Well I was up at 5am to watch England play again, it was worth it to see them finish New Zealand off. It finished after only 2 hours though which left me up and awake yet it was only 7.30 am.
The decider starts this Saturday, I will have another 5 days of getting up at 5am but it will be worth it especially if England win.
I went to Las Pinas again tonight to do some coaching for adults. This time coach William came to Makati to pick me up and his father dropped me home at midnight. I did enjoy it as they are all preparing for "my" tournament which is this Sunday. I enjoy coaching them as they put so much effort into doing what I ask of them, they sweat and run til they drop... it is so very hot here now as it is the beginning of summer. They all gave me a round of applause at the end of the 2 hours session and then we had a question and answer time... they appreciate my knowledge.
This Wednesday I believe is the start of holy week, you can't book a hotel room or flight to anywhere in the Phils as everyone is on the move. Holy week started off as a religious thing to include Easter but it's just more like a holiday week. All the people that live in the towns and cities return to their province to see their families and everyone else goes on holiday somewhere. I had to put any trip to Cebu on hold.
I just remembered something else that I miss from the UK, that is a fast Internet connection that consistently keeps you online. Over here I have to reboot my computer and modem at least 5/6 times a day and I have to constantly shut down the browser and restart to get access to a site. I have unexpectedly got used to it.
hope you all enjoy your Monday...... is that possible ??
Monday, 17 March 2008
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Sunday
I was up at 5am as normal to watch the cricket, England had another good day.
Today as in most countries of the world, Sunday is a very quiet day, no traffic and few people on the streets. Most of my day has just been catching up on my lack of sleep.
To think that by Wednesday i will only have 3 weeks to go, I am getting nervous about that, I feel that I must try and visit Cebu and other places before I miss my chance, I feel the pressure of time disappearing. I really wish that I wasn't going back to the UK. :-(
I have really got used to things here, although it's not perfect and there are some things that I don't like (taxi drivers)but overall I am happier here and I have a better lifestyle here.
I will miss where I stay here in Makati, my beautiful building and the staff, I will miss my little condo as it has everything that I need and a good view over the city. I will miss the politeness of everyone that you meet on the streets whatever their status, I will miss the respect that I get for my badminton coaching over here.
I will miss the ladies from the laundry place across the street as I always have a fun chat with them when I take in my laundry every 3/4 days, when I bought them some sweets one day they were so pleased and they look after me really well.
I could go on and on....................
I hope you had a great weekend wherever you are.
Today as in most countries of the world, Sunday is a very quiet day, no traffic and few people on the streets. Most of my day has just been catching up on my lack of sleep.
To think that by Wednesday i will only have 3 weeks to go, I am getting nervous about that, I feel that I must try and visit Cebu and other places before I miss my chance, I feel the pressure of time disappearing. I really wish that I wasn't going back to the UK. :-(
I have really got used to things here, although it's not perfect and there are some things that I don't like (taxi drivers)but overall I am happier here and I have a better lifestyle here.
I will miss where I stay here in Makati, my beautiful building and the staff, I will miss my little condo as it has everything that I need and a good view over the city. I will miss the politeness of everyone that you meet on the streets whatever their status, I will miss the respect that I get for my badminton coaching over here.
I will miss the ladies from the laundry place across the street as I always have a fun chat with them when I take in my laundry every 3/4 days, when I bought them some sweets one day they were so pleased and they look after me really well.
I could go on and on....................
I hope you had a great weekend wherever you are.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Saturday.... taxi drivers... again !!!
First of all I was up at 5am to watch England play, they had another good day.
After the cricket finished I went to Las Pinas for the junior badminton coaching, as always getting a taxi to take you there is always a hassle, I have to offer more money than what's on the meter. It so far outside of their normal zone so I can understand their reluctance, I got a cabbie to agree to 50p over the meter, I have no problem with that as it is simply like giving him a 50p tip.
I had a good day there from 3-6 coaching the kids, but it was SO hot, the summer here has begun and I can really feel it. It was back to my shirt being soaked and having to change into a fresh one asap. At 6pm we went to another sports hall for further coaching and playing, this place is much nearer to Makati, only about 20 mins away.
I played for an hour, had something to eat there then Coach William senior agreed to take me to Alabang, this is the so called 2nd "Makati" to get a taxi. Alabang is very posh, beautiful gated homes with big malls etc. We got to the town centre and the taxi rank, William senior asked them (too nicely) how much to take me to Makati, of course they see a "foreigner" and told him in Tagalog "600 pesos", that is just so greedy, they said that they don't do meter, only "contract" that just means whatever they can get you to agree to pay.
We decided to go outside the town centre to another suburb that borders Alabang, we got there, I told William that I would ask them, this is a really busy place, I went to the rank, I could see them all come over to me like vultures, "Sir, Sir,Sir..taxi"....me "OK I want to go to Makati on the meter( even without meter I know it should be about 200"... drivers.....600 pesos... me getting angry now as an hour has passed and I still haven't found a taxi to take me home and I am tired.... I said " I will give you 50p over meter"... no chance so I told them that they were a bunch of thieves... I have 6 around me at this time... I told them about the 19 drivers that had their licenses suspended for doing the same thing that they are trying to do to me... they are beginning to disperse now to get away from me... I told them I am going to speak to the police that they refuse to take me using the meter.
William senior touches my arm and suggests that we go, he informs me that speaking to the police would be a waste of time as they get their share from the drivers to allow them to do it.
So we decide to go to Paranaque which is where William lives but I am going further and further away from Makati, anyway we get there and wait, eventually we stop a taxi and the driver agrees to take me and puts on the meter... good man. He takes me home no problem, the fare works out to 175 pesos and I give him a 65 pesos tip for being a honest man.
I HATE taxi drivers. If I lived here I would have to drive.
I hope you are having a more relaxing weekend
After the cricket finished I went to Las Pinas for the junior badminton coaching, as always getting a taxi to take you there is always a hassle, I have to offer more money than what's on the meter. It so far outside of their normal zone so I can understand their reluctance, I got a cabbie to agree to 50p over the meter, I have no problem with that as it is simply like giving him a 50p tip.
I had a good day there from 3-6 coaching the kids, but it was SO hot, the summer here has begun and I can really feel it. It was back to my shirt being soaked and having to change into a fresh one asap. At 6pm we went to another sports hall for further coaching and playing, this place is much nearer to Makati, only about 20 mins away.
I played for an hour, had something to eat there then Coach William senior agreed to take me to Alabang, this is the so called 2nd "Makati" to get a taxi. Alabang is very posh, beautiful gated homes with big malls etc. We got to the town centre and the taxi rank, William senior asked them (too nicely) how much to take me to Makati, of course they see a "foreigner" and told him in Tagalog "600 pesos", that is just so greedy, they said that they don't do meter, only "contract" that just means whatever they can get you to agree to pay.
We decided to go outside the town centre to another suburb that borders Alabang, we got there, I told William that I would ask them, this is a really busy place, I went to the rank, I could see them all come over to me like vultures, "Sir, Sir,Sir..taxi"....me "OK I want to go to Makati on the meter( even without meter I know it should be about 200"... drivers.....600 pesos... me getting angry now as an hour has passed and I still haven't found a taxi to take me home and I am tired.... I said " I will give you 50p over meter"... no chance so I told them that they were a bunch of thieves... I have 6 around me at this time... I told them about the 19 drivers that had their licenses suspended for doing the same thing that they are trying to do to me... they are beginning to disperse now to get away from me... I told them I am going to speak to the police that they refuse to take me using the meter.
William senior touches my arm and suggests that we go, he informs me that speaking to the police would be a waste of time as they get their share from the drivers to allow them to do it.
So we decide to go to Paranaque which is where William lives but I am going further and further away from Makati, anyway we get there and wait, eventually we stop a taxi and the driver agrees to take me and puts on the meter... good man. He takes me home no problem, the fare works out to 175 pesos and I give him a 65 pesos tip for being a honest man.
I HATE taxi drivers. If I lived here I would have to drive.
I hope you are having a more relaxing weekend
Friday, 14 March 2008
Things I miss from the UK
First of all England had a great day today in the cricket... should win from this position.
Things I miss from the UK in no particular order.... Sky TV, driving, M&S meals, "seriously strong cheese" that's the brand name and it is sooooo strong.... love it.
Do you know I have sat here for the last 10 minutes trying to think of anything else that I miss... and I can't !!! Must be more !
Yes I would miss the health service that's another one !
I don't miss people as such because those that are important in my life have kept in touch with me while I have been here.
This would all indicate that maybe I should move to the Philippines permanently. I must say that over the past few days I have realised that I have LESS than 4 weeks to go before I return "home", the thought has really made me feel so nervous, you know that feeling right in the pit of your stomach.
I can say that if I could stay here in the lifestyle that I have been accustomed to.... I DEFINITELY would, in truth I would need a reasonably high income for that which is not attainable at this moment, the only other way to stay here on my present income would mean that I would have to drop down the social ladder a couple of rungs.
This would mean that I wouldn't be able to afford to live in Makati for sure, I would have to move to a smaller town/suburb or maybe even another island. I have met people here (foreigners) that live on £250 per month but that's living like a native... not the lifestyle for me. On £500 pm I could probably live reasonably well on another island or in the Manila suburbs.... again not really for me. To live here in Makati it has to be a minimum of £750 per month, that would ensure that you live at the top of the food chain and have the best of everything. So I will have to either...... (a) live in the suburbs now or (B) work a few more years before I could live in Makati. I shall take stock and decide later.
Things that I DON'T miss from the UK.
Bad behaviour in the streets... in the workplace.....or just about anywhere you go.
No respect for anyone in authority.
No respect for pensioners.... in fact they are badly abused in a lot of towns and cities.
Towns and city centres that are taken over at weekends by the 18-30 years old, lots of drunks that want to fight with anyone that gets in their way.
Young guys ( hoodies) that can at least intimidate anyone that passes them.
Down and outs drinking in the streets and in places like underpasses where people have to walk pass them, school children/OAP's feel threatened.
Road rage... whereby the least thing can make a driver want to attack another.
I could go on and on about things that I don't like but it's just my personal opinion and I think my feelings already show.
Generally I suppose it's the lack of family unity that causes indiscipline everywhere. there is a total lack of respect for anyone especially older people.
There is a constant threat of possible confrontation for the least little thing which could lead to a physical attack.
Yes this is just a generalisation, but you ask anyone over 60 that live in cities and that would be the answer that lots would give, yes it may only be their perception.... but it is true to them and personally as you can guess.. I would agree.
Yes I am sure that I would prefer to get old here in the Philippines.
I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.
Things I miss from the UK in no particular order.... Sky TV, driving, M&S meals, "seriously strong cheese" that's the brand name and it is sooooo strong.... love it.
Do you know I have sat here for the last 10 minutes trying to think of anything else that I miss... and I can't !!! Must be more !
Yes I would miss the health service that's another one !
I don't miss people as such because those that are important in my life have kept in touch with me while I have been here.
This would all indicate that maybe I should move to the Philippines permanently. I must say that over the past few days I have realised that I have LESS than 4 weeks to go before I return "home", the thought has really made me feel so nervous, you know that feeling right in the pit of your stomach.
I can say that if I could stay here in the lifestyle that I have been accustomed to.... I DEFINITELY would, in truth I would need a reasonably high income for that which is not attainable at this moment, the only other way to stay here on my present income would mean that I would have to drop down the social ladder a couple of rungs.
This would mean that I wouldn't be able to afford to live in Makati for sure, I would have to move to a smaller town/suburb or maybe even another island. I have met people here (foreigners) that live on £250 per month but that's living like a native... not the lifestyle for me. On £500 pm I could probably live reasonably well on another island or in the Manila suburbs.... again not really for me. To live here in Makati it has to be a minimum of £750 per month, that would ensure that you live at the top of the food chain and have the best of everything. So I will have to either...... (a) live in the suburbs now or (B) work a few more years before I could live in Makati. I shall take stock and decide later.
Things that I DON'T miss from the UK.
Bad behaviour in the streets... in the workplace.....or just about anywhere you go.
No respect for anyone in authority.
No respect for pensioners.... in fact they are badly abused in a lot of towns and cities.
Towns and city centres that are taken over at weekends by the 18-30 years old, lots of drunks that want to fight with anyone that gets in their way.
Young guys ( hoodies) that can at least intimidate anyone that passes them.
Down and outs drinking in the streets and in places like underpasses where people have to walk pass them, school children/OAP's feel threatened.
Road rage... whereby the least thing can make a driver want to attack another.
I could go on and on about things that I don't like but it's just my personal opinion and I think my feelings already show.
Generally I suppose it's the lack of family unity that causes indiscipline everywhere. there is a total lack of respect for anyone especially older people.
There is a constant threat of possible confrontation for the least little thing which could lead to a physical attack.
Yes this is just a generalisation, but you ask anyone over 60 that live in cities and that would be the answer that lots would give, yes it may only be their perception.... but it is true to them and personally as you can guess.. I would agree.
Yes I am sure that I would prefer to get old here in the Philippines.
I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Thursday 11pm...... cream crackered !!
I wanted to get up at 5am this morning to watch the cricket, I woke up at 3 am after less than 3 hours sleep and that was it I couldn't get back to kip.
So I got up and watched the cricket which was interesting and England finished well.
At 4pm I got prepared to play badminton for the first time this year, I got all the badminton shirts that I bought here in October and none of them would fit !!! Now this is really bad because I bought them all as the shirts that I brought with me from the UK wouldn't fit me as I had put on weight at that point also. So now I had to wear the shirts that I bought recently..... no nasty comments please I feel bad enough as it is... that's life... it runs in the family.
I went to the badminton centre, the players that I was to play with and against were below average, if I had played them in October last year it would have just been a nice little run out for me and I would have won easily with little effort.... this was not the case..... I played 8 games and was knackered.. I won about half... the joys of getting old........... it's so unfair !! I have all the knowledge and technique but the body is struggling.... well you did see me walking up those 33 flights of stairs..... not a pretty sight I know.
So it's now 11pm and I am at home in my condo, the legs are feeling a bit stiff and I really should be in bed soon as I have to be up at 5am tomorrow (Friday) to watch England.... the first hour should be good as Ambrose needs only 3 for his 100, Collingwood needs only 2 for his 50 and only 9 runs for the 300 to come up..... if you know anything about cricket you will understand the above... if you don't.... then I'm sorry !!!!!!!
Another TGIF coming up.... enjoy the begining of your weekend
So I got up and watched the cricket which was interesting and England finished well.
At 4pm I got prepared to play badminton for the first time this year, I got all the badminton shirts that I bought here in October and none of them would fit !!! Now this is really bad because I bought them all as the shirts that I brought with me from the UK wouldn't fit me as I had put on weight at that point also. So now I had to wear the shirts that I bought recently..... no nasty comments please I feel bad enough as it is... that's life... it runs in the family.
I went to the badminton centre, the players that I was to play with and against were below average, if I had played them in October last year it would have just been a nice little run out for me and I would have won easily with little effort.... this was not the case..... I played 8 games and was knackered.. I won about half... the joys of getting old........... it's so unfair !! I have all the knowledge and technique but the body is struggling.... well you did see me walking up those 33 flights of stairs..... not a pretty sight I know.
So it's now 11pm and I am at home in my condo, the legs are feeling a bit stiff and I really should be in bed soon as I have to be up at 5am tomorrow (Friday) to watch England.... the first hour should be good as Ambrose needs only 3 for his 100, Collingwood needs only 2 for his 50 and only 9 runs for the 300 to come up..... if you know anything about cricket you will understand the above... if you don't.... then I'm sorry !!!!!!!
Another TGIF coming up.... enjoy the begining of your weekend
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Wednesday..............
Had a very quiet day... well we all do don't we........ I just went out for lunch, bought some shopping and that's about it.
It's 10.30pm so will be going to bed shortly as I have to be up at 5am to watch the cricket again.
I am playing badminton tomorrow night,the first time this year, I have been in Vietnam 2 weeks, in Mindanao for nearly 4 weeks and was ill for 3 weeks so haven't really had the opportunity or desire to be honest.
You all know that the badminton academy that I have been involved with have a big tourney organised using my name. It has over 400 adult and junior players involved, it is over 4 quarters of the year so is a big and long tourney.
Anyway I am playing with this guy and his friends, he is a journalist for a national newspaper and has 2 badminton websites. He has interviewed me for his websites.
I have mentioned before that being a journalist in this city is a dangerous job to have, he was telling me that you get used to it but he still gets scared if anyone in a car rolls down the window in traffic, that is the usual form of assassination, that or a motorbike pulls up next to you and pop pop... you're history. He offered me a lift, I made a mental note to sit in the rear seat !!!
Hope you all have a great week....
It's 10.30pm so will be going to bed shortly as I have to be up at 5am to watch the cricket again.
I am playing badminton tomorrow night,the first time this year, I have been in Vietnam 2 weeks, in Mindanao for nearly 4 weeks and was ill for 3 weeks so haven't really had the opportunity or desire to be honest.
You all know that the badminton academy that I have been involved with have a big tourney organised using my name. It has over 400 adult and junior players involved, it is over 4 quarters of the year so is a big and long tourney.
Anyway I am playing with this guy and his friends, he is a journalist for a national newspaper and has 2 badminton websites. He has interviewed me for his websites.
I have mentioned before that being a journalist in this city is a dangerous job to have, he was telling me that you get used to it but he still gets scared if anyone in a car rolls down the window in traffic, that is the usual form of assassination, that or a motorbike pulls up next to you and pop pop... you're history. He offered me a lift, I made a mental note to sit in the rear seat !!!
Hope you all have a great week....
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Tuesday.... got my visa
Well I got a cab to the Bureau of Immigration, I picked up my visa in 5 minutes then was on my way. Just as well I got the visa quickly because as soon as I got it I was thrown out, I forgot that you are not allowed to wear shorts in the BI.... don't know why but that's the rules.
I left there at 11am and decided to walk home again. I meandered a bit and got home to Makati at 3.30pm.
When I walked home yesterday I walked through Rizal park, I had to walk past lots of people that actually live in the park, they are very poor, no homes or jobs, I got talking to one family especially and tried to take some pics but my camera batteries were empty so couldn't. The kids are so cute and of course you always get the cheeky cute one. I took the same route home again and met them again, this time I got some pics, the cheeky toothless one insisted that I keep taking pics of her and her friend, she loved to see her photo each time.... the smiles and laughter was wonderful.
I have published some pics below.
I left there at 11am and decided to walk home again. I meandered a bit and got home to Makati at 3.30pm.
When I walked home yesterday I walked through Rizal park, I had to walk past lots of people that actually live in the park, they are very poor, no homes or jobs, I got talking to one family especially and tried to take some pics but my camera batteries were empty so couldn't. The kids are so cute and of course you always get the cheeky cute one. I took the same route home again and met them again, this time I got some pics, the cheeky toothless one insisted that I keep taking pics of her and her friend, she loved to see her photo each time.... the smiles and laughter was wonderful.
I have published some pics below.
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