Yesterday I had the bright idea of changing things up and renting a peaceful little nipa hut for some Sunday afternoon chillaxin’. I had seen one location I particularly liked on an earlier beach walk, so that was my first stop.

So, when I arrived I saw that one of those two pictured above was indeed vacant. I asked the kid in charge how much for a nipa hut and he responded that a cottage is 1000 pesos. And then he showed me a small one off the beach. I pointed at my desired location and told him “I want that one”. He said that unit cost 1500 pesos. Then I tried to bargain him down, noting that it was already late afternoon and renting to me for 1000 was better than it sitting empty. He responded, “not allowed”. I asked to speak with the boss and he got on the phone. When he hung up he told me the boss had said no. Fine. It was now a matter of principle to me, so I went next door to El Molina.

You know, I’m not a cheap Charlie but I’m also not a sucker. I could see my desired unit from my cottage at El Molina and as I suspected, it sat vacant for the remainder of the day. So, instead of making a 1000 peso sale, they got nothing and also lost a customer in the future. I just don’t get that mentality.

Hash Monday again so I’ll be heading out soon to hit the trail. See y’all on the other side.