It’s an odd concept for most people born in the cold climates to grasp, but an elderly man on the Island of Puerto Rico explained it to me while we were sitting on Playa Azul (Blue beach) sipping DonQ rum. He said; ‘Young Gringo, people in the northern latitudes think we in the tropics are lazy. But the fact is we have more time to get things done than they do.”
He explained that years ago, when life was simpler, if you live in the North you knew that if you’ve not worked at full tilt during the few warm months planting, gathering and storing food for the winter you’d be dead by December so they must rush.
But in the equatorial and warmer areas on earth the food is still growing every month and the rush to plant and harvest just never existed in the same way. So that seemingly slower way of doing things makes perfect sense to them (And now to me) Food is available 12 months a year so the rush the people in the northern latitudes feel driven by, does not compute by those in the tropics and by the way the same rule also applies in the far southern regions of Earth.
If you doubt the old man from Puerto Rico think about this. It is below zero outside, the snow covers the ground and you wait for it to end. Then you walk over to your globe or (Google Earth) and you longing gaze at the places on Earth located at 15 degrees North or 15 degrees South along the equator and you will find quite a few of those locations you dream about getting away to on vacation.
Okay you’re right some of the places are real crap holes to be avoided at all cost, but for the most part you’d pay good money to go to one of the good places just to sip Boat drinks (Rum Drinks) and sit in the warm sun.
As we move to places like the Philippines and other warm climates remember the words of the King Parrot head Jimmy Buffett; “Changes in latitudes will bring about changes in attitudes” (I’ve paraphrased)
So we would we be wise to knock that, we’re superior to them crap off and realize that we are here with them because we are sick of the rush and hurry that we grew up with, and not to forget the great weather. (I still don’t know if my new car has a heater)
So as my older friend from Puerto Rico asked me; “Hoy Gringo don’t you want to slow the speed of your life and enjoy this day a little more? Then he added; “Don Pablo we need more rum!”
So that day on the beach sitting with a wise and very contented gentleman (Drinking my rum) who opened my eyes to another way of life, one that moves a tad slower but not to worry you’ll get to the end just the same but at a more relaxed pace.
And remember evolution doesn’t change people quickly, so in the future the Philippines is going to be caught up in their own style of rat race it’s already starting but Kano’s can’t see it, I believe we should allow them the time they’ll need to adjust to the new pace of life at their own speed, not what we think it should be.
I wish my friend from Puerto Rico was still around to give classes on social adjustment to Island life. He was a fixture at the end stool of my bar and held court there. I can’t ever remember him ever buying a drink, but no one cared, we were paying for his sage advice and experiences.
But prior to anyone boarding a plane to fly to any tropical place on Earth, they should read the book by Herman Wouk – “Don’t Stop the Carnival” (In Spanish: Que no pare la fiesta in Tagalog: Wag mgil ang kasiyahan)) If you don’t believe me that it should be required reading, ask our host Mr. Bob Martin, I think he’ll agree with me. It is the funniest book I ever read, mostly because after living in Puerto Rico for ten years, I knew it was all true!
I’ll sign of with a few lines from one of my favorite songs by
Jimmy Buffett
Changes in Latitude
[Chorus:]
These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes,
Nothing remains quite the same.
Through all of the islands and all of the highlands,
if we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane
The ability to understand the fact that we Kano’s or Gringo’s are not the keepers of all the correct answers to life, will give you what I learned from my Old Puerto Rican friend and Jimmy Buffett plus my own life, “If you can’t laugh you will go insane.” (Again I’ve paraphrased)
Makes all the sense in the world.
Phillip;
All you have to do is think about it, and the rum helped too.
Wise, old man your tropical island friend, Paul. The only problem I see with his advice while he is lounging around in the sun, surf, and sand with his bottle of rum all day and everyday is that soon he may become too complacent in the knowledge that he has 365 days to do the planting. So he postpones his planting chores, wades to the beach on Playa Azul everyday from sunrise to sunset with his trusty bottle of rum while he mutters to himself, “que sera sera” . Lo and behild, he wakes up one morning from his rum-induced stupor on the 365th day and realizes to his horror that he hadn’t done any planting at all except laze in the tropical sun for the entire year.
Now feeling very hungry, the wise old man looks up to the sky like Scarlett O’Hara promising to never go hungry again and asks God: “Why didn’t you wake me up, Lord?” The Lord answers, “I tried to everyday, but you couldn’t hear me because you were drunk. I wanted to remind you to never postpone for tomorrow what you can do today!” LOL
John;
There is time in the day to accomplish any and all goals that you need to, you can tend to the crops in the morning, move to the beach later in the day and fish by the shore while enjoying a beer or cocktail, and remember my old friend in Puerto Rico was drinking my rum. I have never been drunk a day in my life but I have been over served. Many a night we have walked the reef at low tide with a full moon, using a flashlight to find lobsters hiding in the fissures, and that too may be done with a beer in hand. Then take them back to the beach and boil them in a pot of sea water.
omg Paul..you my friend are a man after my own heart..there is nothing I want more than to get up in the morning and “maybe” help my women do abit of laundry..get some “little” work done in the garden and go with my woman and maybe net some shrimp..all without the squeek of snow under my feet..or the chill..it is why I am moving there..
I love your posts..please keep them up..as I said..you are a man after my own heart ..:)
Richard;
I used to go out in the wee hours of the morning and sweep the yard. That job was taken away from me. Washing and washing the car gave me pleasure, that job was taken away from me. Over the years most minor chores were taken away from me. But never ever would I attempt to come between my wife and her laundry; I’d sooner try to take meat from a hungry lion. (LOL) I agree with you on everything else but never the laundry!!!
Snow does suck so again you’re RIGHT!!! (LOL)
You’re right about the laundry thing Paul. I was banished from the laundry room years ago. I don’t fare well with an iron in my hand either! As far as the heater in your car….my car (same car to anyone reading this) does not have one either, so that should save you the bother and some precious tropical time looking for it!
Randy;
I’d get into the car and the air/con was chillin’ I ‘d debate about turning on the heater and then think to myself; “If I was back in Boston, it would have been the first thing I checked.” Thanks for relieving that pressure for me.
The smartest man I ever knew told me once “Leon, it’s no use getting older & uglier if you don’t get a bit smarter, Your getting older & sure getting uglier but you’re better start working on the smarter bit”.
Leon;
For the life of me I can’t remember saying that, or maybe you are referring to another smart guy? (lol)
Paul I find that I have adapted to the tropical lifestyle quite easily. I have successfully postponed jogging mountain climbing and weight lifting for over 2 years now. I have found other more enjoyable ways to speed up my heart rate besides the tread mill at the doctors office.. I personally am not a big fan of Rum or other spirits but I do love my San Mig. I can enjoy going to the beach with out ever actually going into the water. The fishing rod and a camera Are the only tools I need to have a great day by the water. If I don’t get my crops planted, then I just go to the wet market so nothing is lost by not planting them plus the added bonus that I don’t n,t need to harvest
! the crops I did not plant and thus have more time to go to the beach
Joe;
I’ve heard it said that the lord will subtract no time from your life that was spent fishing. Planting is another kettle of fish. Boat Drinks can be a metaphor for any drink consumed while relaxing; I’d even add a coffee to that mix. But relaxing is the operative word.
Hmmm I am in to lounging.
Loren;
There is a new mountain in Olongapo that has a large lounging area built in, and you fly off to Colorado to smoke the now legal wacky weed.
Hi Paul ,, There’s a fair bit of truth in what you wrote Paul ,,I’ve spent most of my working life in Latitudes close to the Philippines , mind you at almost 66 I’ve slowed down to almost a stand still now ,, 🙂 but we worked with the sun ,,,, up early when it was cool,,, 1 1/2 hour for lunch in the middle of the day ,,, home by 4 ,,,,. “Loads of time to drink Rum ,,,, LoloL ,,,
I’ll track you down and we’ll have a few when I get there ,,,, I’m sure my B-P will allow me that ,,, 🙂
Russell;
I’ve dedicated my life to finding that tropical sun and adjusting my life to it. I have a Brother who can’t abide my life style, but then a life in the Burb’s with a white picket fence and 2.5 kids never appealed to me. I have watched both a sunrise and sunset with a glass of rum in my hand and enjoyed both. Our BP, be damned, the Doctor said no salt but rum was not mentioned, so we will quaff a few boat drinks when you get here!
If you read DON’T STOP THE CARNIVAL, then, you should also read THE MOSQUITO COAST.
I liked both of them.
The movie was made of the latter one.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mosquito_coast/
Palawan Bob;
I already know the formula for ice (LOL), and it’s a great story of an anal retentive person, trying to force his beliefs on paradise.
hahahaha..was Exactly my sediments when I read it years ago….lol
Richard;
“THE MOSQUITO COAST” Is a great metaphor for what not to do to another person’s culture or way of life.
I learned this while sitting at a Sari-sari store in the 1970’s drinking a SMB at 45 centavos each, the beer was warm and the store owner would shout for a young boy who would dash up the road and bring back a glass of ice. I asked why she just didn’t keep Ice at her store when she said; “Then the boy would have no job.” I almost was the ugly American until she set me right.
It is always ” 5 O’clock Somewhere “
Bob (NY)
If a person requires the sun to be over the yardarm prior to having a beer, I suggest laying the yardarm flat on the ground to meet said requirement.
While keeping John Reyes words to the wised in mind, I know that in these latitudes, I have roughly 12 hours of daylight, no matter the time of the year. I can get up with the roosters, but if it doesn’t get finished today, I have 12 months worth of 12 hour days to work with. I should be able to fit in some work, some play, and some rest into that equation.
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
You my friend have found the formula, no need to write it down. (LOL) There is even time to squeeze in a Nap!
Actually..maybe more thought was put into that than maybe was needed?..:)
Richard;
Wouldn’t too much thought be better than no thought at all?
Lol Richard. You’d be amazed at how much brain power I spent before I finally figured it out. Fortunately I was still in the States and didn’t have the chance to offend or amuse any Filipinos while I worked on it. We’re moving into a rural agricultural area. The light came on when I couldn’t find info on food preservation in the tropics. If food is always in season, you don’t have to store it up against a winter that will never come. Duh!!
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
My friend in Puerto Rico could have saved you all that searching for preservatives; we discovered that rum has no expiration date, yet water does?
Barilito .. mi ron favorito..Al final la vida sigue igual .. Sé lo que quieres decir acerca de la vida tropical, Sr. Pablo. He estado allí, hecho eso.
(Barilito..my favorite rum..At the end life goes on the same.. I know what you mean about tropical life, Mr. Paul. Been there, done that.)
El borinqueño 🙂
Jose;
Ron Del Barilito rum, I met the man who owns that company and shared a drink with him outside his windmill. A wonderful rum and an interesting man.
No sense arguing a given. 😆
.Paul;
But the surprise is the amount of people who never figure out, that it is a given.
Paul,
You have to have the right attitude in the Philippines so you can enjoy “A Cheeseburger in Paradise” and a cold SMB.
See you in the Philippines in December, Randy! Roll out the red carpet on the tarmac at NAIA, please, by 12:55AM, December 11. 2014. My wife, yes, my wife, and I will be there until January 3, 2015. 100%! It took a lot of convincing, but she finally gave in, bless her heart! Contact me at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Makati the first week; Sarangani Highlands Garden Hotel in GenSan, the second week; or, at the Diamond Hotel in Makati, the 3rd and final week. Somewhere between Sarangani and Diamond, we will be in transit by car exploring Northern Luzon, with stops at Vigan and maybe Pagudpod Beach Resort as time permits. I can hardly breath with excitement! LOL
THREE CHEERS FOR MRS. REYES!!! Your description has come true. It is indeed a race! Marlyn and I should be there only 11 days ahead of you. Only 3 weeks makes it a whirlwind tour. It sounds as if your itinerary is already established. But should you find yourself in Nueva Vizcaya, we will treat you to our unique brand of Philippine/Virginia hospitality at our abode in Bayombong. (Our digs at the ranch are still a bit primitive lol.).
Take care,
Pete
Thanks, Pete. I had a hard time persuading Mrs. Reyes to come with me, but she finally gave in. Last she was there was in 2002. She couldn’t adjust. LOL I had been dry running the itinerary in my mind for so long, I can recite it in my sleep. It was just a matter of getting the go signal from my Sweetie. Once I got it, it took me less than 45 minutes to complete all the bookings, did it all just this afternoon. You’re right, it’s going to be a whirlwind tour. After Mindanao, we will be in northern Luzon 12/23 through 12/28, just five days to cram in Salaza, Vigan, and Pagudpod before returning to Manila on the 28th. We just might surprise you in Bayombong, Pete, thanks for the invite.
John,
You finally did it. That’s great news to hear. We are looking forward to you coming. To be honest the way you were talking I didn’t think you be coming this year. It’s great that your better half gave in let you come. It’s been a long time for you and long over due. So now you are at her mercy for the next several months lol. Well one thing we will have to do is make a trip to the garbage mountain with some food. That should be interesting and enjoyable. As the time gets closer you may tweek your itinerary a bit as there maybe other places you would like to visit. Now in the future when your trip is done we can look forward to some more of your stories lol.
Randy – Regarding our planned visit to Smoky Mountain, let’s plan on doing it one day during the first week we’re in Manila before we fly out to Mindanao on 12/17, I suggest we meet at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. If you bring Ann, she and my wife could probably just stay in the hotel where it’s cooler, go sightseeing in nearby Intramuros or go shopping at MOA, or come with us as they wish and at their peril 🙂 I’m positive we will be hiring a jeepney or a cab for the day to take us over there with what I imagine to be huge boxes of Jollibee food, as I can’t imagine just the two of us lugging the boxes on foot through the slums in intense heat. As far as negotiating the price of hiring the cab or jeepney, I don’t see myself being levied the dreaded “skin tax” by the driver, do you? LOL
Randy;
The right latitude makes it a bit easy; also, I’ll put up with Typhoons over snow storms any day of the year.