The Christmas Season, a time of joy and sharing with family and friends, visiting and being visited, parties and get-togethers mirth and merriment and least we not forget our Patron Saint “San Miguel.” Which is always there to be our social lubricant, for it is Beer that maketh glad the hearts of men, and eases a troubled mind
Inaana’s (God Children) coming to the door, to see their Ninong and Ninang, nieces and nephews, brother and sister-in-laws, assorted little anaks whom you have no idea who they are so you greet them warmly anyway because, well, they’re kids and they’re cute.
Our daughters and son’s in laws, plus our Granddaughter and Grandson will also be in attendance, the house will be full, and laughter and smiles will rule the day, food in voluminous amounts will be consumed, presents will start to pile up under the Christmas tree. Hey what more could any man want?
There is one tiny little thing missing this year, all my buddies are gone! Not gone in the permanent sense of the word but not here in the Philippines this Christmas Season. My Kano neighbors like Carlos, Bob (Not fearless Leader Bob) and Don are all back in the USA this year for Christmas. My buddy Tommy is out to sea as he’s a Merchant Seaman and had to work. My buddy Loren has departed this week to winter over in Colorado because he doesn’t like warm weather? Gone they are, all gone and I’m by myself. Last year everyone was here at Christmas and the parties were endless.
But not this time, I have many acquaintances but it’s not the same as friends or “BUDDIES”. Oh well I’ll survive, and they’ll all be back sometime in 2014.
So if you’re driving by Dinalupihan in Bataan, and you see a Kano wandering along the road with his Chocolate Labrador the leash in one hand and a beer in the other, give a wave, shout an obscenity, or just throw something at him. But don’t feel too bad for him as his dog still likes him.
Well that was one hell of a pity party, don’t cha think? Bored or lonesome, not really, as Mayang will be dragging me to every market and mall within a 200 kilometer radius from our house shopping and spreading the wealth to retailers galore. The store owners will be my new friends, greeting me warmly as I enter their store. Wishing me a Merry Christmas and waiting for Mayang to fill her shopping card.
Over the years I’ve read that at my age you’ll end up with just one friend, I’m not buying that dribble for a minute, as I have quite a few, albeit they are not here right now, but no matter how far they travel they are in my thoughts. And there is more beer and rum left for me.
So as Charismas draws nearer, let me wish, all my friend and family plus all my friends on LiP, a most happy Christmas Season, and a Great and prosperous 2014.
Was a bit worried about you drinking water!!!!! in Jays article last week lol. Have a good xmas and new year all the best to you.
John;
I will have a good Christmas, and remember the first step for making beer is water.
In my experience making lots of water comes after drinking lots of beer.
Loren;
I do believe you’re correct!
Wait – i have to wipe the tears from my eyes, before i can see the keyboard 😉
Even we are surrounded by a lot – say a LOT – of family here, it’ is a little different from buddies / close friends. I have a few really close friends, but they are all in Denmark. No one has moved here – and never will. I have “only” been living here for almost 2 years, and i have not got what i would call “real close friends” here. Family, yes – sweet, nice caring people, yes, but not close friends as such.
Language is one major reason and i have started to learn Tagalog (later it’ll be Visayan) coz i am sure it will help a lot. Difficult to learn though.
I am truly happy for my Internet, since it can keep me in contact with my friends. Visits maybe once a year also help – last month some of them was here for a visit. Great time.
Anyway – i am still here despite lack of friends and i intend to stay here – i’m here for good. I guess as time goes by, i will make some close friends here too, but the older we get the more we are selective i think. Close friendship is something that takes time to develop.
No matter what, when we have family in our house, it’s mostly a lot of fun – and after a couple of beers, Fundador, Emperador or whatever it is, the more the shy Filipinos tend to speak english – at least until i learn this language.
So – no complain, Christmas is closing in and more important to me – New Years evening. Time to celebrate and party, be with family and. fri…family !
Hi Axel! I guess you are a Dane! From what I can read. I am also a Dane! Although been living in Norway for 39 years! To many! Now I am here in Ilocos norte, Solsona while it is cold in Oslo (he, he) I am living with my wifes family as I do plan to move here nearby, most probably Laoag or nearby. In some years when I am retired. As I am divorced and I am living alone in Norway I prefer to be here even though the Filipino xmas is not the same as in Scandinavia, like eating nuts and raisins and so on… they dont know what to do with a nut, unless it is a coconut! As my wifes family are from the rural country and very simple and meek people they dont do a big thing of the celebrations, (no turkeys or roast pigs, even!) and in new years celebration, a bottle of bubble wine is something unknown of. So I do struggle with some issues as to different cultures, not that it really gets me, but still much different. I am not rich at home, but here I sort of am and I do have some habits from the cold and rich countries that just not are here for everybody as in Scandinavia. But, yes I do like it here when it comes to a climate that you cant freeze in. Even sometimes it is a little hot even now in december, for me! And when it comes to friends, well, I dont have any special Filipino friends yet other than my wife! To become intimate friend with them I think is not quite easy as until now I have not been invited home even in the houses of my wifes sisters who live next door! They seem to be afraid of opening up to a foreigner even he is in family now! I also would like to learn to understand the local dialect so I dont have to ask each time: what the talk about? But as you say it is quite difficult to follow and separate the words from each other. I do understand a few words and mixed with Spanish and English I can sometimes get an idea of what they may be talking about! And as you say: at least you have the internet, but Europe is 7 hours behind us here, and as most people tend to go early to bed here then it is still afternoon in Europe. So communication is not always easy. Or you have to get up before the sun starts to shine and go online while people there back “home” have not yet gone to sleep!
Anyway, from one Dane to another: Hav det godt!
Timothy;
If there is no roasted pig on Christmas it’s because they can’t afford one, if you want to feel more welcome and invited, roast a pig where you’re staying and invite them all to come and enjoy it with you/ Things might change after you show them you are just a regular guy. Sometimes due to shyness on their part you must make the first move. Merry Christmas, and I spent a wonderful Christmas in Bergen Norway in 1974 Nuts and raisins’ were not such a big deal for me either.
Hi, Paul, greetings! Nice to hear that you visited Bergen! Norway is another place now since 1974, it’s among the richest countries in the world due to the oil wealth flowing in to the economy and also because of good administration by the elected politicians. Among the lowest when it concerns corruption. When it comes to my family here they can afford a roast pig and before they raised their own pigs, but have now given up that business for reasons that it is to much work and input and little outcome. I have also been reserved myself as to neighbors and as in the barrio many near family reside and they them selves are shy when it comes to talk with a foreigner! Even that they know I am now “family”. Some do, mostly those who have been abroad. You are mostly right about to invite, then they will come, ‘hopefully’ and I intend this year to play louder on ‘the drums’ as we say in Norway.
So, maybe I’ll buy a turkey at SM Laoag, as I have seen there, they are frozen and get it roasted, because as most Filipino house holds don’t have a big enough oven for that. Although it is in my plan to buy a stove with an electric oven. So we even can bake bread, (something new to them). There are so many things here that are from another world that we who come from the so called developed world take for a grant and here it just not is.
I have observed that many Filipinos do a lot of talking/discussing about when to do a thing, instead as we in the northern countries when we have agreed then we just get it done! Don’t mess around waisting time! But, it seems that Filipinos have plenty of time! It’s not a big issue as in the developed world… I like it in a way, but sometimes it can be an annoyance! I once lived in Spain in my younger years and I remember something like that there, but now I’ve become adapted to the effectiveness of the north!
Yeah, I brought with me last year some of the goodies that most Norwegians like to eat at Christmas season, but it was just looked at an not eaten! The nuts (Hazel nuts) are still here uneaten! The almonds, they where cleaned and cracked seem to have been eaten and the Spanish big sweet raisins where attacked by the ants… So this year none of that! The treat here is all about to make a macaroni salad with sweet fruits, something strange to me, but for them a real goodie!
And when it comes to drink, the beer here is excellent, especially the “Red Horse” also called “The stallion”. But, the price of beer is for many high in comparison to the liquor so it is not drunk as like beer is drunk in Germany or Denmark! So mostly soft drinks are the main drink here. And wine is for many not a drink as it is ‘expensive’. I think though that there are differences between people from the cities and the rural areas.
Well, this is just some few of my observances that I like to bring up. Have a nice “SM” evening!
Timothy;
It’s an odd concept for people in the cold climates to grasp, but an elderly man on the Island of Puerto Rico explained it to me. 100 years ago, when life was simpler, if you live in the North you know that if you’ve not worked hard during the warm months storing food for the winter you were dead by December. But in the equatorial and warmer areas on earth the food was still growing and the rush to plant and harvest just never existed. So that seemingly slower way of doing things makes perfect sense to them (And to me now too) Food is available 12 months a tear so the rush to store it before it disappears by northern standards
So because of evolution we think they are lazy, when in fact they just have no need to feel the panic that we do.
So we should knock off that “We’re Superior to them Crap” and realize that we are here with them because we are sick of the rush and hurry that we grew up with.
The people in the northern part of the United States speak faster than the people in the south, the reason is simple, we are freezing are ass off outside talking. And want to get warm, and that Southern boy is standing in the sun without a need to speak fast.
So as my older friend from Puerto Rico asked me; “So Paul don’t you want to slow the speed down and enjoy life more?
Evolution doesn’t change people quickly, so in the future the Philippines is going to be caught up in our style of rat race, allow them the time to adjust at their speed not ours.
Yeah, I know of what you mean about the people from the northern cold countries! I’ve been to the Dominican republic several times as my last wife was from there (if it was not for her, then I would have stayed there, but the Caribbeans are more temperamental than the Filipinas and therefore more difficult to live with.) There in the Dominican rep. it is similar climate and people also more easy about not to hurry so much, as you said: “food grows all year round”…
So, yes, it’s better to enjoy life more than running around freezing your butt off! Having to many projects and so on… always being to busy to enjoy life. Well, that’s maybe why they have so long vacations! Here few have that, working all days of the week, like business owners must do.
Don’t think they will totally catch up on the rat race ever, as it is in their genes to take life more easy! Just like the Spanish did before in the old days, that is before let’s say about 40 – 50 years ago. They always said: Manana, tomorrow…
Timothy;
I spent many months on the Dominican Republic over the ten years I lived in the Caribbean and always enjoyed myself. Well since you have visited all these places I guess there is nothing to explain to you as you have a working knowledge of tropical life that exceeds my 30 plus years. Enjoy your time in the Philippines as it is worth the effort to try and understand the people and their customs. And by the way “Mañana” only sometimes means ‘tomorrow’ for the most part it means: Not Today which is the true meaning,or sometime in the far, distant future.
Hi again to Paul, Pete and John!
It seems to be that all of us have visited the Caribbean have good memories from the Island of Hispaniola, the Island Cristobal Colon liked the most! And when you have been there and here in the Philippines you see many similarities in climate and peoples. The indigenous people of both places were called: Indios – indians! And of course are not! They introduced the Catholic religion and Spanish customs. Only here in the Philippines they later chose English instead of Spanish to be the national language. Even though today Spanish is still around in names and as a dialect. So, it’s not dead! Having a knowledge of Spanish helps you to understand some of the mayor Filipino dialects as well as English.
There are so many similarities here between these to opposite place (12 hours difference!) that when you have been in one then you more easy adapt to the other. And the beer is good in both places, but maybe the Presidente of Dominican rep. is the better, even though San Miguel is of good making. The Dominicans love their beer ice cold “una bien fria!” strait from the freezer! And as soon as it has got a bit warm, then it is left and no one drinks it! Of what they do best in the Domincan rep. is the freshly made fruit juices they serve at restaurants, so delicious “sarap”!
Both cultures love “noise”, to play their big speakers on market corners and anywhere, only the music is different, even though I have played Dominican/Latin music here and it is liked! Even they don’t understand all the words. The rhythm of music of the Dominican rep. is something of it’s own and you have to get used to it before you like it. Oh! Yeah, one more thing the Dominican rum is also excellent and soft.
So, far here in the Philippines I have not encountered any problems with people as they are very easy going and they by their customs avoid confrontations with others, it’s seldom you see any getting very angry or loosing their temper! Not like the more hot headed Latinos! But that must be because of their Asian ancestry I assume!
Yeah, as you say: Paul, relax always something to eat: “Horse Radish” or Malungay is always growing and vegetable to cook for dinner! Btw, that tree grows very fast!
I am trying to introduce some other sorts of vegetable here on my in laws farmland as like other sorts of tomatoes, bell peppers black beauty aubergines, yellow lemons (instead of the calamansi) but it is not easy to farm in a very hot climate for a “white man”, it’s to hot even in what it should be the cooler part of the year! So have to leave it to the locals to take care of, they do a much better job! As a writer said for more than a hundred years back: “The Philippines is not the white mans place for to work!”
Anyway I do love both the Dominican rep. and the Philippines because of it’s tropical climate and their peoples. And recommend anybody to come here and visit and get to know either of these places which are among the most beauty full places on earth!
I can’t either explain of what you saw in the D.R. at Christmas time there, but they do make decorations there also as far as I can remember.
Timothy – You sound like Ferdinand Blumentritt, one of Rizal’s closest confidants, in your assessment of Filipinos. An academic from Austria, Blumentritt had never been to the Philippines, but, through literature and, of course, through his close professional relationship with Rizal while the latter worked on the Noli while he was studying in Europe in the 1880s, he (Blumentritt) was an acknowledged expert on the Philippines.
Your observation about the Filipino being outgoing and avoiding confrontations is correct; however, the Filipino could easily lose his temper just like his Latin and Asian counterparts when provoked. Even more so if he loses face. The Japanese will commit hara kiri when shamed and destroys himself in private. The Filipino, on the other hand, will go berserk in public and will take as many as he can with him juramentado style before he destroys himself, or is himself destroyed by the public.
John Reyes, thanks for your comment! And comparison. I had not been thinking of that. I’m just a person that likes to do observation and study other peoples way of being. Nevertheless you’re most correct in that about when a Filipino does go into an angry state! But I myself can get annoyed here many times while going around in town, being bogged by sellers and the trike drivers offering me a ride when I’m not in the need or I just want to see what sort of articles they may have for sale, it could be that I would find something that I could use, but sometimes I don’t dare to go in as I then will be attacked by a seller who ask: “what do you want Sir?” and not always I know myself… once I was passing by an electronics store in a mall in Pampanga and only looking through the windows and pointing out something to my wife and out stormed a seller ready to serve me! That really got me annoyed! And my wife said to me not to get angry as he was just only doing his job! Her opinion that it was nothing to get angry over!
As most Asians they don’t like to loose face, and that you can feel in particular among Filipinos it is present.
Timothy – Yes, it can be very annoying at times to be swarmed by Filipino shop keepers and sales clerks at department stores the moment you step inside when all you wanted to do was to casually browse through the store’s offerings in peace without someone following you around looking over your shoulder. Your wife is right about the agressiveness being a part of their sales training, plus the fact that a white foreigner inside the shop is seen by many shop owners as almost always guaranteed sales.
It might surprise you, though, that you may actually find yourself yearning for the aggressiveness of the Filipino sales person you found annoying when you venture into Manila’s Chinatown in the Binondo business district lined with jewelry stores. There, you will be practically IGNORED by haughty and aloof Chinese shopkeepers. White foreigner or Filipino, it doesn’t matter. You don’t feel welcome. You will be given a disinterested glance, that’s it. They are so sure of themselves, it makes you want to puke. 🙂 This is a personal observation, and in no way meant to disparage ALL Chinese or ALL Chinese business owners in Manila.
John;
The cruise ships tie up in old San Juan, where you’ll see the two Spanish Forts. If you’ve seen a Spanish Fort in Manila or Saint Augustine Florida, remember they were all built by the same company. Old San Juan is a sight in its self and I never tired of going there, the eating and shopping are excellent and it would take a week or more to see it all. Enjoy and please let me know what you think of my old home.
Paul – if your bars still stand or some other structures have taken their places, tell me where they are located and I will do my best to pay them a visit in your behalf. And, maybe run my hands along the wall for you LOL in a nostalgic remembrance of the good island life you were enjoying until Hurricane Hugo came along.
The sheer mass of the old Spanish fort in Intramuros has always held me in awe everytime I visited it. We will make sure to visit the twin forts in Old San Juan for comparison. I didn’t know that the forts in Old San Juan, St. Augustine, and Intramuros were all built by the same company. Very interesting.
It took me a little while to figure that out. Since our place is out in a rural area, I spent hours & hours looking for ways to preserve and store food in a tropical environment. I was getting frustrated by not finding very much. Then I took a few steps back and looked at it academically, rather than as a farmer. Why preserve and store large quantities of food when the harvest time is year round. Simply stagger your planting times. Since keeping livestock is my primary interest, the first thing that hit me was that I am free from the eternal quest for hay! Those things changed everything, from how I spend my time, to the types of outbuildings we need.
Timothy, I also visited Norway from Germany, back in 1992. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A couple of us were going to camp our way to Nordkapp. We met an early blizzard, and they closed the roads. (When folks in Scandinavia say there’s too much snow to drive on you had better listen!). Instead, we camped by a frozen waterfall and enjoyed the peace, quiet, and solitude.
So Paul, with all this conversation, are you still lonesome?
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
Well if I made your farming seem simpler than my work on LiP for this week is done, we can both thank Don “Francisco” (Fito for short) for he’s words of wisdom shared on a warm night sitting on the sea wall in Isla Verde Puerto Rico. We were sipping rare rum called Ron del Barrilito watching the sun rise on San Juan Bay.
And the pity party for Paul has ended. I’m good again.
Paul, you mentioned Puerto Rico, I have never been there, but soon will be. This Christmas and New Year’s holiday, my wife and I will be on a 10-day sea cruise in the Caribbean aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas sailing out of Baltimore on Christmas eve. It’s sort of a year-end tradition we have been following the last 3 years to escape the cold and celebrate New Year’s at sea.
Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten are among our ports of call. We have been to St. Thomas and St. Maarten a number of times in the past, but never in Puerto Rico. Can’t wait to see Puerto Rico!
John;
Playa Luquillo is out on the island about an hour from San Juan, at the entrance to the rain forest, but in 20 years I have no idea what’s still there anymore. But have no fear as someone will sell you a Don “Q” Rum and Coke.
Alex;
Being that I’ve been to Denmark (Danmark) and loved my time there dearly. And made some good friends there also, when I visited a small town called Gisling (Did I spell that right?) I’ve found that friendships are not difficult at all. (I’ve never met a stranger just someone I’ve not met yet)
The guys I mentioned are great folks and while some of were together at Texas Joes we met a man from Florida (Met him here on on LiP first) and he became good friends with all of us within a very short time. Some people just affect you that way.
Stop in a watering hole, have a few beers and meet people, some you’ll like some you won’t, but that is the way of the world.. You’ll meet people in time, just put yourself out there.
My new motorcycle give me a very easy way to find, and stop at watering holes 😀 My car is different, when i go around, behind tinted windows… My tears in the start was not because of me myself – it was for your “lonesome guy” headline…
Axel:
In my life I’ve owned motorcycles made by Harley, BSA, Triumph, Norton and a few Rice Burners. Here in the Philippines you could not get me on one as the drivers have a total disregard for them, and most (Not All) bike riders have no idea what the hell they are doing.
I didn’t think they were for you! I’m the one having the pity party! (LOL)
Yeah – as a motorcycle driver here, you have to be very, very careful. Car’s just ignore – or don’t see motorcycles and surely motorcycle drivers (goes for cars too) really need to learn traffic rules, but a lot of people here get their license just for a few Peso – no school – no tests – no nothing. No wonder it is like it is…
Police like to stop foreigners, so as a foreigner everything must be correct, but Filipinos do not get stopped that often, unless there’s a checkpoint. I guess i just need a plastic surgery to get my nose and eyes done – the tan will come 😀
Axel;
I got my license here by turning in a expired Florida State license, and paying the money. That was before the eye test or anything.in those gays the hard copy was made in Manila and it took a year for me to receive it, but the receipt was good to drive with including renting cars in the United States. I love the rules here.
And a very Merry Christmass season to you Paul. Yes since I have been here in Colorado I sit inside with my heater going full blast, looking through my frosted windows and wondering to myself “What are you doing here you old fool?” I got my Cable TV, internet, and phone conected yesterday morning. Around noon the TV picture was gone in the whole area around us with a message on the screen, not to worry, be back on soon. The TV came back and I waited for Internet and telephone to come back to no availe. Called them and of course they had heard nothing of any problems but it came back a few minutes ago after a 24 hour not working period. Magic I guess. So the list narrows as to differances of here and the PI. Utilities screwed up in both places, PI has good SMB’s — here if I had any SMB’s I could cool them during the brown out, by tossing them outside.
Loren;
Wintering over in Colorado it sounds like a plan to me, I know a nice place to live in an area called Pogue’s Mountain; the place has a tree growing in the middle of the living room. I thought Swiss Family Robinsons house was cool, until I visited yours! It’s lonesome here but the rumor is that Carlos will be here in a week or two, but you know how rumors are here.
Stay warm, I know I will, with a tropical sun overhead.
Paul,
Our plans got changed for Christmas. We were supposed to be in Australia, but Anne’s uncle had a work commitment out of town for the holidays. We will be going there in March now. Now we will be spending Christmas in the cold like Loren. Flying to Ohio on the 19th to spend Christmas with my parents. They are both 80 and don’t know how many more Christmas’s they have left, so we decided to make the trek to the States earlier than planned. Anne has never seen snow before so she is excited. I don’t think she has any idea what she is getting into lol. I’m just glad I didn’t get my plane tickets early.
Next year we will be in the Philippines for Christmas.
Randy;
I would do it the same way to spend time with the folks. But not to worry, Anne’s excitement over snow won’t last very young. Like when we were kids and that first snowfall, we tired of that within a day. Safe trip to you both.
My wife was excited about the snow until about five minutes of being on the parking deck at DTW airport. She hated the cold, which of course, MUST come with the snow. 🙂
We’re both looking forward to a warm Christmas next year!!
Enjoy your family during the Holidays Paul! Soak it all in! It’s a great time to be with family.
Scott;
I’ve met a few Filipinos who have taken to the cold like that proverbial Duck to water, but very few overall.
Papa Duck it’s 18°F and snowing in Cleveland as I write this. I’ll be spending Christmas in Ohio with my oldest boy, working to support my lovely wife and youngest boy, who will be spending Christmas in the PI. I keep telling her I’m her OFW! If you time it right you should be seeing plenty of snow. The forecast is for cold and snow for the next 10 days or so. I know your wife will love it until she steps outside, lol. Paul you must miss those Christmases in Dorchester I’m sure. 😉
Mark G;
And I once had a sharp stick in my eye, But I don’t miss that either! (LOL)
Best of the Christmas Season to you Paul but with friends like Coco the flying lab and a good stock of chilled SMBs, I am sure seasonal decorations galore, not to mention, family, it sounds like you will be in good company for the festivities of the season.
Thanks for all of the comments on operating a Motorcycle in The Philippines. On the last couple of visits I have been very tempted to rent or borrow one from someone I know there but that has not happened yet. From reading the comments maybe it is just as well. I have not tried the Filipino Bus Ride yet so maybe I should experience that first. It’s not that I want to go touring around Mindanao on a motorcycle, just drive around some of the residential neighborhoods and see if I can find what I would describe as Nice Houses which is something of the eye of the beholder as to what would be considered as ” nice “.
When I was a teenager I had a Honda CB160 and then about a decade later a Suzuki GT 250. Even then there was a disrespect for them by other drivers although maybe not as much as there might be there and of course there was no foreigner aspect involved.
Best of the Christmas Season to everyone here on ” LIP “. Now I am going back to some online Christmas Shopping to see what bargains I can scoop up. Makes a good opportunity to buy some pasalubongs to bring on my next visit.
Hi Paul …This will be my first Christmas in Davao RP. I have been here back and forth many times but finally made the big move in Oct 2013. I am sure you will not be lone some as things will get busy real soon. For me everything falls in Dec. wedding anniversary/wife’s birthday and of course Christmas. To tell you the truth I have been so busy just getting our house up to speed we have barely had time for the holidays.
I do know what you mean about missing close friends, as we do miss our friends back in the states, but we will have visits I’m sure as planned trips are already being scheduled. Now we are getting used to the weather and humidity. I want to take a minute to wish you and your family and all LIP readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
DaveC
Dave;
Nothing will ever top your first Christmas in the Philippines, I foolishly thought that all my years in Puerto Rico would give me a leg up, sadly I was wrong. It is mayhem to the tenth power; it is a time of wonderment that I’d never experienced before. It is, for the lack of a better term; “Christmas in the Philippines” every year I write something about it and moan and mumble about it, but the truth is I really love it, if for no other reason than on Christmas Eve when the family gathers and opens their presents. It is then that you can fully understand the why of it all. To you and yours a Joyful First Philippine Christmas and the best the Holiday can bring you!
Bob (NY)
I’ve noted that 4 wheel operators tend to respect large noisy bikes and if you’re wearing a “Club Cut” that helps also. Safe bike operation means you should line up close to the centerline using the car’s rear left wheel as a guide. Prevent the car from coming up beside you and force the cars to pass you as if you were a fellow car. (Not many cars ever passed me) My reflexes are not as sharp as they once were, as much as I love two wheels I’ll admit that their time has passed in my life.
I’m hearing from my Buddies whom are stateside, but they keep mentioning Winter and this other word “SNOW” they’ve lost me when they talk like that.
Hi Bob. About driving Motorcycle here: It’s not that bad, and you are the one to take precautions, just think that anything can happen at any time. Here it is normal with small bikes, even a 250cc would be considered as a “Big Bike”. I drive every day on my motorcycle – Honda CB110, and as long as i am looking out and expecting that anything can come from anywhere, there’s no problem. Speed here? No, mostly you can’t find places/streets to pass 40-50Km.h. (guess it would be something like 20-25 mph). If you like biking, rent one, take some trips around in a not to jammed places and get to know the bike.
License: When i first got here 2 years ago, i got a “Internatinal license from Denmark. That was easlily converted to a Philippine driver license here. No problem
Alex:
With the right amount of care and paying attention, all you say is true. I love bikes, but my time for them has passed, enjoy yours as they are fun.
DITTO !!!!!!!!!
Lenny;
Double Ditto! Back at cha!!!!!!!.
Hi Paul,
The depiction of men on these photos is exaggerated. I can’t help but smile upon seeing your article. Not that I underestimating what you feel on the absence of your friends (I know the feeling). I smiled because of the thoughts playing in my mind that if there’s one person who would best fits the description of these men in the photos–that’s got to be me. I lost in the last election as Kagawad. Savings drained because of this. And most of all I resigned from my work in the government. It’s only now, two months after the election that I could smile again, lol. Nice article Paul, and as always funny and heartfelt. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family, and the rest of the LiP family.
Louie;
Hell I would have voted for you in a micro-second, only because you’re a LiP reader and that ranks high in my book. But I watched it here, the Best qualified seldom win as they are the ones whom try to win with dignity and honesty, so if you lost the election but your moral compass still points in the correct direction, then you have won my friend!
Yup Paul, it dawned on me much too late that even in the barangay level dirty politics is the name of the game. Sticking to the golden rule has no place in the election. Betrayal, manipulation, and massive vote buying are the best tools to get elected. I should have won, if I had succumbed to this kind of politics. There were obnoxious offers, but it’s just not my cup of tea. The election is over. The new set of barrio officials were installed and have assumed their positions. I wish them good and hope they serve the barrio well. The new Barangay Captain, my kumpare, offered me a position in the barangay to which I gently declined to accept. And although I lost in the election, my reputation in the barrio hasn’t diminished one bit. I gain more friends during the campaign. Nowadays when walking on the street I’d be greeted by people not really known to me. Many of them say that I garnered significant votes for a first timer and would fare better in the next election. I say thanks but no thanks, this would be my first and the last, lol. Life goes on albeit temporary setbacks. I’ll bounce back in no time stronger and better. I thrive through life’s challenges. Thanks for the encouragement my friend.
Louie;
You proved my point, walk away with your honor and dignity in place and you are truly the winner.
Merry Christmas Paul to you and your entire family, from me and mine.
Terry;
Thank you and the same to you and yours! MERRY CHRISTMAS, one and all.
Hi Paul;
This evening I and my wife (asawa – Pacita) got to enjoy seeing two of our grandchildren sing in a Christmas show at their school. At ages 9 and 8 the boys did quite well. Temperature outside here is 19 degrees F. and there is snow on the ground here in Indianapolis. Merry Christmas to all.
Larry;
A Christmas play at a School shocked me first off, until you mentioned where you live. The “PC” Police must not have moved there yet. But those shows are fun to watch, and the kids enjoy doing it. I noticed you gave a quick weather report, so I won’t mention ours here, as it would sound like braggadocio. (LOL)
Hi Paul – and you mentioned your friend “doesn’t like warm weather?” for us locals it’s actually cold already during this time of the year. Ha ha. I’d rather have warm weather than freezing temps. Winter wonderland America looks nice though. Here in the country we have fake snow in some amusement places and mall.. ha ha ^_^.
Hi Sugar, I know what you are talking about, my now divorced Dominican rep. wife and I were on a December holiday now some years back and she as being from there said that it was not warm enough! even for me it was just fine, so she complained that she wanted to feel the heat! But now today here in Ilocos norte it’s a very hot sunshine day and we are in the middle of December! I have to run the aircon while using the computer…
Fake snow I don’t need, I’ve had enough of that during many years in Norway! Love the all year around green countryside. But, yes it’s nice with a change in the seasons of the year, what is the main problem is when you have to live in a climate that is more or less 6 months cold winter in the year.
Sugar;
That has amazed me that this time of year is considered cold. If we could bundle up some Europeans and Americans and fly them here right now they would be swimming by tomorrow. In Las Vegas everyone is in winter coats as it’s so cold there. But I’ll stay here as snow is only good in those postcards they send you from snowy areas. (The New old Honda doesn’t even have a heater in it)
Paul I’m driving around a 1999 Ford van with a screwdriver stuck in the heater box to control the flow of hot air! Merry Christmas my friend!
Mark G.;
Once the heater was set on extremely high the screwdrivers job is done!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I had the drivers side window open this morning as I drove to work. It was 23°f but the heater is now stuck on high now, lol.
Mark G;
Stuck on high? That is what I’d want and a space heater on the floorboard blowing hot air at me. I remember cold & snow, and I remember I didn’t like it.
Hi Paul,
Nice article! “You struck a nerve.” (I hope that is the right metaphor because my metaphor check is broken on my lap top) with the part about at a certain age you get down to one friend. I have been married 11 years now and my wife, her friends and the Kano husbands of her Filipina friends are my only friends. My wife asked me once if one of the guys in the group was my best friend. I told my wife she was my best friends and that if she stopped being friends with his wife I probably would never talk to the guy again. I firmly believe that my wife will be my best friend until my body takes the eternal dirt nap and my soul moves on to Heaven, Hell, Purgatory or Oblivion. Just thought I would cheer you up by talking about death.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Jay;
The friendship between my wife and I is a different type than that of me and my buddies, albeit it is vastly important that the wives of my buddies get along with my wife. Otherwise it won’t work, in my case I’m lucky because that has happened very well. We’ll be having a cocktail or one, after a nice lunch, we guys will be discussing how to improve the world, and the ladies will go off for a couple of hours to go shopping or get their hair or nails done. They come back laughing and they seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Check us guys out and then take us home if needed.
BTW my time in Purgatory has already been served, the Navy put me on Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean for a year.
I am drawn to this very interesting conversation among the Sage of Dinalupihan, Timothy, and Cordillera Cowboy at the mention of the Dominican Republic and the manana attitude, a typical trait of inhabitants of Spanish-influenced counries located in the lower lattitudes.
I have nothing but pleasant memories of Hispaniola during the brief periods my wife and I have taken our vacations there, either at a resort in the Dominican Republic, or as a port of call during a sea cruise.
I immediately fell in love with the Dominican Republic during our first visit there in 2011. It was a two-week stay at Melia Caribe Tropical Resort in Punta Cana. With a climate, vegetation and culture similar to a Philippine province, I felt like I was in Zambales. When we took a day trip from the resort to the nearby town of Higuey by bus, which I found similar in many respects to a Victory Liner on a provincial run, laden with the peasantry looking so much like the Pinoy promdi in dress, facial expression and demeanor, what with their sacks of rice and poultry to be bartered in town, and gazed outside the bus window to see groups of Dominicans at bus stops along the rural highway squatting on their haunches as provincial Pinoys are wont to do, I asked my wife to pinch me back to reality. LOL
Upon arrival in Higuey, I took a moment to light a candle inside the Catholic Church. It smelled of the Church of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. In front of what reminded me of a sari-sari store, a cockfight was in progress, to complete this Philippine-like scenery for my pleasure, it seemed.
The one unpleasant memory I have for Hispaniola was when we had to cut short what would have been a 14-day Eastern Caribbean cruise during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday of 2010 due to an emergency Stateside. On the 3d day while docked in Labadee, Haiti, we received an emergency call. It required our immediate return to the States, but we had to wait until the following day to debark at the next port of call in Samana, DR, from where we took the 3-hour taxi ride to Sto; Domingo international airport for the flight back to the States.
The 3-hour ride to Sto, Domingo on December 26, 2010 provided me a clearer view of the Dominican landscape and way of life. The manana attitude was present in the way people laze around in front of stores. They seemed to move without purpose and unhurriedly. I also noted a very interesting peculiarity in a Christian country influenced by Spain. While there were whole lechons in bamboo poles on display at some of the roadside carinderias, I saw no Christmas lights and decorations whatsoever in every house and business establishment we passed along the way. This was on December 26.
Paul and Timothy, you both have lived in the DR, perhaps you can explain this peculiarity?
Pete, in the province we store unhusked rice in a structure in our backyard, called, “kamalig”. Not much in the way of year-round storage for food, except earthen jars for bagoong. 🙂
John, Marlyn remembers those big jars from her childhood. Her favorite was the one full of hardened molasses. The kids would raid that one from time to time. We plan to get a few of those from up in Ilocos. At least one with a tap in the bottom for keeping cool water in. Others for pickleing and fermenting.
Though it may be sacrelige to mention on one of Paul’s threads, I’ve learned to make wine. None of our fruit will go to waste.
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
I’m no stranger to odd wines, I just prefer Beer and rum, I was at a 6 day wine festival in Greece…. A story for another time.
John;
Your travelogue made me feel like I was back in the D, it truly was a wonderful time I noticed the similarities between life in the Caribbean and here for years. That was why my adjustment to living in the Philippines was so easy. They are very different, yet the same in some ways I was attempting to inform Timothy why in the tropical Latitudes things have no need to move at a faster pace. Learn that and understanding the rest becomes very easy. Relax there is always something growing you can eat.
The Christmas question I really don’t know.