The PH and the Law of Diminishing Returns

[ladislav]

I have been going to the Philippines since January 1991. Back then, I was 30 years old, but I looked like I was 20. The Philippines was an incredible experience for me. It was fun, exciting, and full of energy. The romantic and social adventures I had were beyond anything I had ever experienced before. For a young man like I was at the time, there was no better place in the world. I was completely amazed and overjoyed. I started learning Tagalog and Visayan and became pretty fluent in Tagalog and fairly good at Visayan too. The Philippines helped me solve many of my social struggles. I felt like I was in a dream, filled with happiness and wonder. I was deeply interested in Filipino culture and the way of life there. I felt alive and in love with everything around me. I swore I'd never leave. I was in a Utopia.

But nothing stays the same forever. As time goes by, things change. Now, more than 34 years later, and after spending over five full years in the Philippines (if I add up all my visits), I don’t feel the same excitement I once did. My life and my priorities have changed. I’m no longer thrilled by the idea of running on the beach with a tropical beauty. Going to bars and nightspots doesn't feel special anymore. As you get older, you begin to care about different things.

On my last visit, something surprised me. I realized that I couldn’t wait to leave. After three months, I had had enough of all the inconveniences. People have no change or do not give you change. People asking for money all the time. Sugar in all the food. Often, something is broken or offline.

When I landed in Tokyo afterward, I felt happy and relieved. The same thing happened when I landed back in the U.S. I actually celebrated. That told me something important.

As you age, you start to need something more basic and essential: good infrastructure. You want things to work well and smoothly. You get tired of power outages, ATMs that on weekends, have no cash, stores that run out of everyday items, and long waits here and there. The food doesn’t suit your taste anymore. You start missing the small comforts of home, like peaches, plums, raspberries, and other little things that once seemed unimportant.

I still enjoy the friendly people and the lively social life in the Philippines. It’s a warm and welcoming place. But now, I also value quiet time, space to think, and moments alone. That has become just as important to me. I’m not completely leaving the Philippines behind. It will always be a place I want to return to and stay in for long visits. But I no longer think of it as a place where I want to live permanently as in 365/24/7

For me, the Philippines has become one special piece in the larger picture of my life. It’s part of the story, part of the journey, but no longer the center of it.

[kangarunner]

@ladislav That's great Laddy. Mind posting some photos here of you in the Philippines? You can use imgbb.com

[ladislav]

@ladislav That's great Laddy. Mind posting some photos here of you in the Philippines? You can use imgbb.com

The thing is I am a teacher and I don't want to show myself on beaches with babes and in nightclubs with hostesses. The students and potential employers may not like it. Plus future GFs may see me as a womanizer and dump my butt faster than I can say Jack Daniels.

So, I have to stay private. But one day I will share.