Live in the Philippines

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Good Friends, Good Times

Entertainment, Expats / by

Last Friday night a group of us went to the By-The-Sea resort here in the Olongapo area to their Mongolian BBQ dinner, this is a night out that over the years we’ve done so many times. Our first time was in 1994 and it was the first time our daughters had been. I noticed that both girls were very animated and were yacking up a storm, they seemed to be upset about something. I later found out that they were shocked that the food wasn’t cooked, so I explained how it worked and that seemed to calm them down. Mongolian BBQ then became a favorite meal out, one that they looked forward to.

This week was no different, and a large group of family and friends attended, about 20 of us altogether. The staff knows our group and caters to us as we fill the place up when we come. But the one thing we’ve found is that over the years they haven’t changed how they do business and more than likely never will. They have a bar that they’ve never stocked. Oh they have beer and soda but if you want a cocktail after dinner you are SOL. So we bring our own Rum (Tanduay 12 year Superior)

Because we fill their restaurant and spend a lot of money as a group we are allowed to do this. In the past we explained to the manager that if he’d stock our rum we’d order from the bar. But he seems to think that our way is better as the waiters would be very busy trying to just fill our drink orders. So we figured why mess with success, and just do it our way.

They set up a table by the sea wall and keep the ice bucket full and leave us alone. The families will stay at the table with our kids and grandkids and continue to order deserts and things like that and the ladies will catch up with each other while we husbands are across the patio solving the world’s problems.

Friday was different as my friend Tommy showed up in a brand new red pick-up truck, the Z79 Colorado by Chevrolet fully loaded. We guys were drawn to it like moths to a flame. Looking it over and talking about it with the proud owner Tommy. It is a beautiful machine, and I dare say the rest of the guys were happy for Tommy, if not just a tad bit jealous.

At about 10 pm the ladies and the kids let us guys know that our night out was coming to a close. They are so good that way! But we ate a great meal, had some male bonding time, and knew that the ladies were right. It was time for the circus to fold the tents and go home.

One of the things I’ve found about living here in the Philippines is it doesn’t take very much to have a good time, some good food, a cocktail or two and some good friends.

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Comments

  1. Heck Paul, I am still just a tad bit jealous of the new SUV Tommy had when I was there last year, and now he has an even better truck. Good for him, a good guy and deserves good things. Of course I am also a tad bit jealous of the NEW OLD Honda.

  2. Mmmm I just know I’ve solved the world’s problems so many times but by morning I’ve forgotten the solutions!

    • Lee;
      Damn you’re right, I also forgot all our solutions, but there is still next Friday night… We’ll bring a recorder, wait, that’s a really bad idea!

  4. I think I may have solved the worlds problems a time or two myself. I’m looking forward to helping you work out a solution sometime in the future, lol.

  5. Paul,

    Great article! It’s the simple things you are always talking about that I am looking forward to most! Life has been so complicated through the years, moreso lately with my untimely retirement, and seemingly expedited preparation to move to the PI. I’m ot complainging, mind you, just looking forward to the simple things that will make my day… over and over. 🙂

    God bless!

    • Scott;
      I retired in a very odd way, my wife asked me why I needed to fly out and pick up a new ship, and I didn’t have a good answer so I sent in my papers instead. That was in the year 2000, and I’ve not regretted the simple life yet.

  6. Paul,
    Good family, Good friends, Good food, plenty of adult beverages makes for a great time. Can’t wait to get in that mode permanantly. By the Sea resort sounds like a great place to go. May have to check it out when we come your way. I’m mainly just a beer drinker, so having no liquor is no problem for me. Have a great day.

    • PapaDuck;
      There are waiters there to bring you a beer, our other friend Don (Two Don’s in the group) only drinks beer but had to leave early. See you guys in a few months.