After 15 years in the Philippines, I think I've come up with my best idea yet for new expats. ๐
A lot of people arrive here worried about crime, scams, getting ripped off, taxi drivers overcharging, all of it.
So here's my proposal: altitude training for expats.
I spent almost a year in Kenya, I've been to Ethiopia a few times, and I've traveled around South America. Kenya and Ethiopia are famous for producing some of the best distance runners in the world. Just look at the men's Boston Marathon: 10 of the last 11 winners were from Kenya or Ethiopia.
Part of the training culture there is altitude. You train in tougher conditions, adapt, then come down to sea level ready to run.
So let's apply the same principle to expats.
Instead of flying straight from the US or Europe to the Philippines, we first drop you somewhere in Africa or South America for 30 days.
You get your phone, wallet, passport and one suitcase.
If after a month your passport, wallet, luggage and kidneys are all still accounted for, congratulations. ๐
You're now certified for the Philippines. ๐
Comparing South America with the Philippines? What a joke! Mate, I'm from Ecuador, the second most dangerous place in South America ๐. These days only El Salvador is as safe as the Philippines. I've lived here 12 years and have two kids with my wife, and the 30 days are useless because nobody will ever need that here. ๐ Just use common sense. ๐
I don't get it, just send them to India for a weekend instead.. they'll get more practice in one weekend than in a month in some African country. ๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ
I've been married to my wife for 28 years and we have a daughter, both born in the Philippines. I have a good system too. I've climbed some mountains as well, including the high peaks of the Adirondacks and Rainier in Washington. Nothing prepares you for the Philippines except travel, reading about the culture and history, and immersing yourself in all kinds of settings here. Altitude has nothing to do with it. Spend time with locals, work in a rice field, and expose yourself to the poverty, the wealth and everything else the Philippines has to offer. Also, get ready for jet lag! And anyone who's had a traumatic brain injury (TBI), stay off mountains!
It's really simple... Soft men shouldn't travel.
You mean โattitudeโ training....
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