But they were pretty small. Here’s where things stood on SATurday.
Swan joined me for the Saturday morning stroll. She thinks walking in Barretto is boring, so we took a Jeepney ride out of town and explored the backstreets of a small village called Bantay Bayan. I’ve walked through there on hikes before and always liked the place’s vibe. It’s an isolated community on the beach but still accessible via the National Highway. The highway doesn’t go through the town; it’s up above it on the hillside. Naturally, Swan handed out sweets to the kids we encountered during our walk.
On my previous walks through this village, I observed a place called “The Index,” but it was never open when I passed by. Yesterday, some construction was going on, and one of the workers said we could come in for a look-see.
As we were looking around, a Filipino man having coffee and a smoke at one of the tables greeted us. The first thing he said to me was, “Index is for sale.” I told him, “Not today,” but it gave me something to think about.
Of course, upon reflection, I realize the fantasy of owning a beach bar and the reality of actually running one are two different things. I’d have to move to Bantay Bayan for one thing. It’s only five kilometers from Barretto, but it would still be a pain in the ass without some major lifestyle changes. And the bar would cater to an almost exclusively local crowd, so I’m not sure how much fun that would be for me. I did see one other white guy on the walkabout, so there’s that.
I promised Swan dinner at Jewel, and we stopped at It Doesn’t Matter for some pre-meal liquid refreshments on our way there. Ran into my pals Scott and Jim, and before we left a couple more bar hoppers arrived. I never get invited to join in those excursions; I guess I have the reputation of being a lightweight. Oh well, I had a date anyway.
There was a large and loud Filipino group at Jewel Cafe when we arrived, but they left shortly thereafter. Before we’d finished our meal, an even bigger group came in, including a passel of kids. Another large group was seated in the outside area. I like Jewel and was happy to see them doing so well with the Saturday dinner crowd.
Swan had been hankering for the Jewel steak dinner–a filet mignon for 499 pesos. I ordered one as well.
We hadn’t been to Alaska Club for a while, and owner Jerry is back in town, so that was our next stop. We were the day’s first customers for them, but the music was good, and the girls were dancing (which is rare in other bars). As is my custom, I rewarded the dance crew with fifty pesos each for their effort (there were ten of them). Our waitress enjoyed two lady drinks and a nice tip for her service. We did our nightcap at Wet Spot and spent recklessly there as well. Aine joined us again, along with waitress Irene and boss lady Beth, and they all quenched their thirst on my tab. Hey, that’s just the way I roll. And nobody rubbed my crotch!
With eight o’clock approaching and my drinking capacity maxed out, we called for our trike and headed home.
A sweet ending to the day, indeed!
Easy come, easy go:
- Lady Drinks: 800 pesos
- Alcohol: 1500 pesos
- Dinner: 1000 pesos
- Charity: 50 pesos
- Tips: 850 pesos
- Jeepney: 100 pesos
- Trike: 200 pesos
- Total for October 19: 4500 pesos
Memories of Seoul from seven years ago when I did a trek to the summit of Namsan.
Damn, I do miss those days.
So, I posted the video yesterday about that poor smuck who was kidnapped in Zamboanga. Turns out he was a vlogger and had posted videos acknowledging that his life was in danger living there.
This news article provides additional information on the sad story of Elliot Eastman.
Good luck to him where ever he may be. He’s going to need it.
Alright, hard to transition from that story to the humor, but here goes anyway:
So, another Sunday feeding at Hideaway is on tap, followed by my dinner with Swan at John’s place. No complaints, even if it does have a “Groundhog Day” feel about it. Kind of like reading this blog, I suppose.
Let’s go Kamala! Hoping meat gets banned for the sake of the earth!
Was Swan walking around and distributing candy to kids before she met you? She seems to have caught the walking bug and is now a Hasher. That seems to be all thanks to your influence, so hey, if it’s a Groundhog Day life, it’s a good one to have on repeat.
It is good you did not end up sleeping on the sofa, by not getting interferred with in the bars to your partner’s chagrin.
I can only assume that Alaska Bar is similar to Wet Spot, and is not what you have previously described as a “whore bar”, as you have always seemed keen to stress to readers you do not visit whore bars anymore. However, I am little confused about the Green Place, what with the crotch rubbing you described the other evening. Is the Green Place a whore bar? If so, why do you visit such a ghastly venue – especially with your good lady in tow when she seems so easily offended by such disgusting activities in there.
Out of interest, which bars are the whore bars there for those so inclined? Just asking for the non-pussies, I will stress.
Well I would assume Sean is well aware that John frequented prostitutes in the past. It’s one of the fascinating things about Asian culture, how the women accept that a man desperate enough for sex will pay it for and they are fine with that fact as long as the man does not fall in love with the prostitute (or in John’s case, prostitutes). The only thing that surprises me is that Sean is ok with him still buying them drinks and dinners, but again, Asian culture is very different to the moral one we have in the West.
Like I said, fascinating stuff.
Swan, not Sean. Autocorrect is highly aggressive nowadays
Almost all the bars have GROs who will go with you if the price is right. It’s a negotiation between two consenting adults, and if the price is right, you’ll have some company for the night. Bars with dancers generally have more selection and willing participants.
There is nothing ghastly about Green Room. A pervert who wants a gal to rub his crotch in a public setting is pretty ghastly though.
Swan wasn’t handing out candy per se, but the first time I was introduced to her she was involved in a feeding program for the Aeta natives up in the hills. She still gets involved in projects like that. I do enjoy watching her in action and I’m thankful she joins me for some of my hikes.
Yep, I prefer Groundhog Day over Incineration Day, that’s for sure!
“pervert who wants a gal to rub his crotch in a public setting is pretty ghastly though.”
You’re kidding, right? If not, you would have been seriously aghast pre-‘92.
It’s a ghost town compared to the old days. Trust me.
Still, any male Kano who considers that relatively tame behavior in a Barrio bar “ghastly” needs to have an honest conversation with the mirror. Or confine themselves to Cindy’s and Goldilocks.
To each his own. Public sex just isn’t my style. How’s that old saying go? Get a room!
I’d hardly call the events you described “sex.” But she was no doubt trying to, ahem, steer things in that direction. Sometimes it takes a little encouragement. You know the drill…
You are right, DS. I overreacted. I clarified my feelings in today’s post (it will be up soon). Yes, the GROs are there to make money and satisfy the customers. She was just doing her job. If I don’t like it, I can leave. I didn’t, and I was back at Green Room last night, so it’s no big deal.
For someone who proudly doesn’t pay for sex you sure do spend a lot of time at those whore bars while living in a part of the Philippines famous for its hooker scene, eh?
Good call, John.
And Canada Joe makes a good point. One does not typically retire to the rarified air of Barrio Barretto and “drink in” the local bar scene with great regularity, drop lots of pesos, and chase elusive brown foxes (at least when unattached) in order to find their true calling as a prude.
Shacking up can change a guy. But so can a well-stocked bar. Mind the minefield.
Cheers!
Drain, everyone walks their own path and finds their own way to happiness. I live my life as I choose without apology. My lifestyle is not for everyone, but it works for me.
Joe, you must be a very happy guy.