It rained off and on all night, but now at last the storm has passed, and life is returning to normal. The electricity that powers the essential tools that fill the hours has been restored, allowing me to check out of the crap Anbon Hotel and return to the luxury living of Alta Vista. It is good to be home!
Yesterday’s Hash was, as I expected, not much of a Hash. There was no marked trail to follow, so you could walk where you pleased or else follow the leader on a bar crawl. Decisions, decisions. I started out with the group that went with the Hare’s bar trek, but wound up on my own in the end. The first bar visited was Dynamite Dick’s, which is a nice enough place but a small venue. And yesterday it was pretty much full even before the Hashers arrived. I prefer sitting outside, but that option wasn’t available. I looked inside and didn’t see anywhere to sit at the bar either. I asked another Hasher where the next stop would be, and he told me it would be Dempsey’s. Okay, that’s down the highway by John’s place, but what’s a Hash without a hike? I was the first and only customer when I got there. I had two beers waiting in an empty bar (the bartender was friendly enough to laugh at my jokes) and decided to head out on my own. Yeah, I shortcut the bar crawl. At least I’m consistent!
Sloppy Joe’s was right up the street from the Hash On-Home venue at the Bella Monte Hotel. I plopped my ass down where I normally sit, ordered up a beer, and began my wait until 3:30, when the Hash beer at the On-Home becomes available. And since I was drinking earlier than I usually do, I decided prudence dictates that I should put some food in my belly (I’d skipped lunch after the big Arizona breakfast I’d consumed). So, I enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich with my beer, then made my way to Bella Monte, bringing my Hash trail to an end.
Honestly speaking, the Hash Circle is my least favorite part of the Hash, but the beer is cold and good. When the circle was done, I made my way to IDM for the usual after-Hash revelry. My hotel room was waiting for me right across the street, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t be needing it last night. I sent messages to the folks I know living in Alta Vista asking if the power had been restored, but it hadn’t by the time I ran out of gas. I stayed at IDM until nine, hoping for good news, and I had to smile when several people commented, “What are you doing here so late?” Heh, I’m famous for being a lightweight.
Resigned to having to spend another night in a crappy hotel room, I went to the small grocery store on the corner to pick up something sweet for my bedtime treat.
“Boom boom” is Filipino slang for sexual intercourse. You can look it up. Well, I’ll save you the trouble, here’s the definition from the Urban Dictionary:
The term “boom boom” is most often associated with south east asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos and is used to describe the act of intercourse, usually that which is purchased by males frequenting brothels and whorehouses in those locations. The term is thought to have been created by prostitutes possessing limited english language ability; ie- it is far easier for a non english speaking Thai prostitute to say “You go boom boom”? than it is for her to say “Would you like to go make completely unemotional and detached love with me”?
Sex Worker: “Hello handsome man, you go boom boom”?
Obviously not handsome man: “How much sweetheart”?
Swan thought the name was funny too, and suggested I buy some ice cream for the girls at IDM. So, as we walked back to our hotel room, I stopped in front of IDM and asked, “Does anyone here want Boom Boom? They gave me a funny look, especially because Swan was standing right next to me. Then I pulled an ice cream out of my bag, and they got the joke.
Woke up this morning to the news that the power was back on in Alta Vista, so we packed our shit and headed for home.
Anyway, the storm is gone and I’m still here, so I’d count that as a win.
Today is Veterans Day, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to honor those who served in the military.
It’s April 2015 in the LTG archives. In this post, I share the story of an afternoon spent with two distinguished authors in Itaewon. One of them still visits my blog, but I’ve lost touch with Young Chun. His book, The Accidental Citizen-Soldier, is a great story about an American citizen getting drafted into the Korean Army. And he lived to not only tell about it, but to sign my copy of the book!
Today’s YouTube video touches on some of the things I discovered during my first visit to the Philippines that made me want to live here. Many Filipinos may be poor, but they are also happy, generous, and welcoming. I’m sorry for the AI renderings, but the message is brief and legitimate. I’m living rich in a poor country and don’t tend to spend quality time with the Filipinos I encounter, but that’s all on me. I’ve often thought on my walkabouts that if I were hiking through an American slum, I might not make it out alive. Here, I’m greeted with friendly smiles.
Let me leave you with a smile or two:
I’ll tell you what, I’d rather experience the same shit every day than no shit at all. And I’ve got enough variety to keep it interesting most of the time. At least for me.
Re: Video and living in a developing country.
Yup, money is a great insulator from local life in a developing country. We (and I include myself in that) are pretty ignorant of the life a true local leads. We say they are happy and friendly, but who the heck knows what they say behind our back. LOL. I am sure some resent us. But, I am generally an optimist and do believe the most people are good, regardless of whatever country they are from or live in.
If all countries around the world had open borders, do you think there would be a net increase or decrease in the Filipino population? My guess would be a decrease. You mentioned previously that you had no desire to visit Europe or Australia/NZ because of the shitholes they have become. I’m curious as why you say that what do you base that on? Do you truly think that they are in worse condition than the PI?
Brian, what I liked about the video was that this guy chose to live amongst the locals and was accepted into the community. I’ve fantasized about what that life would be like, but I don’t have the balls to try it. Hell, I bitch about a crappy hotel room I retreated to so I’d have access to electricity. But my observations looking down from my hilltop palace are consistent with the qualities expressed in the video. People are kind to one another and giving, especially among family members. If someone has 1000 pesos and another has none, they will share so that both have 500 pesos. And when the situation is reversed, the other will give.
I think if given the chance, more Filipinos would leave. What this country lacks is opportunity. That’s why OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) are the country’s biggest export.
Yes, I do think the countries you cite are worse than the Philippines. The Brits and Aussies I’ve met here are not pleased about the degradation of their homelands. For example, in the UK, Muslim immigrant “grooming” rape gangs run wild, and the government does nothing. But if you complain about it on Facebook, the cops will come arrest you for “racist” comments. Orwell’s 1984 missed it by 40 years, but now the government is using it like a “how-to” guide.
John, I don’t see Della Macarena winning, but who knows….He did pretty well against Belal on his feet, so as long as he can avoid the wrestling and grappling against Islam he might do okay. Just keep it on the feet. Dustin was decent against Islam with the punches and shit….had him spooked. But couldn’t fight off d chokes on d ground.
As for the Flips being better than Western countries, you’re out of your goddamn mind. You’re living in a country where actual garbage is a cuisine and the women are vile despicable hounds who only care about money. I wouldn’t set foot in the Flips if you paid me.
Martin, thanks for sharing your viewpoints.
I agree, you would not be a good fit in the Philippines. Enjoy the vanilla life in your homeland!
>Yes, I do think the countries you cite are worse than the Philippines. The Brits and Aussies I’ve met here are not pleased about the degradation of their homelands. For example, in the UK, Muslim immigrant “grooming” rape gangs run wild,
A bit of a disconnect. Obviously, the locals do not think the same as you do. As you mention, there would probably be a net outflow of people from the PI to places like UK, Australia, US, etc. You are an “immigrant” to the PI. Do you think that the locals look at us “immigrants” the way we sometimes look at immigrants to the US, UK, etc.
I wonder that myself. Do they think, “Brian, he’s a great guy, hands out candy to the kids, slips a few pesos to the homeless lady, etc.” or are they thinking, “Brian, what an a**hole. Comes in here, thinking that by throwing around some money and candy, he can buy himself into our good graces. We don’t need that type of immigrant. What is he contributing to our society?”
Probably they think a bit of both.
When we go into a country and our income is 10x+ the local income, it makes it easy to say that the country is great, people are friendly, etc. How friendly would the people be on the candy walk if you didn’t bring candy? Try it.
I have loved my time living overseas, both in Asia and other places, and could see my self retiring (or at least spending a chunk of the year) overseas. But, we will have to agree to disagree when you say that the PI (overall) is better than the US, Australia, etc. In certain circumstances ($ goes further, meeting and dating those of the opposite sex is easier) definitely, but on a macro scale, there is no way.
Anyway, an interesting discussion.
Brian, for the record, I have no issues with immigrants who obey the law of the land. People will flee their homeland in search of better opportunities, and there is nothing wrong with that, provided they do so legally. People born into poverty here in the Philippines have few avenues to escape it, other than to move elsewhere. I understand that and can sympathize. And it ain’t the Filipino immigrants in the UK and USA causing the trouble.
As for how Filipinos view immigrants like me, I can only say what I’ve seen: they are genuinely friendly and welcoming. I think they understand that foreigners help a struggling economy, and as long as we respect the culture and don’t abuse their neighbors, they are happy to have us. When I walk through a slum village, candy or not, I am always greeted with smiles, a hearty good morning, and friendly questions like, “Where are you going?”. If I can’t find my way, they are always willing to show me. I never feel threatened or unwelcome. That’s what I love about this country.
Preferring to live here or in the homeland is a matter of personal choice. My pension is more than adequate to support a middle-class American lifestyle. But I don’t want one. As I’ve said before, I find the States to be boring and vanilla compared to life in Asia. Yes, I miss first-world amenities sometimes (Kevin’s picture from his hike reminds me of how much nicer it is in Korea). Still, otherwise, I am not unhappy with my decision to live in a poor country and make it better for some of the locals because I am here. I’d much rather pay for someone’s college education than their electric bill every month. And as I tell my recipients, don’t pay me back, pay it forward by helping others.
Always enjoy the exchange of viewpoints, Brian. Thanks for that!
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