I changed things up some and hoofed out to Olongapo to visit the mall. I really did need to buy more socks. Not sure why they are hard to find, maybe because most everyone wears flip-flops around here.
So, passing through SBMA with the police out in force and the typical Nazi-like attitude to slavemask requirements, I kept mine on my chin to pull it up whenever I saw the need. Then some pissed-off asshole came up behind me and started giving me shit.
Here’s the Relive version of the hike:
I started my evening entertainment at It Doesn’t Matter. I had planned on having a couple of drinks there, then heading up the highway to John’s place for some grub. Mother Nature interceded with a downpour of rain. That’s three straight nights; it looks like the rainy season came early this year. I was without an umbrella, so I made my way to Sit-n-Bull, which was much closer.
My waitress wanted ice cream (yes, I spoiled her), but Sit-n-Bull was out of stock. Went to the market next door and bought a half-gallon of the requested Double Dutch, whatever that is. Made some girls happy for five bucks. I’ll call that a win.
Went next to The Green Room, thinking I might see Marie. She wasn’t there, but some new girl kept me company. Her name tag said “Shy,” and she was just 19. Not enough in common to get me to stay for a second drink.
At darts on Wednesday, our opponents had a player who works at Thumbstar as a waitress. I wanted to get to know her a bit better, and I had a coupon to expend, so that was my next stop. She was there, so I sat her down and shared some drink bounty with her. I was surprised to learn she is 46. That’s older than my daughter, for goodness sakes. Still very attractive, though. All my jokes were new to her, so I enjoyed sharing my repertoire.
Nine o’clock was fast approaching, so I called it a night. Found a trike relatively quickly to carry me home in the rain. And that was my Thirstday.
A great hike today to a place I’ve never been before–The Three Crosses. More on that tomorrow. A couple of other things of interest you might enjoy as well. I’m running late for darts now, so come back and see what I’m talking about next time.
I’m not doing the “On this day” series, but I will share a post from May 20, 2014, where I was celebrating 2000 posts here at LTG. I’m over 4000 now, and there is no end in sight. Stick around; it can only get better!
At least you got your socks. Sometimes, we celebrate the little triumphs in life.
Chicken parm (that one looks good!) is a dish I have yet to master. Seems straightforward, at least in principle, but as I’ve discovered, some dishes that look easy aren’t actually easy. A good chicken parm is like an Italian-American answer to an Austrian Wienerschnitzel or a Japanese/Korean donkatsu/donggaseu. It’s a symphony of different flavors and textures—saucy, crunchy, and cheesy.
That National Highway doesn’t look as if it has much of a road shoulder. Yikes. So I guess the PI is like the States, then: it doesn’t want to build a national system of walking/biking routes to allow for free and safe navigation by the “unmotored.” More reason for me to be thankful for the system in place here in Korea. You guys in the PI are roughing it.
It’s a dish I never crave and rarely eat. That said, this one did hit all the notes you mentioned.
Re: the highway: The shoulder is wider in some places and almost non-existent in others. Worse yet, when there is a shoulder, the f’n scooters tend to use it like another lane. And on the curves, people tend to cut the corner encroaching on whatever walking space there is. Not a pleasant walk which is why I only occasionally take the chance. And yes, I miss the bike and walking paths in Korea. Your pictures always make me realize how fucked up things can be here. Of course, there are other compensations… 🙂