You need my advice, to discuss many things for experience sake and prep before leaving.
It may look like and feel like Hawaii, but beware it's not!
For example in the Philippines there are many con-games that are played on the tourist by the girls (penpals), venders, gamblers, taxi's and a host of others. As well as overcharging, money changing scams and switches, and ways to lure to a con, robbery, pickpocket, stoning, or kidnapping. If you become a client call me these and many other things need to be discussed. In general Arab Nations; Muslims, Terrorists, Rebels are large part of the populations in several Asian countries. I'm talking US hating people who want your money or just to hurt or kill you with out a question! There are many Muslim groups living within the Philippines. This in addition to the fact that it is a poor country wear $200.00 US could support a simple man's family for a month! Taxis or selling over charging a nieve foriegner is common, even a (balikbyan) returning Filipino. This is a land where becuase jobs can't be found it takes a Police check and a two year college degree to get you meet and great job at the door, (promo girl job) in a store or McDonalds, without which no job at all! There are armed guards with shot guns or automatic weapons at every stores front door. Conning the foriegner, short changing in a money exchange, pick pocket tricks, beggers tricks, a poker scam, a lure and rob scam and others could get you a months income. Stunning tricks and robberies, even six man team practices just to steel your watch.
That said, many Muslims do not hate you and mean you no harm! But do you know which ones? The average life style is fifty years behind us or more in the country. Many areas within many of the Islands can be safe for us and generally most Filipinos like us! Or so it seems to your eye. (It helps to understand the language without them knowing you do)! Most treat us nice, treat us special, are freindly openly giving kind people! Mostly they love us! You will feel a country charm and respect for us. Especially the women! Most would like to leave, to live and work here in our country. They have the illusion we are all high class and rich. You need to be in the know, be aware of were you can and can't go and what parts there are unsafe. Careful of going some where because Filipinos are telling you it's safe. Some times it's intentional and many times not, but is actually unsafe for you! Filipinas are often the last to know what is actually safe for you. It is for them. It's quite, but rebels are close and relatives live in the town and pass information unknown to her. It's quite till your set up. You could stay in and wander around places, parts of islands I know to be unsafe and it seems country like, quite, easy going, freindly, safe. Maybe a few days or a week or so suddenly your surprised at someone's home, beach front, public water recreation or dive spot! In time a group of rebels hear of you, plan and come into the quite country town or worse; a few military vehicles pull up to you, filled with many men and automatic assault weapons. Next thing you know they forcefully grab and take you. Often many others too, as a group. Now you are kidnaped and it's tuff luck for you. Ransum time which you, your family can't afford to pay and the Government won't pay. They have illusions about us and our rich Government. Even the US Embassy has given up on trying to recover us as they are suppose to do there. Most of us do not even appriase them on our travel plans (who, where, when, schedualed return) before we go, anyway. Even if you do, it is now hopeless for you. I know survivers to talk to, some have written books on the subject now!
I been teaching Martial Arts for years I’ve brought many students who wish to meet and study from those I train with. When I first started was paying for my trips out of my own pocket. So when I started bringing or helping other people I they would pay for some of my expenses. Then I just started charging a fee based on the time they wanted my help when there. I help them get around, meet those they came to see, show where to go get things they wanted or needed to live. Many want to collect certain things, find certain souvenirs, or import things. They needed to learn how many peso per US dollar, much to pay for things, not get taken advantage of on a daily basis, prevent overcharging, in using taxies, (even right from the airport) venders, getting ripped off in money exchanges, get the best rate of exchange (peso value changes daily and from place to place in same area same day you need to know the right places to save), going to different regions, Islands for fun, diving, other types of water fun, to do business, invest, by property, or just to meet people ( most; girl friends their writing, considering marriage) (most popular reason). There are lots of scams about that Too. It pays to have several girls to meet and have me check them out before you are to show up to meet her/ them! I help with that a lot! But most men I bring regardless of their reason once there, I take them around to do a few things, then they see, meet, and can’t resist the temptations of the abundant Filipina’s there. It can be very easy if you know where to go and what to do and say! Maybe it’s a little red light district, bar hopping and other places I can show them and (even when they have girl friends to meet near by) they end up getting and looking for lots of Sex, everyday! I can tell you many stories even about men who thought they hated women and did not want to marry a women ever again. These same men sometimes get off the plane meet, interact with a few Fillipina’s with in hours the first day, then it’s up to the room and their falling in love in just a day or two after seeing how Filipina’s are and treat them! (Even though I have given my standard speech about not doing that)! The American looking man can be very special there! Advice in going to certain places in South America and in Asia are dangerous even life threatening and you don’t even know it! Get a guide you can trust cheep! Your wondering around places in parts of the (example –Philippines) being nice, preaching good things. Conditions may seem a little poor but the people seem nice and everything seems fine to you. But go to the wrong area, give money to a beggar, gambling, be approached by the wrong person follow or go to do something with and the next thing you know your robbed, even in your hotel room, or come back and your things are gone. Best scenario maybe without knowing it, but you my be attacked by multiple people or taken for ransom yourself. As a tourist on a few day or week visit you don’t see or realize what’s going on around you! I can tell you many stories and examples! There are many things to learn and be aware of to keep out of trouble. In the Philippines for example what you paid for your digital camera could pay for food and all the bills for three months to a poor Filipino man’s entire family. You do not walk around dressed up nice with thick wallets wearing jewelry, with your cell phones, cameras, camcorders and such ! Don’t walk around acting like a tourist in Hawaii even though it looks like it and the people seem so nice! Believe me! Become a member ask me questions get advice before going there, or go during the times I’m going or already there to have my help and advice on all or part of your stay!
