I was back out yesterday with the Wednesday Walkers group, and we trekked up to Balon Falls, then onward through an Aeta native people’s village, and then back down again to where we started. It had been a couple of years since I’d been out that way, and everything had a fresh feel about it. Here, have a look for yourself:
Ed provided our transportation out to the border of Castillejos and San Marcelino where we began our hike.I *think* the river is the dividing line between the two townsOur way aheadI guess you could say our group was a Predatour.Walk this wayBringing up the rearThe first of several water crossings on our hikeLooking upstreamUpsy daisyOur feet never got dryThe trail got a little dicey in placesThe closest thing I saw to a “falls”Even the high water litters in this countryNot one of the easy parts of the trailA bridge we didn’t crossInto the Aeta village. I guess laundry is part of the cultureSee what I mean?More laundry and a cookie deliveryIt appears the village has a nice schoolOops, looks like I’m falling behindWaiting on the slow guy. Hey, those cookies aren’t gonna deliver themselvesMoving outVillage livingHello, baboyOpen-air housingHills still kick my buttWhere water comes fromThrough the fields we goI’m coming, I’m comingWe made this guy’s day when three of our group purchased fresh avocados from him.And back to where we beganA very nice 4K journey
I also enjoyed my Wednesday evening in town with Swan. We kicked things off on the rooftop at BarCelona.
The standard view from my BarCelona stoolThe best viewOur view
When we were ready for a change of scenery, we headed downstairs to The Green Room. Waitress Chu is always happy to drink with us, and I found watching some excellent pool players quite entertaining. We did our nightcap next door at Wet Spot, and we were surprised when my neighbors, Jeff and Davina, came in for a drink. Later, owner Daddy Dave and I had a lengthy and pleasant chat about the good ol’ days in the bar business. A very enjoyable night on the town, indeed.
Ah, one of the blessings of a long life is all the memories.
Thirteen years ago, I was bat-shit crazy in BaliAnd in 2015, I had my name on the cash register at my favorite Itaewon bar, Shenanigans.The biggest humiliation of the scamdemic in 2020 was being forced to wear these fucking face shields to enter any business. What a joke!
Speaking of jokes, how about that Indian woman running for President?
As hard as it is to believe, policy-wise, she’d be worse than Biden.
Today’s YouTube video comes from Rose Hall. She weighs in on the older-younger romances so prevalent here in the Philippines. Swan is only twenty-eight years younger than me, so I wouldn’t know. The video is not very long, and the scenery is especially nice in this one. Have a look for yourself.
Let’s see if I can find some humor:
Is it as tight as those slacks?She must get hot when the sun is out
That’s all for now, folks. Back tomorrow to tell you about today.
6 thoughts on “Up the creek and through the village”
Today’s walk seemed an interesting change of pace. It’s nice to have so many choices of path.
“Preda” does indeed sound predatory—an awful name for a rights-protecting organization.
Were you Big John or John M(darts)? I am assuming the latter.
Re: the video, I think she is looking at May-September romances through slightly rose tinted glasses, but I know a lot couples that it works for. Things can develop into a meaningful loving relationship, but (being a bit cynical) the initial attraction from the female is probably not based on the guys good looks. LOL
Brian, I was “Big John” at Shenanigans. I don’t remember that other guy.
When I first started coming here and saw these old geezers with beautiful young women, I was cynical about the motivation of the Filipina. Him: “Honey, what was it that attracted you to me?” Her: “Honestly, it was the bulge in your pants.” Him: smiling and looking at his crotch. Her: “No, not that one. The one in your pocket.” (pointing at his wallet.) I’m sure that is true in some cases, but not all.
Over time, I’ve come to see it differently. Filipinas have a saying that “age is just a number.” For them, the stability that an older foreign male (allegedly) brings, both emotionally and financially, is the attraction. Some may call that shallow, but that’s not as shallow as the Western woman’s standard attraction to youth and good looks.
I’ve come to believe that many of the older/younger relationships are a win-win for both parties. Filipinas can be sweet, loving, and natural caregivers. With their steady pension incomes, oldsters can pay the bills and give the gal a comparatively stable and carefree lifestyle. That’s a win-win. At least until the old man dies, but why worry about the future?
Kev, yeah, and I think I heard that the founder of Preda was a Catholic priest! Anyway, what I’ve seen from a distance looks like they provide decent facilities and care for the children they help.
Hiking venues here are only limited by our lack of transportation options. When we used to have the Hash truck, it was easy to get out and explore. These days, someone willing to drive and a small enough group to fit in the vehicle is the deciding factor.
John, I think that your comments on relationships are correct. When you get down to it, relationships are pretty much all transactional in some respect.
Look at President Trump. Him ending up with a much younger hot wife was certainly not due to his good looks or personality. LOL
Well, I’ve heard from a lot of my lefty friends that Trump is a big dick. Women tend to like that.
Today’s walk seemed an interesting change of pace. It’s nice to have so many choices of path.
“Preda” does indeed sound predatory—an awful name for a rights-protecting organization.
Were you Big John or John M(darts)? I am assuming the latter.
Re: the video, I think she is looking at May-September romances through slightly rose tinted glasses, but I know a lot couples that it works for. Things can develop into a meaningful loving relationship, but (being a bit cynical) the initial attraction from the female is probably not based on the guys good looks. LOL
Brian, I was “Big John” at Shenanigans. I don’t remember that other guy.
When I first started coming here and saw these old geezers with beautiful young women, I was cynical about the motivation of the Filipina. Him: “Honey, what was it that attracted you to me?” Her: “Honestly, it was the bulge in your pants.” Him: smiling and looking at his crotch. Her: “No, not that one. The one in your pocket.” (pointing at his wallet.) I’m sure that is true in some cases, but not all.
Over time, I’ve come to see it differently. Filipinas have a saying that “age is just a number.” For them, the stability that an older foreign male (allegedly) brings, both emotionally and financially, is the attraction. Some may call that shallow, but that’s not as shallow as the Western woman’s standard attraction to youth and good looks.
I’ve come to believe that many of the older/younger relationships are a win-win for both parties. Filipinas can be sweet, loving, and natural caregivers. With their steady pension incomes, oldsters can pay the bills and give the gal a comparatively stable and carefree lifestyle. That’s a win-win. At least until the old man dies, but why worry about the future?
Kev, yeah, and I think I heard that the founder of Preda was a Catholic priest! Anyway, what I’ve seen from a distance looks like they provide decent facilities and care for the children they help.
Hiking venues here are only limited by our lack of transportation options. When we used to have the Hash truck, it was easy to get out and explore. These days, someone willing to drive and a small enough group to fit in the vehicle is the deciding factor.
John, I think that your comments on relationships are correct. When you get down to it, relationships are pretty much all transactional in some respect.
Look at President Trump. Him ending up with a much younger hot wife was certainly not due to his good looks or personality. LOL
Well, I’ve heard from a lot of my lefty friends that Trump is a big dick. Women tend to like that.