Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

It’s My Own Damn Fault

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These words are from a Jimmy Buffet song. If you are not a parrot head I’d be wasting your time explaining it. Like that song “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” I have been to the bar where the song was written, not one of the three hundred bars that claim their bar is the one. The burger was just okay, but where you are while eating it is phenomenal. Over the years Mr. Buffet has inspired me in many of the aspects of my life and living in the Tropics. Ask Bob Martin he’s a Parrot Head too! (Note from MindanaoBob… indeed I am! I have been a Parrothead since the mid-70’s)

Don't Stop the Carnival
Don’t Stop the Carnival

There is also a book by Herman Wouk (no not The Cain Mutiny) but a little known book called “Don’t Stop the Carnival” The protagonist Norman leaves New York City and buys a hotel on a Tropical Caribbean Island. Then a very funny adventure begins. The very last line in the book sums up whether you will be able to settle in the tropics or not.

In my quarter of a century here, I’ve seen people come and go, like any place on earth it is not for everyone, and there is no shame in just going home if you discover it is just not for you. You get major props just for the attempt. 90% have never moved out of earshot of where they were born. Hey and they are just as right as those of us born with a wander lust, wondering what is beyond that next hill.

Your sense of humor will be the deciding factor, and you can’t count the times I’ve said that. Hell even I can’t remember the amount.

Mother Mother Ocean
Mother Mother Ocean

If you start to doubt the wisdom of moving here,  I recommend finding a quiet time of the day, open a file in word and jot down the things that drove you crazy that day, while shopping, driving, dealing with a bureaucrat, or a neighbor or someone from your own home country.(They’re the worst LOL)  If you write it down, reread it and mull it over, try to identify the humor that is hidden in that situation caused by them or maybe you. Now rewrite it again pointing the funny stuff out. Now submit it to Bob Martin and share the laugh with the folks at LiP. Even if you don’t send it in, you’ll feel better, I promise you.

Then the next time you’ll see it gets easier, until you see the humor on the spot and don’t have to write it down, albeit I still recommend that you do.

I’ve heard people say they think they are not funny, but they are wrong. We all are…Well, there is that one guy we all know………….. You are sitting with friends, having a cocktail or a canned or bottled beverage. Someone will tell a story that will cause you to smile; it will remind you of a similar funny thing. The difference is will you share your story, which you know is funny, or keep it to yourself because you’ve convinced yourself you have no sense of humor?

One Particular Harbor
One Particular Harbor

I can go sit on my wall and observe life in my Purok and see the funniest things, no doubt the Filipino’s walking by, can do the same thing watching me.

If like our friend Norman (From the book) you return home, think of the stories you’ll have to tell your family and friends.

But I remember the most important part of living here, no one from the Philippine Archipelagos ever tried to convince me to move here, It’s my own damn fault, and I’m happy about that.

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Comments

    • That covers all the people I’ve heard moaning about their life here. Some one else caused it. That excuse is reserved for lost elections only.

  3. I move here for lots of reasons, none of which was someone else talking me into it. I was stationed in Hawaii for 2 years then 3 years in the Philippines back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I found that the Philippines was paradise for me. It was everything I hoped I would find in Hawaii but did not. Oahu was just like San Diego, just another big city in the US. Fast paced and focused of getting things done now. Here it is slower paced and more focused on family and enjoying life. Why eat fast food when grill fish, or Chicken adobo or grilled chicken is so much better. Or sharing a beer with a neighbour as u watch the stars come out while sitting along the street.

    • Luke;
      I spent a year in Hawaii one weekend, It is a place for people who want to say; “I live on a tropical Island, but I’d rather not put up with the locals.” That was what I took away from there,
      I stayed down in Pearl City so I didn’t have to deal with tourists. and pretenders.
      The one take away from your comment was: “You figured it out!’ It’s mot perfect here, but it will do until perfect is found.

  4. Parrot Head me three. Just searching for my shaker of salt. Thanks for the tip on the Wouk book, thought I’d read all his stuff. And so far as our own countrymen being the worst? Well in 11 year in the Philippines to only two times I have been actually swindled out of money by anyone was from two different Americans.

    I enjoy my American friends but I am very slow and cautious in making any new ones, that’s for sure. Meanwhile, please pass me another Margarita 😉

    • David;
      Your parrot head status is locked in, as you knew which song “It’s my own damn fault” came from. As for swindles, I always asked myself why a stranger would have the urge to make me rich, I could never find the answer so I walked (Or ran) away.
      My father explained that the like a casino owner built the casino for him to get rich, not the rest of us.

  5. Don’t stop the Carnival was recommended to me before I left. And yep, it fits!
    Take care,
    Pete

    • Pete;
      I read the book after opening my first club in Puerto Rico, Sometimes I had wished I read it before. I had sold the condo in Florida!

    • Bob I agree, it’s a over used song, my favorite is “If the phone don’t ring, Its me!” I met him at the Soggy dollar bar in the British Virgin Islands. The name comes from you dropping the hook from your boat or seaplane and swimming ashore. thus the Soggy Dollar Bar. (LOL)

    • Bob I agree, it’s a over used song, my favorite is “If the phone don’t ring, Its me!” I met him at the Soggy dollar bar in the British Virgin Islands. The name comes from you dropping the hook from your boat or seaplane and swimming ashore. thus the Soggy Dollar Bar. (LOL)

    • I like that song too, Paul. I find it hard to name a favorite, but if forced I would say “Far Side of the World” because it kind of fits my life.

    • I like that song too, Paul. I find it hard to name a favorite, but if forced I would say “Far Side of the World” because it kind of fits my life.

    • After 35 years at sea one would think it should be “Son of a Sailor” But every month a new Jimmy Buffett all his songs are my favorite at different times in my life. (LOL)