⌛ Living in the PI.

You know something, after reading the last few posts where negative attitudes raised there heads, I get the impression that we Foreigners are not too happy. When I left the UK some 20+ years ago I made decisions based on a little knowledge. I used forums and chat rooms to find out about things I didn't understand. Here at DI we have so many Threads and posts that are informative, Factual in the main and yet! So many are still having the negative thoughts and Anti Staying syndrome. Some one asked not too long ago, WOULD, we be here if it was not for our Wives or G/F. I came before either and am still here, I have and continue to enjoy my life here, I have always gone where I feel the need to, I have never stayed where I did not want to. if I was uncomfortable, I moved on. If the red tape got to me I would find an alternative. We read so much about the bad things here, I read with interest of the Happiness under some strange circumstances and yet we persevere. Rhoody mentioned a couple of weeks ago, that this time of year produces some disheartened Threads and posted replies, We have heard about members not trusting their other halves, families that screw the foreigner to the ground. Me! I have non of this, I can and do say NO! OH! I know life is not and never will be perfect, but can I actually post that particular question asked before? 'Would any of you, be here if it was not for your partner'......... 'If things are that bad for you, WHY? are you still here?'......... 'Will it be better anywhere else?' I am not looking for an argument, I just want to try and understand why people stay in the PI if it is not to their likeing or up to the standards they require.

Maybe I have a strange outlook on life BUT I am Happy.:D


Jack P.

 

Well JP, I think this is an interesting thread and I'm going to jump right in and give my 2 cents.
My "new personality" is one that I try to avoid arguements and confrontations for several reasons. First, I've been a "hothead" and "angry" most of my life and it it time for me to change. Second, being that way serves no functional purpose any more. I know who I am and I am comfortable with that.
So, I have seen and read all of the threads that you are talking about, and for the most part, I just avoid them completely, or only make very minor comments.
As for me, I know I am the "new guy" here. That may, or may not, give me an edge on you JP. I have more recently watched everything in my beloved USA go in the toilet, in so many different ways.
I had a choice. In fact, several of them. I was lucky enough to have my pick of where to go to be comfortable. And, of course, I also had the option of staying where I was, doing what I was. I have mentioned before here that I had a dream job, making $90k a year and doing almost nothing and couldn't be fired.
So, with all of those things considered, I made the decision to come here to live for the rest of my life.
My original plan was to take a 5 day vacation here, meet Mae-Mae, and return to Houston and start the paperwork to bring her to the USA. That plan, I worked on for over 6 months refining the details. It was LESS than one month before I was scheduled to leave that I decided to come here to stay, and the first thing I did was ask Mae if SHE would be ok with me doing that.
I burned, very badly, all of my bridges behind me.
I got off the airplane on Jan. 07, 2010 with nothing but me, a few clothes and a little money. But I got off the airplane to stay.
Do I regret it? Not for one f--kin minute!
My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
Is this life for everyone? Absolutely not! Many can't/won't adjust. Many can't/won't do "without". Many are to "set in their ways" to change to island life. Many go home after a short time.
That's fine with me. I will never try to force anyone to accept my way, the Philippines way of life.
In our barrio of 5,000, there have been only a few foreigners to come here.
One was a perv, my age, that now is wanted by the PNP for rape of 17 young ladies.
One was a US air traffic controller only 29 that got a girl pregnant and then paid off her father by giving him a new Kawasaki Fury, and then left.
One was a 52 year old Aussie that actually married a girl, got her pregnant, and then left her to go back and live with his mother (and of course, no support).
One was a man that came, got married and then took his wife back to Louisanna, USA.
And there is me, no longer the "foreigner", now called "Ron".
Do I get frustrated? More than I should. By things that are stupid. I get frustrated when I can't buy things that were available "down the street" in Houston.
I got frustrated last week at not being able to buy the exotic leather stingray to upholster my motor seat. I can get it, but ordered online only. So I will.
I got frustrated yesterday when the Globe serviceman came out and AGAIN said there was nothing he could do to speed up my Internet connection. I'll live with the slow speed.
Will I get frustrated enough to leave here? Never, never, never.
One night, many many years ago, I layed under a bush, in a jungle, in a foreign place, during a monsoon rain, with a lot of bad guys looking for me, and asked myself "what am I doing here".
I never have to ask that question now. I know EXACTLY what I'm doing here.
I am totally enjoying my life.
To all those that ask "should we go or should we stay", it is your decision only and I really don't have an opinion for you.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to drink some hot tea on my porch with the most loving, beautiful and sexy lady on this planet, my darling wife.

 

Satisfaction!

Ron! A soul mate you are. I just know we will get a beer or two over the next year! I am so pleased that I am not the only happy man.


Jack P.

 

Jack and Ronv. I couldn't agree more, I'm so happy with my family here. And some guys do some stupid things and they get what they deserve. I can't and I don't don't want to argue ether. But I'm a human and just had couple of beers with 2 fireman and 3 police. Wow they were good guys. This might be out of place, but I'm sooo happy here, and after that my wonderful wife had pizza when I got home. How can anyone not be happy with that?
Ron

 

Yes! another happy man!

Expatron, Your reply was not out of place, as it is this sort of thing I, for one, needed to hear! Thank You!



Jack P.

 

That's me, Thanks Jack

 

Nice story's guys and a nice threat please keep it nice.

Greetings J.Diver

 

That is the Aim!

Diver! That is the Aim, I am trying to find out, just who is Pro PI as a foreigner. Thank you for the support.


Jack P.:D

 

Jack, thanks for the thread it is a welcome pleasure to see a positive thread for a change.

Ron, thanks for adding to it so eloquently. Both of you have explained how I feel about the Philippines perfectly!

 

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh OK!

KDF, we have had a few words over the year but I thank you for the support here.


Jack P.