Day in and day out my friend Carlos who is in from Oregon for four months, and every day we walk the purok and say hello to our neighbors, all the kids give us our morning blessings (Or the Mano Po’s) a lot of the kids belong to my family so I’m Lolo daddy Paul, now that Carlos is in town he is now known as Daddy Carlos which he seems to like a lot. But another reason is my two new Dachshunds “Fritz and Francine” Christmas gifts from my granddaughter (Well really from my daughter and Chris my Son-in-Law) But the kids love the two puppies. Before it was my Chocolate lab named Coco (She’s passed) it was her that they loved, because she was so big and so gentle that only the adults were afraid of her. Because of their kids that fear went away quickly.
So now the kids want to walk the two pups with them on the leash while Carlos and I slow poke along and the pups run ahead with the gang of kids. And we are both under doctor’s instruction to walk every day. Mr. Schofield (Carlos) was a WW-II US Merchant Seaman during the “Big One” a couple of years before I was born. He stayed a seaman his whole life and retired a while ago. Two old seamen, we never run out of sailor yarns to talk about every day. So our daily walks are very enjoyable.
The quintessential difference between a fairy tale and a sea story is, the fairy tale will always start; “Once upon a time”, whereas sea stories always start; “This is no shit!” We know the difference! But we won’t explain it to others. The kids on or morning walk don’t really care what we are saying as long as they can frolic with the puppies. It is now a simple life we lead as our respective medical folk have banned us both from cocktails. The new truth is I really don’t miss it very much, and Carlos told me he felt the same way. I told my set of Doctors to leave my coffee to hell alone, you can have everything else!
The thing I do miss is the traveling around Luzon and seeing the sights in all the quaint little villages and towns. Like where most of us live here in the Philippines, it is so clean outside of cities and towns, with life moving at slower pace, a speed that is easy to grow accustom to, unlike when I was younger and traveled around the world seeing all there was to see, I just wish now that during those days I’d just had slowed down and enjoyed it more. One of the TV shows I enjoy is a Blond tattooed girl from California who has taken motorcycle trips through Borneo, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Why did I put that off until my medical problems totally stopped me from doing it?
No lecture from me but if you are still healthy, get out at least one weekend a month and do it. It doesn’t have to be on two wheels, why not a bus, Jeepney’s your car or a Bangka boat (Boat Boat! Why do I find that so redundant?)
What is it they say, you’ll never miss the water until the well goes dry. So now It’s me and my dogs walking the purok everyday (With the kids), lunch in town every week, and only blaming myself for waiting until I lost my chance.
My Buddy Carlos is heading back to Oregon next week; we’re planning on doing this again next year. Even after all these years and it being our first time sober, it was still a great visit. I wish him fair winds and following seas. I just can’t figure why he’s going back, all his family lives here. It can’t be because of the rainy season, after all he’s from Oregon where like Washington State where you rust instead of tanning. But the year will bring more friends to visit and spend some time with so I’m looking forward to that.
One of the greatest things I like about being on LiP is all the great folks you meet over the years. I remember someone asked me years ago if Bob paid me, my response was; “Hell I should be paying him!”
I am in Washington State right now dreaming of Luzon.
Hey Paul, You are so right. Enjoy life while you can. A couple of weeks ago we took a banka boat out to the inner island of Taal Volcano, water was really rough, so it was a little interesting, but fun. Than road a small horse 6k up to the top of the inner volcano. Had a great time. It’s the small things that make life great. Even though you are not able to do those trips any longer, you can still enjoy life to the fullest. That show you are talking about is Ride n’ Seek with Jaime Dempsey. Really enjoy watching it also.
Papa Duck;
Ride and Seek was on last night and I laughed at how great my memory is. Meaning that if I made that great trip to Taal, like you did I’d just forget it, but get to do it again! .There are so many places I have been to in this world, but I planned on seeing them again only slower this next time. Oh well. Great advice you have, I hope folks listen to you!
I spent six months in a Seattle Ship Yard, I dreamed about getting out of there and back to the Philippines every day. Warm rain trumps cold rain any day.. I refused to leave the ship most days because of the cold. I’m originally from Boston and never went back there either..
Enjoy yourself shipmate…………………
I always do! (lol)
Paul, it has been awhile since I’ve been able to read one of your articles. I changed email addresses and it took awhile for Yahoo to start sending me the posts.
Anyway, great article. Your right don’t put off doing things. Exercise, walk, etc, while one can. One never knows if they’ll catch a cold/twist an ankle and then they find it difficult do what they wanted to do.
Rusty;
I agree with you and think about all my wasted ROUND-TU-ITS I left in the box. I’m angry at no one but myself.
Strolling around the barangay showing off you wieners. To be expected of two old salts.
Loren;
It why we stay on the main streets.!!!
Loren;
Billy and Flo are the next to visit, how about you?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for taking myself and the readers of LiP on a stroll through your neighborhood with your friends Carlos, Fritz and Francine! I enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures.
You asked why more expats don’t go out. I have read some feel they are not safe. I read a comment from one fellow who felt he had to have armed security when he left his house in the Philippines. I am not saying I agree with them, but it is a point of view some have. I personally would not want to stay somewhere that I did not feel safe walking around the neighborhood. No this is not why I am still in the US. It is just something I read posted.
Really enjoy your articles!
Peace
Jay
Jay;
Someone who won’t leave his house unless he is armed? What a loverly time they must have living here and maybe that person knows what a jerk they are and really do need protection from locals and their family too.(LOL) Where did they purchase the illegal firearm? Maybe they came from one of our safe cities in the United States and it’s just a habit they brought with them. Truly a sad situation, I’m glad I don’t live in their purok. For over 25 years I have lived here and never even had an argument with a Filipino yet.