Been there, done that, got the memories. No need to go down that road again here in the final chapter of my life. In the meantime, I’ll keep filling the hours in my usual fashion, and that works just fine for me.
Here’s a peek in the rearview mirror at my yesterday, starting with a very nice riverside stroll with Swan.
Our evening agenda took us to Baloy Beach. Kicked it off at Kokomo’s. They didn’t have red wine for Swan, so she ordered a rum and Coke. Finished half of it while I downed two beers.
We decided to move on, and my tab was 300 pesos. I handed the bartender a 500-peso note, and she said she couldn’t make change. Seriously? Well, I was able to scrape together two hundreds and two fifties, but it depleted my wallet of small bills, including the trike fare I would need later. What kind of business doesn’t maintain a change drawer? Well, they’ve lost my business. It’s off my list of places to go.
We moved down the beach to Tropical Zone, the Hash On-Home venue from last week. They had both wine and change! Woo-hoo, we have found our replacement for Kokomo’s! After an enjoyable visit, we headed over to Treasure Island for some grub. After our meal, we triked it back home and called it a day.
Continuing the July 2020 LTG archives. I noticed I’d screwed up yesterday’s post and didn’t share the link about meeting Mary. Here it is. So, today that story continues, and it keeps getting weirder. Stay tuned; it’s gonna get weirder yet.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a video showing the street scene in Barretto. Today I have rectified that omission. Not all that impressive unless you are looking at hotel options, but it’s only eight minutes long. If I can sit through it, so can you!
You knew this was coming:
Had enough? I don’t blame you. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Jesus John for a guy who doesn’t get drunk and isn’t into hookers you sure have lots of tales of you picking up hookers while drunk lol
Re: Kokomos
>Well, they’ve lost my business. It’s off my list of places to go.
Seems petty on your part, but maybe I’m missing something and this has been a regular occurrence for you when you go there. You seem to not be remembering the Filipino way, “deep breath, etc”. Are there any convenience stores nearby where you could have gone (or sent the waitress) to buy a bottle of water or something similar to break the 500 peso note?
Re: video of Barreto
Definitely not something that the PI tourism dept would want to post on their website. Doesn’t paint a very impressive picture of the town.
Sadly, “the Filipino way” too often just means meek acceptance of mediocrity and incompetence, as well as pollution and public health and safety hazards. It holds the nation back. You and I will never change it. All we can do is try to set good examples.
I have found that one way to deal with a lack of change is to just have a few more beers or snacks or whatever until the tab is sufficient to be covered by the large bill. No, you shouldn’t have to spend more, but it does solve the problem.
Cheers
Drain, in the scope of frustrating things, this incident was small potatoes. Still, not being able to provide 200 pesos in change is beyond ridiculous. We didn’t stay as long as we normally do because they didn’t have any wine in stock. Um, I don’t get that either, but what do I know? Anyway, lots of options are available, and in the future we will be spending more time at Tropical Zone, a nice venue that provides wine and change.
Brian, I would have understood if I tried to pay a 300-peso tab with a 1000-peso note, but come on, no change for a 500? Anyway, I should have just said, “Okay, I’ll pay you next time.” Yeah, I’ll concede to some pettiness, but the real issue was they didn’t have wine in stock; that’s why we were leaving. And honestly, we enjoyed our time at Tropical Zone much more (they even let me tap into the Bluetooth and play my music). Plus, they had wine and had no trouble making change. Why settle for less somewhere else?
Yeah, Barretto isn’t quite as bad as that video made it appear. Or maybe I’ve just grown accustomed to the way things are here.
Kris, that story about Mary was from six years ago. And she wasn’t technically a hooker (she wouldn’t have sex that first night). Anyway, that’s all part of my sordid past now.