Your article on the trip to the Phillipines was very interesting and brought back a lot of memories. As I sit here on this bright , sunny Sunday morning reading this article I recall the year I spent at Subic Bay in the early 70's. I see that nothing has really changed. I was in the Navy at the time and unlike most of my fellow sailors, I spent a lot of my off time in the "provinces" actually meeting the people and seeing their way of life. I see "Jeepneys" are still the main mode of taxi transport and wages have not seemed to increase. I have told stories of my adventures to my wife and daughters over the years, and this article really helped to reinforce those stories. I only wish I had been more into reefs then, as I spent almost 2 years stationed in various places around the Pacific.
Your article also portrays a very real understanding of the way of life for these people. The people I met there were for the most part very hard working and very inventive. You had to be because of the very low income rate. I believe more Americans should be exposed to more of this type of culture ..... it sure makes life here seem a lot less petty! The next time they want to complain about their low income or not being able to afford that high dollar home or car ..... they may think twice about what they already have!!!!
Your article also portrays a very real understanding of the way of life for these people. The people I met there were for the most part very hard working and very inventive. You had to be because of the very low income rate. I believe more Americans should be exposed to more of this type of culture ..... it sure makes life here seem a lot less petty! The next time they want to complain about their low income or not being able to afford that high dollar home or car ..... they may think twice about what they already have!!!!