1 week down....5 to go
Ahh, the Philippines.
I like this place. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I didn't have to pay a cent to get here nor that I didn't have to pay a cent while I'm here (I was given a hearty food allowance before I left and I receive a transportation allowance shortly). Basically the only things I actually pay for are things I might buy to take home with me, though I have done only a little shopping.
What is there to say about a place where women out number men about 7 to 1 and then half of those men are gay...
That means even Lil'Mikey could get laid in a place like this and possibly find himself a very nice husband. Beer is so cheap that Ciavarro himself could stay in a sustained Ciavarro'd state for the rest of his life with only his small sums of money. The local brands (San Miguel) are sold readily at any 7/11 or other convenience store on a 24/7 basis for about 20 php a bottle (that's about 50 cents Canadian....) Beer is even sold by the BASKET here!! The only problem recently having been a national liquor ban that started Saturday at midnight and runs to either tonight or tomorrow at midnight which is in place due to it being an election day. Which put a damper on our festivities this weekend, yet we still managed to have a good time with some private stocks. That and you were allowed to order as much as you wanted at the 11:50pm last call which amounted to our tab being 60 bottles of beer, two bottles of rum, and a bottle of wine (for our boss). Last Tuesday we even managed to get cut off at 8:30 am so we went down the street to the next 7/11 and got another basket before heading back to the hotel.
Philippino women are gorgeous and ever so polite. I've even managed to treat one to dinner and enjoyed the local life. The stories I could tell are numerous and the things I have seen would amaze some. Though right now I'm at a loss as for things to say and it's been a long day.
One thing I have to say though, is that the armed guards are nice. They're all over the place and keep an eye on things quite well. They've opened doors for me nearly any where I've been from Starbucks, to the mall, to work; they cleared a table off for us at the McDonald's when we wanted to give it a try; and they say a polite hello when we enter/exit the hotel no matter what time it is. On the first floor of our hotel (Discover Suites Manila) there is a bank which keeps nine guards on duty at all times (6 with pistols + 3 with very large shotguns); at one of our centres here there is also a bank on the first floor which has a very nice guard with an uzi. How can you really not feel safe. Every car that enters a parking structure is searched for bombs; all mall entrances (and a few other public places) are lined with metal detectors and guards (these ones might even have a dog with them who is ever so cute...) but after a while you actually don't notice them and their bright white uniforms. Life here is not all that different from home and is quite fun.
My roommate is a dork and while he is currently at work I've stolen his computer to finally get online. I could write a book about this guy and was disappointed when his trip to the local hospital wasn't fatal.
If anyone wants me to drop them a line, send me an email and I'll write you when I get the chance. If anyone wants a more personal line from me then email your phone number as I have free long distance and don't mind using it as well as a time of day that is best to call you (in EST preferably) - though due to lack of any foreknowledge of this benefit I left any and all phone numbers at home.
It's been a long day. I'll try to get back on tomorrow and write something else.
I like this place. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I didn't have to pay a cent to get here nor that I didn't have to pay a cent while I'm here (I was given a hearty food allowance before I left and I receive a transportation allowance shortly). Basically the only things I actually pay for are things I might buy to take home with me, though I have done only a little shopping.
What is there to say about a place where women out number men about 7 to 1 and then half of those men are gay...
That means even Lil'Mikey could get laid in a place like this and possibly find himself a very nice husband. Beer is so cheap that Ciavarro himself could stay in a sustained Ciavarro'd state for the rest of his life with only his small sums of money. The local brands (San Miguel) are sold readily at any 7/11 or other convenience store on a 24/7 basis for about 20 php a bottle (that's about 50 cents Canadian....) Beer is even sold by the BASKET here!! The only problem recently having been a national liquor ban that started Saturday at midnight and runs to either tonight or tomorrow at midnight which is in place due to it being an election day. Which put a damper on our festivities this weekend, yet we still managed to have a good time with some private stocks. That and you were allowed to order as much as you wanted at the 11:50pm last call which amounted to our tab being 60 bottles of beer, two bottles of rum, and a bottle of wine (for our boss). Last Tuesday we even managed to get cut off at 8:30 am so we went down the street to the next 7/11 and got another basket before heading back to the hotel.
Philippino women are gorgeous and ever so polite. I've even managed to treat one to dinner and enjoyed the local life. The stories I could tell are numerous and the things I have seen would amaze some. Though right now I'm at a loss as for things to say and it's been a long day.
One thing I have to say though, is that the armed guards are nice. They're all over the place and keep an eye on things quite well. They've opened doors for me nearly any where I've been from Starbucks, to the mall, to work; they cleared a table off for us at the McDonald's when we wanted to give it a try; and they say a polite hello when we enter/exit the hotel no matter what time it is. On the first floor of our hotel (Discover Suites Manila) there is a bank which keeps nine guards on duty at all times (6 with pistols + 3 with very large shotguns); at one of our centres here there is also a bank on the first floor which has a very nice guard with an uzi. How can you really not feel safe. Every car that enters a parking structure is searched for bombs; all mall entrances (and a few other public places) are lined with metal detectors and guards (these ones might even have a dog with them who is ever so cute...) but after a while you actually don't notice them and their bright white uniforms. Life here is not all that different from home and is quite fun.
My roommate is a dork and while he is currently at work I've stolen his computer to finally get online. I could write a book about this guy and was disappointed when his trip to the local hospital wasn't fatal.
If anyone wants me to drop them a line, send me an email and I'll write you when I get the chance. If anyone wants a more personal line from me then email your phone number as I have free long distance and don't mind using it as well as a time of day that is best to call you (in EST preferably) - though due to lack of any foreknowledge of this benefit I left any and all phone numbers at home.
It's been a long day. I'll try to get back on tomorrow and write something else.
posted by Apocrypha at 10:20 AM
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