I’ll be leaving Bauang for Barretto soon. Here’s a quick post before I go.
I’ll write about yesterday’s Hash run tomorrow. Here’s a one-minute teaser:
Here’s some views from the GO Resort:
And for lunch yesterday, I ordered off the Filipino food list:
And my room comes with a complimentary breakfast.
First time trying a Filipino breakfast dish and I’m happy to report that I liked it.
I will continue the food adventure periodically, but so far, so good.
Speaking of food:
Ten years ago, I was enjoying the snowy view from my stool at Shenanigans, my favorite bar in Itaewon.
Today’s YouTube video talks about the robbery and murder of an expat at an ATM. Yes, situational awareness is always important, but thankfully, this kind of event is pretty rare here. I feel safer from crime in the Philippines than I would in the USA. The background in the video, where the vlogger is driving to the gym, is also a good reminder that the roads here are perhaps the most dangerous aspect of living in the PI.
Humor me this:
I’m outta here for now, but next time I’ll share the photos from the Hash that tried, but didn’t kill me.
Meow
I like how the two female students are smiling as the boy is talking.
Good for you re: trying a new breakfast. Is the egg traditionally Filipino or an attempt to make this an American tie-in?
Looks to have been a good time. I look forward to the after-action report.
Was the climb as bad as going up easter mountain?
>I feel safer from crime in the Philippines than I would in the USA.
Interesting comment. I guess it depends on where (generic) you live in the states. My hometown is in a rural part of the Midwest, and I have no problem leaving the doors unlocked when I leave, etc. Never have felt any concerns.
Comparing to Barretto, do you think you would feel less safe in a equivalent sized town in the US?
Just my guess, but I think that overt crime (assault, etc.) probably occurs less to foreigners than locals. So, I think that you have an advantage in that regard.
Just thinking aloud. Does your bank limit the amount of money you can take out in one day at an ATM? I “think” in the US, ATM withdrawal’s are limited to $300/day regardless of how many ATM’s you go to – basically to limit losses in case of card theft or being forced to withdraw money.
Brian, I’m not what, if any limit, I have on ATM withdrawals on NFCU debit card. I do a 40,000 pesos ($700) withdrawal once a week without a problem. Well, the local bank I use limits the amount to 20,000 per transaction, so I have to do two. The down side is the bank charges me 250 pesos each time. Oh well, it is still the most convenient way to access my US account for cash. I pay my helpers with wire transfers using Wise or Remitly services.
UPDATE: Checked with my credit union and the daily ATM withdrawal limit is $1000.
Brian, yes I found the climb harder and longer than Easter Mountain. It may have been the toughest Hash trail I’ve hiked (I didn’t have my usual ability to shortcut).
I last lived in Columbia, SC which was relatively safe, with just some areas to be avoided after dark. But yeah, I still feel safer here in Barretto. When I walk through a slummy area here I never feel threatened. The people are friendly, just poor. I did have my house broken into once, but violence or robberies are almost unheard of here. Probably the most common crime I hear about is pickpockets. I maintain situational awareness for that when I’m riding crowded Jeepneys.
Kev, yes, I noticed the smiling faces, too.
Eggs are a popular breakfast item with Filipinos. I was given the option of fried or scrambled with my pork side. One type egg I will never eat is balut.
You should try balut once just to test your self-control. I bet I could get through eating a baby bird. It’d be like a soft-shell crab. But with proto-feathers. Crunchy and juicy.
John/Kevin, have you tried the live octopus in Korea? Tried it once from a vendor on the beach in Busan. Copious amounts of alcohol prior to eating the octopus no doubt helped with the courage to try it. LOL. Read afterwards that there are a few people a year who die from doing that. :eek
Brian, I’ve seen people eat live octopus, but didn’t have the balls to join in. And yes, I’ve heard that some people get choked by the tentacles. I’ll stick to puss.
Nope, balut is a bridge too far for me. Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up.