Foreign Travel?

[ultrarunner]

It’s been decades since I had a real vacation as every trip is always work related in some way.

My coworker invited me to go with her and her family to the Philippines and anyone working in a hospital knows nurses with ties to the Philippines are a huge presence in the workforce.

She thought it was admirable that I was learning one Tagalog word each workday as many of our elderly patients are from the Philippines…

Thought about it and said why not… was able to get the time off and book the same flight at a great fare and in the same row.

It was not until a few weeks after I booked friends and coworkers started expressing fears about my safety and since booking the US, Canadian and GB State Departments have all increased their advisories against Philippine travel up to Avoid All Travel and Avoid All Non-Essential Travel due to risk of kidnapping, etc. for my general destination.

I asked and she said there has been an uptick of activity but her family is very well connected with siblings in military and government and they would not let anything happen… but it’s not like I would be able to blend in…

For something set up to be a fun get away and cultural exchange it’s becoming anything but.

Maybe Oakland really is my safe place and the world isn’t my oyster in 2024?

Last I checked kidnapping is not a concern in and around the SF Bay Area… smash and grab property crimes are off the hook though.

A few say go… you will be fine with the majority saying no way…

 

[California]

Just do it. The tourists who get in trouble are those with no 'street sense'. Your hosts are locals, they will know where not to go, and will instinctively sense and get away from trouble. I'm sure you have similar instincts for Oakland. Same thing.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[dodge man]

I agree, since you’re traveling with other people I’d go for it.

 

[WinterDeere]

No advice here, I've done more traveling than most, but all safe European countries. But as a 6ft tall strawberry blonde with a lifelong desire to visit Israel, Palestine, and other middle eastern sites of Biblical history, I'm obviously interested in how this might turn out.

 

[mjarrels]

No advice here, I've done more traveling than most, but all safe European countries. But as a 6ft tall strawberry blonde with a lifelong desire to visit Israel, Palestine, and other middle eastern sites of Biblical history, I'm obviously interested in how this might turn out.

Lost count on how many times I have been in the Philippiines, did two tours at NAS Cubi point and many port calls at Subi Bay. Been married to a gall from there for about 40 years. Some of the nicest people in the world. Lost count of how many times I flew there from Virginia. The malls are incredible and very large in the hundreds of thousand square meters with large food courts with foods from around the word. Cheap living and the US dollar is strong.

mark

 

[EddieWalker]

No experience in the Philippines, and it's been decades since I lived in Indonesia as a Marine Embassy Guard.

People that had problems, all seemed to make these same mistakes.

Use common sense, don't make new friends there, don't go to anybody's home, don't get in a taxi with strangers, and never drink from anything that you didn't personally open. Avoid being flashy, keep your cash, or cards, in your front pocket, and not in a wallet. Make copies of all your information and give them to a trusted friend back home.

 

[newbury]

And post pictures to TBN frequently so we know you are OK!
Go with your friend and look as poor as you can.
Don't try to help "poor people on the street" unless your "guides" say it's ok.
And be politically sensitive. I almost got caught in a riot on my first trip to S. Korea. I've read that getting jailed abroad ruins a trip.

 

[ultrarunner]

No advice here, I've done more traveling than most, but all safe European countries. But as a 6ft tall strawberry blonde with a lifelong desire to visit Israel, Palestine, and other middle eastern sites of Biblical history, I'm obviously interested in how this might turn out.

Traveled extensivly in Western and Eastern Europe solo and never an issue... was cautioned against Slovenia at the time but a great experience... had the place to myself due to what was happening nextdoor at the time.

I was told people 6'4 and 250 lbs cannot "Blend In" traveling the provinces of Mindanao, Philippines...

 

[ultrarunner]

I vacillate almost daily which is totally out of character for me...

Those saying I will be fine and those fearing for my safety are Filipino combined with heightened threat level to Americans just posted by the State Department.

I asked my host if she has ever traveled around her island of Mindanao and she said no... we stay on our side and they stay on their side and I'm thinking its an Island so how can there be sides between Muslim and non-Muslim?

In California I've attended Muslim weddings and family celebrations on the birth of a child and always warmly welcomed.

But I don't know what I don't know and the retired chief of police of Davao has now communicated his concern over my travel plans saying Davao is very safe but my destination puts me in peril... and not everything is reported so as not to impact tourism.

I never would have guessed so many would be looking out for me.

The last time I "Vacated" vacationed was 2000...

 

[California]

Ok, listen those locals advice. They understand the situation.

But visiting elsewhere that your hosts are familiar with, shouldn't be a problem.