788 replies to this topic

[Macman]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Thailover.

D&C, that's no interruption. That's exactly the kind of thing that I need to know. I don't think Angel is aware of those opportunities in larger cities. I'm sure she realizes it to some degree, but not to the extent that you describe. (She's still sleeping, but I want to tell her when she wakes up.) I guess that's pretty much the same all over; the big cities are usually much more liberal in their attitudes. When I was very young, on my first real job, I got to know a guy who had moved to New York from Pittsburgh. While people the world over have heard of Pittsburgh (then because of the steel industry and now because of the Steelers), and assume that it's a big city, it really wasn't such back then. It was quite provincial in its thinking. He confided to me that he was gay (in those days, it really was "confiding" because very few people were openly gay). He told me that he had tried to date girls for appearance's sake, even though he knew he was homosexual. He eventually suffered a nervous breakdown, and decided to move to New York City. While he couldn't be "out" at work, at least he was able to live openly away from the job.

While Angel was attending her friend's pageant last night, I caught up on my favorite TV show on DVD. It's the 5th and final season of a show called Friday Night Lights, and I bought the DVD set before I left the States. Damn, I really will miss some of those shows. I've tried to watch via the internet, but I guess there are licensing problems.

Busy day today. We have to shop for a present for Angel's goddaughter, attend her party (at the beach), get back here and get ready for her gg friend's pageant tonight.

Well, I'm going to squeeze in a walk before Angel gets up. I wonder if it's hot out.

[thailover57]

Macman - here's a link to a VPN to the USA so you can tunnel into HULU or whatever you're looking for in USA. http://127.0.0.1:895...3689EC7486F259C

If it doesn't work let me know and I'll look for the original email my friend sent me.

[Macman]

Because of Anthony's comments, I have read the first 4 pages of Putytat's thread on living in Thailand. It's a great read, and a must for anyone thinking of relocating to the LOS. I'll be happy to give you my impressions of life here in The Philippines, but my situation is very different than that of Putytat. I came here specifically to be with my transgendered GF. On my last visit here in February, we looked at an apartment that was recommended by her cousin. It's a nice garden apartment building with only 4 other tenants, the owner included. We took a 6-month lease, and she moved in on March 15th, while I was still in the States, making preparations for my trip here. For that reason, I didn't have any of the problems of finding an agent, etc. that Putytat had. My biggest problem was that the walls in every room (it's a 2-bedroom apartment) were painted a horrible lime green. My GF did a great job of having the rooms repainted, and a terrific job of decorating the place. We Skyped every day, so I saw the progress. By the time I arrived, it was perfect for me.
Another difference you'll find in my thread is my very mundane day-to-day life. Since Putytat is single, he naturally is taking part in the Pattaya night life. I'm afraid my nights won't interest anyone, unless you are thrilled with knowing things like the fact that we had some friends over the other night and played Texas Hold 'em. Not thrilled? Didn't think so. How about the fact that we're going to go on a zipline thing on Saturday with friends. No? Damn. Sorry.
Probably the biggest thing was referenced by singdick. Here in The Philippines, just about everyone speaks English. It makes a huge difference. I think the culture here, while very different in some aspects from the U.S., is much more geared towards the West than Thailand. However, some of the points that Puty made concerning things like TV, Western conveniences, etc. ring very true here. Speaking of that, we're off to the cable company. Right now we have an antenna that gives us one station, most of it in Tagalog or Bisaya, with a little English thrown in. We're getting cable that will give us about 40 stations, a lot of it programs from the U.S. (reruns)and things like the NBA playoffs (live). It costs 400 Philippine pesos a month, less than $10 U.S. If I haven't lost you with my boring life-style by now, I'll come back soon with some of the problems that a guy from New York will find here.

Macman

[thailover57]

Not boring at all. I retired in Pattaya but also was involved with a woman in the Phils previously. Reminded me of Thailand. She was very beautiful, but then her son needed medicine and she couldn't pay the rent, etc. (I starting smelling water buffalo). I wish you success - I really mean it. It's a difficult road and I hope you traverse it successfully.

[Macman]

Thanks, Thailover. I tried it with both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer, but neither one can open the link. A friend of mine back home also told me there was a link that got around the licensing problems, but he couldn't find it.

Well, yesterday we celebrated the birthday of Angel's goddaughter. She celebrated it with another little girl of the same age (they both were turning 3). My God, they really do a make a big thing of b-days here. There was a whole roast pig, I don't know how many dishes, cases of Coca Cola and Sprite, a big cake and banners with photos of the kids on them. We held it at what they called a beach, but it was actually more like a small picnic area on the bay. When I took my walk this morning, I noticed big banners wishing the mayor of the city happy birthday. Back home, there were many times that I didn't even realize it was my birthday until someone wished me congratulations.

We came back home, took a quick nap, ate dinner, and headed out for the pageant. Angel and some of her friends had told me about "Filipino Time," but I thought they were exaggerating. The night before, when Angel went to the other pageant, it was supposed to start at 7:00 PM. At 9:00, she sent me a text, saying it was just starting. Last night's affair was supposed to start at 7:30, but it was more like 8:45. There wasn't a final judging. There's another stage on the 28th. Afterwards, we went out drinking with a bunch of her friends. I haven't had a drink in longer than a lot of BMs have been alive (the old "One drink is too many and a thousand aren't enough" syndrome), but it was a great time. She really has some nice friends.

I went for my walk this morning, but had to cut it short. I got caught in a downpour. So far it's a lazy day. We were supposed to take Angel's goddaughter for the afternoon, but so far we haven't heard from her mother. She's the cutest kid, and she adores Angel, mimicking her every move. BTW, I love the custom of the kids blessing the older folk by taking the hand and pressing it to their foreheads.

Angel's napping, and I'm going to catch up on some reading.

[Crackerjax]

Macman, if you like American sports see if your cable operator has a channel out of HK called ASN - I'm guessing it's probably available on cable in Phils as a premium channel. If not, you might want to check out Sat TV instead of cable. Philippine's homegrown Dream TV has a lot of sport including NBA TV, and the USA's Dish Network now has a JV in Taiwan that is available all over Asia with a ton of sports channels including ASN.

I saw lots of the Filipinas in AC love their hoops, but you might have to do a little work to get ur lady up to speed on the hit and run.

Good luck there.

[Surin Nix]

Your experiences are much more interesting to us than I think you realize Macman. I hope you will keep us posted with these everyday observations about your transition from NYC to PI living.

It has been years since I was in the PI, and in those days I absolutely loved going to the Bauang La Union ("Thousand Island") area of Luzon. I have always wanted to go to Cebu, heard many great things about it......and just may take a side-visit there during my next trip to LOS. So please, tell us all about it.

Mind if I ask what the rent is on your apartment? What is the location like (on or near the water?...view?...amenities?).

Take care buddy. Get some rest.

Nix

[petesie]

Definitely not boring Macman...this could provide an interesting contrast to Puty's life in the fast lane...

It could vary from day to day with the differences in culture, reactions to your relationship from others, how your partner copes with it....I'm guessing you've got it all coming matey!

[Macman]

Sunday. After mass late this afternoon, we're going to Angel's aunt's house to celebrate her sister's birthday. I've been taking a few pictures that I'll post here. The quality isn't so good because it's just a point and shoot. When I go back to the States for a visit next year, I'm going to buy a DSLR camera. I mentioned that our neighbor is very rich. His house is so big, I couldn't photograph the whole thing, so I've included a screen shot of a Google Earth pic. His house is just above ours. That pale green patch is his swimming pool. As I've mentioned, our complex has 5 apartments and plenty of space for cars and motorbikes. You can see how his place dwarfs ours. In the pic of the view from our church, his is way down at the end of the street You can barely see it in the photo); we're down a path right before his property.

Macman

Attached Files

•  view from church down our street.JPG   51.74KB   533 downloads
•  our church.JPG   46.69KB   533 downloads
•  Our place.jpg   40.23KB   533 downloads
•  rich guy's mansion.JPG   45.41KB   533 downloads
•  Our Apartment complex.JPG   71.17KB   533 downloads

[Macman]

Here are a couple of a more personal nature. I'll post some more of the local area tomorrow.

Macman

Attached Files

•  Angel cooking breakfast.JPG   41.52KB   532 downloads
•  Angel zip-lining.JPG   58.27KB   531 downloads

[jayarr]

after seeing the rig, I wouldn't have ziplined, either

[Macman]

Yeah, jayarr, that's exactly what did it for me. I thought there was going to be a harness around my chest and legs. That damn thing looked as though it was tilted forward. I knew I'd have a panic attack, thinking I was going to slide right out of that thing.

Macman