Another day, another Hash I lived to tell about. I’d never hiked out in this area of Floridablanca, so everything was fresh and new. I always enjoy that. Leech My Nuggets told us the trail was an easy 6K and mostly flat. I guess everything is relative. It was definitely easier than the trail I did on Sunday with the Angeles Hash. And if by flat the Hare meant only a 176-meter altitude gain, then yeah, it was flat. *cough* bullshit *cough* Anyway, I made it through the entire trail and enjoyed it for the most part. Here’s some of what I saw along the way:
Swan made a nice ten-minute video of some of the hike highlights:
Speaking of which, I forgot to share her video from Sunday’s Hash with the Angeles group. It’s longer (21 minutes), so you may want to speed it up.
In August 2005, I traveled home from Korea and met my first grandchild, a nice addition to The Story of My Life. It’s hard to believe she is twenty years old now.
The only Facebook memory from today worthy of note is a joke I posted thirteen years ago. It’s still funny:
A priest offered a lift to a Nun.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest removed his hand.
But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest apologized “Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.”
Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.
It said, “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”
Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
In today’s YouTube video, the vlogger discusses the reasons behind what he contends is a mass exodus of expats leaving the Philippines. I’m aware of a few folks who have chosen to depart for various reasons, but the vast majority of people I know are happy with their life here, as am I.
And now for the funny business:
And on that note, we’ll call an end to today’s madness. It’s nice to get out of town for a change of scenery, and it is also good to be home enjoying my routines. Shopping’s done, and Baloy Beach is next on my to-do list. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
Damn, I can’t remember the last time I heard this song. Listening to it again, it sounds like something Trump would say:
Head for the bridge!
When I walk across Korea, some of my favorite moments are approaches to bridges. I can’t say why. There’s something seductive about the underside of a bridge, I guess. Seoul has huge bridges, and even out in the sticks, there are some large bridges. Underneath many of these spans is a whole subculture of human leisure activities ranging from event spaces to sets of gym equipment to just wood and stone benches (and maybe tables) offering a view ranging from pedestrian to awesome. I’ll often stop and rest at such places, so maybe I associate bridges with a feeling of welcome.
Turn left at the sari-sari (you can almost see the arrow)
One of the best-looking sari-sari you’ve ever photographed. I love the colors in that photo.
Hundreds of these picnic huts lined both sides of the river
For a millisecond, I thought I was looking at a “glamping” ground, and I was all prepared to resent it. Then I read the caption and looked again.
The only Facebook memory from today worthy of note is a joke I posted thirteen years ago.
We’ve talked about this joke (which you’ve posted several times) before. Search your archives. It’s cute, but it’s based on bullshit.
a mass exodus of expats leaving the Philippines
So this kind of contradicts the earlier video about how so many Koreans have “discovered” the Philippines and are moving there for a welcome change in the pace of life—less pressure, less of a rat race. Hm.
I just hope that don’t rub it the wrong way…
Now, I have a whole new thing I can try to do with my eyes closed. Let’s find out! I bet the answer involves sniffing. Which makes me wonder: what do you do if you have a stuffy nose? Lick your fingers to check?
Re: People leaving the PI. I agree with you. I doubt it is a “mass exodus”. LOL
Exchange rate vs. $ has not changed all that much, and prices are rising everywhere. Most of those who leave came to a place like the PI with little to nothing in terms of savings or potential future earnings. There is really no backstop for a foreigner like that in a SE Asian country.
I think that the biggest reason people leave, and the the blogger does mention it, is medical. For chronic conditions or a major medical issue, I would much rather be in the US or other 1st world country. I am sure that there are trauma units in the PI that will provide western equivalent care, but they will come with western equivalent prices and usually require payment first and then want you to fight it out with your insurance company for reimbursement.
I may have mentioned this story before, but a colleague of mine was in a taxi accident in Thailand. I was called to go help him. He had been taken to a local state run hospital. I found him on a cot in a semi dirty corridor and hadn’t been seem after X amount of time. Got him moved to a private hospital. At that new hospital, I needed to provide my credit card, and later a bank guarantee that he (or the company) was good for any charges.
Fairly frequently, I see notice of a fund raiser for a foreigner that had some sort of medical emergency and needs funds to cover the treatment.
I tried to leave a comment yesterday, but I guess it didn’t go through. Hm. I clicked “post comment,” but instead of the usual “your comment is awaiting moderation” screen (which also generally shows my comment), I got a blank screen. I clicked the “back” button on my browser and tried to resubmit my comment, and the blog said, “You already posted that,” so I shrugged and assumed the blog was keeping me from double-posting. I guess the first post never got through. Maybe this problem is why I’ve had a couple “I swear I left a comment” moments recently. Could be my VPN… your blog seems allergic to VPNs. I often have to turn the VPN off to submit a comment.
Weird. I had no indication that was happening. Sorry! It might be my spam filter overreacting. I’ll see if there is a way I an adjust it.
UPDATE: Okay, I just found your comment from yesterday in the spam box. I rescued it and it is no visable. I’ll respond soon.
Brian, I think that nails it: people who come here and try and live on the bare minimum are unable to adjust to any increase in expenses, even common occurrences like inflation or unfavorable exchange rates. Glad I’m not one of them!
I think the reason I don’t see much of the financial crisis types is that Barretto is moderately more expensive to begin with, so those with low incomes tend to live in cheaper province communities. I’ve seen more people die here than bail. People do leave occasionally for health issues and others just get tired of the lifestyle. Me, I never want to go back to that old life.
My US health insurance (Blue Cross) isn’t accepted by providers here, so I’m in that pay now, get reimbursed later group. I have a credit care good for $15,000 in case of emergency. I hope I’m never in a situation like colleague where I have to use it.
I’ve not personally known anyone doing the fundraiser thing, but I’ve seen on the forums I frequent mostly contempt from other expats too those who need to go that route.
Kev, I remember taking a shady refuge under the bridges back in my Han River walking days. The infrastructure here makes bridges like that few and far between.
Nope, no glamping allowed! I was surprised to see that visitors are supposed to exit no later than 6 p.m. Our Hash circle wasn’t over until six-thirty, but no one bothered us.
Yeah, I was thinking that joke was overly familiar, but had forgotten about you pointing out the fallacy of its premise. Forgive my trespasses! I blame my diminished brain capacity.
Well, I’ve often thought when people say, “This tastes like shit,” how they know what shit tastes like. Maybe tasting for cleanliness is the answer.
Yeah, I was thinking that joke was overly familiar, but had forgotten about you pointing out the fallacy of its premise. Forgive my trespasses! I blame my diminished brain capacity.