America, it'll be a while before we meet again…
My wife and I have been in the US for almost three weeks. Tomorrow we set off for home in the Philippines.
It'll probably be a while before we come back. This trip reminded me how much I truly love the Philippines—not because it's perfect, but because life there feels more like actually living.
Both countries have serious problems. The Philippines certainly has its frustrations, complications and inefficiencies. But for us, everyday life there is less stressful.
For almost our entire time in America, we've been busy driving, shopping, spending, scheduling and coordinating. We've been constantly busy, but I'm not sure we've really been living.
American problems rarely feel minor, either. Income gets taxed, and then most of what you buy with that income gets taxed again. Depending on the state, cars keep costing you in taxes, registration and fees long after they're paid off. Groceries are expensive. People often seem rushed, impatient or obsessed with status.
Airports are draining, and across much of the country, the lack of usable public transportation makes driving almost unavoidable.
In the Philippines, our quality of life is simply better. We can enjoy experiences, time, help and breathing room that would be much harder to sustain in America.
I know our situation—especially earning or bringing in American money—isn't what the average Filipino family experiences. I'm not trying to brush aside the hardships many Filipinos face. I'm just being honest about our own life.
Amid all the voices talking about what's wrong with the Philippines, maybe we could make a little room to consider its advantages—and some of America's disadvantages.
For those who've lived in both countries: honestly, where did you have the better quality of life, and why?
