It’s going to be an adjustment to learn to pace myself when drinking gin. One idea I have is to have the can of soda served along with a tall glass with one shot of gin. Then I can keep refilling the glass as I drink, diluting the strength of the gin and making each serving last longer. I did this over the course of the three hours I was in attendance at the SOB and did relatively well. I still need to slow down some, but I’ll learn my limit soon.
I had some cash flow issues again. I couldn’t find an ATM with cash left to dispense. I don’t normally have a problem keeping cash on hand. I do a 40,000 peso pull once a week when I go grocery shopping, and that carries me through. This week I had some unusual expenses and was down to only 3000 pesos when I started my Friday night out. Entrance to the SOB costs 700, and I had dinner for me and Aine delivered from Sit-n-Bull, so I was running nearly on empty after that. Luckily, the SOB was at Wet Spot, and they accept credit cards so I was able to keep Aine plied with lady drinks throughout the show.
Near the end of the SOB, I got a message from my friend at Kamto resto-bar. She said my friend Johnny was there and I should come to entertain them with my Spotify playlists. I mentioned my shortage of funds, and she said I could run a tab and pay tomorrow. So, that’s what I did. You know, I’m a generous guy, and apparently, gin triggers me to be extra generous. When I stopped by to pay my tab today, I was surprised that I had spent over 3600 pesos last night at Kamto, mostly on lady drinks. I think that might be a record for me in one bar.
My walk mission this morning was to head into Subic-town and restock my cash supply at the BPI ATM. It’s a little over a 5K hike to get there, and I also intended to walk back. This belly ain’t going away unless I force it to by bumping up my step count. So, two birds, one stone kind of thing. Except when I arrived at the ATM, this is what I saw:
I took a Jeepney ride back to Barretto. After paying my tab at Kamto, my cash level was once again beneath my comfort level. Then I remembered I had forgotten to pay my helper yesterday, so I wired some extra to her to give me via Western Union, and now I’m once again able to do my Saturday night in style. Ain’t life grand?
Alright, here are a few photos from the Friday hike. We were calling it an umbrella walk because it had been raining all morning. But once we got started, we never had to open our umbrellas. It didn’t rain again until we were having lunch at Kamto. The rain gods were smiling upon us, that’s for sure.
And that, my friends, brings you up to date. Now it’s time for me to exercise.
Have you visited Mike in the hospital? I get the impression you two aren’t close, but the gift of a person’s presence is worth more than mere money. Not that the money hurts, of course, but being there for someone matters, and you sound as if you truly care about this shitty situation for Mike.
No, I have not visited. We have a nodding acquaintance but have never really even spoken one-on-one. I’d feel weird visiting, knowing he’d probably wonder who the fuck is this guy? He does have regular visitors, though, including Jay, the owner of Hot Zone (also a former Marine), who posts daily updates.
Mike is continuing to progress slowly, but the money situation is getting critical. Donations have not been enough to pay for his treatment at Baypointe (a private hospital), so the plan is to move him to the public hospital in Olongapo. I have a bad feeling about that–we call Gordon hospital “the place where expats go to die.” Let’s hope he’s an exception.
I hope Mike recovers soon. But, I am assuming he does not have insurance? I am assuming you do? Occasionally, I hear about an expat in Thailand who has been injured/fallen sick/etc and there is a request for help. I feel bad for these guys, and while I would like to think I am invincible, I also am smart enough to know I am not, and having proper medical insurance as a backstop is a requirement for me.
I have trouble understanding why someone would set up life in a developing country (or any country for that matter) and be one accident/sickness away from having to ask for funds to stay alive. From a picture you posted earlier, appears that he has a family, which makes me shake my head even more.
RE: hospitals – Night and day difference in quality of care etc in a private vs. public hospital in a place like the Philippines. Again, all the more reason for insurance.
Yeah, apparently Mike doesn’t have insurance coverage and the donations are still far short of his accumulated bill. Not sure how that will play out for him.
I have Blue Cross insurance, but most hospitals here won’t accept that. I have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed from BC. My plan is to use a credit card with $15,000 credit line for any medical emergencies. The flaw in that thinking occurs to me that if I’m unconscious like Mike, who is authorized to use my credit card on my behalf. I
might have to come up with some local insurance as a bridge.
Yeah, you brought up a good point. I have BCBS, and I looked at my policy. Same as yours – “while overseas, you MAY be required to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed, etc” Fortunately, no lifetime cap on expenses, but the initial payment is something to think about making sure I dont end up sitting in some hospital hallway. Fortunately, I believe I have that covered, but something to confirm.
Mike’s situation is an unfortunate reminder to make sure you plan for the unexpected.
In a weird twist, I discovered that Mike has insurance–BCBS! So, that was his situation–pay upfront, then get reimbursed. And I’d be in the same boat as Mike were I to be unconscious; I couldn’t pay with my credit card or do a wire transfer from my US bank. I may have to look into a supplemental local policy as a bridge.
In good news, Mike was NOT transferred to “the place where expats go to die” (Gordon public hospital). He was moved to Clark Medical City in Angeles, one of the best hospitals on Luzon. I understand that BCBS is accepted there.