Been a very busy time for me recently Almost 2 weeks traveling around. Early mornings and late nights have taken their toll and I'm content to just relax at home before another round next week when we'll spend time with family for Philippines Holy Week. I'm really looking forward to some good fishing trips with likeminded family members next week. We visited Nabunturan for the Compostela Valley Bulawan Festival. Highlight for us was the evening concert and closing fireworks display. That concert was really enjoyable despite being aimed at the younger folks. The line up consisted of a local, but well known Davao band called Daybreak followed by an impeccable performance from from Callalily with Kean Cipriano. Did the usual 'photo call' with the ComVal Governor. On the 12th it was my wife's special event the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2016 The first she attended in almost 30 years. Interesting day for me and a highly charged emotional one for my wife. We began our travel at 4am in readiness for the 8am Mass and the day continued with events and programs and of course much reminiscing with old school friends. The evening contained stage performances from stand up comedians as well as another good performace from the Daybreak band. This time focussing on music from the 60's, 70's and 80's rather than the pure rock of the Nabunturan concert. My wife enjoyed herself so much. We spent a few days enjoying good times with even long lost friends and she is now determined to maintain her attendance for the future. Those bonds of friendship originally forged at school during informative years are the best and strongest IMO I hope we can continue. We're planning to leave Davao City and Mindanao pretty soon and to begin a new chapter of our life in Luzon. But travel times from Manila to Davao is pretty short and it's always so easy to make the hometown jouney from the airport by taxi. Life is good here as a retiree
We still have 2 properties in Manila. One is completely empty. We've decided to relocate, live in the empty house free from rent and make some renovations. It gives us better opportunities to play tourist too. We really didn't find 'our' special place or property to buy yet. There are some other reasons too but I'll not mention on a public forum. We've enjoyed our life in Davao City and our Mindanao travels. Time to try something different for a while Of course 'the family' don't want we'll go but we have our own lives to enrich. I won't miss the brown-outs and water interruptions though There will be many things to miss when we finally leave Mindanao
Let us know what you are up to, Peter. You are certainly learning more and more about the Philippines; much more than us occasional visitors. You could probably write a book now.
Our house is in Marikina City Within walking distance of Riverbanks but well above any flood levels. Life here in Mindanao is really quite different. Even friends and family who visit us have difficulty adjusting to all manner of things. We free to move and stay wherever we want. Renting a decent place is easy
Sounds like you're making a proper go of it and having more success then I did. Half of me still regrets coming back but thats the half with the rose tinted glasses on I think. If I wasn't having to travel to and from Manila so much and if we'd found a better house to rent and if we'd got a car and if Yolanda hadn't happened and if the exchange rate wasn't so poor and if and if and if. I'm slightly jealous truth be told and look forward to hearing how you get on
