Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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QP, truth be told, she made that face because the pizza was too hot…I like my version of the story better, though…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2022 @ 12:38 pm
Guilty as charged on the dangling modifier–I should have caught that mistake.
The authorities won’t act unless the victim (the wronged spouse) files a complaint. It’s often used as a blackmail scam–husband catches you banging his wife and says pay me or go to jail.
I was able to avoid those rocks, but it did require hopping off a two-foot-high drop. I sat on my ass, dangled my legs over, and scooted down. There’s usually a way to avoid the hazards or at least minimize them.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2022 @ 8:06 am
Kev, next trip, I will definitely take some time and get out of town. I hear lots of good things about Siem Reap, and I also want to visit the beach town of Kampot. Lots more still to see and do there as a tourist.
I’m not sure frustration and drama are avoidable (maybe I should learn Buddhist techniques), but those weaknesses will follow me anywhere I go. I think I’m getting better at acceptance, though, and my life here, while far from perfect, is comfortable and satisfying for me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2022 @ 8:36 am
James, you gotta go with your strengths.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2022 @ 1:12 pm
Kev, Yes, I got lucky in a different kind of way, that’s for sure.
And I did make the right decision on my dinner selection, tasted even better than it looks.
You can find Cialis here in the PI; it is just very expensive. Bargain prices in PP, so I stocked up.
Thanks for the link; it was hilarious. I can’t believe the woke mob hasn’t come for him.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2022 @ 1:11 pm
Dan, Yeah, but at least in this beggar’s case, he didn’t come right out and ask for money. I heard his tale of woe, started to walk away, then decided to give him the pocket money he needed, even if his story was bullshit.
The PP bargirls far outnumber the available customers. I guess that leads to desperation. And desperate girls will behave accordingly.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2022 @ 1:04 pm
“Are there so few bargirls in PP bars that such an event can occur to you twice in one night?”
Actually, quite the opposite. I’ve never seen so many gals packed in so many bars. It was really amazing. As for their motivation, who knows? Your theory is as good as mine. Plus, to them, I’m just another tourist they’ll never see again, so why not take advantage? You’re right, though; it’s a vicious cycle for many of these women. Maybe I should be more sympathetic.
“In any case, it doesn’t matter. They need money, you have money. You need companionship, they provide companionship.”
Yep, you get what you pay for. It’s all part of the game.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2022 @ 1:00 pm
Ted, Denny is a friend I met when we both worked for the Postal Service almost thirty years ago. He retired and moved here about the same time I was moving to the PI.
It turns out that Cialis is much cheaper here, and I’ll definitely be stocking up before I head home. Not that I’ve needed any this trip; just haven’t had the urge or willingness to pay for “takeout”.
PP is a very nice city, but for me, the comparative country living in Barretto is a better fit. I’ve adapted to the small-town vibe. This is not to say that if circumstances warranted a move, I wouldn’t consider PP, it is still at the top of my “Plan B” list.
They do have a Hash group here, and I saw one bar so far with dart boards and lots of pretty ladies; I’m sure I could stay entertained.
Yes, mission accomplished on the visa, assuming I’m allowed back into the PI. I filled out the e-arrival card yesterday, and it was approved for the “express lane” entry, so I should be good to go.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 10:24 am
Brian, you are right, and I have also seen backpackers here on this trip. And that wasn’t the only family I’ve seen out and about town either. Not sure where they are from, but I sense a lot of the English-speaking tourists are from Australia or New Zealand. I might be wrong about that, though.
Yes, I checked on the Hash here before I arrived. They apparently meet on Thursdays, and last week was their anniversary “run” (a boat outing) that required registration in advance. I’m curious, though, where they might normally hike in this urban environment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 10:12 am
Dan, yes, you and the other commenters are right about the apples/oranges comparison I made re: tourists. I don’t know when my thinking became so insular. Hell, the nearest airport is over an hour away from Barretto, and there are many places with better beaches and infrastructure. The tourists we do get are there for things that wouldn’t appeal to families or women.
I guess the bellied lake will have to wait for the next trip. But I have to say, as I’ve ventured further out into the city I’ve been amazed that foreigner-friendly bars abound. It’s a beer lovers paradise!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 10:06 am
Kev, yeah, it was narrow-minded and borderline ignorant to compare Barretto with a capital city like PP. I think it is a reflection of the insular world I’ve been living in these past three years. I definitely need to get out more and have every intention of doing so.
I had no idea there was a connection between boondocks and the Tagalog bundok. You learn something every day!
Luckily, I’ve got pretty good ladyboy radar, and I can attest to the hairy girl not having anything ‘extra.’ That said, I’ve also noticed that darker-skinned ladies seem to have more hair on their appendages than their fairer-skinned sisters. Not ready for a female dwarf, though. I’ll stick with pointy-eared elves!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 9:21 am
Teddy, I find Cambodian gals to be right up there near the top of the Asian beauty scale. Yes, it seems to be my destiny to work the bar scene, spreading joy one lady drink at a time. I’m still not certain what went down on the tipping thing; my friend, who knows Yaya quite well, said it sounds out of character for her to care about a tip. I was drunk, so maybe it was something else.
You and the others are right; you can’t compare a backwoods like Barretto with a bustling city like PP. I get it now. Seoul always impressed me with being easy to navigate with dual language signage and subway announcements in English. I’d get stared at sometimes in the small towns outside the city, but never felt like I stood out in the metro areas. Well, some of the older types didn’t approve of seeing me with a Korean gal sometimes but limited their scorn to dirty looks.
It’s been a good trip overall and I look forward to traveling more frequently in the future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 9:09 am
James, my friend here says there are some, but I’ve not seen any in the parts of town I’ve visited other than the riverwalk. PP is a very nice city overall; my only real complaint is that walking the streets feels like a game of frogger.
Manila is the worst city I’ve been to in the world, but even it has some nice sections like Makati and BGC. I checked out Cebu on my first trip to the PI and liked it, then did a return visit several years later, and it was almost a Manila Jr. The problem I had with Davao was the Nazi-like attitude of the authorities. I was a vaper back then and made to feel like a criminal. No thanks! Coincidentally, I met a guy yesterday who lives in Dumaguete City (a place on my list to visit), and he hates it, especially the air pollution. He’s here scouting out a place to live in PP, and he’ll be moving soon.
Upon reflection, maybe I’ve just become a small-town guy. And I really would miss the mountains and beaches if I lived here. The language barrier is another issue for me–imagine a world where the bargirls don’t get my jokes! I was in a shop looking to buy some shorts, and the old woman shopkeeper barely spoke any English. I was ready to buy size 36, and she looked at me and said, “forty,” (I couldn’t find out if the sizes were different than I’m used to or if she was calling me fat, maybe it was both). Since I couldn’t try them on, I left without making a purchase.
As to finding love, no luck there either, although I haven’t been looking. It would be just my luck to meet the love of my life here and then have to leave her behind. That said, I’ve jokingly asked a couple of gals if they wanted to move to the Philippines with me. No takers so far. I do find Cambo gals quite attractive and haven’t seen the obesity that is becoming more prevalent with Filipinas.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 9:58 am
DS, Hadn’t thought of that–those Khmer Rouge fuckers were heartless. Did a tour of the killing fields on my first trip here and was traumatized by what I saw. Hard to believe human beings could be that cruel.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/November/2022 @ 9:33 am
Kev, the Mekong is definitely not clear water. It has a strong current and lots of grass-like green stuff floating downstream. I think the Tonle Sap junction must be where I turned around, there was a bridge that I didn’t cross, and that must have been it.
Yeah, any future with Yaya is down to a couple of days unless she wants to move to the Philippines. Saw her in the bar she works at last night, and she was friendly (I was buying drinks, of course), but I’m pretty sure it’s all business for her. She’s good at her job.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/November/2022 @ 9:28 am
Well, that is one someone said on a Thailand base website. My friend who lives here said it was BS. I have not felt threatened or seen anyone who looks dodgy at all during this trip. I’m exercising normal precautions, but I have not found any reason to feel unsafe.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 7:27 pm
It’s been a little confusing. Everything is priced in dollars, and things seem high to me at first glance–what $9 for a hamburger!? Then I do the math, and a burger might be 400 pesos (or $8.). So, I think some things are a little higher here, but most are priced similarly.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 7:19 pm
Yeah, I wondered in counterfeiting might be the issue. Actually, I brought those hundreds with me when I retired as an emergency fund, but a lot of the money exchange places in the PI won’t take them either. I guess I’ll just hold on to them and spend them if and when I return to the USA.
Dollars are the main currency here, although your change usually comes in the Cambodian riel. Doing that conversion has been a pain too.
Re: “A Celibate Expat Lives the High Life in the Philippines”?” No, I’m going to wait until I die to become celibate. Of course, that might mean I’ll die sooner than I’d like, but then again, what a way to go!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 7:25 pm
Kev, yeah, I’m trying to discern the connection, but I’m guessing it has to do with a “burst” in my heart rate as the deed is completed. The message I’m getting from the universe is, “you are going to die someday anyway; is there a better way to go than this?”
The money thing is frustrating. The dollar is the preferred currency, but businesses are very picky about the cash being undamaged. In the case of the 100-dollar bill, most will only accept the new version, and all of mine are old. So, even though they are in good condition, I’m having a difficult time spending them. I haven’t quit trying, though. Last night at Hard Rock Cafe, they didn’t want to take my old Franklin, and I lied and said it’s all I have. The waitress came back and said we’ll take it but reduce it’s value to $90. I figured that was better than nothing and accepted.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 9:05 am
Dan, I ain’t in no hurry, but when it’s time to go is there a better way than at the hands of a beautiful young woman?
I always enjoy a good Korean meal, and my friend wanted to go there, so I just followed his lead. I’m going to need to find a way to repay his generosity before I leave, that’s for sure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 8:50 am
QP, nope, no company in the room this trip.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2022 @ 1:34 pm
Actually, I’ve known Denny for over 25 years now. First met when we both worked for the Postal Service in South Carolina. Our paths often crossed over the years, and I hired him to work for me in Korea. He retired shortly after I did and moved here to Cambodia. He’s not rich, but he is living large, that’s for sure. He worked hard for than pension!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/November/2022 @ 8:55 am
Kev, there doesn’t seem to be much of a tipping culture here, but I’m continuing with my habit of doing so, including the hotel housekeeper. I was actually curious if she would take the dollar I left on the pillow and was glad to see that she did.
I should have said that clock was the best I’ve ever seen. I wonder if they were channeling the Horloge Fleurie when they built it. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, or so it’s been said.
I was also surprised to see Hard Rock Cafe was still in business. I thought the whole chain was going under when they pulled out of Seoul. I didn’t eat at this location, but the menu photos were impressive. I might stop in again and see if the food is as good as it looks.
Thanks for the insights on different forms of Buddhism; I’m totally clueless, but it seems to be a big part of Cambodian culture. I’ve only seen one temple here so far, and it was impressive in it’s grandeur.
I’ll be writing about the food and the “date” later in today’s post.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/November/2022 @ 10:09 am
Dave, don’t tell Jerry, but they have an Alaska here too. The easy fix is just to add Phnom Penh to “Bangkok, Angeles, Subic” on the signage. That’ll teach ’em! The only Wet Spot I’ve seen so far was after my massage. There’s still time, though.
Good luck at the SOB. See you next week!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/November/2022 @ 9:45 am
Brian, yes, it was good that my only complaints were trivial. The best part was getting through the immigration process for both countries without a hitch.
I’ll be posting about another good day here soon.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/November/2022 @ 10:18 am
Kev, yep, that was a pretty sketchy misspelling on my part.
I think the nap I took on the plane fooled my body clock into thinking I was up early rather than out late. Maybe it’s being in vacation mode, but I didn’t go to bed until 11:00 last night and slept in until 6:00. Or perhaps these “late” hours are going to be my new normal. That one-hour time difference means I’m up even later than the clock shows. We’ll see what happens.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/November/2022 @ 10:15 am
Well, Dan, a step-wife ought to be (and do) everything a real wife isn’t willing or able to be. Imagine all the possibilities!
This would be an aptly named country for a voyeur–“I’m gonna cam body ya!” Eh, on second thought, maybe not.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/November/2022 @ 10:07 am
Dave, I was glad I could finally put one of those 50% off coupons to work!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/November/2022 @ 10:01 am
Yeah, I got rushed (my driver arrived early) and didn’t proofread as semi-poorly as I normally do. Thanks for not being harsh about it! 🙂
I guess we are lucky that the brownouts usually only last hours, not days. And to be fair, there was a named tropical storm passing through that caused lots of damage (McCoy’s on Baloy beach is completely gone, and the floating bar was also destroyed). I’d rent a room (you can actually get them hourly for some unknown reason) to shower than take a sponge bath. It’s things like not being able to flush a toilet that makes life unpleasant.
I had originally considered buying a small generator but was not motivated to follow through. The one at the new place is huge (industrial-sized) so I’ll need to be tutored in its operation.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/November/2022 @ 10:30 am
«« Back To Stats PageSo far, the most I’ve spent is $1.50 for a beer. But I’ve only had two. We’ll see what today might bring!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/November/2022 @ 10:20 am