Our New Life Adventure

Today is the 2nd day of our new life adventure.  We arrived here in the Philippines late Tuesday night.  We spent yesterday trying to get a checking/ATM account.  We filled out all of the paper work and are waiting for approval to have an account--you heard me right--you have to be approved for a checking account.  Generally it takes 6-8 weeks to get approved, but because Shell Offices do all their banking with this bank they said we should know within the week.  I hope they hurry, we are schedule to have a deposit put in on the 6th so that we have some money while we are here.

We also did some shopping yesterday, picking up some food and a few needed items.  It was a good thing we had some food because Tom didn't get back from work until 8:00 so we ate cereal (which will probably happen often) since he still had a couple of phone meetings to do.  I thought I might share a little bit of the pricing of items here in the Philippines.

24.8oz Kelloggs Raisin Bran Crunch -- $9.62
48 oz. Skippy Peanut Butter -- $8.69
24 oz honey -- $9.24
15 oz. loaf whole wheat multi-grain bread--$1.24
1 qt. fresh milk--$2.79
6 navel oranges -- $2.07
1.5 gallon jug water -- $1.03
1/2 lb butter--$2.27

Everyone thinks that since this is a poor country that things are cheap here.  Not so for items that are imported from the states.  Rice on the other hand is probably cheap, but we haven't bought any yet.

The most expensive thing I had to buy was a curling iron.  Mine will not work here.  I bought the only only that would work and it still isn't what I wanted, but a woman does what a woman has to do.  I still feel bad spending $51.19 for something that isn't what I really needed though.  I know you would think for that price it would be a Chi but it is just a very simple Phillips except it has a multi voltage plug.

We are living in downtown Makati in a service apartment probably for the next 30 days unless our condo is available before then (and our shipment is through customs).  It is 688 sq. ft.  It is pretty old and could use a bit a TLC.  The gym is small, but will do, but it is extremely hot in there.  The apartment overall is ok, but the kitchen is tiny and will be used only for breakfast, a simple lunch and meals on Sunday.  The rest of the time we will be eating out (when Tom is home so we can do so).

Living Room in Somerset

Bedroom

Funny thing--I was watching TV last night and when I went to turn it off, it refused to be turned off.  Tom tried unplugging it, but as soon as he would plug it in, it would turn on again.  Finally after many tries with the remote it turned off.  Then we constantly heard this running going on in the apartment above us.  At first I thought it might be a child running back and forth but it was 10:15 p.m.  Apartment Haunted?--possibly!

Another interesting thing I have discovered is that everywhere you go the employees wear uniforms.  At the bank, at the department store, at restaurants--everywhere.  Most of them are in suits, but the department store, grocery store and some restaurants they are able to wear short sleeve dresses (I can hear my boys now--the guys wear dresses?  NO).    The other interesting thing here is that you don't see cleavage--well I haven't.  They wear short dresses (not as short as the US) but not low neck lines.  The US needs to adopt that.

Goodbye for now from the Hidden Gem of the Pacific.