Another Day in Manila

[ShootingArts]

never really owned bikes

Cool story! I NEVER owned a Harley. A buddy once told me never to own a bike I couldn't pick up.
I did own in order a Honda 305 Scrambler, A BSA Hornet (650cc), a Triumph TR6(650cc), two 750 Honda low riders (soft tail, extended front end, 880 kit), a Yamaha XS-650 and finally a Honda 450 Rebel. After a near fatal mishap I was all done with road bikes, at least in California. I rode in the pre-helmet days. My current "bike" is a Vespa 150 scooter, just enough power to keep up with traffic and get me to the beach!

I never really owned bikes, both my brothers did and I rode theirs. A Norton sitting in the garage again now though. My brother wanted mine but I got tired of it and sold it while he was overseas. I was on a hunting forum many years later and somebody mentioned having a foreign bike for sale. Didn't say jap so I had a hunch. I asked him what it was and how much. Another 850 Norton, $500 bucks. I told him sold then called my brother to tell him he had bought a bike for $500. He asked what it was and where. I told him it was a Norton, somewhere in the lower 48 I was pretty sure. He was cool with that and it turned out to be in OKC, not too far away. It came home in the back of my suburban.

I wonder how many reading instantly recognized that 305 as the motocross bike of it's day? Take off what hadn't already got knocked off and add knobbies, you were good to go!

Hu

 

[ShootingArts]

just saw the edit

Cool story! I NEVER owned a Harley. A buddy once told me never to own a bike I couldn't pick up.
I did own in order a Honda 305 Scrambler, A BSA Hornet (650cc), a Triumph TR6 (650cc), two 750 Honda low riders (soft tail, extended front end, 880 kit), a Yamaha XS-650 and finally a Honda 450 Rebel. After a near fatal mishap I was all done with road bikes, at least in California. I rode in the pre-helmet days. My current "bike" is a Vespa 150 scooter, just enough power to keep up with traffic and get me to the beach!

P.S. It's my last day here, off to the airport tonite for the long flight home. I said my good byes to my sweet girl friend and now I will visit my little Jalo one more time. Believe it or not she's two and half now. She does have her Philippine passport so I'll work on her USA visa for next year. She still does not comprehend that her father lives so far away and that's why I'm not always there. I have been told she asks for me for about a week after I leave. I think it's much harder having a long distance child than a long distance girl. At least the GF knows what's up.

Jay,

I just saw that PS. Got to be tough leaving a baby girl that far away. Spoiling small children is one of my joys in life.

Hu

 

[Pangit]

I know where Pangit is coming from. The difference between what a vacationer sees and what an expat sees is VAST. I'm talking from a Thailand perspective here, but pretty much everything I've read on this thread is identical to what I experienced during my 2 years in Thailand - arrive in awe and wonder at the smiles and generosity of spirit, but leave with a slightly different perspective. It's true many expats in Asia become jaded and bitter and moan about everything, and expect their own western habits and customs to be maintained, but it's equally true westerners are only really welcomed for the wealth they bring. You'll be packed off sharpish the second the coin runs out.

It's a difficult situation and I don't condemn either viewpoint. None of us know REAL poverty and no one likes to be constantly badgered or on their guard.

Again speaking from a Thailand perspective, few westerners if any really get to grips with Thai society and family structures. All foreigners are called farang - basic translation is sub-human scum. We are welcome on their terms but we are not Thai, nor will we ever be. We come waaay down the pecking order. I'm not sure if PI is as overtly racist as Thai society but it wouldn't surprise me.

Touche, U are a Farang in Thailand, and U are a Cano in the PI? Who's paying the bills? Then you have the family "complaining" about the Carabou getting run over and killed. It's endless
The PI is largely a culture of street peddlers. Shit, I see a Mama and Lola team ganging up to beg on the street almost everyday. Why ya got a new born-child on your hip? Obviousily U are capable of "reproduction". U can't support the "family" U have, practice Birth Control. Maybe U might want to think about showing a path to success to the "baby" U already have before U boom boom the corner Trick Driver, and create another child???
The Catholic Church is a big red ass. U can't get divorced. Not allowed by the Bible. Well--is selling Pookie allowed by the Bible??

 

[TheThaiger]

No I don't know "best" nor do I know about Thailand. However I know that you don't speak for my experience in China and I do know that there are several others who are members of AZB who spend quite a bit of time in Thailand. So I prefer NOT to rely only on YOUR characterization. And furthermore I didn't find any reference that states that "farang" means sub-human scum. Maybe you should consult google before you speak. I will ask my Thai friend what it means and see what he says.




I might be. I didn't say that people aren't racist. Of course there are going to be people who say racist things. Maybe you should go read up a little bit on how the Chinese and Asians are and have been treated by "whites" for centuries. I am sure you would be equally shocked to find out that there are many black people living in China who grew up here and speak perfect Mandarin and who are assimilated into the culture as well as any Chinese. Do they still get strange looks and comments? Sure, just like ANY minority does anywhere on the planet.



Ever the easy out for those who have no proper come back. Sorry you don't get to pontificate with absolute and stereotyping without getting called on it.




And again the second resort for those who can't support their argument is to get personal. I have 20 people who work for me making cases so that I can afford to spend a little time making sure your brand of misinformation isn't taken as truth.

If this topic is so pointless then why did you respond to it? Jay was simply giving us his trip report as he often does in the great way that he tells it and Pangit comes out with a bunch of negative whining about his life in the Philippines which is not the way that a lot of other expats experience it. Ask Ted Lerner what he thinks of the Philippines.

You don't get to speak for me. I have five years here so far and looking at a lot more. So you can say what you want but if I have a different and opposing experience then I will share it.

Your comment about how "we" don't know real poverty is a perfect example. Maybe you don't but you certainly can't afford to generalize. And what IS "real" poverty to you anyway that you can say "we" don't know it? The implication is that you somehow know it but we "westerners" don't know it. If a person does not want to be on guard all the time and targeted for their assumed wealth then they shouldn't be living in a country where they are going to stand out in sharp contrast to the citizens and the culture. And they shouldn't frequent the places in those countries where the hustlers gather to target the foreigners.

Extraordinary...

You make the word 'narcissist' redundant.

 

[JB Cases]

Extraordinary...

You make the word 'narcissist' redundant.

Of course. Twice now your only rebuttal is to hurl insults. Sorry that personal experience trumps your racist mischaracterizations.

 

[Mickey Qualls]

Knew a lot of bikers myself, dated the lady that ran a biker bar for awhile but had known many of them already anyway. Never had any special issues with them......

Hu

For the longest time my father's friend owned a biker bar, and he used to say that for the most part, the bikers were respectable to the establishment. Maybe, maybe, once a month a fight would break out.
Then somehow (I'll try to get details later), it ended up turning into a lesbian bar. Fights every night.

Go figure...

 

[JAM]

For the longest time my father's friend owned a biker bar, and he used to say that for the most part, the bikers were respectable to the establishment. Maybe, maybe, once a month a fight would break out.
Then somehow (I'll try to get details later), it ended up turning into a lesbian bar. Fights every night.

Go figure...

My BF's Vegas friend just bought Jesse James' motorcycle, as depicted below. I cannot believe how much money these things cost. This one is supposed to be worth over 30 dimes. Wow!

I think I'd rather collect pool cues than motorcycles, but there's a strong motorcycle culture in America, especially Harleys. I only wish I had bought stock in Harley about 20 years ago. I could retire today and live comfortably. :wink:

 

[JAM]

Jay,
When you write these reports from the field, my heart soars because I live vicariously through you when you travel to this distant land.

Your writing style is one that I admire. You tell it like it is and you aren't afraid to travel the less traveled road.

With much admiration,

Second that emotion!

And pictures would be nice. Sheesh, Jay! The inquiring minds back home would like to see some photos, dag nab it! :grin-square:

 

[joyren]

Thanks Joyren for the correction. TONY makes beautiful cues, like this one I bought from you my friend. I'm fortunate to have made so many wonderful friends in the Philippines. Joyren, Darwin, Bob Guerrero, Biboy Soriano, Anthony Suntay, Perry and Verna Mariano, Ted Lerner and his wife Ou, Ish Caperras, Joan and Jen, and many more I'm overlooking here. My friends here are never further than a phone call away. My heart aches a little when I must leave, but I know I will return soon.

Its always our pleasure you to be here Jay, its just sad that if you invite me to play, someone just show up in your front door, :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Next time you, me, Darwin, Biboy and Bob should play some pool together and enjoy the friendship and company which no amount og MONEY can buy

 

[Maxx]

........... I think I'd rather collect pool cues than motorcycles, but there's a strong motorcycle culture in America, especially Harleys. I only wish I had bought stock in Harley about 20 years ago. I could retire today and live comfortably. :wink:

JAM, why just one? Collect cues and Harleys!

The return on the stock might be better, but it nice to be able to ride your "investment."

Jay, those old modified Hondas are collectible now, just like some of the cues you sold cheap, if only we knew ....
Happy travels, I appreciate the posts.

 

[TheThaiger]

Of course. Twice now your only rebuttal is to hurl insults. Sorry that personal experience trumps your racist mischaracterizations.

:grin:

You, sir, are a genius!

My 'personal experience' of Thailand is being an expat there for two years. I have travelled extensively thoughout SE Asia as well, although not PI, sadly. The 'land of smiles' and other comments made it clear they have very similar societies, however.

What's your 'personal experience' of Thailand and PI again? Isn't it two days in PI, a Thai 'friend' and google?

:grin:

 

[sfleinen]

My BF's Vegas friend just bought Jesse James' motorcycle, as depicted below. I cannot believe how much money these things cost. This one is supposed to be worth over 30 dimes. Wow!

I think I'd rather collect pool cues than motorcycles, but there's a strong motorcycle culture in America, especially Harleys. I only wish I had bought stock in Harley about 20 years ago. I could retire today and live comfortably. :wink:

Amen to that, Jen! I had the opportunity to buy stock in Harley about 20 years ago, too. I passed it up, because I thought the [then] ownership of Harley-Davidson -- AMF (yes, the bowling company) -- was going to run Harley-Davidson (the company) and their products into the ground. And they were, too, until Harley was able to get themselves out from under the gaming deathstar.

Personally, I live about 20 minutes from OCC (Orange County Choppers -- yeah, the American Chopper TV-series guys), and I had some "opportunities" with them, that I passed up, as well. I better stop passing these MC opportunities up!

Ah, but hindsight is always 20/20!

-Sean

 

[JB Cases]

:grin:

You're an even bigger genius than I first thought. Bravo, sir. Bravo!

I know. Thanks for lunch.

 

[Pushout]

Jay,
Love reading your reports! Looking forward to your next book.

 

[thefonz]

What an adventure. That PP must have mad skills especially as the pocket was velcroed. I have a hard time getting in my own velcroed pocket.

I guess you know all your cards that you got back are still useless. Unless things are different now, once you cancel a card, you cant uncancel it.

Good luck the rest of the trip.

no kidding, most thieves use a razor blade and just cut your pocket, backpack, etc. open. you won't even feel a thing when they do it.

 

[jay helfert]

Here are a couple of pics from the trip. One is me and my daughter Jalo, the second is just a "hawker" hanging out the door of a jeepney rolling along at about 45 mph looking for new riders, and the last two are the crew in the small three table room in Pasay where I played John-John. He's the skinny kid in the middle with no shirt. Looks about 15, but turns out he's actually 19. Believe me he can play, with that cool filipino glide stroke, a nice touch on the cue ball and deadly accurate on these junk tables. He just gets a little careless sometimes and makes a few mental blunders, allowing me to win games. Shooting wise I'm no match for him. Thinking wise I can give him the five. :wink:

P.S. That happy crew of older teens (17-20) would eat you alive if they didn't like you. At night they become a "gang" on the prowl, looking for a mark. I run into some of these same guys all over Pasay and they always give me a smile and a hello. Because I'm a pool player who will hang with them and even gamble with them, I'm okay with them. They will even go out of their way to help me if I need a trike or a taxi or help carrying bags of groceries. One time a cab driver tried to hike the fare on me and my family there, when we arrived back in Pasay. I was arguing with him because he wanted 50p extra for each extra person (there were six of us in his cab). A couple of these same "kids" you see here walked over and had a few words with the cabbie in Tagolog and that was the end of that. I don't know what was said but it was over quick and I paid the original fare.

 

[JAM]

Oh, Jay, she's absolutely adorable. She actually has your eyes. What a baby doll; a bundle of love, I'm sure. :love2:

Great pics. Thanks for sharing!

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

The Baby is now a little girl, yes she is better looking than JAY IMHO.

 

[joyren]

The Baby is now a little girl, yes she is better looking than JAY IMHO.

I second that comment of yours sir,

 

[joelpope]

Extraordinary...

You make the word 'narcissist' redundant.

Thaiger... Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience

best,

Joel