GUYABANO

 

In these islands the vegetables and fruit are a real treat for the palate. I didn’t know that the vegetables could have a personality so marked before I came here and didn’t know many fruits that have become true cornerstones of our daily diet. Already knew and loved the mango and papaya but I had never tasted such a starapple or the lanzones, delicious treats provided by nature. But my absolute favorite is the fruit guyabano. Apart from the phenomenal content of vitamins, protein and mineral, and forgetting that is considered the most powerful killer of cancer cells existing in nature, for me he just tastes sublime, unattainable. The fruit is green, lumpy, large: we can say it isn’t a beauty. It should be eaten as soon as it reaches maturity because it is very perishable and acidifies rapidly but is an experience that I recommend to everyone.

WATER

We Westerners have a strange relationship with water. If we exclude some areas particularly ungrateful, in most cases we have plenty to the point of considering it a problem only at risk of flooding. Since childhood we were allowed to use the water, as well as personal hygiene, to play and have fun. I remember for example that I filled the tub to play with the boats of wood or paper. Growing up then who among us wasn’t enjoying the pleasure of an invigorating shower at the right temperature remaining far more than necessary under the jet ? Well, in these islands if there is a blackout of 24 hours no one cares (which we would get crazy ..): the only concern is the water. In families, that here are very numerous, are the children of 8-10 years who are in charge of a daily basis to the water supply: there aren’t aqueducts that bring it home, but you have to go and pick on various containers every day. Sometimes the first well is available a few kilometers away! The lucky ones have found water in their soil and during the dry season they use it carefully. We have had to learn how best to use our reserves: we have a well that the first year we dried quickly. Later, having figured out how not to waste water stupidly, went much better. In our home Country we used to see a rainy day as something sad and wistful. Here, when it rains, everyone becomes more serene and so do we.

INVESTING IN PHILIPPINES 2°

Some time ago I made a post with the same title and concerned our direct experience, explaining what we did and how we did it. Now I feel the need to return to the subject because more and more often receive requests for advice, suggestions, and (why not?) help, from people who plan to start a business here. Each of these places me specific questions that require knowledge beyond my. Many trust me to have a certain amount and ask if this is enough to take a certain type of business. Unfortunately, money is indispensable everywhere. It ‘s true, here you need less than elsewhere, but still serves, and must also have a safe reserve from which to draw in the start-up phase and possibly in times of crisis. Also, decide which activities to start is probably the hardest thing to do: on this it depends the success or not of the investment. I do not presume to be able to teach something to these people but a tip I would give it: wherever in the world you choose to invest don’t do anything without having acquired direct knowledge of the place, the costumes, the bureaucracy and the tax system. All this is only possible by going in person on the spot and staying there for all the necessary time, and this is also part of the cost-investment.

BUILD ” NATURALLY “

The people of these islands have always build by themself their homes. The more ‘minimal are simple huts without a floor and without glasses. The materials used are wood and bamboo. Normally have available within their properties’: they call “the man of the saw” and say how many and which trees break down (usually palm trees or mahogany) and how many bamboo. Once felled starts cutting axes: anyone who sees it for the first time remains fascinated by the extraordinary ability’ with which the agreed measures are obtained by working freehand with a heavy chainsaw. The roofs are made with a wooden frame and a cover of nipa (palm leaves tied with patience in a certain order). All materials used are therefore envir eco- friendly: beautiful, but when I hear the noise of the saw in action I always think that they are killing a piece of this island and I am very sad. In recent times it isn’t rare to see a house under construction with columns and walls in concrete. Probably got tired of rebuilding the house every time a typhoon strikes. I understand them very well but it certainly does not have the warmth and charm of wood and bamboo.

INTERNET IN THE ISLANDS

As you can imagine in a country such as the Philippines jagged communications are a serious problem. Accustomed to the ease of access of Western cities to adapt to this reality is not so immediate. If we exclude the big cities like Manila, Cebu, etc., where, however, we rely on the 3G / 4G and where there is no connection with optical fiber, the rest of the islands can have internet only where the telephone signal is sufficient. It happens so that we can “work” only patchy as 50m away make the difference between signal-ok and no signal. For those who, like me, are permanent residents have the option of placing a satellite dish. With this you can opt for a subscription with signal shared or dedicated. The costs are in any case very high and hardly locals can afford. Only the purchase and installation of the dish has a cost equal to a beautiful motorcycle (which here is the main means of transport) and having to choose …… So the hope of all is that the two Telcos go to improve the distribution of the signal in a short time to give way to all, locals and tourists, with little expense, to join the network.

THE ISLAND WHERE I LIVE

              pollution ???

As I have already mentioned several times the Philippine islands are more than 7000 and are not all equal. The Philippines extend vertically over the Pacific for almost 2000 km and the differences in vegetation are evident. In addition, each island has its own characteristics that differentiate it from the other even if adjacent. The sea is beautiful everywhere and in every island you can find backdrops suitable for diving and snorkeling, but inside is the difference. Tablas is very green and has a hilly course very sweet. Make bike rides inside is extremely relaxing and satisfying to the spirit. In this regard, my son has made a video that can be seen on youtube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5SLm1QG5Ks

It serves only to give an idea of the variety of existing vegetation but to enjoy also the perfume is essential to experience first hand: it’s worth it!

TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDINGS !

Since I moved here I had the opportunity to meet many foreigners. Who expatriate like me, who in ” exploratory ” travel in order to realize if the country is right for him or not , and who , the greatest quantity, simply on vacation. To the latter category belong so many different types as groups , couples, singles, young and old , from all parts of the world. Among those who impressed me the most are my fellow countrymen old, retired people. They have all the time to choose a warm and exotic place to spend the cold winter months . Often, the disposable income is not high so they need to carefully consider besides the cost of the trip even that of keeping on-site, in the Philippine Islands is actually quite content. So , once established that it is feasible , and are booked . Some that for the first time must be in this type of countries are surprised of things that should be known , such as the movement of the tides that having variations of more than 2 meters in a few hours , during low tide discovery leave a large portion of the seabed that some have called ” disgusting slosh “. But back to the fact that the cost of living here is quite low , this should be allowed to think that the lodging industry is still at the beginning and then with obvious shortcomings. I heard with my own ears people complain about the lack of umbrellas and lifeguards ! Other complain about the unavailability of nutmeg ! Dear sirs, of the 7100 islands of this Country very few are seriously equipped for tourism but are also the most expensive places with prices typically Western . If you are not willing to face lack of electricity even for a few hours , lack of water during the dry season and so on , do not stay in the Philippines , or at least not in the lesser known islands or you may be disappointed and ruin your vacation. The benefits and the pleasure of being here does not consist in comforts but in the landscape, the beauty of the sea, in the contact with nature, in the kindness and cheerfulness of Filipinos. On this I guarantee !

SUPERTYPHOON

expected path: the red point is Tablas

It is not even a year that we are here and we found ourselves facing the worst of our adventures which moreover might be the last . It all started on November 6, when a friend informed us of the formation of a powerful typhoon in the Pacific and that he could go on our island. Since then we have followed the evolution of the situation hour by hour on internet. In fact, all the mathematical models of the world showed the same path that passed right over us ( photo above ). In addition , the typhoon was becoming a reinforcing SUPERTYPHOON ( category 5).  Were foreseen powerful winds that would destroy everything , including our house that is very pretty but  is wood made and therefore unable to withstand that fury . So we decided to move into a hotel a few miles from us ( reinforced concrete ) and wait for them the certain disaster . We were resigned to having to rebuild the house but at least we would have still alive. Meantime, the local authorities had set in motion the machinery of emergencies passing across the island with megaphones to inform the people that the schools would be a safe place to take shelter and urging everyone to abandon their homes totally unreliable. An excellent job and worthy of note. Meanwhile at the hotel we waited and with the hours passed anxiety is increased exponentially . On Friday morning (November 8 ) was taken off the power for safety reasons . Around 11 began to blow the wind became more intense until about 6 pm, after which it remained constant until midnight and then started to decline. The power of the blasts was noticeable but not what you would have expected . In fact, we later learned that at last time the hurricane had decided to deny the scientists making a detour to the south that has saved our island unfortunately at the expense of a post just to the south ( photo below ). As of this writing we don’t know the official figures of the disaster , however, will be very high . The impact with the east coast of the Philippines was only an act of violence : wind 315km / h with gusts up to 380km / h . In that area, the sea also said its coming like a tsunami within the territory where the water level reached the second floor of the houses completely devastating entire cities. Tablas has no major typhoons since 1990 : surely significant . Perhaps its position “protected” from the other islands also helped in this situation and I hope to be so in the future.

the actual path of the typhoon

HEALTHCARE

This is a topic that interests many of you and before to dedicate a post  I felt obliged to try it to be able to speak without prejudice and as objectively as possible . First we have to say that here everything related to health care has to be paid , like in the U.S. , and then either you pay or you can’t  cure you but we’ll see what are the costs and we can compare them with our health care system. Necessary to distinguish the potential of the system depending on whether you are, in a small island or in a major city. The differences are in the lack of adequate facilities or not . I live in an island that has in the major towns  some interesting structures both private and public . It ‘clear that they are able to give only a few facilities, but are a well-trained medical personnel . All main drugs are usually available in different pharmacies and in case of special requests can be found in a few days . The most comprehensive facilities can be found in big cities , and believe me , they have nothing to envy to what we are used to in the West. They are equipped with the most modern equipment , are very clean and a possible shelter is in single rooms with television, telephone and private bathroom. My suggestion for those wanting to move to the Philippines is to come here , find out about the different local insurance , compare the prices and choose one that covers hospitalization and surgery. As for regular visits to specialists bring you the example of my wife in the best hospital in Manila has required a gynecological examination : not only has been able to have suffered but the cost , € 20 , is lower than our “ticket”. So you know that the Philippines is perfectly up to the countries ‘most advanced’ for facilities and medical personnel and for those who consider relocating this will certainly not be a problem.

EUROPE IS MELTING

NICE FAMILY !

When we decided to leave the country we have carefully avoided taking into account another European state , sure of the grim future that would meet the Old Continent. After only a few months we see materialize our predictions : in the Netherlands the king Willem-Alexander in a speech to Houses of Parliament says goodbye to the traditional welfare . To take the place of the ‘ welfare state ‘ will be a ‘ holding company ‘ , in which private citizens will have to invest to create networks of social assistance, with little help from the government ( practically zero ) . The austerity policy of the Dutch government over the past decade has led to the dismantling of unemployment benefits and health care subsidies ; Portugal has sold ” Energias de Portugal ” ( state electricity company ) to a Chinese company ; in Greece as in a colossal showcase balances (available on the website of the Greek privatization, Taiped ) , the government proposes to the highest bidder investee companies by the state , such as power companies, water and natural gas , ports, airports , railways and highways; in Iceland the new government has broken off negotiations with the European Union , citizens will decide if they want the euro. It would seem not; in Italy the visit of the ” European Commissioner for Economic Affairs ,” the Finnish Rehn was humiliating for our government who, like so many schoolboys , received the homeworks  for the next few months (among other really demanding and ungrateful ) without any possibility of replication and will be more blood and tears for everyone. I personally think that the welfare state cannot long persist in our country and I believe that to reduce the public debt the government will be obliged to follow the path of Greece and Portugal hoping to find foreign investors willing to us. In conclusion then is reinforced in me the knowledge that the future is not in Europe or in West , the country that hosted us is part of the New World where you can still have children , knowing that they will look forward with the smile of ‘ optimism.