I guess I didn’t do much that would be considered traditional, but I did hang with some friends and enjoyed some good eats. And beers. After the party, I popped into Mango’s for more beer to exchange greetings with the staff and enjoy some ocean views. I’ve got a few photos from the day’s doings to give you a taste of the revelry.
The gracious hosts for the party, Steve and Viola. Steve’s a pretty good bloke for an Aussie. I’m going to assume that Viola’s middle name is Lynn.It wasn’t catered and it wasn’t a potluck. The hosts worked hard to provide an outstanding selection of eats and the parts I sampled were all excellent.These gals were grillin’ up some samgyeopsal to add to the mix.Steve said there 45 folks in attendance. Here are some of the guys…And the guy who matters most. My Christmas shirt says “Where’s my Ho-Ho-Ho’s?”As is their custom, the Filipinas hung out together in the other room. I think it is because they prefer speaking in Tagalog. Also, that’s where the videoke machine was located.I’d never been to Steve’s place before but this house across the street is where my first apartment was located. I don’t miss it!When I arrived at Mango’s looking forward to some bay viewing, this boat was in the way.The boat finally pulls out, then SHE shows up. How am I supposed to enjoy the view?Hey, she looks familiar…Nope, not her.I think the last time I was in a kayak was on a river in Arkansas 40 years ago… Nothing bad about these mittons…Christmas on the beach. Once again, almost exclusively Filipinos. A sign of the times I suppose.And the sun sets on a Christmas day…
I’m trying harder these days to appreciate the life I’m living rather than wishing for something else. In that spirit, I can truthfully say that this was the best Christmas I’ve ever experienced. This year.
5 thoughts on “My Christmas in paradise”
Looks to have been an awesome meal. So they made it all themselves, eh? People after my own heart.
Thanks for the excellent writing ✍
I’ve always wondered,what do y’all do for a living?
I know you’re retired and enjoying life,but what do the other guys do there? And the female hashers as well ,those who have jobs….
James, like me most of the folks I know here are drawing some kind of pension. There are a few in their 40s who are living solely on their military pension. I know a couple of guys still working–one designs computer games and one is working for a company that does computer security and has it’s Asia HQ in the area. Some people own or manage a business, usually in the hospitality/tourism sector.
As for the female Hashers, it seems most work full time taking care of their man! A lot of them are former bar employees, some met the old fashioned way on the internet. A couple are still going to school and I think one works in a factory on SBMA.
Anyway, I wouldn’t want to have to work in this country. The minimum wage is something like the equivalent of $6. a day and that law is routinely ignored, at least in the bar business. You’ve got to have the right visa to work here as a foreigner.
Thanks for the response . Sounds like you are busier in retirement than most people who work regular office jobs.
You are just one of a few(let’s say a 100 or so) foreigners who live permanently in the Subic Olongapo area, so it is definitely home for you. I can imagine that it’s similar to living in a tourist town ; in that it is an absolute paradise and you get to enjoy this daily. Except for those moments of festivities and high tourism season when those pesky travelers descend on the town and clog up the roads, restaurants and beaches.
How do y’all feel now that a full year has gone past with no tourists and nary an outsider visiting? I know you wouldn’t say you missed them, but don’t you miss a bit of the vibrancy of the high tourist season? Or even just the flash of high emotion of irritation as you dodge another group of drunk revelers, or your patience is tested while you wait for a table at a restaurant or you’re stuck in traffic?
Just curious.
Most people always say that.
:”Living in paradise is perfect, except for the tourists who visit too often and spoil it”
As always, I thank you for keeping up with the writing, and I look forward to more of your adventures
James, happy to have you as a reader.
I’d be surprised if there are only 100 full-time expats in the area. We get half that many at the Hash. But yeah, there is definitely a small-town vibe here. Given that most of us are pension age it reminds me more of a retirement community than a tourist town.
There is a big difference without the foreigner tourists. They never bothered me at all and the local business community is really struggling without them. Not enough expats here to support the bars and restaurants. And I’m sure the girls miss the “two-week millionaires”. I’ll be happy to welcome them back when the day comes. In the meantime, I’ve really noticed a large influx of Filipino tourists. That’s a whole different vibe but it is nice to see the locals say fuck COVID, we are going to enjoy life.
Looks to have been an awesome meal. So they made it all themselves, eh? People after my own heart.
Thanks for the excellent writing ✍
I’ve always wondered,what do y’all do for a living?
I know you’re retired and enjoying life,but what do the other guys do there? And the female hashers as well ,those who have jobs….
James, like me most of the folks I know here are drawing some kind of pension. There are a few in their 40s who are living solely on their military pension. I know a couple of guys still working–one designs computer games and one is working for a company that does computer security and has it’s Asia HQ in the area. Some people own or manage a business, usually in the hospitality/tourism sector.
As for the female Hashers, it seems most work full time taking care of their man! A lot of them are former bar employees, some met the old fashioned way on the internet. A couple are still going to school and I think one works in a factory on SBMA.
Anyway, I wouldn’t want to have to work in this country. The minimum wage is something like the equivalent of $6. a day and that law is routinely ignored, at least in the bar business. You’ve got to have the right visa to work here as a foreigner.
Thanks for the response . Sounds like you are busier in retirement than most people who work regular office jobs.
You are just one of a few(let’s say a 100 or so) foreigners who live permanently in the Subic Olongapo area, so it is definitely home for you. I can imagine that it’s similar to living in a tourist town ; in that it is an absolute paradise and you get to enjoy this daily. Except for those moments of festivities and high tourism season when those pesky travelers descend on the town and clog up the roads, restaurants and beaches.
How do y’all feel now that a full year has gone past with no tourists and nary an outsider visiting? I know you wouldn’t say you missed them, but don’t you miss a bit of the vibrancy of the high tourist season? Or even just the flash of high emotion of irritation as you dodge another group of drunk revelers, or your patience is tested while you wait for a table at a restaurant or you’re stuck in traffic?
Just curious.
Most people always say that.
:”Living in paradise is perfect, except for the tourists who visit too often and spoil it”
As always, I thank you for keeping up with the writing, and I look forward to more of your adventures
James, happy to have you as a reader.
I’d be surprised if there are only 100 full-time expats in the area. We get half that many at the Hash. But yeah, there is definitely a small-town vibe here. Given that most of us are pension age it reminds me more of a retirement community than a tourist town.
There is a big difference without the foreigner tourists. They never bothered me at all and the local business community is really struggling without them. Not enough expats here to support the bars and restaurants. And I’m sure the girls miss the “two-week millionaires”. I’ll be happy to welcome them back when the day comes. In the meantime, I’ve really noticed a large influx of Filipino tourists. That’s a whole different vibe but it is nice to see the locals say fuck COVID, we are going to enjoy life.