[subutai]

(11-23-2010 09:51 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(11-23-2010 12:07 AM)Rocco81 Wrote:  

Of course a place like Colombia on average has better looking women than here, who are also cooler to hang out with etc. But there are still some old school and attractive American girls around too. They aren't in LA or DC or if they are they are probably visiting from a small town or another country.

That's the problem. Indeed, you can find a gold bracelet in a landfill dump if you look hard enough. And it will be free. But I'd rather pay money and get one in a jewelry shop.

Which again leads to what is more valuable for you - time or money.

Good analogy.

You can waddle over to your your local lake/river (which might be polluted), throw out your line, and hope for the best while drinking a beer.

Or you can sail out to the open seas where the fish are nice and fresh.

The third way is to sail out to the open seas and locate hordes of fish using specialized sonar equipment, cast out your nets, and wait while they're just swept onto your boat.

I like the third and see it as equivalent to guys who work for the man their entire lives, living paycheck to paycheck, versus those who choose to become their own boss.

It's not for everyone, and in fact, it should be just for the chosen few who have what it takes.

[phoenix abroad]

(11-24-2010 12:50 AM)raliv Wrote:  

I don't know if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

But I sure as hell intend to find out. And that's the point.

Great point raliv and that is exactly what I am doing. You never know if the grass really is greener until you get there.

It is clear that America is no longer the best place in the world, but it certainly isn't the worst place to live either.

During a service trip to the Philippines I visited Smokey Mountain, a garbage dump in Manila where ~30,000 people lived and worked. Children were climbing huge mounds of trash trying to scavenge anything of value that could be sold. I suddenly realized that maybe America isn't that bad after all.

[manilaguy]

(11-28-2010 05:15 PM)phoenix abroad Wrote:  

(11-24-2010 12:50 AM)raliv Wrote:  

I don't know if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

But I sure as hell intend to find out. And that's the point.

Great point raliv and that is exactly what I am doing. You never know if the grass really is greener until you get there.

It is clear that America is no longer the best place in the world, but it certainly isn't the worst place to live either.

During a service trip to the Philippines I visited Smokey Mountain, a garbage dump in Manila where ~30,000 people lived and worked. Children were climbing huge mounds of trash trying to scavenge anything of value that could be sold. I suddenly realized that maybe America isn't that bad after all.

Amazing point. Especially when a majority of people in the Philippines are trying to get out and then we have these ex-pat guys who want to move in. The locals are like:

Surprisingly and paradoxically, after living in the US I have come to understand why the Philippines will actually seem like a good place to live for someone from the US.

What's the old addage, "the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side"

[oldnemesis]

(11-28-2010 05:15 PM)phoenix abroad Wrote:  

During a service trip to the Philippines I visited Smokey Mountain, a garbage dump in Manila where ~30,000 people lived and worked. Children were climbing huge mounds of trash trying to scavenge anything of value that could be sold. I suddenly realized that maybe America isn't that bad after all.

Well, no matter where you live, there are problems. It is just different kind of problems. As we say it in Russia, some complain about having meat once a month, and some complain the diamonds on their earrings are too small. Being born in a relatively poor family, I can confirm it from my own experience - your problems never go away once you get richer. Instead, your expectations go up and you end up with "my collection of diamonds is too small" instead of "what I gonna eat for dinner" kind of problem.

[oldnemesis]

(11-29-2010 05:45 PM)manilaguy Wrote:  

Amazing point. Especially when a majority of people in the Philippines are trying to get out and then we have these ex-pat guys who want to move in. The locals are like:

I doubt locals are like that. At least in Thailand they understand it really well those expat guys are not coming there to live the average Thai life. I bet in Philippines you won't see their children scavenging garbage dumps either. It is rather getting more bang from your back.

[manilaguy]

(11-29-2010 06:39 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

I doubt locals are like that. At least in Thailand they understand it really well those expat guys are not coming there to live the average Thai life. I bet in Philippines you won't see their children scavenging garbage dumps either. It is rather getting more bang from your back.

It boils down to international economics which is the premise of lifestyle design products marketed here in western countries. However, it is a one way street, an option reserved only for the few.

There is wisdom in knowing how good you got it.

Personally, i am happy for the direct investments put in by ex-pats as it recirculates to the local economy -- and will genuinely help anyone thinking of this. Even whore-mongering in Angeles city puts food in the table and gives some kid a fair chance.

And for the record, the smokey mountain is the pits of the pits, not average at all, but very captivating and makes good CNN coverage on topics of international poverty.