Angeles City

[Amavida]

How about a Christmas present to the community? Can both of you give it a rest? This nitpicking and criticism, veiled and direct, of each other is petty, drawn out, and really isn't much of a benefit. Does it even soothe your bruised egos? You don't like each other. Got it; we all understand. You're both not bad commentators, often have pertinent info, and at times amusing anecdotes. Stick to that, I say. Thank you and have a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

Agreed, have a great Christmas Huts.

AV.

[Hutsori]

How about a Christmas present to the community? Can both of you give it a rest? This nitpicking and criticism, veiled and direct, of each other is petty, drawn out, and really isn't much of a benefit. Does it even soothe your bruised egos? You don't like each other. Got it; we all understand. You're both not bad commentators, often have pertinent info, and at times amusing anecdotes. Stick to that, I say. Thank you and have a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

[Amavida]

Maybe because you can get viagra or any generic version from any pharmacy there. "Cialis" is only available trough street salesmen but even that is not the genuine stuff.

People who claim vast experience of the PI would know quite well that there has been a supply problem of Cialis into the PI for quite a while. You have not been able to get Branded or Generic Cialis. The street hawkers have been offering facsimile boxes of Cialis which contain an inactive worthless pill (pure fake).

The Viagra & Levitra offered by street hawkers is for the most part generic drug in facsimile boxes (I. E. Real drug in fake box).

The Viagra & Levitra offered by pharmacies is, of course, the real branded drug but at much higher price.

If you are coming for a sex vacation to the PI and want to, ahem, maximise your investment, then my advise is try a box of V or L from a local street vendor & if (as it usually it is) you find it satisfactory, then come back to the same guy for more. Never buy in bulk until you 'try' a single box first just in case. If you are unlucky can't get the generic off the street then go to Watsons or Generica to buy the much more expensive version. Mercury can be a bit legalistic about supplying without a script but no harm in trying them.

As for Cialis, it's strictly BYO for now.

Again, alleged veterans would already know this so its a bit disingenuous to ask such a question.

AV.

[Amavida]

I'm just now recovering from a case of Amoebic Dysentery, it's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Due to the up to 72 hour incubation period I can't pin down the exact source, but strongly suspect I picked it up at a well known Dim Sum resto on Mango Ave, Cebu City (fixed location, not street food vendor). Initially thought it was just a simple case of "bad food" or "Montezuma's Revenge", but when Imodium AD (loperamide) didn't work I switched to E-Mycin. It knocked it back, but didn't clear it up. Based on the advice of WR (who's also had it before) and that of a nurse I'm banging (who I won't let near WR) I then switched to Flagyl (metronidazole) and within 2 days I was feeling better, but as WR can testify I still looked like "death warmed over", LOL. About the only good thing was that I lost a fair amount of weight, but not eating more then a banana or a cup of broth in day for 2 plus weeks will do that to ya.

Food safety is not a priority here at any resto or retailer, I'm not even certain any food health laws exist. Even if they do, I doubt they're enforced or, as is typical here, they're corrupt and are paid off for any violations. Business as usual. Cross contamination I think is quite common and if they didn't typically over cook / deep fry the majority their food, I think you'd see more people getting sick. Take a trip to a grocery store, like an SM or Metro, go to the fresh meat / poultry / fish section and you'll see that it's all displayed in open cases / bins; people use metal tongs to select their own cuts of meat, place them into thin plastic baggies and then hand them to the counter help for weighing / pricing. Customers often use the same tongs to select chicken, pork and / or beef and the same scales / butcher blocks are also commonly used for weighing / chopping the meats.

I've taken to using one of the plastic baggies to handle the tongs (I do occasionally see other people doing the same) and to carrying one of those small bottles of alcohol based hand disinfectant, which I use both before and after shopping / eating. Naturally I thoroughly wash all of the meat / fish I purchase (as well as any fresh produce) and cook my own food to recommend temps.

Despite the apparent lack of food safety regulation (s) / enforcement, this is the first time that I've gotten seriously ill from food here and I routinely eat at both street vendors. The last 10 years when I was working in the USA I used travel across the country extensively and I got "traveler's diarrhea" more often there then I did here; even got a few severe cases of E-Coli / Salmonella. My point is, it doesn't really matter where you eat, you always take a chance on picking up something and you can only really rely on the integrity of the resto and their desire to stay in business to maintain even a semblance of safe food handling practices. I wouldn't classify street vendors as being the sole culprit and I for one will continue to eat from them regardless of the country I'm in.

Just a couple of friendly comments:

You cannot self diagnose Amoebic Dysentery. If you have spent the money to get it _correctly_ diagnosed then for gods sake get to a real doctor to prescribe the correct medication!

The exception to this rule is if you are out in the back blocks of PI far from good doc's. There is almost always corner store pharmacies even in the most far flung places willing to sell you anything you can ask for, If you know what to ask for. Often the very best treatment is not available but a second or third choice CDC recommendation is available over the counter.

If you come down with a severe gut infection then Metronidazole _PLUS_ Ciprofloxacin is the easiest to obtain, most effective self administered medication you can lay your hands on at short notice.

Taking Metronidazole on its own is wrong.

Be aware that Ciprofloxacim has some pretty nasty side affects, it tastes very bitter in your mouth, it makes you skin burn very easily (stay out of the sun). Its quite likely you will be only able to tolerate oral Cipro for a few days before you start throwing up at the bitter taste of it but it is highly effective at eradicating a very wide range of gut pathogens (Shot Gun approach).

You guys need to be very careful self diagnosing & self prescribing, you can give your selves big long term problems with severe antibiotic resistance and other things.

Happy Christmas.

AV.

[AceKicker]

I don't know when it happened, but the street salesmen now start their sales pitch with "Cialis" rather than "viagra".

Maybe because you can get viagra or any generic version from any pharmacy there. "Cialis" is only available trough street salesmen but even that is not the genuine stuff.

[WestCoast1]

Good advice, do not self medicate, seek professional help, Doctor. Spend thousands to get there, hotels, girls etc just to eat street vendor food? Not me.

Haha that is exactly me. Love it. Two sticks of chicken satay bbq and a bag of rice, no utensils. Lick fingers and go. Sounds a lot like sex, doesn't it?

[Ikksman]

Gunga Din? It sounds familiar of a handle name here.

Sure it's your own way not to eat any from street vendors. Food sensitivity could be different man to man. We will not push in someone what they cannot do. {S N I P}
If once I can get my own time, sure I love to join with them, sitting in a corner of the crowd with couple of drinks and some bites. I love to watch of the locals, the way of their talking, the moving and what they prefer to eat. I had taken a risk but in return I got a lot what I love.

I eat well-cooked street food in most places, but not China. I am also very careful in China about which restaurants I eat in and which supermarkets I patronise. The noxious chemicals accumulate in the body and eventually cause serious health problems, regardless of individual levels of tolerance. I guess not much of a problem for tourists, but certainly is for residents (like myself).

Gunga Din was supposedly a very brave Indian water bearer who tended wounded British soldiers. The original saying was "You're a better man than me Gunga Din" and I think from a Rudyard Kipling poem. There was a famous movie of the same name (Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Cary Grant)? In my youth, a very common saying was the "braver" variation.

Ikksman.

[Socker]

Thank You

Just a few notes to get us back onto a more relevant topic.

Pony Tails continues to be an excellent afternoon choice. It has a nice setup, early hours, good looking and friendly women. I had a nice chat with the Scorpion girl the other day.

As usual, some guys throwing money from the upper levels at Crystal Palace. Oh wait, yesterday it was not only bills, but packages of hair care and other such things. One ended up in my drink.

On the same street is Tropix which I keep going back to because of some wonderful memories. LOL. It's seems pretty dead these days. Some old guy went up to the stage and placed a pile of coins in a row on the stage for all seven gals on the stage. Most walked up and took a pile. A few hung back with a "wtf" look on their faces, but eventually stepped forward and took their pile. The gals all made eye contact with the old gent and said thank you. I'm wondering if he thought this was more respectful and organized than the wild free for all when bills start falling from the rafters. Both might be somehow demeaning, but the free for all seems a bit less awkward than what I saw at Tropix.

The old Genesis, which became the oddly named Nemesis when Koreans took over, remains one of my favorites. A virtual army of young ladies who rotate on the stage quite regularly allowing you to get a good look at the entire lineup.

On thing I noticed is that Crystal Palace tends to employ the full bodied gals, while Nemesis has quite a few who are extremely petite.

Brass Knob. The stage is a bit high in this place. If you sit in the stools at the stage you'll be facing the dancer's knees. I'm afraid you'd end up with a stiff neck if you actually tried to make eye contact.

I don't know when it happened, but the street salesmen now start their sales pitch with "Cialis" rather than "viagra".

.

I'm a board member and I WANT current and pertinent information on pussy hunting in AC. That's why I'm here on this ISG!

Thanks X for the only worthy post here and NOW, LOL, what a joke this place can be, LOL.

For others.....here's some advice...... just don't eat!

OR....the dirtier questionable food you eat in life, the stronger your constitution will be against other harmful entries. And why do I even have to say this. sheeez..

Back to the AC forum :)

On my last trip Tropix had some nice pussy but it was waiting for Mr. K. This time I will try Ponytails and the bars in that area, (usually don't). Your info is good thx Bro!!

AC pussy........5/2014 Tropix, no, La Vegas Pussy (I mean), is what we have here...my second option that nite. AC pussy.........AC Forum......

[Sxxxx]

The food vendors on my soi, in Bkk wash dishes with water from big water bottles they've been using for years. The water is green from algae growing in the water bottles for years and years. Overnight they park their carts on the street. I can't imagine how many rats run around inside them.

I only eat in restaurants, food courts or home but if I get sick I never self medicate. Straight to the doctor.

Bangkok. And yes I have noticed that when they run out of the algae infested water from bottles they just keep washing plates etc in the same water until it becomes filthy. There is no replacement once the water they originally brought with them has been used. Locals have developed immunity from this lack of hygiene, foreigners not. Beware.

Good advice, do not self medicate, seek professional help, Doctor. Spend thousands to get there, hotels, girls etc just to eat street vendor food? Not me.

[JesseJames]

I've lived five years in the Phils and currently in my third year in China. Never bought street food in either country. I must confess that while I was never tempted in the Phils, the morning stalls on the corner of most major roads in Beijing smell great. But I'm not a taker, heard too many stories of friends getting sick from ice cubes in Makati to rats being used for meat in Beijing. I would caution those who pop pills on a frequent basis, just make sure they don't render your system useless. While I don't miss Filipino food (even what is considered good), in China there are many great places to eat so no need to take a chance with street food.

The food vendors on my soi, in Bkk wash dishes with water from big water bottles they've been using for years. The water is green from algae growing in the water bottles for years and years. Overnight they park their carts on the street. I can't imagine how many rats run around inside them.

I only eat in restaurants, food courts or home but if I get sick I never self medicate. Straight to the doctor.

[Kaywhy]

Gunga Din? It sounds familiar of a handle name here.

Sure it's your own way not to eat any from street vendors. Food sensitivity could be different man to man. We will not push in someone what they cannot do.

So far you had seen in the cities in China, after dark what happening in open air eatery places. The food vendors appearing one by one; the foot covers with portable chairs and tables. The night darker and darker and the places get more crowded by the peoples for drinking and eating.

Since they are living alive and doing all the things what we do, then why not me?

If once I can get my own time, sure I love to join with them, sitting in a corner of the crowd with couple of drinks and some bites. I love to watch of the locals, the way of their talking, the moving and what they prefer to eat. I had taken a risk but in return I got a lot what I love.

I've lived five years in the Phils and currently in my third year in China. Never bought street food in either country. I must confess that while I was never tempted in the Phils, the morning stalls on the corner of most major roads in Beijing smell great. But I'm not a taker, heard too many stories of friends getting sick from ice cubes in Makati to rats being used for meat in Beijing. I would caution those who pop pills on a frequent basis, just make sure they don't render your system useless. While I don't miss Filipino food (even what is considered good), in China there are many great places to eat so no need to take a chance with street food.

[LifeIsABeach]

I tended to eat street food in just about every country I have visited without ay problems. But when I was in AC 3 years ago, towards the end of my trip there, I started having stomach problems. I only had Imodium AD (loperamide) and that tended to control it a bit but not cure it. I had to travel to Manila to flight to Cambodia for the second part of my trip and for two further weeks, my stomach was tender. I even went to a Pharmacy and took whatever they gave me but it would not go away. When I got back, my doctor gave me 1000 MG of Cipro and bang, I felt a weight off my shoulders and stomach felt good. Now, I always carry a bottle of Cipro with me together with Imodium AD (loperamide). I tend to stay away from street food but I had issues with restaurant food in Peru after that. It got to the point that I started cooking food myself in Peru as water may not be clean and they clean dishes with cold water. Now, I have to see the food cooked and must be hot to kill the bacteria.

[Kabul Guy]

There is a vaccine called Dukoral that will prevent cholera for 5 years but will prevent e. Coli infections for 3 months.

I have been taking it every 3 months for the last several years and seldom get sick even while eating in some pretty dodgy places.

That plus Cipro at first sign of any issues has helped me avoid any of the less pleasant issues discussed below.

[Slippery]

I don't know what I had for 11 days earlier in the month, but it was definitely from restaurant food in Angeles. [CodeWord116] was nearly black or green and nearly all liquid. A very nasty infection.

[GoodEnough]

I'm just now recovering from a case of Amoebic Dysentery, it's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Due to the up to 72 hour incubation period I can't pin down the exact source, but strongly suspect I picked it up at a well known Dim Sum resto on Mango Ave, Cebu City (fixed location, not street food vendor). Initially thought it was just a simple case of "bad food" or "Montezuma's Revenge", but when Imodium AD (loperamide) didn't work I switched to E-Mycin. It knocked it back, but didn't clear it up. Based on the advice of WR (who's also had it before) and that of a nurse I'm banging (who I won't let near WR) I then switched to Flagyl (metronidazole) and within 2 days I was feeling better, but as WR can testify I still looked like "death warmed over", LOL. About the only good thing was that I lost a fair amount of weight, but not eating more then a banana or a cup of broth in day for 2 plus weeks will do that to ya.

Food safety is not a priority here at any resto or retailer, I'm not even certain any food health laws exist. Even if they do, I doubt they're enforced or, as is typical here, they're corrupt and are paid off for any violations.

I remember a time, two decades or so ago, when I was speaking to a cousin who was a Gastroenterilogist. I was just about to embark on what would become a decade or so traveling around Africa. He advised me never to be without several treatments of Ciiproflaxicen, and it's advice I never forgot. I've now been in the Pjilippines for about 11 years and have suspected amoebic dysentery only 3-4 times, but at the very first sign I start popping 500 MG tablets of Cipro, and the symptoms disappear withing a few hours. However, I suspect I'm more careful here than many. I never eat in Filipino restaurants, and always take my trade to those owned by expats, I never eat off the street; not so much as a soda. This is not a great sacrifice for me as I don't like the local food and would rather be hungry than eat it.

GE.