H is for hassle, headache, and/or hard. When I was a frequent traveler, I took some pride in being pretty savvy at getting the details right. This three-year hiatus and my deteriorating brain capacity have made preparing for next week’s trip more than a little challenging.
I guess because I had originally planned to go mid-month, the fact that I’m leaving in six days didn’t really hit home until yesterday morning as I was preparing for the weekly trip to the grocery store. I knew I had to go to immigration for my exit clearance but thought there was plenty of time for that until I glanced at the calendar and had an “oh shit!” moment. I needed to do immigration now, not later. So, I double checked the requirements for the clearance. Fired up the little used printer and got a copy of my flight itinerary. Had my driver stop at a local shop and had three 2×2 photos made. Filled out a long-ass form at the immigration office and then waited to be fingerprinted. Took about twice as long as the visa process. I have to go back on Friday to pick up my certificate of freedom.
Anyway, it was lucky I hadn’t delayed submitting my paperwork. There was a sign posted at immigration saying the office would be closed on October 31 and November 1. Yeah, All Saints Day is a big thing in this Catholic country. Had I missed my 72-hour window for processing, I’d have been screwed.
Still on my “to-do” list is applying for an online visa for Cambodia. At least if I fuck that up, I can wait in the visa-on-arrival line. I also need to purchase an onward ticket for when I return to the PI. Then there will be the e-arrival form and COVID test to complete while I’m in Cambodia. Show me a hoop, and I’ll jump right through!
It looks like things are going to get easier in the near future. I read today that President BongBong is lifting the indoor mask mandate (which only applied to certain places, like the f’n grocery store), and it appears the vaccination mandate for tourists’ entry is ending too. A little late for me, but about damn time.
Speaking of normal, the begging entreaties continue at a fever pitch. My mountain mama friend needed money for her electric bill (at least she was willing to massage for the money, but I wasn’t in the mood, so I gave her an “advance”). The downstairs part-time helper needed money for her boyfriend’s transportation to work. And then Joy chimed in wanting money for a medical test for her mother and a birthday cake for her sister. Frankly, that was the last straw and I went off on her. She was very apologetic and promised never to ask again. I eventually let go of my anger (but not the cash) and decided to forgive and forget.
Here’s the thing, I don’t mind being generous up to a point. I mean, I’m living on a pension but I have a charity budget. But I don’t like to feel I’m being taken advantage of either. I gave Joy money to buy a used refrigerator a few days ago and didn’t think twice about it. That fifty bucks meant little too me but made a daily difference in her life. But Joy is my “friend” only and I’m not expanding my charitble activities to take care of her mother and sister. They are not my responsibility and I resent even being asked. Hopefully, I’ve made that clear now. Rant over.
Started my evening yesterday with a haircut and since Blue Butterfly was practically next door I dropped in there afterwards. There were four or five girls seated in the outside area and I treated them all to dinner; and drinks for the one who was sitting beside me rubbing my thigh. Then I finished my night at Snackbar. I always have mixed emotions when I ‘m there and also have a hard time focusing on just one gal–so many nice ones to choose from. In other words, I wind up buying multiple lady drinks for multiple girls. I guess it’s a good deal for them. And I suppose that’s a form of charity, too. Right?
That’s the latest from here. Back tomorrow with a report on the Wednesday Walkers hike and my exploits on the town tonight.
I don’t envy you the bureaucratic nightmare. I’m happy to be on a visa that lets me remain in country and doesn’t require me to leave the country to renew it. I’m not traveling internationally until this whole pandemic nonsense is finally over.
Good luck with the rest of your paperwork and with your trip.
Joy might not have realized what your boundaries are. I can only hope she understands the situation now. An American buddy of mine here in Korea is married to a Filipina, and at one point, he found himself funding all sorts of things for his in-laws until he finally put his foot down to stop the shenanigans. Not pleasant.
If you opt for a visa upon arrival in Cambo, make sure you have a couple of 2×2 photos on hand or be prepared for additional delay and gouging. Immigration officers there tend to be humorless automatons or just plain assholes.
Yes, I’ve already got the photos. Hopefully, I can get it done online. I honestly don’t remember the photo requirement from my first (and only) visit. Then again, that was six years ago, and everything is fuzzy these days.
Kev, Actually, being able to stay for three years on a tourist visa is one of the more liberal immigration policies in Asia. After my first retirement in Korea, I was on a tourist visa and had to leave every six months. No big deal, I’d catch a plane to Osaka, hang out in the airport until my return flight departed, and get another six months when I landed back in Seoul.
Yes, that whole “you support me, you support my family” thing seems to be ingrained in Filipino culture. Even before I moved here, I had heard stories similar to your friend’s. If I ever wind up with a steady relationship, my plan is to give my gal a monthly allowance to do with as she pleases, with the caveat that she is responsible for all family “emergencies”, not me.
You give the proverbial inch, and they want to increase that to 2 inches, 3 inches, etc over time.
Unfortunately, what starts out as charity and is well received and intended, can morph over time to an expectation rather than charity. Good luck! I think you should give some serious thought to going through your social media feeds and deleting those who are not really friends. You seem to be pretty generous in adding people to your friends list. Are they really “friends” or just some random person who you met once (or maybe) twice and now wants to be social media buddies? You could probably eliminate 90%+ of those people on your lists and never really miss them. Just my 2 pesos.
Good luck with getting all the paperwork sorted for the upcoming Cambodia trip
Brian, yeah, instead of gratitude, you just get expectations for more from a lot of these “friends.” I used to keep my FB friends list at 500, which required doing periodic purges. That got to be a pain in the ass after a while. I don’t accept new friends unless there is some connection, but it’s still hit-and-miss regarding their intentions.
I’m a lot more selective about who I actually give money to these days. That’s why it is so disappointing when they try and take advantage. There are others I never hear from except when they need my “help.” Those are very easy to reject.