Makati City, Philippines - Page 19

slang · 10-08-2007, 03:34 PM

It's still here, yes.

I'm just bumbling around this week but we do have mini trips planned for the coming months. One will be to Subic.

Right now I'm prepping to go out for a bike ride. It's 430 am here now. If I'm on the way up the street in the next few minutes I can get some pictures of the sunrise.

This is one of those "survival" bike rides, where I pedal like a crazy man in one direction with just my camera,cell phone, passport, P100 and maybe some backup re-charge batteries.

I need the exercise as the inactivity with all the drinking is making a noticable difference on how I feel.

Getting out now almost guarantees a good ride. The school kids have to be at the early session at 530.

Leaving now I miss the bad traffic and keep the cool temperatures.

slang · 10-08-2007, 08:12 PM

This is the new St. Lukes hospital in the Bonafacio triangle.

This is what all the excitement is all about in the triangle. This will be the best healthcare, the newest facility in the Philippines. It's a very big complex and with it are coming all the doctors and support personel as well as all the other support required.

This is why everyone and their brother will sink huge pesos into a condo here even when the surrounding area is not all that robust with utilities.

The sign says it all. It's going to be better than 95% of the hospitals in the US.

Yes, it probably will. Your country doesnt border with Mexico and have millions of invaders that you must treat. I'm sure this new St Lukes will be fantastic if you can send bills for all the services rendered.

slang · 10-08-2007, 08:21 PM

Condos, condos and more condos.

Condos on the right and condos on the left. Turn the spigot open here in the the Philippines and water doesnt flow out, condos flow out.

They are everywhere. They are high in the sky and also low on the horizon. Some are sold but most are still selling before the building is completed.

Twenty stories, thrity stories ......even forty stories high with condos! Yeah!

slang · 10-08-2007, 08:26 PM

We have chocolate condos and vanilla condos. Condos with sprinkles on top and condos with Hershey syrup on them.

Waving, throbbing, bobbing and weaving condos every fucking place that you look....all with an army of people passing out broshures to show you how wonderful and affordable they will be upon completion.

Get your hot peanut condo now. Get it while it's hot.

Cicero · 10-09-2007, 01:51 PM

That's cool Slang....post 596...if you move it up and down quickly the photos create the illusion that the buildings are landing on top of each other and so on and so forth...Just neat!

slang · 10-09-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicero

...are landing on top of each other and so on and so forth...Just neat!

You wouldnt be drinking Russian vodka by any chance, would you?

slang · 10-17-2007, 07:21 AM

These are from post #155 of this thread. Although Tonchi's experience and apparent tone are a bit harsh there are some things that I'd like to add.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonchi

You bet it is. And the best part for you is, YOU are going to walk away from it. Gates do not slam in the American faces. You have that all-precious visa and a bank account so you are GOD.

Yes, I can find these people any where that I go. They are transparent though.

Most of the people that I am in contact with on a daily basis are friendly and already have some connection with the US. They have money coming in from relatives or have a business with enough income to live reasonably.

Those that do not have that connection are not clingy or manipulative. They very rarely ask me for money and if they do, instead I buy foods for them.

It's very rare for anyone to ask for anything though.

People constantly kissing my backside are obvious and annoying. On top of that, I'm truly not well off anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonchi

But the minute nature takes its course and the events around you succeed in removing the money from your wallet and absorbing it into the surrounding environment, Life would be VERY different for you indeed. You'll never have to find out, though, how nobody over 30 is allowed to even apply for a job in the Philippines, because you do not HAVE to work there. You have everything all set and secure and your plane reservations confirmed, your escape is guaranteed.

Life would be very different, yes.

It's not my position here to ridicule or harass the natives for their misfortunes in life.

I would certainly not want to be a native here without access to reasonable housing and regular income.

That doesnt mean that I'm not sympathetic to them though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonchi

None of my business of course, but how many Filipinos have already been working on you to get them a visa to get out? By the "cultural norms" I'm familiar with, every member of her family will now consider you their "ticket"

From the very beggining, I've made it clear that this is not the case.

That doesnt mean that I've not given assistance in one way or another to family here. The difference in this whole situation is that they do not ask for anything.

It's been my goal to be here for longer and longer periods of time. If I'm going to be here, the living conditions will improve. When I'm not here, those gifts are appreciated and not taken for granted.

There are countless examples of visiting with her family without any expectation of extrodinary gifts of money or luxuries.

There are also many examples of friends and family just not connecting with me for one reason or another. Some have similarities and interests in common, some dont. We meet people in life that we click with and others that we do not.

I'm not Santa Claus so they know that they are not going to lose something spectacular by not kissing my ass.

One thing that they all are is respectful and polite.

slang · 10-17-2007, 07:57 AM

Gates do not slam in American faces. That's very true.

Imagine with me for a minute.......

Imagine that you are very normal in every respect. That you are not particularly good looking, articulate, wealthy or connected.

Imagine that when visiting here that about half of the people are interested in you. They look, they smile, they speak kindly to you.

Imagine that every where you go half of the people are doing little things or very big things to help you. To make you more comfortable. To be kind to you for no other reason that you are a priviledged minority.

Imagine parents of small children walking up to you to introduce themselves and their kids to you. See the curiosity in the children's faces and experience the subtle respect that they give you. Americans are very well regarded here and you know that by how their kids treat you. They have been taught that Americans are important.

Imagine half of the people that you see every day are just wanting to talk with you or to have a beer or a soda. Just to talk to you for five minutes. They have a story or a question that they would like to ask and both speak and listen to you when you have a conversation.

Imagine people working and playing until they see you and then they stop what they are doing to watch you. Some are obvious and some are very subtle. They watch your every move with curiosity as if you are a celebrity, but you are not. You are just normal but you are a foreigner in the native's town.

Imagine walking into a large modern building in Ortigas with pinoys everywhere around you. That there are signs "No ID, no entry - no exceptions" , "secured facility" and the like. That everyone you see must present ID and sign into the building but when you arrive to the head of the line the security people don't even ask your name and just wave you inside.

Imagine people giving you their cab when there are not many cabs that particular day. That they flag you inside the cab that they would have taken but that they saw that you were uncomfortable or hot in the weather. With a smile they give you a pat on the back or a handshake.

Imagine having a complete stranger allow you to ride their motorcycle just because they saw you looking at it. No questions asked just , "would you like to ride"? No expectations of gain for them but just to allow you the opportunity.

Imagine being a priviledged minority. Not from outward wealth but by being a respectful American. From being someone that they would like to be. Someone that they would be proud of being.

That's very much what it's like for me here and I do not take that for granted. It's something that I am aware of every day.

I'm very thankful for this treatment and respond in kind.

This is one of many reasons that I love to be here.

slang · 10-17-2007, 08:17 AM

This is the water company's construction crew. The streets here in Pembo have been ripped up again to install more water lines and to replace the existing water meters.

When the crews came through here, I thought someone was attacking our building here. The crew started with the jackhammer shortly after 8 am, 2 hours after my bedtime.

As one sees the work these guys do all day they can appreciate what tough SOBs they are.

Not a single man on the crew wears safely glasses either. Real risk takers as well as rugged and heat resistant pinoys.

zippyt · 10-27-2007, 11:14 AM

Looks like your haveing fun Slang !!!

slang · 10-29-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

Looks like your haveing fun Slang !!!

Oh yes. And you are just seeing the pictures that I'm allowed to post.

slang · 11-04-2007, 04:39 AM

Back in Makati with sinus infection.

Not doing too much for the next few days.

slang · 11-06-2007, 01:20 PM

The sinus infection has morphed into what my wife calls "sore eyes". She's an RN, I don't argue stupid names.

So lets take a tally here of my current ailments.

1. Original sinus infection
2. Big Canker sores on the tongue
3. Left eye infected with viral "sore eyes"
4. Coughing again like with the last cold.
5. Sore throat, swollen glands
6. A small cut on my foot is now all swollen and sick looking.

I'm losing the battle. Even went to the doctor yesterday. That's a story worth telling. When I'm up to typing it you'll read it here.

Things are very different here, yes.

With a little luck things will not get worse.

SparkStalker · 11-06-2007, 09:19 PM

Youch...that doesn't sound like too much fun. I'm glad I wasn't sick for the short time I was there. Makati was clean enough, but outside of that...

slang · 11-07-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkStalker

I'm glad I wasn't sick for the short time I was there.

And you're not expecting me to ask for more details?

You were probably not all rolling in the grass and climbing the banana trees, chasing the lemurs through the jungle, wading through crystal clear streams, and drinking alcoholic beverages to capacity either.....were you?

10-08-2007, 08:12 PM	#2
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	This is the new St. Lukes hospital in the Bonafacio triangle. This is what all the excitement is all about in the triangle. This will be the best healthcare, the newest facility in the Philippines. It's a very big complex and with it are coming all the doctors and support personel as well as all the other support required. This is why everyone and their brother will sink huge pesos into a condo here even when the surrounding area is not all that robust with utilities. The sign says it all. It's going to be better than 95% of the hospitals in the US. Yes, it probably will. Your country doesnt border with Mexico and have millions of invaders that you must treat. I'm sure this new St Lukes will be fantastic if you can send bills for all the services rendered. Attached Images

10-08-2007, 08:21 PM	#3
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	Condos, condos and more condos. Condos on the right and condos on the left. Turn the spigot open here in the the Philippines and water doesnt flow out, condos flow out. They are everywhere. They are high in the sky and also low on the horizon. Some are sold but most are still selling before the building is completed. Twenty stories, thrity stories ......even forty stories high with condos! Yeah! Attached Images

10-08-2007, 08:26 PM	#4
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	We have chocolate condos and vanilla condos. Condos with sprinkles on top and condos with Hershey syrup on them. Waving, throbbing, bobbing and weaving condos every fucking place that you look....all with an army of people passing out broshures to show you how wonderful and affordable they will be upon completion. Get your hot peanut condo now. Get it while it's hot. Attached Images

10-09-2007, 01:51 PM	#5
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	That's cool Slang....post 596...if you move it up and down quickly the photos create the illusion that the buildings are landing on top of each other and so on and so forth...Just neat! __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

10-17-2007, 08:17 AM	#9
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	This is the water company's construction crew. The streets here in Pembo have been ripped up again to install more water lines and to replace the existing water meters. When the crews came through here, I thought someone was attacking our building here. The crew started with the jackhammer shortly after 8 am, 2 hours after my bedtime. As one sees the work these guys do all day they can appreciate what tough SOBs they are. Not a single man on the crew wears safely glasses either. Real risk takers as well as rugged and heat resistant pinoys. Attached Images

10-08-2007, 03:34 PM	#1
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	It's still here, yes. I'm just bumbling around this week but we do have mini trips planned for the coming months. One will be to Subic. Right now I'm prepping to go out for a bike ride. It's 430 am here now. If I'm on the way up the street in the next few minutes I can get some pictures of the sunrise. This is one of those "survival" bike rides, where I pedal like a crazy man in one direction with just my camera,cell phone, passport, P100 and maybe some backup re-charge batteries. I need the exercise as the inactivity with all the drinking is making a noticable difference on how I feel. Getting out now almost guarantees a good ride. The school kids have to be at the early session at 530. Leaving now I miss the bad traffic and keep the cool temperatures.

10-17-2007, 07:57 AM	#8
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	Gates do not slam in American faces. That's very true. Imagine with me for a minute....... Imagine that you are very normal in every respect. That you are not particularly good looking, articulate, wealthy or connected. Imagine that when visiting here that about half of the people are interested in you. They look, they smile, they speak kindly to you. Imagine that every where you go half of the people are doing little things or very big things to help you. To make you more comfortable. To be kind to you for no other reason that you are a priviledged minority. Imagine parents of small children walking up to you to introduce themselves and their kids to you. See the curiosity in the children's faces and experience the subtle respect that they give you. Americans are very well regarded here and you know that by how their kids treat you. They have been taught that Americans are important. Imagine half of the people that you see every day are just wanting to talk with you or to have a beer or a soda. Just to talk to you for five minutes. They have a story or a question that they would like to ask and both speak and listen to you when you have a conversation. Imagine people working and playing until they see you and then they stop what they are doing to watch you. Some are obvious and some are very subtle. They watch your every move with curiosity as if you are a celebrity, but you are not. You are just normal but you are a foreigner in the native's town. Imagine walking into a large modern building in Ortigas with pinoys everywhere around you. That there are signs "No ID, no entry - no exceptions" , "secured facility" and the like. That everyone you see must present ID and sign into the building but when you arrive to the head of the line the security people don't even ask your name and just wave you inside. Imagine people giving you their cab when there are not many cabs that particular day. That they flag you inside the cab that they would have taken but that they saw that you were uncomfortable or hot in the weather. With a smile they give you a pat on the back or a handshake. Imagine having a complete stranger allow you to ride their motorcycle just because they saw you looking at it. No questions asked just , "would you like to ride"? No expectations of gain for them but just to allow you the opportunity. Imagine being a priviledged minority. Not from outward wealth but by being a respectful American. From being someone that they would like to be. Someone that they would be proud of being. That's very much what it's like for me here and I do not take that for granted. It's something that I am aware of every day. I'm very thankful for this treatment and respond in kind. This is one of many reasons that I love to be here.

10-27-2007, 11:14 AM	#10
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Looks like your haveing fun Slang !!! __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

11-04-2007, 04:39 AM	#12
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	Back in Makati with sinus infection. Not doing too much for the next few days.

11-06-2007, 01:20 PM	#13
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	The sinus infection has morphed into what my wife calls "sore eyes". She's an RN, I don't argue stupid names. So lets take a tally here of my current ailments. 1. Original sinus infection 2. Big Canker sores on the tongue 3. Left eye infected with viral "sore eyes" 4. Coughing again like with the last cold. 5. Sore throat, swollen glands 6. A small cut on my foot is now all swollen and sick looking. I'm losing the battle. Even went to the doctor yesterday. That's a story worth telling. When I'm up to typing it you'll read it here. Things are very different here, yes. With a little luck things will not get worse.

11-06-2007, 09:19 PM	#14
SparkStalker Vivacious Vivisectionist Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 36	Youch...that doesn't sound like too much fun. I'm glad I wasn't sick for the short time I was there. Makati was clean enough, but outside of that...

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