Back at it again yesterday, doing what it takes to keep life fun. The Wednesday Walkers convened with seven in attendance. Michael’s back and offered to drive the group for an out-of-town adventure. We decided to hike the seldom-traveled Naugsol-Tibag-Naugsol loop and set out to get there. I was a little nervous that the rainy season water levels might make the requisite river crossing difficult, but we made it across unscathed.
A good hike warrants a good meal, and when we got home, Swan made me one.
When it was time for a change of scenery, we saw it from BarCelona. Erik and Cielo met us there, and a bit later, neighbors Jeff and Davina came up to join us.
When Jeff and Davina arrived, we grabbed a table on the roof.
Jeff had never been up on Kalaklan before, so I invited him to join us on a climb today. I’ll post about that adventure tomorrow.
We said goodnight to Jeff and Davina, and went downstairs for dinner at Sit-n-Bull. Erik and Cielo joined us there.
We did our nightcap at Wet Spot.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but rumors are rife. The story is that Dave has sold his bars (Wet Spot and Green Room) and will be exiting the bar scene. I heard that the SOB will also be discontinued. Tomorrow’s show has been postponed, so we shall see what happens next. Dave has been a fixture here for twenty years. It will be sad to see him go, but nothing lasts forever.
I’m happy to be alive and doing the things I enjoy.
It’s interesting (to me) as I explore the LTG archives and read about things I had totally forgotten about. Like the time in October 2009, someone tried to recruit me to appear in a Korean television commercial. Damn, I coulda been a star!
Congratulations to Smart Girl Philippines on the occasion of her achieving 200,000 subscriptions. In her typical humorous fashion, she reveals some things about herself and how they led her to become a popular vlogger.
The end is near:
We’ll leave it at that for today.
Re: Bar scene
Will anything really change? Different owner, probably a different decor, same girls either re-hired or hired from nearby bars, (mostly) the same menu items, etc.
If somebody was going to come in start a bar, what if anything, could they do to distinguish their bar from the umpteen other bars in Baretto? You can sell on value or price. Selling on value is tough because I think most/all of the demographic where you are at is very price conscious and any attempts to increase price because of higher value would be met with resistance To sell on price, you need to keep overhead low, which means unmotivated servers, minimal ambiance, etc.
(to recycle the old say – if you want to make a million in the bar business, start with 2 million…………..)
re: Smart Girl Philippines.
She has a very infectious personality. Can’t help but smile and laugh along with her.
Hey John, let’s take a deep breath and try to process this together. It’s understandable that you’re upset about Dave selling his bars – it can be tough when things change unexpectedly. Maybe we can talk about what’s really bothering you about the situation? Is it the loss of a hangout spot, the change in your routine, or something else?
It’s possible that you’re feeling a sense of loss or disappointment, and that’s okay. It’s normal to feel emotional when things don’t go as planned. Let’s try to break it down and see if we can find a way to move forward. Are you feeling like you’ve lost a part of your routine or a connection with Dave?
Remember, change can be tough, but it can also bring new opportunities. Maybe this is a chance for you and Dave to find new spots to hang out or try new things together. It’s also possible that Dave’s decision to sell his bars has nothing to do with you or your friendship – maybe he just needed a change.
You’re not alone in this, John. I’m here for you, and we can navigate this together. Let’s focus on finding ways to cope with the change and maybe even discover some new favorite spots. If you need to talk or just need someone to listen, I’m here.
And you ain’t never takin’ yer dawgs on one of these walks? I bet they could do 7K easily.
That’s a Malibu chicken burger topped with ham and bacon.
I see the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for the sandwich. Did you also pile on the slaw? That would’ve rocked. Drippy, messy goodness.
Looking forward to your next AI visit.
Kev, the boys get a morning neighborhood walk, the longest a little over 2K. I wouldn’t take them on a hike because of all the stray dogs running loose. One of the guys used to bring his dog and there was always a dog fight it seemed.
No onions and no slaw, but it was still a mouthful. Really good too!
Yep, got some more AI advice about Dave’s upcoming departure. I feel SO much better about things now.
Thank you, Forsythe. Please send me an email so we can discuss further.
Brian, I don’t expect things in the bars will change more than superficially. I’m not worried about losing my comfort zone, there are lots of options in this little town. The more things change, the more they remain the same. As far as differences go, it’s mostly a matter of vibe. You got the girly bars, the sports bars, the live-music venues, and the hangout places that are my preference, especially the open-air joints where I can watch the world walk by. Price wise, they are all in the same range. Someone tried to open a “upscale” bar charging 150 pesos a beer. They were out of business after a few months. If I were to open a bar, I’d look for an unfilled niche. Barretto could use an actual beach bar. I’d love to see that void filled.
Dave leaving is a loss for the community. He’s an icon in this town and has been a pillar of the community helping expats in trouble and being well-connected politically.
Yes, Irish’s personality shines through in her videos giving them a level of authenticity that is quite enjoyable. I’m glad to see she is achieving some success.