Interview with Bjorn Philippines Expatriate This s is a video interview with Bjorn born in Norway who has lived in the Philippines for nine years. How he chose Philippines for apartments, hotels, language, neighborhood, business with the pros and cons of living in the Malate, Ermita, Mabini neighborhood of Metro Manila. He has been an Expat for 30 years, living in many countries working in investments. --------------------------------- Manila Philippines - Southeast Asia Malate Mabini Ermita Sunday, January 27, 2008 Andy of HoboTraveler.com --- Submit Hotel URL ----------------------------------
Photo of Bjorn in the Malate Pensionne Hotel, I guess this is some type of common use Air Con room for the Starbucks, but available to be used by the residents of the Guesthouse. There is a courtyard area behind him that leads to the entrance.
He spoke a little more politically correct than I was hoping, however this is Bjorn, a man who has lived in Manila for years. I feel the idea of living in room for 15 dollars per night, and he chose this above both and apartment or even a Five Star Hotel needs to be heard.
Many expats go and live, however they travel and live like a tourist, never slowing themselves down to re-think the proposition, living is not the same as being a tourist.
Bjorn did not answer this question and kept more politically correct than I was hoping. In person he can be very direct and gives some great one line commments that clarify. I do not stage or edit these interviews.The Memory of the Camera Card ran out and we had to end. I guess I will need to buy a couple more cards. The Camera used one gig to do this video tha is much smaller now. It was rejected on youtube.com as too big.
Trish G. said on Tuesday January 29th, 2008 09:22:00 PM
I'm surprised you asked about Filipino women. In the previous blog you condemn men seeking women in the Philippines. Your just a ordinary Saint is that it ?
Not a Saint, but I am good at empathy...I know or empathize that there are many tourist and travelers who go to the Philippines looking for wives.Therefore, to help the mass number of GOOD men, not the other ones, I was asking a person that would or should in a way know better tham me. I do not live in the Philippine, while if you listened, Bjorn was there for 9 years.The bigger point to me of value is the Expat lifestyle he has, he lives in the Malate Pension, the room are just ok, the staff is ok, but the courtyard and atrium area of the Starbucks, coupled with the Lonely Planet induced traveler created an enviroment he liked.I can only handle the Philipines about the 21 days they give me and I have to excape the mud puddle lifesyle of Philippines.I do condemn black and white, all or nothing, no grey area thinking such as your Trish. Simple, no propositions, hold on to any comment at all cost and be politically correct.
Anonymous said on Wednesday January 30th, 2008 07:32:00 AM
Men are men and women are women are women. I am currently married to a Filipina for the past 20+ years. She takes better care of me than I deserve. One difference is my wife is a professional and was already in the US 14 years when we met. I occasionally post on expat boards where the white guys are in PI looking for their dream wives. Most are looking in the wrong places and for the wrong reasons. Some get used, some are users, some are happy and some not. Marrying a Filipina is like any other woman, you get what you put into the relationship.
I don't have a lot in my 401k retirement fund. I was wondering how I would contact an investment banker/deal maker in the Philippines who lives in a cheap hotel to help make my money grow....That was a priceless interview. I almost thought both of you where serious for a minute.
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