After all, I decided to give up the house in Paranaque. Not only about what was happen in the last time there also about the landlady. She got more and more rout. It was in the end not possible to speak a normal word with her. I did not matter what I said to her or in what words, she felt always offended or what ever. It was time to go. In the last two weeks my staying there, Raquel came back from her run away trip and I gave her the guest room in this house till I am leaving. She cared about the house, I tried to come back in my life, tried to make new contacts, but I was blockaded somehow. If someone is now thinking the next love story will start here. Sorry, no. Raquel and I we are only good friends, it is maybe for some people unusual that a woman and a man can be only friends, but it is. I do not care what other people maybe will see in us. We are friends, we help us in some situations and I do not search for the reason why we met us one day.
I had to run everyday in the internet coffee to check all my things online, this made the daily life not easier. I missed my laptop. I missed Marife. Still in my mind, she will maybe change her decision. I had the feeling I lost my smile here, and this in the paradise of smiling people.
One day as I was online in the internet coffee, Sol added me in the messenger and I had the possibility to chat with her on cam. I tried before, I don t know how often to go in touch with her, because I still wanted to find out what is the truth about her pregnancy. As I saw her in the cam, it was clear. She cannot be pregnant. Women in the fourth month are looking different. After a while, she told me that she lost the baby. What a story! Why I was not in wonder? I did not get an answer why she did not phone me or sent me a message. Now was clear, everything a big lie and all a fake. I deleted her out of all my contact lists and out of my mobile. It was a happy day.
Before I wanted to leave Manila I wanted to clear also the problem with Bam. He still owned me money and he did not answer my messages or calls since I left the yellow house. As I reached him, we made an appointment Wednesday. He did not want that we meet us in his house because his wife should still not know that he borrowed one day money from me. A half a hour before we wanted to meet, I received a message on my mobile that he is not able to come because his mother need to go to the hospital and he has to care about. I do not want to speak bad about people, but this is the most used reason if someone cancels an appointment, especially if the reason for a meeting is money. I told him that this is my last day in Manila and that I want to clear it out. The following messages were only offending, bad comments and so on. I was more then angry. It was really not much money what he owned me, but this is too much. I decided better not to drive directly there. Also the next day I was not in the mood for this conversation. On Friday, I drove there. Only his wife was there and I told her the reason of my unexpected visit. She got angry with Bam, because she did not know why he always changed the topic if they spoke about me. She called him home. As he showed up, I saw in his eyes that he was angry with me that I passed by unexpected. He thought now everything is done, because he expected me not longer in Manila. After a long discussion and the influence of his wife, he gave me the money back with the comment that I am a bad person. Of course, I am a bad person if I borrow him money and helped him out of trouble in a time he needed it. Maybe I offended him in front of his wife and the listening neighbors, but he had really time enough to go in touch with me about this topic. He was not able to clear it out from his side. I turned around and deleted the next person out of my life.
In this time, I started to think about, what is really going on here on the Philippines. Why are the people here like they are, and why it is sometimes so difficult to understand them. That the most people here get dollar signs in the eyes if they see a foreigner, I realized very early here. But that the most people are followers of commandos from people in higher positions and that they are doing things without any thinking, this I realized in this time extreme. There are so many examples in the daily life here. In supermarkets the employers shouting out of the last corner behind the clients “Hello sir” or “ welcome in supermarket xy”, “thank you for coming” “come again” and such things. Really nervy. It is not possible to go through a market or Mal without to get such comments on every corner. Not possible only to look around without any interruption from someone. I made my fun out of it that I started to great the security guy back and started to talk with him. It is like to reset a robot. Suddenly the brain has to start to work. Ups, someone realized me now and is suddenly interested in me. If you go in a fast food restaurant, the employers are so trained that they nearby jumping over the service place if you put only one leg to near the entrance. If you try to order something out of the normal announced menus, you bring them complete out of their training program. You need fifteen minutes to explain what you want and in the end, you will get anyway the wrong order. I think the managements of the supermarkets, stores, fast food restaurants, they heard one day something from client satisfaction and friendliness, but this is over tuned. They forgot to train as well to listen to the client and to use the own brain. They got their program and this runs if it makes an idea or not. I remember one funny experience in Starbucks. Normally if they cannot serve so quickly and the place is full, they ask for your name and they write it on your cup. Not a bad idea. You get called if the order is ready to pick up. I was one day the only client in this Starbucks coffee. It was early on this day, only the service guy and me. Really, the guy asked me about my name that he can write it on the cup. He got it one day programmed, so he did it. Without any thinking if it makes sense or not. And these things are happen every day, everywhere. Also in normal restaurants. If you go with some people for dinner, it is seldom that the dinner will be on the table just in time for everyone. Mostly the first person is long time finish to eat until the last person gets his food. They try to be the kings in friendliness and service but no idea from kitchen management. By paying the bill you get the bill covered in a nice etui, also a good idea because your guests do not need to know how big the bill is, then you put the money in this etui and the waiter opens it and jelled around:”I received 1000 Peso!” What is it? I know what I put in there. I always ask: “Are you sure?” Hahahaha.. Once more, someone who’s program is reseted. I still try to see all this things with a kind of humour, but in real, this is one of the big problems here in this country. Someone with power or higher position makes commandos and everyone is following it without thinking. If you do not follow this orders they got from somewhere they feel offended. Like this security guy on the airport one day. The shortest way to my car was straight ahead. Nothing happened if you go there. The security guy got one day the order from someone that the way to the parking place is around the area. Not direct, no an extra way from five minutes. Without any reason or sense. I did not follow his order and continued my way straight. He could not run behind me because he got also the order that he is not allowed to leave his place. But they have walky-talkies. The next security guy around who was allowed to walk free around stopped me and asked me about my identification and that I am not allowed to walk this way and so on… I did not care about him, I ignored him. He got so unsure and he did not know in this moment what he really has to do, because normally everyone is following his commandos. However, me not. He let me go without doing nothing more. Another funny story was one day on the street. I was around with my car as one of the help sheriffs, who is trying to bring order in the traffic chaos, stopped me and asked me if I do not understand his signs. Hmmm, his signs were looking as if he tries to catch a fly. In the end in his eyes I was standing too far in the crossing street. I had to drive a little bit back. I drove maybe ten centimetres back… he was satisfied and I was laughing. If I can make someone happy. I do it.
The day came nearer that we have to clean out the house. Raquel and I we both did not know what should happen as next. I decided to pack all my things and travel with my funny car around the islands and to stay there were the tank would be empty. In the end, we decided to drive first in the province to the relatives of Raquel, to find there a cheap place to stay and then to think about what should happen as next. I found in a computer shop a cheap used laptop, so that I could work and everything was prepared for our travel. All what had to be done was, to give back the keys and then we could start. The landlady came, but we had to wait till all was ready over one hour. Only my comment that it would be nice if we could come to the end now was enough for her to start once more to yell around. I was really happy as I started my car to leave this place. On the way to Nueva Ecija the car stopped on the highway. The motor was overheated and the we reached with the last breath of the car an exit and a mechanic. It was clear that this repair would be not cheap. They could not repair it on the same day so we were searching for a hotel where we could stay over night. On the next day, after long discussions about the bill for the repairing we continued our trip in the province.
The next day we were busy to organize all things what is necessary, I got a great welcome from the family especially from the grandma of Raquel. By checking my E-mails on this day I received an invitation for a job interview the following Monday. So, we have to drive back to Manila the next days. Also not planed but what can I do. I wanted to do something here, not only enjoying. This is not my thing. Also, I have to think on my future sometimes. I decided that we would drive back to Manila on Sunday, so that I am fresh for the interview and that we have not so much stress to come there. On half of the way back the car starts once more with unusual sounds. On the next petrol station, I checked the temperature and the water and I found a small piece licking out of water. Only this small piece could kill my motor once more. The guy on the petrol station organized quickly this new part, repaired it and we could drive to Manila. On Monday morning, I had this interview and about lunchtime, we returned in the province and this without any problems more with my funny car.
The next day we were busy to organize all things what is necessary, I got a great welcome from the family especially from the grandma of Raquel. By checking my E-mails on this day I received an invitation for a job interview the following Monday. So, we have to drive back to Manila the next days. Also not planed but what can I do. I wanted to do something here, not only enjoying. This is not my thing. Also, I have to think on my future sometimes. I decided that we would drive back to Manila on Sunday, so that I am fresh for the interview and that we have not so much stress to come there. On half of the way back the car starts once more with unusual sounds. On the next petrol station, I checked the temperature and the water and I found a small piece licking out of water. Only this small piece could kill my motor once more. The guy on the petrol station organized quickly this new part, repaired it and we could drive to Manila. On Monday morning, I had this interview and about lunchtime, we returned in the province and this without any problems more with my funny car.
I enjoyed the land life in the province. I got the chance to live in a big family community in a simple life. The grandma from Raquel is cute, we could not understand each other because my tagalo is still bad and she could not understand me, but we reached it to have a good understanding. The water was outside and if the rain was strong I took my shower in the rain. On e weekend the complete family came together to celebrate the death of Raquels youngest brother who died one year before unexpected. I could not say no as I got asked to go with the family to the cemetery. Normally not my thing, but I showed respect and we went all there. I learned on this day an new part of the Filipino culture.
To reach the grave, we had to walk over the other graves, because there are no ways between. An unusual feeling for me. In Europe is everything in order, ways between, a silent place. The graves are deep in the earth, here over the earth in blocks of cement, or stone. Some families are building nice houses, sometimes nicer and bigger then the houses they are living in lifetime. I was proud to be so included in this family.
The next day we made a trip to the father side of the family of Raquel. They are living some kilometres away in the hills of Nueva Ecija. A hard trip for my funny car. The streets are rough and the last half an hour we had to walk up the hill to visit the grandma and grandpa. I think I was the first foreigner there on this place.
What a wonderful, silent place. Without electricity, TV or telephone. I learned once more many things on this day. I met a happy old couple who spent the whole life in a simple way. By sure not easy, but they were happy together. I remembered my grandparents. They were also always happy if the family was there. I felt the deep harmony and love between this couple, surrounded from mango trees, a small garden, a cow, a dog, a cat and nature up on the hill somewhere in the middle of nowhere. What a happiness and silent, far away from all civilization. On this day came four generations together on this place to visit them. It was suddenly life on the hill. It was a wonderful afternoon to see so much harmony in a family. No one in this family expected something from me, not like in some other families that the parents send out the girls to find a foreigner to cover the future life. Here it was different.
It was planed that we stay there over night, but the brother and his family wanted to drive back to their place far away from Nueva Ecija in their province Pangasinan. We drove back but it got late as we arrived, so the family stayed and Raquel and I drove in the next bigger city to enjoy the night life. Honest, night life not exists in the province. It was Friday night and all bars were empty. We had a dinner and then we drove home. The next days were normal silent, I was working on my laptop in the garden, Raquel was busy to help her grandma. Sometimes we met some relatives from the family, we had some drinks with the cousins and uncles, the kids were playing around. I got more and more included in this family. Of course, they wanted to know if Raquel and I are girlfriend and boyfriend but nothing changed. We are still only friends. Unusual here, especially in the province but this is all. I think they did not believe us, but they have to except. I think the neighbours were thinking also that I am the husband from Raquel. We did not care what they are thinking. It is their fun. I enjoyed the situation to be together with a friend and not to be in love or relationship. After all before, I was happy to be on a silent place with so much harmony and I found slowly back to myself. It was time to find a new goal and new idea for the future. I was sure on this place I could find it. How long I would stay there was not decided in this moment. I remembered this days a part of a song: ‘…There is always something magic, there is always something new and when you really really need it so most then the Rock’n’Roll dreams come through…’(Meat Loaf).
Some days later, I got once more an invitation for a job interview in Manila. I had to drive back once more. I did not have really mood for it but it must be. On Sunday, Raquel and I drove slowly to Manila so that we had time enough to find a place for the night and that we could spend an evening in the city. Next morning it was raining, rain in Manila means all streets are flooded. The interview was more or less a big joke. I employed for an easy telemarketing job. Many western companies are operating their customer service here from the Philippines. A kind of job what saves the surviving but not the brain. I thought, if I get this job I will do it for a while and then to save a little bit money and then maybe to invest in a small restaurant or beach bar somewhere on the ocean. For this, I thought I could do a job like this. Sitting eight hours in a box and waiting that someone needs my advice to solve his problem. They were searching for a German native speaking agent, but they made with me an English secretary test. The guy in the interview asked me about my university degree, because this is the minimum expectation for this job here. I made such thing before in Spain, I could bring the prove that I can do it also without university degree. Anyway a job what is normally done from unlearned people they don t find any other job. Until I could make this exam, I had to wait somewhere for one and a half hour. I was really angry. I made the test, went back to the agency who gave me the appointment. I told them about my adventure there and they gave me direct a new contact for a home based online job. In the nearest wifi coffee, I contacted the company and I had to find quickly a solution how to realize a stable internet connection and a new apartment in Manila that I can start to work. In the province is it not easy to get a quickly connection so it was clear I have to go back in the city. Beside my messenger was open and Alma asked after long time how I am and what I am doing. I told her that I have to come back in the city and that I am now searching for a solution to start for this company so soon as possible. She offered me her apartment in Cavite, because she wanted to go out there. I thought ‘perfect’, there is an internet connection, the place is also not so bad, so I made the deal with her that I can go in there till the next weekend. I could direct confirm the job, I had a new place to stay, all seamed perfect on this day. Raquel came back from shopping and I told her from my plan and that I have to meet Alma by the way back to Nueva Ecija. All she said was “Up to you”. The rest of the way to the meeting point with Alma she said nothing. I felt there is something, but I did not get any answer on my questions.
I met Alma in this Mal were I wanted to meet her the last time as I came on the idea to make a trip with her in my new funny car. This time she came, late, but she showed up. It was the first meeting since she left from one hour to the other my house in Paranaque. I was happy to see her. I still like her, I still feel the magic but I also realized that my feeling is changed. We had a good chat to build the basic for a friendship without any feelings of love. We fixed the conditions with her apartment so that I could go in on the next weekend. It got slowly dark as Raquel and I were on the way back in the province. It starts to rain. Raquel was sitting beside me in the car and said no word. It is dangerous to drive in the night and rain on the streets in the province of the Philippines. Bicycles or slowly trucks without light are showing up suddenly in front of the car, or drunken persons are running suddenly out of the bars beside the road. Anyway, it was late and I did not want to wake up the grandma if we will come late in the night. I decide to check in a drive in hotel. I heard near the hotel music from a bar and I asked Raquel if she has mood for some drinks there and maybe she will come on other thoughts. I don t know why, but we have a good feeling to find strength places. This bar was strength. A typical eatery and karaoke bar like hundreds on the way. The people are singing wrong, the beer is warm, that’s why they serve it with ice cubes, and foreigners are the sensation there. After some glass of beer I thought ‘let’s make party now’, no one knows us here what can happen? The girls were flirting with me and I started to sing as well. “What a wonderful world” from Luis Amstrong is one of my songs if I am in the mood to sing. Not good, but loud.
Raquel started to talk with me and I found out that she was only sad that our time gets slowly to the end. It was clear from the beginning that we cannot continue like this for a long time, but I felt the same. The evening was funny and it got late as we went back to the hotel. On the way out one of the girls gave me her mobile number and that I should call her. I brought Raquel to bed, she fall direct in sleep and I was sitting outside for my last cigarette and I texted the girl ‘thanxs for your number’. I took a shower and went to sleep. On the next morning, I found on my mobile two missed calls and a text from the girl the night before. The weather was good no coffee in the hotel, and Raquel came on the idea to get the coffee in the eatery from last night before we continue to drive. As we came back there, the girls were still there and they wanted to make some photos from us as memory. Shane, the girl who gave me her number, was unsure how to handle the situation. Of course, from were she should know that Raquel and I are only good friends. We were amused.
We had our coffee and then we continued to travel back to Nueva Ecija, still in the good mood from the evening, also the clouds in Raquels eyes were disappeared. Back in our place, we went to play speed badminton on the local basketball field, as we did the last weeks in the morning and in the evening.
The next day, I was invited to learn how to plant rice. I knew this will be the entertainment for the rice farmers, but I wanted to learn it. The work here starts early in the morning on the fields. To come to the farm we had to walk over small wet ways and sometimes through not planted rice fields.
I got my introductions how to do it and then it was my turn to try it. All workers were amused about the foreigner in the rice field. They made their jokes about me, because I was slowly to put the plants in the ground. If I saw in what kind of speed they are doing it, then I can understand that they were laughing at me.
It is hard work. If I imagine doing it the whole day, then you feel your whole body. I did not do it the whole day, I know now how it is and I know now that this is not the job of my life. The rest of the day, I spend on my favorite place in the swing in the garden of our place. Always in my mind, the quiet nice time will be over soon. Only a few of days, then back in the city to start a new job on a new place.
I knew I would miss the grandma, the duck, the dogs, the mouse family in my room and the silent around. Some things I will not miss like, mosquitoes, spiders and so on. But I had to go on. It was time to find back in my life and for this I had to decide to go back in the city alone without someone around. I felt that the friendship between Raquel and me came to a point were it was better for us to continue alone. We still had our jokes, we were still laughing sometimes about silly things, like children, but how she or I should find the luck of the life if we are always together. On Friday, we packed our things, so that we were prepared to go back to Manila the next day. It was a rainy Friday, we did not speak so much this day. We both felt that this holiday is slowly over and the time came nearer to find our own way.
The whole night it was raining without end. Also on Saturday morning. Raquel did not know were to go and I asked her if it is not better to stay in the province until she knows were to go. I don t wanted to drop her out of the car in the rain alone in Manila somewhere. I packed only the important things in my car, to check all in Manila, to find the basic and then to pick up the rest one week later and until this time Raquel wanted to decide were she planed to go as next. It was a strange feeling to be alone in the car. I took my mp3-player out of my bag and listened “The Eagles”. As I passed by the small bar from the days before I was thinking if I should stop for a coffee, but it started strong to rain and I wanted to come not too late to Cavite, because Alma’s mother was waiting to introduce myself to the landlady and to show me all in the apartment. Anyway, Shane texted me that she is in Manila and that she wanted to meet me there.. alone. Hmm, I had other things in my brain in the moment, but if I would have time the next days, why not? It was hard rain until I was in Manila. I got my shower in my funny car and all got wet. I was happy that I took not all my things with me. It was not such a big problem. I know the ways in Manila, but why I passed one road was suddenly in a place of this city were I never was before, I don t know. I spent more then one hour in the Saturday afternoon traffic to find the way out there. In the end, I arrived in Cavite. I was not the first time there, but once more o passed a street and once more I was somewhere were I did not want to end up. It was as if I should not find the place. Also this trip was one hour to long. I was tiered and nerved as I arrived the apartment. The mother of Alma showed me all, I packed my wet things out of the car and I thought everything would be good. I took a shower, tried to find the orientation and I tried to connect my laptop to the internet. The screen showed me that the account is disconnected. The reason was the bill was not paid, or better, we paid as we met the last Monday the wrong bill from the second account of Alma. The deal was that the connection is working. I felt angry coming up now. I called her and told her from my problem, especially I should start on the following Monday with my work and I came extra two days earlier to fix all that I can start just in time and all is prepared. It is maybe me, that I can explain a problem in few sentences and that I don t like long small talks before I come on the point. Alma felt offended. I felt disappointed that she was not able to check it before as she promised. She offered me to give me the money back, what I paid for the connection. Suddenly I had no reason to stay there longer. To wait that I get maybe one week later connected. Anyway, the job I could not fill out like this and I had to find a way back or out or somehow a solution. She sent me some messages and that she wanted to fix it. However, nothing happened. I decided to go out of the apartment the next day and to cancel the deal with Alma. I sent her a message that she should give me back the money the next day and that I will be out. I did not sleep well this night. The next morning her sister and her mother came to the apartment and gave me the money. Also on this day, Alma sent someone else to fix her problems. I packed my things back in the car, brought the key to her mother and I was away from Cavite. I decided to stay one day longer in Manila that I could meet the guy from the company. Anyway, I had to meet him about the contract and the other conditions. I was not sure if I could keep the job now, but I wanted to try it.
I checked in this small hotel were all began here, were I was living with Suzie the first month. Not because I am sentimental, no, because it is cheap and I don t wanted to spend so much money only to sleep. It was now eight month ago that I was in this place the first time. I remembered the funny time we spent here, and I was sitting in the lobby with a beer I was thinking about what all was happened in this time. Suzie is now married with the guy from France. Yes, she really did it, or he did it, depend from what side I saw it. She promoted her marriage everywhere in her profiles, I added her some days before and I congratulated her. She is still on the trip, I am guilty in all and that I am a bad person. She hates me now. Sol hates me too. Alma thinks also that I am a bad person now, and Bam anyway. It seamed to be normal here that people doing all they want and if I kick back or if I do not except their rules or ideas that I am the bad person. Maybe I am. What Marife really thinks about me? I don t know. The last chats or calls we had were more or less only ‘how are you’ ‘fine’, ‘all ok’. I had the feeling she is no longer interested in me, or what happened. Of course not. She is back in her line. However, I still had friends here. Friends I could trust and I was still in the mood and with a lot of power to stay on the Philippines, because every day is a new day, and every day is a new chance to find the luck of the life.
matthias
After all…
After all, I decided to give up the house in Paranaque. Not only about what was happen in the last time there also about the landlady. She got more and more rout. It was in the end not possible to speak a normal word with her. I did not matter what I said to her or in what words, she felt always offended or what ever. It was time to go. In the last two weeks my staying there, Raquel came back from her run away trip and I gave her the guest room in this house till I am leaving. She cared about the house, I tried to come back in my life, tried to make new contacts, but I was blockaded somehow. If someone is now thinking the next love story will start here. Sorry, no. Raquel and I we are only good friends, it is maybe for some people unusual that a woman and a man can be only friends, but it is. I do not care what other people maybe will see in us. We are friends, we help us in some situations and I do not search for the reason why we met us one day.
I had to run everyday in the internet coffee to check all my things online, this made the daily life not easier. I missed my laptop. I missed Marife. Still in my mind, she will maybe change her decision. I had the feeling I lost my smile here, and this in the paradise of smiling people.
One day as I was online in the internet coffee, Sol added me in the messenger and I had the possibility to chat with her on cam. I tried before, I don t know how often to go in touch with her, because I still wanted to find out what is the truth about her pregnancy. As I saw her in the cam, it was clear. She cannot be pregnant. Women in the fourth month are looking different. After a while, she told me that she lost the baby. What a story! Why I was not in wonder? I did not get an answer why she did not phone me or sent me a message. Now was clear, everything a big lie and all a fake. I deleted her out of all my contact lists and out of my mobile. It was a happy day.
Before I wanted to leave Manila I wanted to clear also the problem with Bam. He still owned me money and he did not answer my messages or calls since I left the yellow house. As I reached him, we made an appointment Wednesday. He did not want that we meet us in his house because his wife should still not know that he borrowed one day money from me. A half a hour before we wanted to meet, I received a message on my mobile that he is not able to come because his mother need to go to the hospital and he has to care about. I do not want to speak bad about people, but this is the most used reason if someone cancels an appointment, especially if the reason for a meeting is money. I told him that this is my last day in Manila and that I want to clear it out. The following messages were only offending, bad comments and so on. I was more then angry. It was really not much money what he owned me, but this is too much. I decided better not to drive directly there. Also the next day I was not in the mood for this conversation. On Friday, I drove there. Only his wife was there and I told her the reason of my unexpected visit. She got angry with Bam, because she did not know why he always changed the topic if they spoke about me. She called him home. As he showed up, I saw in his eyes that he was angry with me that I passed by unexpected. He thought now everything is done, because he expected me not longer in Manila. After a long discussion and the influence of his wife, he gave me the money back with the comment that I am a bad person. Of course, I am a bad person if I borrow him money and helped him out of trouble in a time he needed it. Maybe I offended him in front of his wife and the listening neighbors, but he had really time enough to go in touch with me about this topic. He was not able to clear it out from his side. I turned around and deleted the next person out of my life.
In this time, I started to think about, what is really going on here on the Philippines. Why are the people here like they are, and why it is sometimes so difficult to understand them. That the most people here get dollar signs in the eyes if they see a foreigner, I realized very early here. But that the most people are followers of commandos from people in higher positions and that they are doing things without any thinking, this I realized in this time extreme. There are so many examples in the daily life here. In supermarkets the employers shouting out of the last corner behind the clients “Hello sir” or “ welcome in supermarket xy”, “thank you for coming” “come again” and such things. Really nervy. It is not possible to go through a market or Mal without to get such comments on every corner. Not possible only to look around without any interruption from someone. I made my fun out of it that I started to great the security guy back and started to talk with him. It is like to reset a robot. Suddenly the brain has to start to work. Ups, someone realized me now and is suddenly interested in me. If you go in a fast food restaurant, the employers are so trained that they nearby jumping over the service place if you put only one leg to near the entrance. If you try to order something out of the normal announced menus, you bring them complete out of their training program. You need fifteen minutes to explain what you want and in the end, you will get anyway the wrong order. I think the managements of the supermarkets, stores, fast food restaurants, they heard one day something from client satisfaction and friendliness, but this is over tuned. They forgot to train as well to listen to the client and to use the own brain. They got their program and this runs if it makes an idea or not. I remember one funny experience in Starbucks. Normally if they cannot serve so quickly and the place is full, they ask for your name and they write it on your cup. Not a bad idea. You get called if the order is ready to pick up. I was one day the only client in this Starbucks coffee. It was early on this day, only the service guy and me. Really, the guy asked me about my name that he can write it on the cup. He got it one day programmed, so he did it. Without any thinking if it makes sense or not. And these things are happen every day, everywhere. Also in normal restaurants. If you go with some people for dinner, it is seldom that the dinner will be on the table just in time for everyone. Mostly the first person is long time finish to eat until the last person gets his food. They try to be the kings in friendliness and service but no idea from kitchen management. By paying the bill you get the bill covered in a nice etui, also a good idea because your guests do not need to know how big the bill is, then you put the money in this etui and the waiter opens it and jelled around:”I received 1000 Peso!” What is it? I know what I put in there. I always ask: “Are you sure?” Hahahaha.. Once more, someone who’s program is reseted. I still try to see all this things with a kind of humour, but in real, this is one of the big problems here in this country. Someone with power or higher position makes commandos and everyone is following it without thinking. If you do not follow this orders they got from somewhere they feel offended. Like this security guy on the airport one day. The shortest way to my car was straight ahead. Nothing happened if you go there. The security guy got one day the order from someone that the way to the parking place is around the area. Not direct, no an extra way from five minutes. Without any reason or sense. I did not follow his order and continued my way straight. He could not run behind me because he got also the order that he is not allowed to leave his place. But they have walky-talkies. The next security guy around who was allowed to walk free around stopped me and asked me about my identification and that I am not allowed to walk this way and so on… I did not care about him, I ignored him. He got so unsure and he did not know in this moment what he really has to do, because normally everyone is following his commandos. However, me not. He let me go without doing nothing more. Another funny story was one day on the street. I was around with my car as one of the help sheriffs, who is trying to bring order in the traffic chaos, stopped me and asked me if I do not understand his signs. Hmmm, his signs were looking as if he tries to catch a fly. In the end in his eyes I was standing too far in the crossing street. I had to drive a little bit back. I drove maybe ten centimetres back… he was satisfied and I was laughing. If I can make someone happy. I do it.
The day came nearer that we have to clean out the house. Raquel and I we both did not know what should happen as next. I decided to pack all my things and travel with my funny car around the islands and to stay there were the tank would be empty. In the end, we decided to drive first in the province to the relatives of Raquel, to find there a cheap place to stay and then to think about what should happen as next. I found in a computer shop a cheap used laptop, so that I could work and everything was prepared for our travel. All what had to be done was, to give back the keys and then we could start. The landlady came, but we had to wait till all was ready over one hour. Only my comment that it would be nice if we could come to the end now was enough for her to start once more to yell around. I was really happy as I started my car to leave this place. On the way to Nueva Ecija the car stopped on the highway. The motor was overheated and the we reached with the last breath of the car an exit and a mechanic. It was clear that this repair would be not cheap. They could not repair it on the same day so we were searching for a hotel where we could stay over night. On the next day, after long discussions about the bill for the repairing we continued our trip in the province.
The next day we were busy to organize all things what is necessary, I got a great welcome from the family especially from the grandma of Raquel. By checking my E-mails on this day I received an invitation for a job interview the following Monday. So, we have to drive back to Manila the next days. Also not planed but what can I do. I wanted to do something here, not only enjoying. This is not my thing. Also, I have to think on my future sometimes. I decided that we would drive back to Manila on Sunday, so that I am fresh for the interview and that we have not so much stress to come there. On half of the way back the car starts once more with unusual sounds. On the next petrol station, I checked the temperature and the water and I found a small piece licking out of water. Only this small piece could kill my motor once more. The guy on the petrol station organized quickly this new part, repaired it and we could drive to Manila. On Monday morning, I had this interview and about lunchtime, we returned in the province and this without any problems more with my funny car.
The next day we were busy to organize all things what is necessary, I got a great welcome from the family especially from the grandma of Raquel. By checking my E-mails on this day I received an invitation for a job interview the following Monday. So, we have to drive back to Manila the next days. Also not planed but what can I do. I wanted to do something here, not only enjoying. This is not my thing. Also, I have to think on my future sometimes. I decided that we would drive back to Manila on Sunday, so that I am fresh for the interview and that we have not so much stress to come there. On half of the way back the car starts once more with unusual sounds. On the next petrol station, I checked the temperature and the water and I found a small piece licking out of water. Only this small piece could kill my motor once more. The guy on the petrol station organized quickly this new part, repaired it and we could drive to Manila. On Monday morning, I had this interview and about lunchtime, we returned in the province and this without any problems more with my funny car.
I enjoyed the land life in the province. I got the chance to live in a big family community in a simple life. The grandma from Raquel is cute, we could not understand each other because my tagalo is still bad and she could not understand me, but we reached it to have a good understanding. The water was outside and if the rain was strong I took my shower in the rain. On e weekend the complete family came together to celebrate the death of Raquels youngest brother who died one year before unexpected. I could not say no as I got asked to go with the family to the cemetery. Normally not my thing, but I showed respect and we went all there. I learned on this day an new part of the Filipino culture.
To reach the grave, we had to walk over the other graves, because there are no ways between. An unusual feeling for me. In Europe is everything in order, ways between, a silent place. The graves are deep in the earth, here over the earth in blocks of cement, or stone. Some families are building nice houses, sometimes nicer and bigger then the houses they are living in lifetime. I was proud to be so included in this family.
The next day we made a trip to the father side of the family of Raquel. They are living some kilometres away in the hills of Nueva Ecija. A hard trip for my funny car. The streets are rough and the last half an hour we had to walk up the hill to visit the grandma and grandpa. I think I was the first foreigner there on this place.
What a wonderful, silent place. Without electricity, TV or telephone. I learned once more many things on this day. I met a happy old couple who spent the whole life in a simple way. By sure not easy, but they were happy together. I remembered my grandparents. They were also always happy if the family was there. I felt the deep harmony and love between this couple, surrounded from mango trees, a small garden, a cow, a dog, a cat and nature up on the hill somewhere in the middle of nowhere. What a happiness and silent, far away from all civilization. On this day came four generations together on this place to visit them. It was suddenly life on the hill. It was a wonderful afternoon to see so much harmony in a family. No one in this family expected something from me, not like in some other families that the parents send out the girls to find a foreigner to cover the future life. Here it was different.
It was planed that we stay there over night, but the brother and his family wanted to drive back to their place far away from Nueva Ecija in their province Pangasinan. We drove back but it got late as we arrived, so the family stayed and Raquel and I drove in the next bigger city to enjoy the night life. Honest, night life not exists in the province. It was Friday night and all bars were empty. We had a dinner and then we drove home. The next days were normal silent, I was working on my laptop in the garden, Raquel was busy to help her grandma. Sometimes we met some relatives from the family, we had some drinks with the cousins and uncles, the kids were playing around. I got more and more included in this family. Of course, they wanted to know if Raquel and I are girlfriend and boyfriend but nothing changed. We are still only friends. Unusual here, especially in the province but this is all. I think they did not believe us, but they have to except. I think the neighbours were thinking also that I am the husband from Raquel. We did not care what they are thinking. It is their fun. I enjoyed the situation to be together with a friend and not to be in love or relationship. After all before, I was happy to be on a silent place with so much harmony and I found slowly back to myself. It was time to find a new goal and new idea for the future. I was sure on this place I could find it. How long I would stay there was not decided in this moment. I remembered this days a part of a song: ‘…There is always something magic, there is always something new and when you really really need it so most then the Rock’n’Roll dreams come through…’(Meat Loaf).
Some days later, I got once more an invitation for a job interview in Manila. I had to drive back once more. I did not have really mood for it but it must be. On Sunday, Raquel and I drove slowly to Manila so that we had time enough to find a place for the night and that we could spend an evening in the city. Next morning it was raining, rain in Manila means all streets are flooded. The interview was more or less a big joke. I employed for an easy telemarketing job. Many western companies are operating their customer service here from the Philippines. A kind of job what saves the surviving but not the brain. I thought, if I get this job I will do it for a while and then to save a little bit money and then maybe to invest in a small restaurant or beach bar somewhere on the ocean. For this, I thought I could do a job like this. Sitting eight hours in a box and waiting that someone needs my advice to solve his problem. They were searching for a German native speaking agent, but they made with me an English secretary test. The guy in the interview asked me about my university degree, because this is the minimum expectation for this job here. I made such thing before in Spain, I could bring the prove that I can do it also without university degree. Anyway a job what is normally done from unlearned people they don t find any other job. Until I could make this exam, I had to wait somewhere for one and a half hour. I was really angry. I made the test, went back to the agency who gave me the appointment. I told them about my adventure there and they gave me direct a new contact for a home based online job. In the nearest wifi coffee, I contacted the company and I had to find quickly a solution how to realize a stable internet connection and a new apartment in Manila that I can start to work. In the province is it not easy to get a quickly connection so it was clear I have to go back in the city. Beside my messenger was open and Alma asked after long time how I am and what I am doing. I told her that I have to come back in the city and that I am now searching for a solution to start for this company so soon as possible. She offered me her apartment in Cavite, because she wanted to go out there. I thought ‘perfect’, there is an internet connection, the place is also not so bad, so I made the deal with her that I can go in there till the next weekend. I could direct confirm the job, I had a new place to stay, all seamed perfect on this day. Raquel came back from shopping and I told her from my plan and that I have to meet Alma by the way back to Nueva Ecija. All she said was “Up to you”. The rest of the way to the meeting point with Alma she said nothing. I felt there is something, but I did not get any answer on my questions.
I met Alma in this Mal were I wanted to meet her the last time as I came on the idea to make a trip with her in my new funny car. This time she came, late, but she showed up. It was the first meeting since she left from one hour to the other my house in Paranaque. I was happy to see her. I still like her, I still feel the magic but I also realized that my feeling is changed. We had a good chat to build the basic for a friendship without any feelings of love. We fixed the conditions with her apartment so that I could go in on the next weekend. It got slowly dark as Raquel and I were on the way back in the province. It starts to rain. Raquel was sitting beside me in the car and said no word. It is dangerous to drive in the night and rain on the streets in the province of the Philippines. Bicycles or slowly trucks without light are showing up suddenly in front of the car, or drunken persons are running suddenly out of the bars beside the road. Anyway, it was late and I did not want to wake up the grandma if we will come late in the night. I decide to check in a drive in hotel. I heard near the hotel music from a bar and I asked Raquel if she has mood for some drinks there and maybe she will come on other thoughts. I don t know why, but we have a good feeling to find strength places. This bar was strength. A typical eatery and karaoke bar like hundreds on the way. The people are singing wrong, the beer is warm, that’s why they serve it with ice cubes, and foreigners are the sensation there. After some glass of beer I thought ‘let’s make party now’, no one knows us here what can happen? The girls were flirting with me and I started to sing as well. “What a wonderful world” from Luis Amstrong is one of my songs if I am in the mood to sing. Not good, but loud.
Raquel started to talk with me and I found out that she was only sad that our time gets slowly to the end. It was clear from the beginning that we cannot continue like this for a long time, but I felt the same. The evening was funny and it got late as we went back to the hotel. On the way out one of the girls gave me her mobile number and that I should call her. I brought Raquel to bed, she fall direct in sleep and I was sitting outside for my last cigarette and I texted the girl ‘thanxs for your number’. I took a shower and went to sleep. On the next morning, I found on my mobile two missed calls and a text from the girl the night before. The weather was good no coffee in the hotel, and Raquel came on the idea to get the coffee in the eatery from last night before we continue to drive. As we came back there, the girls were still there and they wanted to make some photos from us as memory. Shane, the girl who gave me her number, was unsure how to handle the situation. Of course, from were she should know that Raquel and I are only good friends. We were amused.
We had our coffee and then we continued to travel back to Nueva Ecija, still in the good mood from the evening, also the clouds in Raquels eyes were disappeared. Back in our place, we went to play speed badminton on the local basketball field, as we did the last weeks in the morning and in the evening.
The next day, I was invited to learn how to plant rice. I knew this will be the entertainment for the rice farmers, but I wanted to learn it. The work here starts early in the morning on the fields. To come to the farm we had to walk over small wet ways and sometimes through not planted rice fields.
I got my introductions how to do it and then it was my turn to try it. All workers were amused about the foreigner in the rice field. They made their jokes about me, because I was slowly to put the plants in the ground. If I saw in what kind of speed they are doing it, then I can understand that they were laughing at me.
It is hard work. If I imagine doing it the whole day, then you feel your whole body. I did not do it the whole day, I know now how it is and I know now that this is not the job of my life. The rest of the day, I spend on my favorite place in the swing in the garden of our place. Always in my mind, the quiet nice time will be over soon. Only a few of days, then back in the city to start a new job on a new place.
I knew I would miss the grandma, the duck, the dogs, the mouse family in my room and the silent around. Some things I will not miss like, mosquitoes, spiders and so on. But I had to go on. It was time to find back in my life and for this I had to decide to go back in the city alone without someone around. I felt that the friendship between Raquel and me came to a point were it was better for us to continue alone. We still had our jokes, we were still laughing sometimes about silly things, like children, but how she or I should find the luck of the life if we are always together. On Friday, we packed our things, so that we were prepared to go back to Manila the next day. It was a rainy Friday, we did not speak so much this day. We both felt that this holiday is slowly over and the time came nearer to find our own way.
The whole night it was raining without end. Also on Saturday morning. Raquel did not know were to go and I asked her if it is not better to stay in the province until she knows were to go. I don t wanted to drop her out of the car in the rain alone in Manila somewhere. I packed only the important things in my car, to check all in Manila, to find the basic and then to pick up the rest one week later and until this time Raquel wanted to decide were she planed to go as next. It was a strange feeling to be alone in the car. I took my mp3-player out of my bag and listened “The Eagles”. As I passed by the small bar from the days before I was thinking if I should stop for a coffee, but it started strong to rain and I wanted to come not too late to Cavite, because Alma’s mother was waiting to introduce myself to the landlady and to show me all in the apartment. Anyway, Shane texted me that she is in Manila and that she wanted to meet me there.. alone. Hmm, I had other things in my brain in the moment, but if I would have time the next days, why not? It was hard rain until I was in Manila. I got my shower in my funny car and all got wet. I was happy that I took not all my things with me. It was not such a big problem. I know the ways in Manila, but why I passed one road was suddenly in a place of this city were I never was before, I don t know. I spent more then one hour in the Saturday afternoon traffic to find the way out there. In the end, I arrived in Cavite. I was not the first time there, but once more o passed a street and once more I was somewhere were I did not want to end up. It was as if I should not find the place. Also this trip was one hour to long. I was tiered and nerved as I arrived the apartment. The mother of Alma showed me all, I packed my wet things out of the car and I thought everything would be good. I took a shower, tried to find the orientation and I tried to connect my laptop to the internet. The screen showed me that the account is disconnected. The reason was the bill was not paid, or better, we paid as we met the last Monday the wrong bill from the second account of Alma. The deal was that the connection is working. I felt angry coming up now. I called her and told her from my problem, especially I should start on the following Monday with my work and I came extra two days earlier to fix all that I can start just in time and all is prepared. It is maybe me, that I can explain a problem in few sentences and that I don t like long small talks before I come on the point. Alma felt offended. I felt disappointed that she was not able to check it before as she promised. She offered me to give me the money back, what I paid for the connection. Suddenly I had no reason to stay there longer. To wait that I get maybe one week later connected. Anyway, the job I could not fill out like this and I had to find a way back or out or somehow a solution. She sent me some messages and that she wanted to fix it. However, nothing happened. I decided to go out of the apartment the next day and to cancel the deal with Alma. I sent her a message that she should give me back the money the next day and that I will be out. I did not sleep well this night. The next morning her sister and her mother came to the apartment and gave me the money. Also on this day, Alma sent someone else to fix her problems. I packed my things back in the car, brought the key to her mother and I was away from Cavite. I decided to stay one day longer in Manila that I could meet the guy from the company. Anyway, I had to meet him about the contract and the other conditions. I was not sure if I could keep the job now, but I wanted to try it.
I checked in this small hotel were all began here, were I was living with Suzie the first month. Not because I am sentimental, no, because it is cheap and I don t wanted to spend so much money only to sleep. It was now eight month ago that I was in this place the first time. I remembered the funny time we spent here, and I was sitting in the lobby with a beer I was thinking about what all was happened in this time. Suzie is now married with the guy from France. Yes, she really did it, or he did it, depend from what side I saw it. She promoted her marriage everywhere in her profiles, I added her some days before and I congratulated her. She is still on the trip, I am guilty in all and that I am a bad person. She hates me now. Sol hates me too. Alma thinks also that I am a bad person now, and Bam anyway. It seamed to be normal here that people doing all they want and if I kick back or if I do not except their rules or ideas that I am the bad person. Maybe I am. What Marife really thinks about me? I don t know. The last chats or calls we had were more or less only ‘how are you’ ‘fine’, ‘all ok’. I had the feeling she is no longer interested in me, or what happened. Of course not. She is back in her line. However, I still had friends here. Friends I could trust and I was still in the mood and with a lot of power to stay on the Philippines, because every day is a new day, and every day is a new chance to find the luck of the life.
Continue with >"Always Somewhere"