Nothing ever stays the same I suppose, but things have changed so fast it boggles the mind. Yesterday was the grand re-opening of one of my favorite bar hangouts–Cheap Charlies. So I was excited about dropping in and getting reacquainted.
Well, I was at least greeted warmly and one of the gals even remembered my drink of choice–San Mig Zero. I arrived around 4:00 p.m. and there were only two other customers. None of my old favorite bargirls was working, but Heidi was there as the cashier/manager. Regular readers might recall that I had a big crush on her back in the day, but alas, it proved to be a one-way street.
If you are a social drinker this setup seems to defeat the purpose. And if you like to buy the ladies a drink and enjoy some chat and maybe a cuddle or back massage, well, that doesn’t appear possible these days.
I did wind up buying all the girls working a drink as kind of a welcome back gesture. Heidi tells me that with the reduced staffing levels most of the waitresses will only work a couple of days a week. Guess I’ll need to come back to see some of my old favorites. From a distance.
I only stayed for a couple of beers at Cheap Charlies, then made my way to my new old favorite hangout–Mango’s. I kind of feel a duty to be loyal after they stayed open to accommodate desperate old guys like me during the quarantine.
That was my evening. Meeting up with Pubic Head and Blow My Pipe in a few minutes so we can lay trail for today’s Hash. That’s a downside to these noon starts if you are a Hare. Oh well, all in a day’s work.
Your post’s title reminds me of the musical “Evita.”
Don’t Cry for Me, Filipinas!
(True: in the above clip, Madonna sings, “Don’t keep your distance.”)
It won’t be easy, you’ll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your beer after all that I’ve drunk
You won’t believe me
All you will see is a dude you once knew
Although he’s sauced up to the gills
And puking and pissing on you
I had to let it happen; I had to change
Couldn’t stay all my life here at home
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around, trying San Miguel’s brew
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to
Don’t cry for me, Filipinas—
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don’t keep your distance
Yep, the new normal. However, I do believe that by summer 2021, things will be much closer to the “old” normal!! I am going to remain optimistic until someone tells me otherwise!! LOL
Impressive, Kevin! Maybe I’ll improvise these lyrics next time I’m at a videoke joint.
Brian, I hope you are right. Given the typically lax enforcement of laws here I expect things will gradually slip into a common-sense zone. I think the real issue will be how many places can actually stay in business without the tourist trade.