Makati City, Philippines

[slang]

This is one of the pair of cats that we call "ours" here.

The orange one is the daughter of the black one. They do not have names and are referred to as mga pusa (the cats) .

Their role here is much more utility than asthetic. They are mouse and rat chasers and not much else.

I heard from a radio talkshow host that was living in Manila that the life of a cat is much different here. Seeing the cats in the streets here, that's not hard to believe. They are often nasty dirty scavengers and don't care to be around people.

Our pair are not that sort of cats. Both of them are amazingly clean, healthy and trim.

When I first met the cats I tried to pick one up. Everyone looked at me strangely. Like no one had ever picked them up, because no one had.

"I don't know how to tell you this diplomatically kitty cats, but if you are to continue to be on the dole here, I'm picking you up. If you don't like it, too bad."

The black cat seems to like being in my lap and getting brushed. This seems like a totally new concept for everyone here because......it is.

No one seemed to know the purpose of the strange wire type brush that I brought home until seeing it used on the cat.

I think my MIL wondered if I was going to use it myself.

Their life of liesure is not complete however as my wife called me to watch them in action with a big RAT!. They both pounced on the rat one after another and it scurried away quickly.

"That's why we don't have rats here", she smiled.

"Ok, so they are useful.....I'm still picking them up to pet them", I said.

[slang]

Champion rat chasers resting comfortably.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by slang

XOB -
Do you know when they disappeared in the US? Late 80s? Late 70s?
I do remember the glass bottles in machines but not that tiny.

They started to fade in the late 50s in favor of larger bottles. Then can machines became popular with the advent of pop tops. Plastic bottles killed the glass ones, of course.

The last machine I saw with the small bottles, at Hanum's Harley Davidson, was in the 70s. Of course the "nickel Cokes" were a quarter, or more, by then.

[Cicero]

*Sweeeet*.........oh....

[slang]

We went to a birthday party today and it was a very pleasant surprise.

I dont even know the family or the child and thought that maybe we along with everyone else in a 5 mile radius might have been invited.

As we arrived the kids and clowns were going full blast with their games and singing.

As it turns out, the birthday girl was the most polite and gracious of all the guests. She's cute and very good with people.

It was a good time that I was not expecting.

[slang]

Do clowns work birthday parties in the US? I've not seen any but don't have a lot of exposure to kids there.

The clowns here are fantastic! Sing along, dance along...win gifts and balloon art with these clowns around.

I havent a clue as to how much they may make for a given party but these clowns were especially good.

The kids and the adults were all so very well behaved. Not that most of these turn into fistfights but some are better than others.

[slang]

This little darling held her arms out to me and smiled. How could I resist holding such a cutie?

[slang]

Here is the foods from the party. I didnt eat any of these foods for my policy of waiting until everyone has had a first pass before I finish everything that's left.

There wasn't much left by the time I stepped up to the plate anyway.

[zippyt]

Sleeping whenever you damn well feel like ( same for getting up ) is something that everyone should experience for a while.

It's 6am here now and I've been up all night reading books about the Philippines and posting on the cellar.

Life could be much worse.

Get a JOB ya BUM !!!!

Living the life of Riley ???

I gots a Job for ya , document those cats in action !!!!!!

Ya lucky DOG !!!!!

[slang]

My job nowdays is quite different than in the US. It is now to entertain, to teach Tag-lish, to laugh with and to eat with all of the relatives here in the Phils.

Not a bad job at all.

There are also many books that I'm in process of reading regarding the Philippines, past and present.

Fascinating reading with good commentary from the locals here.

Tomorrow we go into Maynila once again to take pictures. This time I'm hoping for better weather but know that it rains here every day and is overcast much of the time.

[slang]

We went on a mini tour of the city today and have some mildly interesting photos but first, let's take a look at this.

Mobile billboards

These MBs are moving around all over the city but this it the first chance to actually catch a few pics.

I like the concept and it seems like a likeweight job for the driver. No pressure to load or offloads goods, no rushing around to keep a schedule.

Has anyone seen anything like this outside the Philippines? It cant possibly have started here but I've not seen them away from here.

[slang]

Our little adventure today took us to Roxas Boulevard around the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

In the process of trying to find parking for the Coconut Palace, we stopped on the boardwark area and found this floating restaurant.

Here are all the "official details".

The Jumbo Kingdom is a cool looking attraction. It's not a building, it's not a traditional ship. It's something cool looking at a section of the boardwalk that the water is not all that good smelling or clean.

[slang]

The website gives all the history and some better looking photos of the JK, but trust me, this is what it really looks like.

In all fairness we did not eat there. The food could well be heavenly.

[theotherguy]

Originally Posted by slang

Has anyone seen anything like this outside the Philippines? It cant possibly have started here but I've not seen them away from here.

I see them driving around Nashville quite a bit.

[slang]

OK, thanks TOG.