Manila Filipino

[thegreenman]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

I got the order wrong, baggage then customs.

That's good you feel better prepared. Being aware and alert is part of not being a mark.

Two young...hell, not much from me at the time but still, from my squadron went to the Squadron Christmas Party held on the far end of town. Taking Jeepneys or public trans, one had to change Jeepneys at a central point. They get to the party, have a good time, and then make their way back. When they came back it was early am. Early am at the central point is not a good place to be for two young GIs. They hopped on a lonely Jeepney. The Jeepney took off with only the two GIs as passengers. You know what happened next. One GI with an abdominal gun shot wound and the other beat up. The one that was shot was extremely lucky. He also had a bullet wound length ways across his lip. How do I know all this? The gun shot victim worked in my shop.

Like I said, I have been overseas before, I knew it was baggage then customs, I figured you might have been drinking.

I figure my first visit we won't venture out a lot, it will be our time to get to know each other.

I know it can be bad there, I was in S Korea when the two airmen got killed and we all got the briefings on it.

Assuming my escort is legit, we will be getting to know each other more so than me exploring the PI for the first visit.

I am looking forward to my first trip to the PI.

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Rob, living the dream.

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by thegreenman

Like I said, I have been overseas before, I knew it was baggage then customs, I figured you might have been drinking.

I figure my first visit we won't venture out a lot, it will be our time to get to know each other.

I know it can be bad there, I was in S Korea when the two airmen got killed and we all got the briefings on it.

Assuming my escort is legit, we will be getting to know each other more so than me exploring the PI for the first visit.

I am looking forward to my first trip to the PI.

Excellent plan. You'll have a blast. Dude, eat wherever she suggests. Surely you'll find lots to like. One place I enjoyed:

https://www.google.com/search?q=ocea...taurant+manila

Seafood Market - Manila area of Philippines - YouTube

[thegreenman]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

Excellent plan. You'll have a blast. Dude, eat wherever she suggests. Surely you'll find lots to like. One place I enjoyed:

https://www.google.com/search?q=ocea...taurant+manila

Seafood Market - Manila area of Philippines - YouTube

I am sure I will have fun, I will eat anything she wants me to eat, maybe only once but I will try anything.

I have spent time in S Korea and Japan, I will adapt to their culture instead of the other way around.

Looking like May 26th I will be arriving in manila.

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by thegreenman

I am sure I will have fun, I will eat anything she wants me to eat, maybe only once but I will try anything.

I have spent time in S Korea and Japan, I will adapt to their culture instead of the other way around.

Looking like May 26th I will be arriving in manila.

Yep, you know the deal. Good times ahead.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by thegreenman

Looking like May 26th I will be arriving in manila.

If you feel like heading south....I will be in Cebu June 5.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

Rob, living the dream.

One of those girls is now my sister

I am guessing the rest are all my cousins Every time I get a friend request on FB, I ask my wife who they are and she says "oh, he/she is my cousin...."

Yeah, ok....so I have like 436 new cousins since I got married, I assume there are more that I have not met

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

One of those girls is now my sister

I am guessing the rest are all my cousins Every time I get a friend request on FB, I ask my wife who they are and she says "oh, he/she is my cousin...."

Yeah, ok....so I have like 436 new cousins since I got married, I assume there are more that I have not met

The Filipino family with extended family too.

"Kuya Robert, can you buy me Hershey/apple/something else available they have difficulty getting"

Somehow, my name may be shortened to John.

[VatorMan]

Originally Posted by thegreenman

I am sure I will have fun, I will eat anything she wants me to eat, maybe only once but I will try anything.

My favorites were Pancit, Lumpia and all the road side BBQ-except the chicken feet. Oh, no thanks for balut either.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

The Filipino family with extended family too.

"Kuya Robert, can you buy me Hershey/apple/something else available they have difficulty getting"

Somehow, my name may be shortened to John.

Since they know we are coming soon, this week we have heard several requests for Lancome perfume, victorias secret underwear, and MAC brand makeup. (and the latter of the two are for a bayut)

You would think that they do not have these products over there, but they do...It is just "mahal". Little do they know, it is the same price as it is over here, but somehow since I am American, I am rich

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Since they know we are coming soon, this week we have heard several requests for Lancome perfume, victorias secret underwear, and MAC brand makeup. (and the latter of the two are for a bayut)

You would think that they do not have these products over there, but they do...It is just "mahal". Little do they know, it is the same price as it is over here, but somehow since I am American, I am rich

One of my favorites; asking for a fake purse from here that's made there in the P-I.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

One of my favorites; asking for a fake purse from here that's made there in the P-I.

Hit the mail on the head there....my wife jumped on AliExpress.com a couple months ago and bought a bunch of bracelets and necklaces that we could take over there and give to all the cousins. First thing she did when the packages arrived here was she opened all of them and ripped out the "made in China" labels because she didn't want them to think they were cheap

When they all have green necks in a week they will know

[Rob]

GreenMan!!!

Take some chocolate....trust me, you could take control of the place over there if you had enough chocolate

[boracayjohnny]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

GreenMan!!!

Take some chocolate....trust me, you could take control of the place over there if you had enough chocolate

A one pound Hershey's plain candy bar could buy a lot of things...and for an extended time.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

GreenMan!!!

Take some chocolate....trust me, you could take control of the place over there if you had enough chocolate

costco, buy a case of snickers or hershey's, win!

[Dan Dlabay]

As far as money exchange I don't know about in the Philippines but in Vietnam and in Thailand you get the most exchange rate with U.S. $100 bills over using a credit card traveler checks or European currency. Each of the 3 times we went to Vietnam we were told to take a fair $100 dollar bills.

[ASTROCREEP]

You're going to have a great trip. The party starts on the plane.

The Cebu Pacific Safety Dance - MTV version - YouTube

[thegreenman]

Originally Posted by boracayjohnny

Yep, you know the deal. Good times ahead.

Looks like I will be meeting Mom also when I arrive.

[thegreenman]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

If you feel like heading south....I will be in Cebu June 5.

That would be cool, not sure I will be allowed since there is a State Advisory for that area now due to terrorist threats. Due to my work, I am not allowed to travel to certain areas, I am not sure Cebu but I will check when I go back to work in a few days.

I was considering Davao but I was told I could not go.

[thegreenman]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

GreenMan!!!

Take some chocolate....trust me, you could take control of the place over there if you had enough chocolate

Since I will be meeting Mom, I thought I read somewhere it was custom to give Mother flowers or candy for the first meet. Is this recommended?

I will take some for the pretty girl I am flying to meet also.