Today marks the one month milestone on my pathway of retired living in the Republic of the Philippines.

As my days go, this was a pretty busy one. It’s been raining like mad for the past four days which doesn’t facilitate spending much time walking. And what little I can get is more akin to wading, the roads here do tend to flood. But I made some progress in getting things together for the big move to Casa Cristina (yes, the house has a name which apparently also serves as the address) which seems to be on track for this weekend.

Met up with the landlord Pablo this afternoon and his driver took us on the long trek out to Castillejos where the Zamabales Electric Cooperative main office is located. Pablo sat behind closed doors for a half hour or so with the man-in-charge arguing about the arrears on electricity from the former tenant. It must have been a successful negotiation because when we left the power was in my name. Supposedly the lights will be turned on later today.

A quick trip back to the water company to pay a 250 peso connection fee. I’m told I’ll have water tomorrow.

Then it was over to the cable TV/internet provider that services Alta Vista, aptly named CATV. I told them I wanted fast and reliable internet with unlimited data. The look on her face seemed to say “Sir, you do realize this is the Philippines don’t you?”. Ah well, I opted for the most expensive package and we’ll see how that works out. There’s another provider coming to Alta Vista “soon” that is supposed to be quite a bit faster than CATV, but for now I’ll take what I can get.

Then we headed out to the house that will soon be mine, which is where Pablo parted with some of the money I gave him (135,000 pesos; two months deposit, one month rent with an additional 5 months due when I move in) so the construction guys could start work on the repairs.

Then we went to the local appliances store where I purchased a bed, a stove, and a refrigerator (67,000 pesos). They will come out and measure for three window a/c units for the upstairs bedrooms on Wednesday. That will get me started, but there is much, much more to buy before that house will be a suitable home. Well, that’s why I worked hard and saved for retirement, right?

Speaking of money, I apparently paid triple at the S&R store yesterday. Checked my credit card statement online today and it showed me being charged twice for the same stuff I paid cash for at the store. I guess the “connection” wasn’t down after all. Anyway, I will dispute the charges and I’m confident they will be reversed. Still a little disconcerting to have that happen at a reputable retailer.

What else?

Life is good. And so was tonight’s BBQ chicken dinner.

Last night found me at Alley Cats, my darts hangout. Got home from Pampagna too late to play in the tourney. But the beer was as cold as ever.

And it is always nice to share a drink with Epsy, bless her sweet 21 year old heart…

And why not finish this post with a meme I saw on Facebook today…

Everyone I meet must be blind. Apparently.

No worries, I’m feeling good about the progress I’m making. I’ll just stay busy and let the future be whatever it will be.