First Post, Long Time

Some good news is that the infection in my legs seems to be completely gone. The bad news is that my legs, especially my left leg, continue to swell up when I sit down for a while. Next Sunday I will be going to Cebu to see a specialist about the legs. The doctor here that finally figured out what the infection was in my legs is sending me to see that specialist. We both think it is some form of Lymphedema. My father tells me that if I get off my ass and exercise then that would probably solve the swelling problem. He just might be right. I have already committed to going to Cebu now, so I hope to find out next week if he is right. I say, “I hope” because I was a bit not informed when I made the airline reservations.

We, (Nening & Titing are going with me), are scheduled to leave at 10:00 on 14 May and return at 0830 on 16 May. After I finally got that schedule, about 6 weeks after seeing the doctor last, I am told that ‘maybe’ the doctor in Cebu will not be able to see me right away so I should be prepared to stay for a few days. If I would have known that, I would have made longer airline and hotel reservations. My plan is to inform them of what happened and explain that if he needs for me to come stay in the hospital or visit multiple times during a week, then I can return next month and I’ll be more prepared for that. I hope to get it all done this month and get started on the solution.

Maybe you are wondering why my wife is not going with us? I wonder that too. First she told me she did not want to go. Okay, fine, no problem. Then she decided she wanted to go. I waited a few days, asked her again and she still wanted to go. Okay, so I made flight and hotel reservations for 4 people. Now 1 week before we are to leave, she says she is not looking forward to going and really would like to stay at home. I cannot cancel or airline tickets or get a refund (that I can figure out). So, it seems that we will just lose her portion of the tickets (about P3400 or $68). I’m glad I was able to get a great price on the airline tickets. It was only P13,556.80 (about $271.14)(all taxes and fees included) for all 4 of us round trip from Calbayog to Cebu. I think it was less expensive out of Tacloban but not enough to warrant the 5 hour van/bus ride to get there. Sometimes my wife makes me too crazy, but after 43 years I probably make her crazy sometimes also.

The first hotel I got was called the Sta. Barbara Residence Hotel. They were having a big sale on a 2-bedroom suite and I figured that I probably never would get another chance to stay in such a nice hotel, so I booked it. Total price was P11,011.89 ($220.24). Luckily I did not pay for it right away. I had until 10 May to cancel without being charged and that’s what happen. Just a few days after booking, I came to my senses and went with a different hotel. I decided on RedDoorz Plus. It is also a 2 bedroom suite and the total price is: ₱ 4,229.37 ($84.59). As you can see, a big difference, P6,782.52 ($135.65) difference. To get a good feeling for just how cheap I am for hotels, this also will be the most I have ever paid for a hotel room. I think the next highest was for a Days Inn that we spent 1 night in in Guam. I’m pretty sure that was between $75-$80. Other than that, maybe 50-ish dollars for a room was the highest. Most of them are in the $30-$40 range. My favorite hotel in Angeles City Philippines was $24 per night. That hotel was closed down during COVID though.

Anyway, it will be only my 3rd trip to Cebu ever. My last trip was so long ago that I don’t really remember anything about the place. I still have not been to one of the malls there, but that will change this time. We will definitely go to a mall, probably Ayala Mall, but I will go to one or more malls this visit. If I need to go back next month I think I will just go by myself, unless my wife decides she, for sure, wants to go. I doubt she will want to though. It’s fine. I can manage on my own. It’s not like it’s my first day in the Philippines. Actually it’s been 13 years, this month, that we’ve been here. It was a fast 13 years too.

Back here in Calbayog, I really need an exercise partner. It’s the only way I seem to be motivated enough to continue exercising. Maybe if the doctor tells me I need to lose weight or it will kill me, then that would motivate me enough. It seems though that I’m in pretty good shape, other than the weight. I’m very lucky to not have diabetes, although I try not to eat too many sweets (not always easy) and I do drink lots and lots of water. I think I will advertise for a workout partner in our expat group. Ideally it will be another guy that also needs to lose weight so it will be like a competition. Also, ideally, someone that can pay their own way. I’m not sure how much the monthly payments at the new gym are, but I’m anticipating around P1500 ($30). I will be getting a trainer to set me on the right track so I don’t over or under do any exercises.

You may have noticed that I did not say anything about how long it’s been since my last post. It has been a very long time. I didn’t say anything at the beginning, where I usually do, because I always seem to say I will try to post more, then I don’t. I will do my best this time around. In fact after I finish this post I will be starting a new one to be posted in 4 or 5 days, so be looking for that one also. The post after that one will be about how things went while I was in Cebu. I really need to get a new phone/camera to take better pictures and videos. Mine is so old now (I’ve had it about 10 years) some of the newer programs are not compatible with it.

That’s the end of this post. I hope it was a good.

Salamat Y’all