Philippines related site, check it out.

[Lancer]

Particularly those traveling with us. Interesting and has useful information...

http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/index.html

Also, lets use this thread to discuss the upcoming trip.

Dolores suggests we buy the tickets early in September as they are cheapest then. Sept is a discount time.

Ben and I have been discussing what type of medical equipment he might bring to donate. Suggestion Ben....Dolores says there is no ultrasound in Jagna. All med equipment can be purchased in the Phils btw.

Zkribbler and I have settled on sometime around Sept 20 for the flight.

Theben might make it for a couple of weeks. Though that's kinda short it's better than nothing.

Colon wanted to join us next August '05 but it turns out we'll only be staying until May '05. Any other time work for you Colon?

Stuff to bring:

A few face cloths. On hot days even the Philipinos carry them to cool off.

Chocolates or candies for the kids. An alternative in this place where folks can't afford dentists would be cheese. They need calcium in their diets. Individually wrapped slices are best.

Medicines & vitamins, whatever you normally take.

Sunblock if you normaly use it.

I'll update this list as time goes on. If you are traveling with us then please remember to bookmark this thread.

Remember I need your personal contact info, real name & phone. Please email it to me @ jotojot@oregonfast.net

[Bereta_Eder]

280 $ PER MONTH for 6 rooms???!!

now all i need to know is how much the air ticket is


unless they have sharks on their beaches...

edit: hmmm some hard information about US involvement there too... thanks lancer...

[chequita guevara]

Wow, that site's kinda disgusting, talking about all the servants you can afford.

[Gangerolf]

Or how many people you can give a job?

[Bereta_Eder]

yuck

[Ted Striker]

go shave your back

[Lancer]

You can hire someone to do that.


Guys, nobody says you have to hire servants.

paiktis, you're welcome. Btw, at the Jagna Lodge you can get an aircon room on the ocean for $100 a month.

[Bereta_Eder]

paiktis, you're welcome. Btw, at the Jagna Lodge you can get an aircon room on the ocean for $100 a month.

You HAVE to be kiddin' me!!!

I tell you I'd love to go there and spend a whole month. I might actually check the airticket prices.

And assuming that once upon a time I do, would you say that it's safe there? I wouldn't want to end up hostage of some freedom fighters. It'd be a shame.

Plus Philipines are far away from Greece. I doubt they'd heard of our great socialist country, the succesful fights against the imperialists and generally our proud anti-US stance. So they might not release me immideatly.

But honestly, would you say that there would be danger?

[Bereta_Eder]

I mean imagine, the lone Greek poet in the Philipinnes. I'd look at the ocean for inspiration and write poetry and then I'd plunge in the crystaline water since spirit and body are one in true greek tradition.

Plus I'm not your basic european or american drunken uncivilized barbarian, they'd love me there or anywhere for that matter.

Just parading through the streets, meeting people, discussing issues with the Philipinne comrades, but that's why I'm asking... will it be safe?

[Ben Kenobi]

Ultrasound?

Eh, that might be difficult.

Glad to hear that they can get ahold of the other medical equipment in the Phillippines.

Why will you be leaving in 2005? I thought you were planning to move out there permanently.

[Dis]

I tried to PM you before lancer, but your box was full. Now I have my new job, I'm not sure when I'll have some vacation. Because of classes, I have to take my vacation in the summer. So next summer would be the earliest I can take vacation. I'll probably take it in June.

[Lancer]

paiktis, sure it's safe there. There are over 100,000 Americans living over there full time. The problems occur in the extreme southern part of the southern island where the moslems live. So we don't go there. Remember, this is my 4th trip there.

I do avoid making any political statement while I'm there. For instance if the local communists (the NPA) find you to be a comrad you might find their needs outweigh your ability to provide, and you could also wear out your welcome with the Phil government by preaching people's revolution. I go there to enjoy the wonderful Philippine people, their culture and islands and stay out of their business...

Ben, we're basicly snow birds for the next 10 years after which we'll move there permanently. How go your efforts at procuring a ticket?

Diss, well I wish you would find the time. I think and hope you eventually will and I believe that once you've experienced it you'll look on all the time before as lost, as I look at my time before... That said, we plan on going every winter, though who knows? You could join us another year. I know we have a firm plan for this winter though, September 20th through mid May. Hope you can make it anytime during that period. If interested I'll get you our phone # and you can call and we'll have you met at Cebu airport.

[Pekka]

Ohhh those prices sounds right to me! Damn, I should become unemployed, raise the money for that and live secretly in there, I'd save so much money and live like a king! Maybe start my own arms dealing, who knows, it could be huge!

paiktis, it's relatively safe. There has been some cases, but you know there are so many tourists and people live in there anyway so it's still kind of rare that something woudl happen to you. If you don't want to get kidnapped, there are so many countries you would be in more danger, like all south american countries to start with. So I'd say you're pretty safe in there, just follow the standard rules. Rule number 1: Drunks are always the most lucky ones. They never get into trouble. Sober ones are in danger at all times. Drunk luck Rule number 2: If anyone looks at you wrong way, beat'em on sight. Aggression is progression. Rule number 3: If there's a group of young male adults, looking at you discreatevily and talkign to each other, you're about to get mugged or about to be asked for autograph. I don't know maybe you're famous poet in those regions but I wouldn't test my luck. They might know some Muay Thai, it's a popular sport in there, so I suggest you teach them why you don't bring a knife to a gun fight. Aggression is progression and the strongest one defines justice. Rule number 4: You're in someone elses country. Don't disrespect the ways or the people or the places. Even if they seem poor to you, don't laugh at it or show any kind of disrespect. Remember, this goes both ways. When you hear the price is right, don't let your jaw drop. You don't have to haggle, but don't look like 'daaaaaamn you guys are cheap!!!!! I'll live here for the rest of my life!'. Every clerk or grocery store worker is potential informant for organized crime groups raiding rich people.
Rule number 5: If you get in trouble because you acted stupid, you prolly deserve what you're about to get. However if you did nothing wrong, and you're in trouble you can't handle, call supercitizen. His firepower will overcome any human obstacle and only God is more powerful than him. And only just a little bit.

Remember these 5 golden rules and you're safe. Also, take out a copy of your passport in case you want to leave your passport to the desk if you're checked in to your accomodation. Remember, these clerks are criminals most of the times, so make sure you give him the evil eye handing the passport over. Have the copy of your passport with you, in case Abu Sayef takes you hostage, at least you have certain proof of who you are, which is important because that means they can prove who they have, meaning they have something to bargain for and you are of more value. This said, you will most likely be taken into jungle where you will have to walk a lot. Bring good shoes. Don't bring boots, they'll take'em off you and give to some young hot shot terrorist. But if oyu have shoes, they don't want them necessarily. You will lose a lot of weight from walking in heat a lot and not getting proper nutrition. Also you will drink dirty water causing you diarrhea, causing you to lose weight and make you weak. Don't seem too strong in the first 2 weeks. Don't make them drag you either. Listen to them. Try to figure out who is the boss. Then try to get info from the ones that are not the boss but lowest ranking, maybe someone who seems to be the most stupid. If you get into trouble, you can always blame it on him and watch him get shot. You don't have to plot against them though, just try to learn their cause and seem to be on their side. They will likely treat you better. They don't necessarily hate you, so they won't likely beat you into submission every night anyway. If you have someone from the netherlands, don't sleep next to that hostage. Everyone from Holland is a sex tourist. And for a reason they chose that location. Just avoid that scenario. If you can't help it, drink dirty water and you'll be safe.

[Gangerolf]

"Aggression is progression"

best advice ever
very true

[Ben Kenobi]

Money's the issue not the ticket.

I may have work in the Valley, working for a friend's father.

Should know fairly soon whether I will be out there or not.