Two of our LiP readers are coming to the Philippines on vacation PapaDuck and Bruce who both live in Florida and soon will be moving here fulltime, in a year or so or whenever.
Bruce contacted me through LiP and e-mail, giving me his arrival times and said he and his wife would be staying at the Arizona Resort in the Barrio here in Olongapo.
PapaDuck (Randy) also got a hold of me and asked if he and his wife could meet us for lunch with Bruce at Bruce’s Hotel on Tuesday 23 October.
I responded in the affirmative since I didn’t have a lot planned for that day, or that week for that matter. I proceeded to contact Dave Starr (Former LiP writer) to invite him to join us for lunch, since we’d not seen each other in awhile. He knew both visitors from his web site, and I also invited my neighbor Don Bullock (LiP Contributor) if he would like to join us.
The morning of the 23rd Randy cancelled by e-mail because there was a mix up with his arrival time and he could not get down to Olongapo this week. Randy asked if we could put it off until next week. Mmmm, let me check my social calendar, yup pretty much free, so no problem. We can do that.
Now for our other visitor Bruce, you remember the guy who’ll be staying at the Arizona resort. Silence, not a peep, have I heard from him, Randy reported the same it seems like Bruce might be missing in the Philippines. On occasion I’ve been guilty of the same thing. Okay on many occasions!
So what do I do? One visitor won’t be there, and one visitor is mussing. Do I go, or do I stay home? Hell I go of course; Dave and Don will still be there so the lunch is on. Staying flexible is a way of live here in the Philippine Archipelagoes. I mean what could be the downside? It’s a beautiful day out, I know the food is good, and the SMB is cold, plus sitting on a beach patio by the pool overlooking Subic Bay with good company this is what we live for anyway. Who knows Bruce could be there, we’ll see.
As with all good plans they often fail, I arrived at the Arizona Resort and saw Dave Starr’s car was already there, I knew that Randy couldn’t make it to the “PO” (Olongapo City) until next week, Don and his wife let me know that they weren’t going to make it there at all, and Bruce and his wife, well we’d find out.
I checked with the desk clerk and asked if Mr. Bruce Michaels was staying there, she said no, but a Bruce Michelle was registered. What are the odds that they are not one in the same person, turned out the odds were 100% in my favor so I had her call the room and announce our arrival. It was the right and correct retired Navy man.
So I go over and sit with Dave Starr and his brother-in-law and a few minutes later in comes Bruce, I knew who he was from his picture here on LiP and proper introductions were made. Next we found out that Bruce had fallen down a mountain a few days earlier and was a little under the weather. Of course I asked why he was climbing a mountain in the first place, to which he had no good answer. It’s funny how sometimes you just know you’re going to get along with someone! Our wives both spoke Wari-Wari and families were from Samar so there was an instant friendship brewing there between the ladies.
So next we all ordered lunch and the quick and dependable waitress had us fed and happy in no time flat. Then beer was delivered, but Bruce could not partake of that pleasure as he was taking medicine for his injured leg (Yup, that darn mountain), I still don’t know why he was on that mountain in the first place.
Mr. Starr had to head on home; and it was good to see Dave again, as it had been awhile since we’d had a lunch together. So we sat overlooking Subic Bay telling sea stories as sailors will do when they get together.
The sun was setting and the Thompson’s had to get home to our daughter and our grandson Jaden. But plans had been made for Saturday. And next week I’m meeting PapaDuck at Texas Joe’s on Tuesday. So I’ll combine the end of this story with that one next week.
I very much enjoy meeting LiP readers and to date have met quite a few, and have had a good time with all, albeit not quite as many as Fearless Leader Bob Martin! Stay tuned for part II nest week.
Sounds like a good day was had by all Paul.
I got a shock looking at one pic, i thought for a second you were drinking bottled water, lol.
I must get some new reading glasses, lol.
Chas;
There is not much of a price difference between an adult drink and bottled water, so I save the water for home. Bruce was taking medicine and had to pass on the beer, the sadist thing I’d ever heard.
LOL Not sure if your “sadist” comment above was purposely intended to be a double entendre for “saddest”, but for Bruce to have passed on the beer upon arrival in the Philippines when he so much anticipated it while stateside, I agree it is both a sad and sadistic thing for him to deny one very cold one, with or without frosted glass, when finally he’s there to enjoy it as much as he wants. Looking forward to your next episode at Texas Joe’s next week, Paul. 🙂
Ricardo;
It was a typo but you’re right it was apropos. But it did turn out for the best in part II (Nuff said). I enjoyed meeting him and Ali very much and look forward to it again.
Paul. It looks like you had a good time, and made the best of it all while rolling with the punches, or SM’s. 🙂 I look forward to your next article next week too!
Scott
Scott;
I felt Bruce’s pain over his lack of adult beverages on a beautiful Subic Bay afternoon, but as I’m getting older I find it’s best to take advantage of the days I have left. He got even on Saturday!
Ah, Texas Joe’s, succulent BBQ Ribs washed down with a few SMBs, and then a few rum and cokes for desert. What a life.
Loren;
Let’s do that real soon!