We’ve all met them, the bad guest, hell you or I could be one, and I would just hope, that’s not the case. In my whole barangay there were only two of us Kano. And the problem was guilt by association, whenever the other Kano causes an upheaval in the purok; I am the one who has to hear about it and try to quell the bad feelings.
I tried to explain to him that living in someone else’s country, is like visiting their home. They may invite you in, sit you down and offer you hospitably, you have the right to accept what is offered, and enjoy sitting in their house. But, you have no right to re-arrange their furniture.
If you feel that you have the knowledge, to fix what you believe to be broken in their country, than I suggest you quickly return to your own country and repair it first, as you must have all the answers.
My problem solved itself, as he got so sick of butting his head against the wall (or a Navy term “Pissng up a rope”); and sold his house and went back to the states. His social experiment lasted only three years, and a lot of cash, as he sold his house (brand new) for one half of what it cost to build. I know he was not a bad guy; he just came here without a clue as to what to expect.
When I was in the Navy and stationed around the world, I noticed that a lot of people on the base seldom left it. I had a name for them “Perimeter Lizards’” those who would go up to the fence, and peer out. Then complain about the locals, and what a mess their country was. How could they know?
I fought to live off base with the locals, and would argue with the Base Commander, that since I was the Commissary Officer, I needed to view the local culture to better serve my customers; pure B.S. but they all approved my request.
Which left me with friends and memories that will last forever, thanks to my being part of their life and they part of mine
Living in the Philippines was my choice, as during my ten years as a Merchant Seaman, I lived nowhere. My only connection to anywhere was a storage locker in Florida where I kept all the things important to me. My Father called me the richest homeless man he ever met. When I was paid off a ship I’d just pick a place on earth and go on vacation for a couple of months.
On one of my vacations here in the Philippines I visited a retired friend here in Olongapo City, Luzon, and married his wife’s sister. One of my better plans, and I’ve not had that many. My point is I choose to live here, and have no reason to complain, as my wife won’t let me!
P.S. Not everything is Tongue-in-Cheek!
So you’re the rich Kano causing my cash guilt by association? 😆
You’re so right, Paul. Living here is like being part of a jigsaw puzzle – you gotta fit into the picture. If you hide behind a fence and never get to know those around you, you’re in for a very lonely and most likely a very lousy time.
Have a couple of European gents that live down the road a piece who hardly get out and about. Both have their places up for sale, but remain here only because no one will meet their prices. How sad is that?!
I’ve always known of the “perimeter lizards” of which Paul speaks. They aren’t restricted to the military bases overseas, by any means. They exist everywhere overseas whether by the mistakes they made in moving overseas in the first place and then subjecting themselves to near-isolation, or, as those that have obligations to fulfill overseas and then also isolate themselves from the local culture. I remember many years ago in my Navy days when my very young (18) wife showed up in Taiwan: we totally immersed ourselves in the local economy “went native”, and enjoyed the next two years immensely. After that time, we never spent any time behind the imaginary (or actual) wall, and always totally blended in, in any way possible with the local culture. I just can’t understand those that actually move to the Philippines, and then behave as if though they are living amongst some kind of enemy, so to speak. I feel no sorrow for these ignoramouses – they are getting what they deserve.
Thanks for sharing your experiences Paul.
Out of curiosity what’s it like to live in Dinalupihan? How large is the city? Do you live in town or on the outskirts? What do houses rent for? Is there a good selection available? Do they have indoor retail malls there? How many? Are there any athletic facilities, public swimming pools or golf course there? Are you near beaches our montainous areas? What type of transportation to and from your area is available (ferries, bus depots, airports, etc.) What are the roads connecting your city like? Are they well maintained? Is flooding or other inclement weather common there? Are the municiple utilities reliabe in your area or do you have frequent brown outs and internet interruptions? Do you have cable TV available? How do costs there compare to palces like Manila or Davao City?
If you have the time, perhaps you could cover a few of my questions in a future article?
Good morning Paul;
Rich? No, just gainfully un-employed!
Talk to the Europeans and tell them to sell out, as my neighbor did, cut the price in half and run for the border, you get a free Taco too! Some people are just better off at home. When I owned my Bar’s in Puerto Rico, I heard customers grouse about the Island every day. I switch their rum to 151, and send them home early! I was a BAD boy!
Hey Paul;
I’m in Olongapo City Monday and Christmas has already started here!
That should be one interesting set of neighbors, do you think they might be the reason the other is trying to sell out? We have a large number of British here in Zambales,As a matter of fact the guy that bought the house in my article is from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island; I just love saying that name, much better than just England or U.K. I’ve not met him yet, he’s busy enlarging the wall around his house. I’m putting in a moat and drawbridge to keep up with the Jones’
OLA Senior Cheif Thompson,
I’m currently still active in the army with 6 to go for my 20 years. I have been reading and asking Bob opinion and advice. I love to hate those Perimeter Lizards also. I’m currently overseas in Lisboa(Lisbon) Portugal and have seen most of Western Europe in my travels and I always try to find the good in another country because the culture is different does not always mean it sucks. Hell the same can be said about the good ole American culture if you are a city boy and move to country i.e. Those guys and gals always get a laugh out of me because I’m always the one that is willing to go out in the city and get lost and find my way around but that is hard to do now with GPS being easy to get on any thing electronical. since 9/11 people always seem to get scared and always say never go anywhere by yourself that its a shame because only thing people do is go to the clubs and thats about it. Don’t get me wrong I’m 33 but there is other things to do and see then always going to the club. Last summer I got tired of hearing the Perimeter Lizards talking so I went to the train station bought a round trip ticket to go to Oporto (Porto) Portugal and went there and had an amazing weekend went to a couple wine cellars that offer free tours of how they made the local wine(Port) and let you taste some top of the shelf wine worth anywhere from 100 to 500 euros from anywhere between 0.35 to 5 euro a glass depending on what you wanted to taste before buying something. So a bunch of 16 century churches for free a ferry ride along the river for 30 minutes was like 5 euro. My whole weekend cost me around 250 euro with hotel and train ticket included and was able to get those 12oz curls workout on the train. I met my Filipina Fianance here and i’m still learning her ways which at times can be a bit much for me because she can be demanding at times especialy when she cooks more food that is needed for 2 people and I have to tell her she cooked to much I had to go on a diet gained like 15 pounds in the 16 months we been together:) I have a real good friend who is also my mechanic and I’n always invited over for dinner or lunch with his family I try to grateful but at times I feel that its to much because I know my income is a lot more then his and I don’t want to put a burden on his family. So I bring them american foods that the local stores do not have as a sign of me saying lets share the load. He calls me family and I’ve went out to the club with oldest son a couple of times where the only thing I had to do was get drunk because we had a DD. So I try to be the good American and embrace the country and culture and I never try to give my opinion on the U.S unless asked first, but I find that hardly comes up because I let them know that’s the government and I have no say in what they do, so that answer I give has never been a problem. I tell them I’m not here to talk Politics expect how many shots of Johnnie Walker we can drink. I’m planning on making my move there in 6 years and this site has been very helpfull and I’m glad I found it sooner then later. I hope this site is still up and running in 6 years. I even tell others who I work with that I’m living in the U.S when I retire and I always get asked why not followed by the look of this guy is crazy. I just tell time why do I have to serve my country 20+ years and my pension will barely cover my rent??? Plus to live at the current life style I’m at now I would have to find a job that will pay my $35-$40 an hour on top of my pension as a 39 year old starting off at the bottom of the company, unless I get a contractor gig or a GS job, but last time I looked there is more retired military then GS positions. So I feel I have to do what I feel what is best for me plus my daughter will be an adult and in college so I’m ok with that. I rambled long enough about my 2 cents but for real the pay-per-view plus the food and drinks cost you about$60? I’m jealous with envy but in a good way because I know that will be me in a few years if my plans go how I want them.
A Friend A Few Time Zones Away,
Chris
Hi Chris;
I have two sons in the Army, both lifers like their old Navy dad. I didn’t try to change Europe the many times I was there, and it was really cheap in the 60’s & 70’s. I took many trips to little towns in Spain, France, Italy and Greece met great folks and had a great time.
I was smiling when I read about the quantities your GF cooked for two; it must be a Philippine thing as my wife does it too. Thanks to my 15 dogs nothing is wasted.
Hint on a high paying job, Military Sealift Command as a Merchant Seaman. 85-110 thousand per year, and I sailed with many retired Army, Air Force and Marines. A mechanic is a mechanic the rest is just the size of what you’re fixing. Four months on ship, one to two months vacation after each cruise. About 70% of the guys are retired military.
Wow I’m going to have to proof read or do a spell check before I post again. I just saw how many type-o’s i made hahaha. Yeah I enjoy living in antoher country I went to Heidelberg High In Germany back from 91-95 and begin to get a grasp on there is more to the world then the U.S. I come from amilitary family also so moving has never been a problem for me what so ever. Yeah I remember when Europe use to still be cheap but since the conversion to Euro it has gone up a bit. I guess its a culture thing but I also had to get use to how they take over your home a become the hostess when you invite them over for a BBQ or get to tegother.My GF friends will season the food and bring all types of food I have no idea what is what but I do love the sweeet rice dessert. Only time I get to play host is when they give me the meat to cook on the Grill HaHaHa I guess thats the man’s job 😉 or when I have to set up the TV so the karaokee can begin. I guess I have to get use to some things I just leave the kitchen and start the gas grill and charcoal grill up and seat outside with a couple of cold ones while I wait to start grillin. Thats when I have to tell them to go do women stuff because they try to take over the grill also I guess its their way but I have to remind them that I invited them so seat back and relax. I guess I have a good woman because I hear the horry stories. I remember I bought her an IPOD touch for her b-day and one of her friends said she should get money from me. My GF told me about that and they are not friends anymore. Whats amazing is she just got back from taking a vacation to the Philippines for 1 month and she never ask me for money to buy the ticket which I thought was amazing because she saved her money up for 6 months so she could go home. she was even embrassed to ask me to get her some hershey’s candy so she can take home, which i thought was weird because at the NEX we get the hershey’s that Portugal do not sell and plus she said that hersheys was expensive there because its imported so that was not a problem. Maybe I can open up my own computer repair shop from my home when I make the move because that’s my trade in the Army. I was thinking about maybe getting a contract job to the middle east also so I can add to my retirement on top of my pension. After reading through the post and getting Bob’s opinion I will rent first before building my retirement home before spending up my savings because it’s not going to be cheap to move my household a cross international waters. I might suprise her for a x-mas gift and buy us a plane ticket to go there so I can meet her family. She has never asked me to give her money to send to family she does that on her on from her paycheck. So I hope she doesn’t change so far I’m lucky so I’m holding on to this one.
A Friend A Few Time Zones Away,
Chris
SSG A.
Yo Chris;
The more things change the more they remain the same. Any party or get together at our house I get to sit and pop a top, the ladies take over and I’m out of the equation. It sounds to me as you’ve found Miss Right for your GF. Like you I’ve both seen and heard the horror stories about women here, and found that they are less than 3% of the population, and then I ask “Where in hell did the guy meet her?”
Listen to Bob, as he is right about renting until you’re sure this is the place for you, or anyone. I did that for quite a few years prior to building our house.
Here’s a trick for you, type your comments in word, let spell-check fix it and then click and drag to the comment box. That’s how a lot of us do it!!!