Feb 26 2009
Things I Miss in the Philippines Part II
I did a topic like this shortly after we arrived here so I thought I would update the list. Of course I miss family and friends, that goes without saying. This is just about the materialistic side of what I miss. Of course I still miss readily available hot water in the kitchen and I definitely miss having a sprayer at the sink and a dishwasher. But you do adapt to things over time. So what is on my list of things I miss in the Philippines now?
1. Cheese - I just refuse to pay the price of shredded cheese here. I can’t even begin to fathom paying $20 for cheese, I will just do without. That’s tough considering I am a huge cheese lover. I did pay the equivalent of about $6 the other day for a pack of Kraft sliced cheese. Hard to make a good casserole though without shredded cheese.
2. Sour Cream - I can buy something called sour cream. And the taste is even close. But the texture is no where close to what we are used to. Sour Cream is something I am used to pushing off the spoon because of its thickness and creaminess. Here it about the consistancy of whipping cream, maybe thinner:
3. Sugar Free Drinks: I can buy Coke zero but I am not a soda drinker. I would like to be able to buy sugar free koolaid or Crystal Light. I can’t even order it through Amazon or the Commissary for some reason. Very odd. And yes I have offers to have it sent to me, I just have not broke down and agreed to it yet. I am still determined to stick to my adapt to the situation resolution!
4. Toilet paper and seats in the public bathrooms: This one is worthy of a topic all to its own one of these days! We’ll just leave it at the point of saying it would be nice to have those things!
And the thing I miss the most in the Philippines?
A Second Vehicle! Gosh, after all these years of being able to go where I wanted when I wanted, it is definitely tough trying to figure out sharing a vehicle. Sure I could take him to work every day and pick him up every afternoon but there are times he needs to go places for work that are not scheduled ahead of time. And I am truly not so fond of the traffic. I could call a taxi or I could walk (remember the 95 degree temp though) but neither option appeals to me most of the time so I just stay home. Of course I do work, so I have things to do, but it is tough if you just want to get out.
I’ll quit whining now. There is nothing earth shattering on the list, and there are ways around each of them…well maybe not the sour cream but hey with no cheese I am not making much that I want sour cream for anyhow! See, I can adapt!
Kathy, you have to do a blog on the restroom situation. When we lived in Germany it was always and adventure to see “how does this one work?”
Love your attitude…you are a trooper!!!! : )
Kathy - It sounds like we are very spoiled in the US. We just expect things to be as they are everywhere. Can’t remember how long you’re scheduled to be there, but you will appreciate it when you get back. I know that one time when we were in the boonies in Mexico, the rest rooms were a hole in the floor! Yikes! I often wondered where it all went. LOL!
Judy
Linda I will definitely do the blog entry on the toilet adventures!
Judy that sounds like bathrooms in Japan! Not quite a hole in the floor there but definitely not a raised toilet either
As it took two shakes to remove the sour cream from my spoon at supper last night, I thought of you! : )
Sour Cream - you can buy the BULLA brand at any S&R Membership Shopping Center. You can google their locations. The consistency of this one isn’t like what watery type that you mentioned.
Sugar Free Drinks - Look for CU2 bottled flavored tea. It’s very much like Nestea, and they have Lite. They are usually available in any high end supermarket.
Friendly Tip: Do your groceries at either S&R Shopping or Rustan’s Supermarket. S&R looks like something like Costco, but smaller - well, way smaller. But the products are mostly imported, and you can find vegetables & fruits that are not in the local supermarket. As for Rustan’s, it’s not a wholesale store but they have nicer and interesting products.
Cheese - there are a few, specialty deli’s that have different kinds of cheese. Try to look for Santis Delicatessen, Earle’s Delicatessen, Mickey’s Delicatessen. You can google them to find their locations & contact numbers.