Today, just for a change of pace, I thought I'd write a blog about being an expatriate and some of the "little" problems that entails from time to time.
When I first moved to Manila, in the beautiful Islands of The Philippines, I left behind my old life and embarked on an exciting, new adventure, at the ripe old age of fifty-one.
Was it a midlife-crisis?
Hardly, at fifty-one I’d like to think the whole mid-life thing was well behind me. My reasons for making the momentous jump were many and varied, but needless to say it was something I absolutely felt I had to do...and I haven’t regretted it since.
As with any move to a foreign country, we give up some precious and treasured things, some “comforts”, but we do so in the belief that the rewards we discover will outweigh the losses we feel at the things we left behind.
When I first moved to Manila, in the beautiful Islands of The Philippines, I left behind my old life and embarked on an exciting, new adventure, at the ripe old age of fifty-one.
Was it a midlife-crisis?
Hardly, at fifty-one I’d like to think the whole mid-life thing was well behind me. My reasons for making the momentous jump were many and varied, but needless to say it was something I absolutely felt I had to do...and I haven’t regretted it since.
As with any move to a foreign country, we give up some precious and treasured things, some “comforts”, but we do so in the belief that the rewards we discover will outweigh the losses we feel at the things we left behind.
I can still well remember the shock and lack of understanding on the face of an Immigration Official when he interviewed me regarding my application for “permanent residency” here in The Philippines. My wife and I had been sweating a little bit about this interview, especially as I had no job here and no visible means of support. We needn’t have worried at all. After perusing my application paper for some time, he finally looked up at me and asked, “You’re from New Zealand, right?” When I nodded effusively, he shook his head ruefully and added, “But New Zealand is such a beautiful place. Why would you want to leave there and come to live in The Philippines?”
I looked at my new wife and smiled, before answering, “Yes, New Zealand is indeed a beautiful place, but so is this country.” Giving my wife’s hand a squeeze, I added, “and anyway, home is where the heart is and my heart is definitely here.” There were no more questions, he smiled indulgently at the two “young” lovers in front of him, stamped my passport and lo and behold I was a permanent resident of The Philippines.
I can honestly say it hasn’t always been a bed of roses in the past six years, but if I was back in New Zealand today, faced with the exact same decision and knowing what I know today about this brave, new, world I’d embarked on, I wouldn’t hesitate for a heartbeat, before getting on that plane and heading to my new home. Sadly, due to lack of finances, I haven’t managed to go back to New Zealand for a holiday in those six years. For me, it is fine, but I would love to show my darling wife, the country I grew up in and my family. She has already missed out on meeting my Dad, who sadly, passed away a year ago, and my Mum, who died just a year before I made my sojourn here. Still, it is in our long-term plans to head back for a visit sometime. But, for me, The Philippines, in general, and Manila, in particular is my home, sweet, home.
It is true; I do miss some things from my old life. Some are big and important, like family and friends, but most are minor and inconsequential, yet there are times when I pine for certain things from “back home”.
I looked at my new wife and smiled, before answering, “Yes, New Zealand is indeed a beautiful place, but so is this country.” Giving my wife’s hand a squeeze, I added, “and anyway, home is where the heart is and my heart is definitely here.” There were no more questions, he smiled indulgently at the two “young” lovers in front of him, stamped my passport and lo and behold I was a permanent resident of The Philippines.
I can honestly say it hasn’t always been a bed of roses in the past six years, but if I was back in New Zealand today, faced with the exact same decision and knowing what I know today about this brave, new, world I’d embarked on, I wouldn’t hesitate for a heartbeat, before getting on that plane and heading to my new home. Sadly, due to lack of finances, I haven’t managed to go back to New Zealand for a holiday in those six years. For me, it is fine, but I would love to show my darling wife, the country I grew up in and my family. She has already missed out on meeting my Dad, who sadly, passed away a year ago, and my Mum, who died just a year before I made my sojourn here. Still, it is in our long-term plans to head back for a visit sometime. But, for me, The Philippines, in general, and Manila, in particular is my home, sweet, home.
It is true; I do miss some things from my old life. Some are big and important, like family and friends, but most are minor and inconsequential, yet there are times when I pine for certain things from “back home”.
1/ Cold Weather: Now, don’t get me wrong here, I knew from the get-go I was moving to a tropical country and that definitely was one of the appeals. I lived in the deep south of New Zealand, Dunedin, Invercargill and Gore, so I knew what cold weather was all about. Here, the temperature generally varies between 25 and 35 degrees. The heat is pretty draining, even for the locals, and on more than one occasion I’ve found myself wistfully longing for one of those infamous, cold southerlies, from the depths of Antarctica, that would sweep up the South Island of New Zealand from time to time and chill us all to the bone. I have to remind myself of something I would often say to my son in the depths of a Southern Winter: “What idiot, in his right mind, would actually choose to live in a frozen, hell-hole like this?” That usually brings me back to an even keel and I can remind myself just how lucky I am to be living in a tropical paradise.
2/ Beetroot: Now, for those of you who are unaware of the wonders of the purple vegetable, let me assure you it is an absolute staple in sandwiches in New Zealand. There’s nothing quite like a lettuce, cheese, tomato, ham, mayonnaise... and beetroot sandwich. Imagine my absolute horror when I discovered that not only do Filipinos not know what beetroot is, it’s damn near impossible to get over here. Many an hour has been spent fruitlessly searching local supermarkets for the elusive stuff, but rare is the fortunate occasion when we’ve actually found some. When we do, it’s generally only two or three cans on the shelf. You can tell I’ve had some success, as its discovery is invariably met with a whoop and a holler, as I scoop said beetroot into the shopping cart. Ah, Beetroot a rare and splendid thing – Oh how I miss you.
3/ Ease of Travel: When I lived and worked in Dunedin, I would often jump in the car at lunchtime and head home for lunch with my, then wife, and son. Home was a good five miles or more from work, but it wouldn’t take me much longer than fifteen minutes or so. In fact, getting anywhere around Dunedin, Invercargill or Gore, was an absolute breeze, whether driving or walking. The same can hardly be said of Metro Manila. Now, we live somewhat on the outskirts of the massive metropolis that comprises the seventeen cities making up Metro Manila. To go anywhere far within the Metro is a major logistical exercise that will take several hours at best and up to five hours at worst. In some ways we are fortunate in not having a car, because the roads are an absolute nightmare, especially at peak hours, on weekdays. Just as an example, when I have to go to the Bureau of Immigration in Intramuros, Manila, which thankfully I only have to do once a year now, it is a major exercise. We would take a Jeepney (which I can only think of as a sardine can – because you are crammed into this metal monstrosity like sardines in a can) to Novaliches, the nearest town to us. From there we will transfer to either a bus or an FX (a mass transit van that they also like to pack to the gunwales – 18 passengers per van) and then we will walk to the LRT (Light Rail Transit) and catch the train (again squashed in like sardines, usually) until we reach Intramuros, where we will walk to Immigration. All this is done in over 30 degree heat. Then it’s the reverse trip home. It makes for going anywhere, a long and tiring effort. Hence, I don’t go out a lot.
4/ Solitude: Now don’t get me wrong – I like people, but I like people in small amounts. Here in the Metro, it is a swirling mass of people, all heading somewhere, all determined to do their assigned tasks in the quickest and easiest way possible. Sometimes I yearn for the backblocks of New Zealand, where you can walk for a whole day and never meet another living soul. Where you can sit on a rock somewhere and contemplate the meaning of life. There are places here still where you can do that. My favourite hideaway is a beautiful beach on Mindoro Island called Lagundian Beach where you can still find the peace and solitude you crave, but here in the Metro... not so much. One thing I would say to anyone considering coming here, or indeed most places is South East Asia is this: If you have issues about maintaining “personal space”, best you don’t come. There is no personal space in this place. Wherever you go, you are surrounded by and, in the faces, of other people. The good thing is, the Filipinos are the warmest, friendliest, most happy bunch of people I’ve ever met. They always have a smile and a welcome for a foreign face. Filipinos are a sheer joy to be around – 99% of the time.
5/ Conversations in English: Filipinos are great English speakers. Almost everyone you meet here has at least a smattering of English and many are fluent speakers. Certainly, if you want the real Asian experience, but worry about being understood, fear not here in the Philippines, they are the most fluent English speakers of any Asian country. That being said, I sometimes long to have a detailed discussion with someone for whom English is a first language, without having to speak slowly, enunciate carefully, watch my slang, and forget about my “supposed” accent, for a while. When I do come across a fellow Kiwi, you can be sure I’ll love the opportunity to launch into a long and detailed discourse about The All Blacks, politics, or anything about back home.
So, those are just a few of the little things I miss about New Zealand, but as I always say, I didn’t come halfway across the world, just to be in the same environment I was before. At times, being an expatriate is difficult and stressful, but the rewards of living in an adopted country you adore and living with people you love and cherish, makes everything worthwhile. I wouldn’t change it for the world and I love my life here in the gorgeous country that is The Philippines.
You should come visit sometime – It’s More Fun in the Philippines (Don’t ya know!)
You should come visit sometime – It’s More Fun in the Philippines (Don’t ya know!)
Till next time, have a wonderful, peace-filled day!
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!
CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE READER AT A TIME
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!
CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE READER AT A TIME
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