You were such a disappointment. At least the SM Mall in San Fernando, Pampanga was.

Walked everywhere in that largish shopping center and was unable to find the coveted Fitbit I was seeking. I guess the internet let me down as well because the one retail outlet that allegedly carried Fitbit products, Toby’s Sport, did not have any. Neither did any of the several other sports oriented stores or electronics stores I queried. In fact, most of them didn’t have a clue what I was even talking about.

One and a half hours drive each way in the rain. And my driver Donnie is a maniac. Drives like the guys who used to inspire road rage in me back in the day. Pretty countryside though, so there was that.

And I also got to visit the S&R store. It’s a COSTCO type place. Requires a membership, but Donnie assured me no problem because he had one. Seems he runs shopping errands there for one of the local resorts here in Barretto.

Anyway, I picked up a few items to tide me over until the move. I fully expect I’ll be making a monthly journey out to S&R because they had a pretty nice selection of things I’ve not seen anywhere else. Like fresh milk! (The milk here is packaged and sold off the shelf, refrigerated. No idea how that works)

Oh, and there was this:

Some decent sized and healthy looking celery! That almost made the trip worth it. Almost.

So it comes time to check out and Donnie presents his S&R membership card. Expired. 700 pesos ($14) to renew. Of course, he didn’t have the cash so I paid for it. And speaking of cash, my credit card was not able to be used because the “connection” was down. Luckily I had been to the ATM this morning!

Lots of other stuff I can purchase there to outfit my house, which I will allegedly be able to occupy this coming Friday. I’ll get my 700 peso use of that membership I reckon.

I’m so ready.

Here’s another shot I took on my daily walk through the neighborhood.

Anyway, I’m trying to learn to roll with the flow and not let the frustrations of daily life in the Philippines get to me. Much. (deep breath, relax, and accept the Filipino way)

Things will settle down and I’ll settle in soon enough I reckon.