Newbie looking for some advice

Good catch...

These bots will try to spin previous messages to look like a human and then once they have X posts, the owners figure moderation is not as hard on their spam.

 

it's OK to leave your helmet on the bike, but not just on the handlebars (unless you are somewhere like a caranderia where you have it in your line of sight). Use the fastener to attach it to the back rail. A thief, who might be just a little kid, can just take the helmet off the handlebars while they are walking past very easily, without anybody noticing. But they are many times less likely to stand there for even only a few seconds and unfasten it. Unless your helmet is a really expensive one, it is not worth taking it inside bars and restos, etc. I was never concerned about even leaving (non-valuable) loads on the back that were tied up with string on the extension when I had a one-night stopover in an hotel passing through cities. There is a security guard there. And it would take a thief over five minutes to unfasten the load - if they did get away with it, they would find out that they had a few items of clothing too large for them, pots pans and kitchen utsensils, salt and pepper, oyster and soy sauce, a half-empty bottle of shaving foam, and the biggest prize, a 500 peso one-ring electric cooker. Big deal.

 

Just dont be too trustful. I had a spanish tenant that lend my bike to, he went to whynot and drove home and realized that the number plates has gone missing and it looked like its been deliberately removed, it didnt fall off so we went to the police station the next day to have it reported and then to LTO to get a new plates and the place was packed! If you can avoid these things itll save you from a stressful day :-). Goodluck

 

Regarding younger people in Duma... I haven't seen anyone in their twenties within 2 weeks so I guess you still stand out pretty well hehe...

 

Where are you teaching in Korea? I did the same thing, but traveled around a bit before landing in Duma and have been here for about 5 months. I'll be leaving for Korea in a month to do another year of teaching.

Dumaguete is the antithesis of Korea- at least from what I've experience. It's a nice laid back town and provides a relaxed life style. It will be really easy to find a place for the amount of money you're willing to spend. I think I spend about $500 a month, but have a simple lifestyle while still enjoying eating out and drinking.

Let me know if you need any help finding a place or have any questions. I'll be more than happy to help.

 

Thats what I like to hear!

I teach in Suwon (south of Seoul). Ill stay 2 weeks in Manila before heading to Duma, then on to Cebu.

How much are you paying for lodging? How did you go about finding it? I am looking for the best bang for my buck for 200-300 usd a month. I think a good thing is to go to the University and look for a room being advertised for and or by students (that would be ALOT cheaper id imagine like 50-100 bucks if I could find one). The more money for food and fun the better.

You spend $500 total? (lodging, food, & fun)

 

Nice, I was teaching around Yongin. I pay about $200 a month- thats with electricity/ac/water. It's a small 1 bedroom, but it's all I need. There are definitely better places, but they start around 10,000+ a month, plus utilities on top of it.

One thing to be careful of when renting an apartment- make sure EACH INDIVIDUAL apartment is metered. Otherwise, you will be paying for your neighbors electricity as well.

 

How did you find your place? What is the name of it?

 

My sister-in-law found the place for me (she's from here). I can give you the contact number if you'd like (pm me your email). If I could do it again, I would pick a place a little more inconspicuous, as everyone can see when you come and go. It's also a bit hard to have friends over, especially if they are loud.

 

Is it possible to buy a pre paid sim with data on it so I can access the internet etc? if so where do I get it and how much do they run?