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Monsooner or Monlater, You’re Gonna Get Wet

July 27, 2010 By JohnM 24 Comments
A Monsterous Typhoon

Here in the Philippines, the climate is tropical. What does that mean? Well, a few of things. First, the tropics is the area located between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer... Everything in the middle. Because of the location of the Philippines (Between 4° 40' N and 21° 10' N), the country is wholly, 100% tropical. Next, the location means that the length of your day is relatively consistent throughout the year: Roughly 12 hours in most of the country. Therefore, there is no "daylight savings" or "summer" time here... There is no point to adjusting the clock. It gets dark at about the same time in December (In the far … [Read more...]

Filed Under: John Miele Tagged With: Daily Life, John Miele, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Mindanao, Visayas, Weather

Expat Life and being an American: What does it mean?

July 20, 2010 By JohnM 76 Comments
Expat John Miele

By the very nature of the term, expats are caught between two worlds: The old and the new. When you choose, and it is a choice, to live in a country other than that of your birth, you are leaving the old behind, and this includes your beliefs, mores and values with which that you may have grown up. Eventually, if you live in a place long enough, you begin to lose that which makes you different. The connections with the old become weaker. The relevance in daily life of your old ways changes. You begin to assimilate. This applies to all expats everywhere, whether in the Philippines or Timbuktu. This also applies to each and every OFW who leaves … [Read more...]

Filed Under: John Miele Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Expats, John Miele, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Manila, Relationships

First Impressions are Lasting

July 19, 2010 By Peter Bell 45 Comments
Around Baguio

I initially arrived in Baguio in the early evening after a 6 hour bus ride from Pasay.  Leaving greater Manila heading for the Marcos highway, the view changed gradually from downtown intense, semi residential chaos to rural splendor in just a few hours.  After two scheduled comfort stops in Tarlac and Pangasinan the climb began in earnest though steep passes and cuttings until at last the lights of Baguio were visible in the distance. My first impression was how broadly the area is settled across the surrounding hills and valleys, a perception that would have been lost on me if we had arrived in daylight. Once safely off loaded at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Peter Tagged With: Baguio, Daily Life, Expats, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Peter Bell

A house update from James Browning

July 15, 2010 By JamesBrowning 28 Comments
James' Version of MindanaoBob's Deluxe BBQ Grill in the Sunset

Today we have a Guest Article from my friend, James Browning.  James has given us several guest articles in the past about the construction of his home up in Luzon.  The home is pretty much complete now, except a bit of landscaping, and James has a few words and pictures to share with us!  Beautiful place, James, and I especially like your BBQ Grill! MindanaoBob Hello my name is James, and me and my Philippine wife Joy have been building our Philippine dream home for 2 years now. The house is complete and we have been working on the landscaping now, we still have a way to go but we build as we go without borrowing any money, so it is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Homes, James Browning, Living in The Philippines, Luzon

You Can’t Get There from Here

July 12, 2010 By Paul Thompson 62 Comments
Pangasinan Hundred Islands

When I lived in Puerto Rico I knew to never ask direction from a local, as it was at best, a crap shoot. If they knew, they would gladly head you in the right direction. But, if they had no idea, then they would just send you somewhere. They were not being malicious, but, machismo would prevent them admitting that they didn’t know. While have lunch with a friend, we were talking about this dilemma here in the Philippines, why does no one know where they are, or where something is? My friend (and I paraphrase) pointed out it was all a frame of reference. We Westerners are used to driving and the Pinoy is not. They know what Jeepney to take … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul T Tagged With: Expats, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Paul Thompson, Travel

Home is Definitely Where the Heart Is

July 7, 2010 By Peter Bell 41 Comments
Baguio

Several years ago following a rather tumultuous marriage break up I resigned myself to continue my life sans partner.  This decision was not taken lightly as I consider myself a gregarious person who enjoys the company of others.  While I have always enjoyed the company of women my previous failed relationship efforts had eroded any enthusiasm I may have for repeating the process. So, strengthened with my new resolve I turned my sights on other things. One of these was overseas travel which, for one reason or another had not started for me until I had turned fifty. My first trip out of Australia was to Fiji which was a remarkable experience.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Peter Tagged With: Baguio, Daily Life, Expats, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Peter Bell, Travel

Look What Rice Made Them Do

July 2, 2010 By AlexB 10 Comments
Highlander Inn, Solano

Today, we have another Guest article from Alex Buenafe.  In recent weeks, Alex has submitted articles about his recent trip to the Philippines.  First he told us about his trip and Coping with El Nino in Northern Luzon, next he told us about visiting Batanes.  Today, Alex is going to tell us about the last leg of his journey, his time in the Cordilleras.  This is the last of Alex's trip reports, however he has told me that he will soon make another trip to the Philippines, and perhaps we can impose on him to file another report on his upcoming trip!  Thank you for your interesting reports, Alex! MindanaoBob An Aussie tourist had a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Entertainment, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel

Not So Remote – Batanes

June 17, 2010 By AlexB 22 Comments
Artist Sketch Idjang

Today, we have another Guest Article from Alex Buenafe.  Alex already gave us his first installment in his report about his recent visit to the Philippines, during which he concentrated on seeing the Northern Philippines.  Today, Alex will tell us about his visit to the mystical Province of Batanes, a place off of the tourist path for the most part.  Thank you Alex for your contribution! MindanaoBob On the first day at work in Tuguegarao, an opportunity to go to Batanes came up.  It was totally unexpected as if someone had been reading my mind. It was the senior boss’ (of DTI, Region 2) idea to do a day’s work up there since every nook … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Alex Buenafe, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel

Coping with El Niño

June 2, 2010 By AlexB 6 Comments
At "Our Lady of Piat" Church

Today we have a Guest Article from an old LiP Reader, Alex Buenafe.  Oh, I don't mean Alex is old, I mean that he has been reading LiP for a long time!  Anyway, Alex recently returned home to Canada from his most recent trip to the Philippines, during which he explored the northern part of the country.  Alex has some interesting insights into the Northern Philippines to share with us, and I hope you enjoy reading it.  Thank you very much, Alex, for sharing your experiences with the LiP Audience.  I am glad that you had an enjoyable and safe visit to the Philippines! MindanaoBob I have been a LiP reader for the past year and a half … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Alex Buenafe, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Food, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel, Weather

A Vacation from a Vacation

May 24, 2010 By Paul Thompson 46 Comments
It's a bird, big deal

The day after Mothers Day we received a surprise here in Bataan. A week-long visit from our daughter, who works in Singapore, a better Mother’s Day could not have been planned, and the look of happiness on my wife’s face was priceless. Naturally our eldest daughter came to the house with my granddaughter to spend the week with her little sister. The house was full, and we had a wonderful time every day, it was good to hear all that noise again. Her return flight was on Sunday 16 May, so I suggested that we load up the car and spend the weekend at Clark Freeport an hour’s drive away. Friday morning we checked into the Mimosa Holiday Inn … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul T Tagged With: Entertainment, Expats, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Paul Thompson, Relationships, Travel
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