Some cuntry boys from Barretto ventured out to the city called Olongapo yesterday for a walkabout. Once we had enough of that squalor-town, we moved onto the old Navy base (aka SBMA) for some comparatively wide-open spaces. Getting a taste of both made for a pleasant hike.
Exiting the Jeepney after a 15-minute ride from Barretto, then a short highway stroll, before hitting the backstreets of Olongapo City.A river crossingThe river we crossedOn the streets of GapoTraffic wasn’t bad on this street…that wasn’t always the case during our city walkA glimpse towards downtown. We didn’t got thataway.I was surprised to see this Girl Scout Headquarters. I thought I was the only one handing out cookies around here.Another river crossing And onto SBMAHoly Hell!The relatively wide-open spacesThe boat marinaLooking back up the river to OlongapoBoats on the waterThe Subic Bay Yacht ClubThey call this the boardwalk, but it ain’t wood“White man go home!”Scott spent some time here in his Navy days and brought a Filipina wife home with him.Where are we again?I love this post card shot (credit to Scott)Under the palmsAnd this is just plain sad. There is comparatively little litter within the confines of SBMA. All this trash (mostly plastic bottles) washed up here from the other side of the bay, where people throw their trash in the rivers. The garbage washes into the bay, and a storm will beach it here.The Lighthouse Beach Resort. I was hoping we’d stop here for lunch, but it was not to be.A final bayviewHeading out of SBMA. See you next time!The 6K path we walked
I sprang for a taxi ride back to Barretto, got some R&R at home, then prepared for our dinner outing with the neighbors at Hops and Brews.
Ready for date nightOur group (going around the table starting on the left) Matt, Maksil, Gemma, Joyce, Swan, Davina, Jeff, and yours truly.I went with the sweet and sour pork. It was okay.
So, Maksil bought a round of tequila shots, and later, Matt bought a round of tequila rose shots. I was polite enough to drink them, but it’s not my norm. They seemed to have hit the women-folk the hardest, and I’m told that over the course of the evening, each of them did a little vomiting (outside or in toilets, thankfully). It was also decided that with the upcoming power outage on Wednesday, our group would take a trip to Angeles City on Tuesday and return Wednesday night when the lights are back on. Davina made reservations at the Wild Orchid Resort for everyone from the table. I used to stay there back in my tourist days fifteen years ago.
After dinner, we ventured over to the Green Room for some more liquid refreshments. When the group said they were going to Red Bar next, Swan and I said our goodnights and wished them well. I do know when to say when. I saw Jeff this morning, and he told me we’d take the drinking much slower during our upcoming Angeles visit. Yep, I know I will.
And that’s the way I lived my Friday.
From the Facebook memories files:
My 2015 look. Hmm, still wearing my wedding ring. Jee Yeun dumped in December.Eight years ago, I was reappointed to the Director, Human Resources Management position with 8th Army/USFK. This tailored-made suit was the last one I ever purchased. You can see the difference all that walking I did to ease my broken heart made. I’ve reverted back somewhere in between those two extremes these days.
Life goes on until it doesn’t.
How about some political viewpoints:
She was raised a Marxist and says her values haven’t changed.I’m losing faith in the American people.
Today’s YouTube video is from Rose Hall, and she discusses red flags to look out for with Filipinas. Jealousy was always my number one bugaboo. The last thing I want in my life is the drama that comes from a jealous girlfriend. Thankfully, Swan has not demonstrated any such trait (nor have I given her reason to do so). Anyway, Rose always has nice background scenery in her videos, so it is worth the watch for that alone.
Humor time:
They say love is a drug. It makes sense that hate would be, too.I hate when that happensGive her a ride before you give her a ride in the car.
And that’s all I’ve got for now. We’ll see what lies ahead and I’ll report back here tomorrow.
4 thoughts on “In the city”
John mate no plans for Thumbstar today mate? Can just pop in quick to suss the atmosphere likes cheers
Some cuntry boys from Barretto
Was that deliberate? Hidden message?
Another river crossing
A strangely beautiful shot.
“White man go home!” Scott spent some time here in his Navy days and brought a Filipina wife home with him.
I like how the characters in the statue are holding up the pulsating brain that will heal a nation. Is it the brain that’s yelling for the white man to go home?
It was also decided that with the upcoming power outage on Wednesday, our group would take a trip to Angeles City on Tuesday and return Wednesday night when the lights are back on.
I’m surprised you don’t have packs of looters just waiting for all the residents to clear out so the burglars can have free rein to ransack what they can.
I saw Jeff this morning, and he told me we’d take the drinking much slower during our upcoming Angeles visit. Yep, I know I will.
Good luck taking it slower next time.
Kev, “Cuntry boys” was a lame attempt at humor. I was alluding to Barretto’s whore-town image. The “white man go home” was also me trying to be funny. I hadn’t even noticed the brain or whatever it is. Looks kinda small, but that would explain a lot about things here.
Well, not everyone leaves home during the brownouts. Many houses in Alta Vista have backup generators (I’ve considered it). My dogs and helpers will be around to keep an eye on things. We also have guards who patrol the ‘hood, so that puts some limits on free rein.
I’m good at pacing myself with the beers, but those random shots of hard stuff can throw me off. Even so, I knew better than to join the group in a bar hop. Swan and I will do some walking around AC in the afternoon and see some new bars in the evening. When it is time to bail, we will have no shame in doing so.
Nope, not gonna happen, Aaron. When a “girl” says let’s get something straight between us, I run away.
John mate no plans for Thumbstar today mate? Can just pop in quick to suss the atmosphere likes cheers
Some cuntry boys from Barretto
Was that deliberate? Hidden message?
Another river crossing
A strangely beautiful shot.
“White man go home!” Scott spent some time here in his Navy days and brought a Filipina wife home with him.
I like how the characters in the statue are holding up the pulsating brain that will heal a nation. Is it the brain that’s yelling for the white man to go home?
It was also decided that with the upcoming power outage on Wednesday, our group would take a trip to Angeles City on Tuesday and return Wednesday night when the lights are back on.
I’m surprised you don’t have packs of looters just waiting for all the residents to clear out so the burglars can have free rein to ransack what they can.
I saw Jeff this morning, and he told me we’d take the drinking much slower during our upcoming Angeles visit. Yep, I know I will.
Good luck taking it slower next time.
Kev, “Cuntry boys” was a lame attempt at humor. I was alluding to Barretto’s whore-town image. The “white man go home” was also me trying to be funny. I hadn’t even noticed the brain or whatever it is. Looks kinda small, but that would explain a lot about things here.
Well, not everyone leaves home during the brownouts. Many houses in Alta Vista have backup generators (I’ve considered it). My dogs and helpers will be around to keep an eye on things. We also have guards who patrol the ‘hood, so that puts some limits on free rein.
I’m good at pacing myself with the beers, but those random shots of hard stuff can throw me off. Even so, I knew better than to join the group in a bar hop. Swan and I will do some walking around AC in the afternoon and see some new bars in the evening. When it is time to bail, we will have no shame in doing so.
Nope, not gonna happen, Aaron. When a “girl” says let’s get something straight between us, I run away.