Josie My wife (Josie) will be arriving for a month-long Philippines vacation on the 27th of August, her birthday. After she returns to the US, the plan is to stay no longer than six months. Her next arrival in the Philippines should be permanent.


Our Reliance on DSL

One of the problems with DSL is that it requires an active telephone line. Some companies in the US don't require regular telephone service, but they do here in the Philippines.

At 3 pm yesterday, my dial tone disappeared and didn't return. I had to head to a neighbor's house to call PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) and make a trouble call. My mother-in-law went to their office this morning to follow up. My telephone service was restored more than 24 hours later.

Needless to say, Josie freaked out when she couldn't reach me. She calls me via Yahoo Instant Messenger during the day and Skype at night. When she couldn't get through to me either way, she tried to call my phone and got some vague recording about my number not being active. She then called the cell phone of one of my in-laws. Luckily, all of my in-laws knew what was going on.

I haven't spoken to Josie since the dial tone returned, which is okay since she's asleep. I'm 15 hours ahead of her, and it will be at least four or five hours before she sees my Yahoo message on her cell phone.

Her Arrival

Josie's Philippines Vacation starts at approximately 6 am on the 27th of August, when she arrives at NAIA's (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) terminal 3 in Manila via Philippine Airlines.

Her Birthday Party

We've made it clear to the in-laws that no outsiders except invited guests would be allowed into our compound for her birthday party, which is going to be as simple as we can make it. There will be plenty of food and drink for everyone that way. Some of our other relatives make it a habit to just show up and then eat and run. We're going to have:

  • Lots of Rice
  • Kaldereta Kambing (Goat Caldereta or Stew)
  • Roasted Lapu-Lapu (a grouper fish named after Lapu-Lapu of course.)
  • Langka (Jackfruit)
  • Lechón Baboy (roasted pig)
  • Barbecued Chicken and Chicken Adobo
  • Different kinds of Pancit (noodles and meat)
  • Jose Cuervo Tequila (along with a couple of other brands)
  • Emperador Brandy
  • Red Horse and San Miguel Beers
  • and More!

Her Departure

She'll be departing the same way she's arriving, but obviously in reverse, on the 24th of September (I believe - I don't have the ticket information handy). I don't like traveling in Manila, Philippines, but at least the route to the city will be easier to travel since the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is finished.

If you can understand what I mean, I'm hoping this will be the first and last of Josie's Philippines vacations.