Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 5,341 To 5,370 Of 6,501 Comments
Yeah, it was a good trail…mostly flat which I personally appreciate. Most times it is up and over the fucking mountains. What an adventure!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2018 @ 10:08 am
Penthouse magazine? Dude you are so old school! Now, Japanese porn on the other, er, hand…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2018 @ 9:35 am
There’s something like Amazon called Lazada, but it gets mixed reviews. There’s an appliance store here in Barretto that has everything I need, so I’ll likely go there. Having laundry done is cheap and convenient, but if I decide to hire a helper I may get her a washer and let her earn that pay!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2018 @ 11:49 pm
Chris, the haircut itself was 40 pesos! I tipped him 50…
But yeah, not everything is cheaper here, but anything labor related is. You can get a full-time live in housekeeper for a couple of hundred a month for example….
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2018 @ 8:39 am
Kevin, yes there are some “sports bars” here that are normal Western-style operations. I do tend to gravitate to those. It’s been a long time since the “go-go bars” held much appeal, other than an occasional distraction. And yes, I need to put MYSELF in the locations where I’m most likely to find what I’m looking for.
Chris, haircuts and pedicures. I started to call that category “beauty”, but my beauty comes naturally. Of course.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2018 @ 7:53 am
Brian, yeah, who knows? The pharmacist may have just been motivated to sell some antibiotics.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2018 @ 7:55 am
Well, I can’t say for sure but given the vacancy situation in Alta Vista I don’t think there is enough demand to drive ever increasing rent amounts. Of course, once I’m settled into the place and the contract comes up for renewal the landlord may see if I’ll bite for higher rent rather than moving as a matter of convenience.
He told me two weeks to get the house squared away. That’s fine by me as my rent is paid up at my current place through June 15. That should give me time to get my appliances installed, have the utilities turned on, and hopefully find some speedy internet provider (could I be lucky enough to have fiber optic available?).
Thanks for the tips on psyllium tablets. You’d think I was silly enough already!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2018 @ 6:45 pm
Brian, honestly the main attraction is the view from the house and that it is in a relatively secure subdivision. The nearest condos like you describe are on the old Navy base, and I’ve decided I want to live here in Barrio Barretto. My lack of flexibility has definitely limited my housing options. $900 is very pricey for this part of the Philippines. More than a few folks have questioned my wisdom in spending so much. But bottom line, I can afford it so why not live the life I choose?
Utilities are not included and electricity here can get expensive. It’s one of those things that cost more than in the USA. It has a split con unit downstairs and individual bedroom units upstairs. I also utilize fans to the maximum, so I hope keeping the place comfortable won’t be overly expensive.
I never really considered Thailand. Enjoyed my one visit there for the most part, but factors against it for me were that it is not as visa friendly, the language barrier, and that vaping is illegal. It does have better infrastructure and seemed for the most part cleaner.
Good luck in finding your piece of paradise!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2018 @ 8:08 am
Yes, that’s one of the benefits to living in a gated subdivision….
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2018 @ 7:48 am
Kev, normally first and last month’s rent + a security deposit equal to one month’s rent.
I’m bringing Gem up to handle the negotiations so hopefully the foreigner tax can be minimized. Of course, I’ll post the interior should the property actually become mine.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2018 @ 6:14 pm
Kevin, well I actually have a book and CD for learning Tagalog. Guess I need to get to work.
Jerry, thanks for the heads up on the Peter Egan book. I actually have time to read these days so I’ll try and pick up a copy somewhere. Not sure I could sell my adventures, but I’ll do my best to give them away for free here on the blog!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2018 @ 2:58 pm
Kev, yep the darts are coming along. And I’m going to look at a house in Alta Vista tomorrow…that’s progress!
Soju, had my share of those dogs before. Gonna take a pass this time no matter how much they wag their tail…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2018 @ 7:40 pm
Yeah, I only drink bottled water. But my guess is that brushing my teeth with tap water might be the source of my current discomfort.
Oddly enough, on my first few visits to the PI I would invariably suffer from LBM. But not so for the last couple of years. I had assumed my body had acclimated to Filipino bacteria. Apparently not.
Haven’t prepared any fresh veggies at home yet and based on your vivid description I may never eat a salad again!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2018 @ 7:07 am
You are right, the Subic base closed in the 90s. Navy ships still occasionally make a port of call here, but there are no supporting facilities.
I think what you heard about was an agreement where US military would be stationed on a rotational basis (i.e. 90 days) on Filipino bases to assist with counter terrorism operations.
Yes, I know there is a big market in Olongapo city, I’ll have to check it out….
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/May/2018 @ 5:17 pm
The waitress at breakfast took the second picture.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2018 @ 12:03 pm
Yeah, it really is cool…I love Pink Floyd…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2018 @ 10:04 am
Thanks, Rascal. Yeah, I almost brought a bidet with me, but ultimately decided to wait. Lots of Koreans here (and Korean stores) so I’m sure I’ll be able to find one locally.
Well, being a re-employed annuitant is a gravy train, but somethings are more valuable than money.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2018 @ 8:06 am
No, no temptation to buy. Foreigners can’t own land, so at most I could buy a condo. And I still want the flexibility to pack up and walk away should circumstances ever warrant doing so.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/May/2018 @ 11:48 am
Seriously Brandon? Where?
That was a puntastic comment, Soju. But I think I’m more Scotch than Irish. If the gal had said “My, what a big wifi you have there” i’m sure we would have connected. Tom is a cool cat, but Jerry is a little mousy…Ha! that was fun!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/May/2018 @ 6:55 am
The first day of the rest of my (new) life
Thank you so much for this comment, Laura. It’s been almost five years now, and I don’t have any regrets about my decision to move here. Well, I thought I’d have found love by now, but I guess that is really my fault.
I’m curious how you found this old post, are you a regular reader here at LTG? I hope to hear from you again!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/April/2023 @ 12:13 pm
Hahaha! Yeah Soju, I saw that and wondered what you were thinking!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/May/2018 @ 10:16 am
It was too much to pay for a safe driver, I just took the easy way out so to speak.
Looking forward to finding the right place, but until then I’ll just be one of those sad stories about the guy who retired and became homeless.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/May/2018 @ 5:43 am
Yes Greg, it does seem strange how seemingly interconnected random lives can be. Bizarre that we will be passing through NAIA in the same time frame. Safe travels to you as well and enjoy your time at home.
MJ, yes everything is beautiful in the PI, especially the women. Goodbyes are a part of life I suppose, but it doesn’t make them easier…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/May/2018 @ 8:17 am
Kevin, thanks so much for the kind words. Right back at you in all respects. I think it was that long ago Easter post about letting go that first hooked me on your blog. And the rest as they say is history! I appreciate your support.
Rascal, yes the MASH farewell does ring appropriate! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/May/2018 @ 6:27 am
Thanks, Soju!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/May/2018 @ 4:24 pm
They love me. They really love me!
Haha, saw your other comment and didn’t get the Sally Field reference. Makes sense now.
Appreciate your readership and comments…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/May/2018 @ 11:14 am
Hey Thirsty, good to hear from you. Yeah, my bags are bursting at the seams. No idea how overweight they are or what it’s gonna cost me, but oh well.
Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/May/2018 @ 10:11 am
Thanks, Soju! I sort of write this blog as if no one else was reading. I’m always pleasantly surprised when folks like you find it worthwhile.
Yes, I’m looking forward to new “trials, tribulations and adventures” to blog about from the PI. Stay tuned!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/May/2018 @ 10:31 am
Brier, thanks for this feedback! Glad to have you along for the adventure!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/May/2018 @ 2:13 pm
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» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/May/2018 @ 10:12 pm