I was rudely awakened this morning. It happened around 4am.
Noise in the Philippines has been written about on this site many times. I’ve written about it. Feyma has written about it. John has written about it.
I have never experienced noise like I experienced this morning, though, starting at about 4am. I had no choice but to get out of bed and get up for the day, the noise was just too much to even think about being able to get back to sleep.
Funny thing is, I don’t even know what the noise is! At first I thought it was dogs. Then, a while later, I thought it was a chicken, there was kind of a cackling sound to it. Hmm… I went back to dogs – this time I thought maybe it was puppies that had been born during the night. But, are puppies usually that loud when they are born? Then, I thought “maybe it’s some other kind of birds, there is a chirping sound to it.” Frankly, I don’t know what kind of animal (actually, I think animals) is making that sound, but it’s driving me crazy. It’s loud. It’s annoying. It’s just outside my bedroom window.
I have three neighbors that border my house. One is on the left side of the house. The other two are bordering me on the back side of my house – one on one end the house, and the other on the opposite end of the house. The one at the opposite end borders the back of the house, just adjacent to my bedroom. I’ll call them “the neighbors from hell.”
In recent months, these neighbors from hell have become almost unbearable. They have all kinds of activities going on at all hours. They regularly have crowds of friends over for Karaoke night, and it always gets started just about when I am ready to go to bed. Forget about sleeping on that night!
They also have some kind of business in which they deal with some kind of glass bottles or something. Sometimes, even if it’s midnight they are out there moving those bottles around, and all you hear is “clank, clank, clank” of the bottles banging around.
The other day, I was going to take a nap in the afternoon (surely from the lack of sleep the night before, due to the neighbors from hell). Just as I almost fell asleep, the neighbor from hell broke out an electric circular saw, and started cutting something. Over and over again, he made his precision cuts! Over and over again, I woke up from being right on the edge of getting to sleep.
I’m getting cranky! These neighbors from hell are taking away my sleep lately.
In the past, I had already gotten over the noises that were common in the Philippines, they didn’t bother me anymore. Chickens and roosters? No problem, I can sleep right through it. A few dogs barking, not too much of a problem. Neighbors from hell, though, are a different story!
I think I’ll go to SM today and see if I can find any stores selling ear plugs!
Bob
Can only sympathise with you here, i guess thats why Samal seems an attractive (quieter) place in the future
Hi rick b – Ha ha…. I hadn't thought about Samal, but yes… I believe you are right on track there! 😆
we have that kind of neighbor at the front. and 3 dogs that bark all the time on the left. but we also have other neighbors around who throw stones at their roof or calls the police… hehehe it's a fun neighborhood.
"i guess thats why Samal seems an attractive (quieter) place in the future"
Until you discover that they had the same idea about Samal and bought the lot right next door 😆
Hi Bob – Karaoke is so much better in the middle of the night but if it helps maintain good neighbor relations, I'll forgo the all night parties once we move to Samal 😆
Hi aracir – Ha ha… hmm… I wonder if you and I live near each other! 😆
Hi RichardInSC – I don't think that is going to happen. All of the land surrounding our place in Samal is also owned by foreigners. Not to say that foreigners can't be noisy too, but in general, I think that they are more quiet. 😀
Hi Randy C – I just know that you are going to be a good neighbor! 😀 Please don't let me down! 😐 Ha ha…
By the way, RichardInSC – Did you know that Randy C is actually going to be my next door neighbor in Samal? It's true! Right across the street!
I could do an air strike for ya Bob…just pop a yellow and green flare 100yds south of target….
Bob: a suggestion. With the extensive travel I do, I can heartily recommend a pair of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones. I always wear them on the plane, and they can completely cancel out the screaming crotchlings someone inevitably brings onboard (think 14 hours HKG to LAX with peaceful silence). They are expensive (around $300), but are very comfortable and they WORK. Good luck!
Hi Brian – The neighbor from hell is only about 10 meters outside my bedroom… I'd be a little worried about a friendly fire incident! 😀
Hi John Miele – Hey, thanks for the suggestion! I might have to look into those!
Bob, I feel your pain, we have all had the neighbours from hell, I lived beside a vegan once who would yell animal killer everytime I would BBQ. Have you tried a good old fashioned chat with a stern "This must stop, otherwise I will have no choice but to blast bag pipe music 🙂 I know if you want the honey, one musn't kick the bee hive but it boils down to simle respect.
Hi Bob,
Sorry, I know this post will not be of any comfort to you …. As you know I have read your blog for a number of months now and have used it to research the downsides and pitfalls of living in Davao prior to coming here. One of the things that has come up on a few occasions was neighbours and noise.
Accordingly I moved to Insular Village where you get presented with a sheet of rules about noise, and dogs etc. when you move in. I guess the moral of the story is to research the area thoroughly before you make your move.
I have to tell you it is as quiet as the grave here …
Scott
Hi John – Haha thanks for your comment. I bet you had an interesting time with that vegan!
Hi Scott – I've lived in gated communities here in Davao… I'd prefer the neighbors from hell, at least it's not every single night! 😆
Hi Bob,
That would drive me nuts as well! Have you tried talking to them about this?
You could try some soundproofing in at least one room in your house, at least then you have a quiet place to go or sleep in peace.
I mentioned to you about my music studio already, we fitted the walls and ceiling with sound leakage in mind because I didn't want to upset any of the neighbours. I know you shouldn't have to do it in your own home but its worth considering if you are going to be there for a while longer.
Phil
Hi Bob, I did have fun with the Vegan, that is when I learnt the health benefits of eating skinless chicken, I would eat the meat and leave the skin for a wonderful smoke for my friend 🙂 Don't let them get you down—how about this invite their Mother to a dinner and tell her she raised kids that are deaf 😆
Hi Phil – The soundproofing, I am afraid, would not really be practical, as we are living in a rented house. If I owned the place, you can bet I'd be looking at that as a possible solution, though! Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi John – Haha… Good one about the deaf kids! 😆
Have you tried returning fire with a 500w stereo. Just point the speakers out the window. Crank it to 10 and go shopping. 😈
Worked for a friend of mine in Olangapo years ago. 😀
Hi Tom – Hmm… actually, that is something that has indeed come to mind. I just am trying not to stoop down to that level…. who knows though! 👿
Bob
I had my friend from Uk bring over a box of WAXc ear plugs…I SLEPT SO WELL!!!
well, it looks like that samal bridge has been greenlit for construction (much to my dismay). so you're going to be getting more neighbors over there too.
then again, its taking almost 2 years to fix the bankerohan bridge. so you have more than enough time to build 3 ft thick walls with guard towers & loudspeakers… and a moat! yes, must have moat.
Hi John – Luck you! 😀
Hi macky – I didn't hear the news until you posted it here, but just went and read the SunStar and sure enough, they do have an article there. I have mixed emotions about the bridge. I didn't really want it, but it surely will make the value of my property there skyrocket, no doubt. Also, though, I feel that our place is remote enough that we won't be over-run by tourists and such.
Sorry to hear about that.
They are not puppies, the sound that woke you at 4am, puppies make crying noises like a baby. (but much softer sound)
BTW my sisters brat is here – it makes more noise than my dogs.
Hi Cheryll Ann – thanks for stopping by! I still am not certain what it was that was making the sounds! I asked Feyma when she got up, and she also was uncertain!
Maybe you should bring your sister's child over here and let her stay! We can't sleep anyway! 😆
Bob
Its time for you to execute the"Pain Restraint Hold" 😈
Hi Again Bob
I can really sympathise with you about lack of sleep due to noise in The Phills. What we did with my neighbours was to wait till their Karaoke finally settled down , say anbout 2 or 3 am and they are getting ready to sleep, then start with yours till about 5 am, they will get the message!
Best Regards
Malcolm
Bose and other "active cancellation" headphones actually do a lousy job at cancelling high-frequency noise (human speech or higher, basicaly), although they are great at cancelling the low rumble of a plane engine.
Get some 30+db disposable earplugs, the kind you can get for 30 pairs for $3 at wal-mart, and you'll have better results for less money.
Hi Neil in RI – Ha ha.. maybe I can get some of the guys from Gitmo to come and give me training! 😆
Hi Malcolm – I have really been trying to avoid going down to that level, but in the end, it may be necessary! 🙁
Hi Jonathan – biggest problem there is that getting to a wal-mart is expensive! Ha ha… Maybe I can find some at some local store, though!
Reading your post today reminds me how much I have neglected to annoy the neighbours lately.
I think I will start with a little Frank Sinattra and who knows where we will go from there.
Gotta love that Magic Mic!
A week ago at the hotel I'm staying at was taken over by Nazi's who were doing an anti-immigration march in DC the next day. No sleep that night with them goosestepping up n down the outside hall and yelling sieg heil.
Hi anthony – Ha ha… gotta keep those neighbors guessing, right? 😎
Hi BrSpiritus – Sounds like fun! NOT!
Bob,
Any luck with the ear plugs? 😆 I could bring you some disposable ones when I go home this month… Maybe you should borrow my Smith and Wesson ear muffs. ha-ha if they don't block out the noise just carry them over to the "neighbor from hell" and explain the steps of putting them where "the sun doesn't shin"
Hi Mike K. – Ha ha… thanks for your comment. Haha.. sleeping with those Smith & Wesson ear muffs might be tricky! So far I didn't have a chance to go out and look for disposable ear plugs, but maybe next week! 😆
For barking dog, take a piece of bread and slather it with peanut butter and throw it over to the dog. His mouth will be busy for hours.
If you blast music at them, try some Wagner or Tchaikovsky …. that won't go over too well.
Hi Thomas Shawn – Hey, thanks for the tip on the peanut butter! I bet that really does keep the dog busy!