With all that was going on the decision not to go was the right one for me.
My coworker and her family returned from 4 weeks and had a great time and no one got sick or anything negative except the trip was a budget buster…
She went on to say that everyone in the village visited and her mom made so many donations to the kids from the village for school supplies and to the school the daughter had to speak up.
Her mom said the need is so great and they have so little…
I’m also learning about the difference in culture…
When I go back to visit friends and distant relatives in Europe my money is no good… and other than a California bottle of wine or a tin of California nuts for my host I’m out of luck as far as paying for anything.
I’ve learned that it’s the opposite from my friend when coming to the Philippines from the West… gifts are expected and events like parties or festivities, even in your honor, you are expected to cover the costs which even being a bargain by Western standards adds up.
My coworker brought it home saying she earns in a single shift at a SF Bay Area Hospital what she earned for the entire month in a rural hospital in the provence.
A person with a 2k a month income is easily in the 90+ percentile… enough to rent a beautiful western home with domestic help…
It helps that English is taught in the public schools and Americans in general well thought of…
I’ve had several here reach out that have traveled extensively and say the risk is minimal but as always there are things you can do to make yourself a target…
I was more afraid of getting sick on a 2 week vacation than kidnapped…
The owner of a large and expanding California fire sprinkler and monitoring company is a friend who opened a branch in the Philippines and travels back and forth all the time… he has adapted quite well but he is in the 5 star resort country club lifestyle there and well connected through his wife’s family…
Update: I did get a small refund on my unused ticket which is more than I expected…
