Working In the Philippines

You know you're in the Philippines when you see a quiring outfitter set up against the cemetary fence.

Where the carver ponders the correct spelling of Rest in Peace (lowercase i in "in") as cars whiz by.

You know you're in the Philippines when you drill a hole in the concrete wall to hang a two pound frame.

And where the drill power is supplied through a multiple spliced extension cord.

You know you're deep in the Philippines when a pier porter tags along with the courrier to deliver a box. And he is bearing the 107-pound box freely, without fancy back supports or steel-toed shoes.

You know you're really in the Philippines when the air-conditioner technician uses a garbage bag to catch the water from cleaning the units.

Whereas he uses packing tape to secure his equipment, rather than the sturdier (and much more costly) duct tape.

And is assisted by the next door neighbor, who flips the switch of the water pump when he so instructs...

Who fetches water with a bowl, from the kitchen sink...

To fill the bucket from which the water pump draws the water...

To wash the air-conditioner unit and its filters.

You know you're definitely in Bohol when the neighborly assistant gladly does her job for a mere P100 (the exchange rate is $1.00:P42.00) for six hour's work!

That's how they work in the Philippines.

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