End Summary Part 2: Manila Pen Hunt

Pen hunts, ahhh I've only known the pleasure for a short time, and what can I say, it's like a treasure hunt, a new found reason to--live? not really (but close?) ;p
For two successive weekends this summer I was in Manila to shop for cheap fountain pens. My first trip was marred with failure since I went out on a late Sunday afternoon with most stores closed--not to mention that hanging around these parts is quite risky with all the shady things going on when the sun goes down. But the next trip I set out early--at noon! when the unbearable sun scorches the soot stained streets of Recto and stews the sewer juices in pot holes--this is Manila! Chaotic really, bustling--and the final frontier for old fountain pens--forgotten on glass shelves, remnants of a bygone era and I there savior(no shit, I fancied the thought really).

My first stop was the Corona Store where they sell Chinese fountain pens like Hero and Youth below Php 100 ;) I spent at least an hour and a half inside and came out with a couple of Hero 221s since I liked they're spear-shaped nib, two Wilson plastic FPs in yellowing packages, and another Chinese FP in a brand I can't spell right now. Then my final stop was Binondo for those fabled Pilot 78Gs-- I lost it inside this store. I bought all the colors of the same model and a Pilot Birdie in Black just because it was really cute.

So my fountain Pen collection has grown from 2 to 11 ;)


*PS Unfortunately one of the hero 221s had a leaking barrel and even if I threaded it with sealant I only managed to crack the barrel making it worse but I don't mind since it was fairly cheap anyway.