Robbed walking on the street near L. A. Cafe

[WestCoast1]

I suggest that a trip to Mindanao-home to the poorest provinces in the country-might prove educational. Visit some of the rural hamlets in Muslim Mindanao, or some of the smaller municipalities therein and you will get a sense of the destitution that characterizes the lives of the typical subsistence farmer. It will also give you a sense of why a place like Angeles probably seems like paradise when compared to the living circumstances from which many of these girls probably come.

GE

First you make the trip to the northeast corner of Mindanao and stop in Surigao city. Probably on the same level of AC in terms of sh*t-holiness. If you're feeling like you've come to the end of the earth, pretty much you have! Then at 6am you board a boat, and spend a few hours at sea, and land on Siargao Island. Your resort van picks you up and transports you across the island to the resort. On the 30 minute trip you are going on a trip backwards in time. Its very hard to describe, but what GE says above applies. Beautiful, odd, desolate. Living conditions that don't necessarily involve building materials that you've seen in the last hundred years. Entire dwellings that appear to be made from banana leaves (or similar). Good luck finding a building made of tin. Farmers spread their rice an inch thick right on the road to dry, while the van driver swerves to miss it. A 60+ year-old farmer standing in the rice paddy, wearing only what appears to be his very, very tiny underwear (more a loin cloth) ; and a tiny aneorexic naked 2 year-old boy right next to him helping. There has not been a power line, phone line, or any such thing spotted on the island so far. Having experiened other sh*tholes, you are shocked by the backwardness and living conditions (it might appear they've been living like this for centuries). Finally you reach the resort and check in. You and your gf are the only occupants of the resort. Its not really a resort, its a few huts with air conditioners. The beach is stunningly pretty. You will skinny dip at night and walk the beach naked, as there is not a sole out there to see you (or so you think). You finally come to the conclusion: You really HAVE reached the end of the earth, and AC's sh*thole may just be a step up!

GE, am I close with this description?

[GoodEnough]

There's no doubt that Angeles is pretty sleazy, shabby and poor. However, it's not among the poorest areas of the country. For those who have never traveled beyond the big cities, and who may be interested in expanding their understanding of the country and its people, I suggest that a trip to Mindanao-home to the poorest provinces in the country-might prove educational. Visit some of the rural hamlets in Muslim Mindanao, or some of the smaller municipalities therein and you will get a sense of the destitution that characterizes the lives of the typical subsistence farmer. It will also give you a sense of why a place like Angeles probably seems like paradise when compared to the living circumstances from which many of these girls probably come.

GE

[PinkPearl]

Where did I use the word "ghetto" and AC in the same sentence?

You used them in the same paragraph as follows:

". The drunkards, scumbags, convicted felons and other very unsavory characters that frequent AC. I was up there for 3 days last week and like Las Vegas, couldn't wait to get away from the place. (snip comment about Malate). Generally, it ain't a jungle out there unless you make it one by being a dick or hanging in the ghetto. If you're going to be a dog you're going to attract fleas and if you sleep with dogs you're going to get fleas." End of paragraph.

As for your loved Malate, Manila, is it the HIV capitol of the Philippines? :

"Malate has been called a center of gay night life in the Philippines, [2] and has a Gay Pride Parade every year. [3]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila

And speaking of "unsavory characters", American murdered in Seven Eleven store in Malate:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nat...rk-dirty-harry

Also, Metro Manila crime rate up by nearly 60%:

http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/me...rate-nearby-60

http://rp3.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/me...rate-climbs-36

http://www.numbeo.com/crime/city_res...es&city=Manila

Between "the poorest" area of Vancouver and "LA Café" you appear to be drawn to the darker areas of existence.

I've never been anywhere within 1000 miles of LA Cafe & the only thing that would draw me to "darker areas" where their is quality cheap pussy is, obviously, quality cheap pussy. IOW saving, over a period of years, at least 10's and 100's of thousands of dollars over what I'd pay in Canada for a similar product. IOW getting a hell of a lot more bang for my bucks.

Unfortunately the drawback of "darker" cheap hobbying areas is that they tend to be in places that are significantly more dangerous and generally offer less of anything that is important, like excellent medical care, banking & food options, peace & quiet, safe sex, comfort, and more of everything you don't want like scams, disease, undrinkable tap water, mosquitos, lowlifes & corruption, etc.

In the case of Vancouver's low track that would include a HIV rate similar to the worst areas of Africa, lousy service as one would expect from drug addicted sex workers, bed bug infested poon hotels, & somewhat higher prices than AC. So AC is the clearly the superior choice for sex between the two.

OTOH living in Vancouver is generally safer and better in almost every way one can think of or imagine compared to AC or the Philippines, so that should be factored in when calculating where one wishes to retire, vacation or spend a considerable amount of time.

How about you, what are you doing in the relatively dangerous Philippines, rather than somewhere safe like Hong Kong, Germany, Canada or even Bangkok?

Generally, it ain't a jungle out there unless you make it one by being a dick or hanging in the ghetto.

Aint? Is this how the high society types in Malate speak with one another? Or did you pick that up in the ghetto of AC?

It's actually worse than a ghetto. It's an impoverished attache to a US military base that no longer exists. About as bad as it gets anywhere.

It looks pretty pathetic in the videos I've seen. The foreigners there would have to upgrade the way they dress to qualify for acceptance under the dress code of US ghettos. My wardrobes in Canada & Bangkok don't have anything that would allow me to dress down to the level of what I've seen of AC foreigners. The funny thing is the hot young AC bargirls in their hot uniforms are pining for these same foreigners, most of whom are old retired guys who are afraid to put on any half decent clothes for fear of being mugged. And they think this show is convincing anyone they don't have money on them when they walk into such joints, or walk out with a girl or three on their arm? I find all of this quite amusing. Meanwhile, in a similar area in Bangkok full of bars around NEP, everyday I see farangs dressed up in business suits & other attire that would be far above the US ghetto level, let alone that of AC.

Pattaya is infinitely safer than AC, for locals and visitors. Without even a shadow of a doubt.

Just a gut feeling because you see scary guns in AC that scare you? Or have you actually researched this with solid reasons to back up your statement? BTW LE in both Bangkok and Canada carry firearms.

If you are so worried about robbery in AC, maybe duct tape your ATM card to a nipple inside your shirt & keep your cash in your undies next to Mr Johnson. That will be my MO;

[Pete Benetar]

AC is not bad at all.

Agreed AC and especially Fields is overall a very benign place, though I always limit long strolls down Perimeter to daytime. Ghetto can be loosely defined as any ethnically or racially concentrated community blighted by impoverishment and so I would not quibble with calling AC a ghetto. As the thread is about safety, the conventional description of an American ghetto being a black inner city ghetto is wholly different from AC. I've been in several of these and other hazardous areas but when I amuse myself (always retrospectively) , I think back to the early 90's when I lived in DC (Murder Capital, USA back then) and I moonlighted in the ER at DC General which was the only public hospital in the District. I would ALWAYS sprint to my vehicle parked a mere quarter mile from the front doors after finishing my evening shifts.

[Rick Rock]

RR has apparently never been in a real ghetto. AC is not bad at all. Stop exaggerating.

LOL. Where are you from, Camden NJ or something? Thankfully I don't live anywhere near a ghetto now, but yes I have been to plenty, including my years spent in Brooklyn East NY. Of course as soon as I got money I got the hell out of there, headed to Manhattan and never looked back, just like anyone else with a brain would do. Don't see Jay Z hanging out in Marcy very often nowadays.

The Philippines is in general one of the poorest most underdeveloped countries in the world (131 of 185). Angeles City is one of the worst parts of it. Ask any middle class Pinoy from a place like Makati City. They'll tell you.

Any place where open sewage runs in the streets, people live 5 to a single room with a single lightbulb and shared toilets, where children dig in the trash for scraps and walk shoeless in the streets begging, where women fuck fat stinky disgusting elderly men for 18 bucks, where people walk in the streets selling prescription medicine, where the police are impotent in the face of an ongoing crime wave, where robbery is commonplace. Yeah, that's a ghetto.

Sure,"ghetto" is subjective. It was originally meant to describe a city where the Jews had to live. The usual American use in modern times is a terrible place with an extremely low quality of life where no one but the poorest of the poor would want to live. I call it like I see it.

[FruitNinja]

RR has apparently never been in a real ghetto. AC is not bad at all. Stop exaggerating.

If you notice RR has not been to a lot of places but he has an opinion on everything. I've taken to calling his posts "The world according to GaRRp."

BTW According to the world renowned GaRRp Chicago is a cultural shithole. I don't know, the members only preview of the 250+ piece Picasso exhibit was packed yesterday. And it was in the middle of the work day. Members, so these are not tourists. Oh wait? The first place in the USA to exhibit Picasso 100 years ago? Wait. NYC: Nope. Good old Chicago. Largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside the Louvre? Yep, Chicago.

John Hancock, Sears Tower, Second City, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Symphony (BTW one of the BEST orchestras of the world) The third largest economic center of the US, premier world tourist destination. The highest number of corporate relocation. Hey Rick, look up the CME Group. You a member of MMA?

Take anything GaRRp says with a grain of salt.

I've been intimately involved ith ghettos. AC is not one.

[D Cups]

If he isn't, I am.

It's actually worse than a ghetto.

RR has apparently never been in a real ghetto. AC is not bad at all. Stop exaggerating.

[Rick Rock]

Are you calling AC a ghetto?

If he isn't, I am.

It's actually worse than a ghetto. It's an impoverished attache to a US military base that no longer exists. About as bad as it gets anywhere.

It literally has not a single redeeming quality outside of the concentration of girlie bars.

Pattaya is infinitely safer than AC, for locals and visitors. Without even a shadow of a doubt. Not to mention that it's bigger, better, easier to get around and with more to do. I still go to AC, but only for the girly bars.

I've never had a problem anywhere in the world, including some of the worst parts of places like Bangladesh and Haiti. If you're a walking target, you'll have problems anywhere you go. Perhaps more so in places where people make their living feeding off of foreign visitors, e.g. AC, Pattaya, etc.

[Screaming Beaver]

Seems as if alot more guys in Manila have the program down as opposed to the drunkards, scumbags, convicted felons and other very unsavory characters that frequent AC. I was up there for 3 days last week and like Las Vegas, couldn't wait to get away from the place and am now back in the familiar environs of Malate. Home sweet home. Time to go for a walk, get some vodka for the house and a Magnum ice cream bar for the door man. Generally, it ain't a jungle out there unless you make it one by being a dick or hanging in the ghetto. If you're going to be a dog you're going to attract fleas and if you sleep with dogs you're going to get fleas.

I'm in AC now and I would say except for the occasional scumbag low budget Attorney's that show up for three days to escape their middle aged flip hag wife's, you may be surprised just how many financially successful people here call this place their home. I know a lot of ex pats here who own business's here, back home or are retired CEO's or CFO's. I would agree if you are a value monger your chances of meeting these people are quite remote.

[Slippery]

PP, is English your first language? Where did I use the word "ghetto" and AC in the same sentence? As per "Matete" where the hell is that? Do you even know where you're talking about with that reference? Between "the poorest" area of Vancouver and "LA Café" you appear to be drawn to the darker areas of existence. Turn the lights on and the roaches will run.

[Pete Benetar]

I've actually been mugged in daylight in Vancouver, Canada, which is safer than any of those places. Although this occurred in an alley in the poorest area of town known for theft, knifings, shootings, drugs & cheap crack & heroin addicted street sex workers.

Just wanted to accurately paraphrase good preventive security habits.

[PinkPearl]

Seems as if alot more guys in Manila have the program down as opposed to the drunkards, scumbags, convicted felons and other very unsavory characters that frequent AC. I was up there for 3 days last week and like Las Vegas, couldn't wait to get away from the place and am now back in the familiar environs of Malate. Home sweet home. Time to go for a walk, get some vodka for the house and a Magnum ice cream bar for the door man. Generally, it ain't a jungle out there unless you make it one by being a dick or hanging in the ghetto. If you're going to be a dog you're going to attract fleas and if you sleep with dogs you're going to get fleas.

Are you calling AC a ghetto?

What makes you think AC has any more "drunkards, scumbugs, convicted felons and other unsavory characters" than your "familiar environs of Matete"?

Certainly the area near LA Cafe, if this thread is any indication of truth, is not very safe.

Dude, you sound paranoid. I think your chances of getting mugged are higher in Los Angeles than these places. I have never had an issue anywhere in SEA. Ever. If you stand tall, don't get fucked up, act like an ahole, or flash cash and jewelry, you will be fine in any of these towns. But that is asking alot since many dudes decide on the alternative.

I've actually been mugged in daylight in Vancouver, Canada, which is safer than any of those places. Although this occurred in an alley in the poorest area of town known for theft, knifings, shootings, drugs & cheap crack & heroin addicted street sex workers.

I'm quite aware of the basic security measures you speak of, which would apply especially to AC, and not so much to certain other places in Asia or SEA. I think more caution is called for in AC & that you've never been there or read much of what's been said about it in the news or in online reports about it from sites such as this. Have you even read this thread about issues in Manilla?

[Fredje1961]

Dude, you sound paranoid. I think your chances of getting mugged are higher in Los Angeles than these places. I have never had an issue anywhere in SEA. Ever. If you stand tall, don't get fucked up, act like an ahole, or flash cash and jewelry, you will be fine in any of these towns. But that is asking alot since many dudes decide on the alternative.

I'm afraid he's beyond any hope.

[Slippery]

Seems as if alot more guys in Manila have the program down as opposed to the drunkards, scumbags, convicted felons and other very unsavory characters that frequent AC. I was up there for 3 days last week and like Las Vegas, couldn't wait to get away from the place and am now back in the familiar environs of Malate. Home sweet home. Time to go for a walk, get some vodka for the house and a Magnum ice cream bar for the door man. Generally, it ain't a jungle out there unless you make it one by being a dick or hanging in the ghetto. If you're going to be a dog you're going to attract fleas and if you sleep with dogs you're going to get fleas.

[Luvpuss]

Out of necessity I'm requiring an alternative to Thailand, hence AC as a strong candidate, but it's true, a lot of shit seems to happen in Pattaya. Also Phuket.

Although as a foreigner it's more what's happening to foreigners in such places that concerns me, especially in monger zones I'd be living in, rather than what the locals are doing to themselves & each other.

In Thailand I seem to recall some tourists being knifed & killed by Thais. Perhaps they were out at late at night, alone, with no one else around, except their assailants, so not a situation I'd find myself in, either in BKK, elsewhere in LOS, or in AC or Manilla.

Thank you for the detailed response. I've noticed some AC hotels will send a driver for pickup at the Manilla airport, but perhaps it would be safer to fly directly to Clark? Though I would assume the former airport is considerably less dangerous than hanging around LA Cafe in the wee hours of the morning.

Dude, you sound paranoid. I think your chances of getting mugged are higher in Los Angeles than these places. I have never had an issue anywhere in SEA. Ever. If you stand tall, don't get fucked up, act like an ahole, or flash cash and jewelry, you will be fine in any of these towns. But that is asking alot since many dudes decide on the alternative.