Swisskid's 1st trip to the PI. A Love Story....

[Cbear]

SSSHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!  don't be telling everyone you are 24 years apart or the age police will get you. 

That is the same as my girl and I also.

Tell us more about the Subic area. I really wanted to go there but my girls chaperon wouldn't go because she felt there were to many go go bars there and didn't want to deal with it.

Next trip I am taking her there, whether the chaperon likes it or not. I hear it is one of the cleanest areas in the Philippines. Is this true from your observations?

[Ray]

We chose the K-1 path because that will get her here with me the fastest. We do not want to be apart any longer than we absolutely have to. The plan right now is to do a civil wedding in the states and then travel to her province some time next year and do a religious ceremony with her friends and family.

As long as you are sure that is what she really wants, then that’s fine.

I say this because in the Philippines it is very difficult for these ladies to disagree with your decision if you wanted to do the K-1. They aren’t supposed to cause you to possibly lose face by openly disagreeing with you. It’s about a Filipino value called Amor-propio, or self-esteem and hiya  (shame). Sometimes they are trying to tell you something else but not in a direct manner. We Westerners usually don’t know which signs to look for.

Be aware that a traditional religious wedding in her hometown is something VERY important to the majority of Filipina ladies and their families. Some things are just more important to your mutual happiness than a few more months of initial separation, so just be sure about this.

Marrying here in a quickie civil wedding and then going back for a traditional wedding is an option for some. But unless she goes ahead of you by several months, she won't be there to personally plan her own wedding, causing her to rely on someone else to do all of the preparations. That may be OK with her.

Also, be aware that it is a violation of her faith to marry outside the Church, if she happens to be a serious practicing Catholic. Just some things to consider that might not have otherwise come up.

Probably the best way to find out what she really wants is to ask several times and give her an opportunity to think it over before giving her final answer. That’s how it’s usually done in the Philippines.

Perhaps one of the ladies here could explain it much better than I can...

Ray

[Swisskid]

Tell us more about the Subic area. I really wanted to go there but my girls chaperon wouldn't go because she felt there were to many go go bars there and didn't want to deal with it.

Next trip I am taking her there, whether the chaperon likes it or not. I hear it is one of the cleanest areas in the Philippines. Is this true from your observations?

The water in Subic Bay is very clear at least in the part of the bay I was at.  I would imagine that there is a sewer pipe from Olongapo City that inflows the bay somewhere but the water was clear and beautiful where I was.  You could see very deep and it was interesting to see the bottom when the banca boats were in shallower water.  I rented a jetski one afternoon for an hour and that was really fun. Diving shipwrecks is very popular and I met a few divers at both Johan's and the Blue Rock resorts.  It was 3 days of classes and about $300 US to get certified so I just did a little snorkeling.  Maybe next trip I will look into doing that.

I was surprised at what litterbugs most Filipinos are.  Most just throw their trash on the ground.  There are not many trash cans in most public places.  Kind of sad, really.  I would find alot of wrappers in the water when I was swimming. 

There are many go-go bars along the highway.  I would just ignore the doorgirls when we were walking around town.  I did almost get in trouble one night when I wanted to see a live band that was listed in a guide book.  We took a trike to the "Midnight Rambler" bar and as soon as we walked in I was surrounded by about 6 guest relations officers.  I did not realize it was going to be that kind of bar.  The band was really good but Joy was upset so I chugged my beer quick and got her out of there.  She seemed to accept my apology that I did not know it was that kind of bar before we went in.  You will have no trouble with that if you stay at the different resort bars and restaurants. 
There was a floating bar in the bay at the Blue Rock.  Accessable by a raft ferry system there were about 8 girls manning the double decker bar dressed in Budweiser print miniskirts.  I do not know if they were GRO's or not and I did not ask.  We went out and had a couple of drinks.  Joy is not much of a drinker.  She much prefers mango shakes which were excellent at Johan's.         

 

[bcc_1_2]

SSSHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!  don't be telling everyone you are 24 years apart or the age police will get you. 

You called for me? 

Actually I suppose JM would be the better age cop since he is the immigration attorney helping these filipinas who don't divorce get divorced.

Swisskid made a comment that when I travel I end up saying as well.

Swisskid: The poverty some of these children live in just breaks your heart.....

IMO that fact has a lot of bearing on the culture. I'm not going to outline the points I've made (that's what the search feature is for). But as always... at your own risk. Technically I haven't come out against age gaps. What I took concern with was how young some of these ladies (eeh girls m.. 18) are. But if you are a quarter century apart from each other I suppose that comes with its own set of challenges as well. It's your life. What are you chances long term? IDK.


Worked out for Bear. How many Bears are posting online with a long term marriage and kids? Your life, but something I'd consider.

I will say I am enjoying the trip report and certainly don't question the sincerity of either of you.

[piglett]

You called for me? 

 How many Bears are posting online

man i am going to say very few are because most have big long claws & don't have opposable thumbs 

sorry i just couldn't help my self
piglett

[Swisskid]

Has your girl passed her boards yet?

Board reviews start April 6th in Manila and the exams start June 2nd.

[aakerfelt]

Hi Swisskid!

Now I understand why you disapeared from RWD 

Thanks for another great trip report and Im really happy to hear that you have find you ONE! Even if we will miss your trip reports back on RWD. You and your friends trip reports from Ukraine will be remembered for a long time there

I am "diverboy70" over at RWD. I will go and visit a woman in Latvia in two weeks, if that doesnt work out, you maybe will see more of me here!

Good luck to both of you in the future!

aakerfelt/diverboy70

[Swisskid]

Hi Swisskid!

Now I understand why you disapeared from RWD 

Hey Diver,

I've been meaning to finish that trip report from Ukraine last year.  I know some folks over at RWD were annoyed I left them hanging.  I do need to get that done sometime.  The last few days of that trip were the best part.  I will never forget the Victory Day festivities in Sevastopol.  Alas, my relationship with Irina (Zana) was doomed as very soon after my return home I became involved with English-speaking Josephine in the Philippines as opposed to Russian-speaking Irina in Mariupol, who sent me emails like this:

Приношу свои извинения за долгий перерыв была в Крыму а в горах интернента нет. Я все еще хочу общаться с тобой. 12 числа у нас праздник девочку - секретаря выдаем замуж за мальчика- моряка. Я очень хорошо отдохнула и теперь целиком подготовилась к тому чтобы взяться за работу. Как только я приехала в свой родной город я сразу же пошла в интернет кафе и пишу тебе. Я очень часто прохожу мимо твоего жилья в Мариуполе и вспоминаю как мы с тобой катались на скутере. Как фотографировались и сидели на лавочке возле подьезда и мне было грустно от того что ты уезжаешь от меня.[/b]

The logistical considerations were just too difficult to overcome for me and while I enjoyed the trip of a lifetime driving all over Ukraine with Taz and crew, I just did not have the resolve to continue that route with the time and resource commitments it would require to reach a successful outcome.  It was one hell of an adventure though!  Luckily Taz was nearby the entire trip to translate because I could not even read a menu to order food.  I still keep in touch with Taz and he has moved on from his girlfriend from Mariupol as well.  I think they were together over a year and several trips for him.

Best of luck on your trip to Latvia!  Memories of spring in Eastern Europe brings a big smile to my face.  More so do memories of February in Luzon......


Update:

I sent off the the I-129F on Wednesday.  Now we hurry up and wait....

Joy started her nursing board exam reviews today in Manila and is not happy with the lecturer lady.  She texted me from her class and said that most of the participants were starting to doze off because this lady was so boring.  Her session today lasted from 10AM until 7PM. Yikes!   

[Luv4u2Cherrish]

Thank you Swisskid for your thorough story about your trip. I hope you and Joy are very happy together.

I am interested in meeting a wonderful Philipina and wouold like any advice on how to make contact with Philipinos in my area to facilitate meeting their friends or relatives to obtain an introduction to a lovely lady.

Since I don't know any Philipinos in my area I'm not sure where to start.

I live in the Seattle Washington area and would appreciate any help others on this forum might be able to provide.

Please advise.

[Swisskid]

I am interested in meeting a wonderful Philipina and wouold like any advice on how to make contact with Philipinos in my area to facilitate meeting their friends or relatives to obtain an introduction to a lovely lady.

Since I don't know any Philipinos in my area I'm not sure where to start.

I live in the Seattle Washington area and would appreciate any help others on this forum might be able to provide.

Please advise.

Where I live the congregations at most Catholic churches are at least one-half Filipino.  Your local Catholic church might be a good place to start.....

[Dave H]

Where I live the congregations at most Catholic churches are at least one-half Filipino.  Your local Catholic church might be a good place to start.....

That is a very good starting point! Another good way to meet Filipinas is as a patient in a hospital...on second thought maybe that is a bad idea! Better to work there. Filipina nurses are always eager to introduce a nice guy to a friend or relative.

Dave