Art Bell Update: June 4, 2006
Art Bell Update: June 4, 2006
Hi all!
Hello from Manila, Philippines! I would like to give you all an update. I
arrived here with a big case of the Flu which is just now starting to
fade. Three trips from one side of the world to the other will do that.
We are very happy and living in a very nice condo here in Manila. The
condo was empty and we slept on the floor for the first three days. We are
now all but done with the furniture and so forth, wow what a job.
During this period I have also been trying to deal with Customs here
with regard to the gear the company sent. Being a large and (honest)
company they declared the stuff Broadcast gear, bad mistake because it
triggers a lot of official paperwork with the Gov't. The gear of course
is really just audio and telephone.
The second thing they did was include original new price invoices for
everything, Customs really loved that! So, with enough Peso's that
problem is just about in hand. The next issue is the I.S.D.N. line which
is to be installed by P.L.D.T -- the telephone co. here. I will know shortly
when that will happen.
Nothing here happens as fast as I would like, however this Broadcaster
is very much ready to get back on the air A.S.A.P.
For those of you who may think I made a mistake in this move, you are
wrong; it is a wonderful change that I will never be sorry for. The
people here are friendly in a way that you would have to travel back in
time in the U.S. to match, perhaps to the 1950s or so. The cost of
living is about 25% of what it is in the U.S. Everybody speaks English
as a second language and EVERYTHING is written in English.
As for TV and radio, well I have CNN, HBO, Cinemax, and many other U.S.
TV outlets here on our local cable which also provides a high speed Internet
connection. I have three computers on an 802.11G wireless connection.
See a picture taken from my office window:
Airyn is well indeed and we are very happy. We took a short plane ride
to her home in Cagayan De Oro City last week.
We also went to visit Corrigedor where
Gen. Mc Arthur made his famous "I shall return" statement. I saw all the
barracks and big guns still on the Island. Of course it was also the
location of the Death March. Trust me, you could feel all the Ghosts.
It is now the rainy season here, it started a bit early. There are only
two seasons here....Summer and the Rainy season this close to the
Equator.
After Ramona passed I was in a tailspin which would have resulted in my own
demise had this Angel not come along. I was not eating and despite my on-air sound, believe me I was in a very deep depression. So, in
retrospect, I have done the right thing. I am about to quit smoking,
this may cause my demise, or it may add a few years, I will hope for the
latter! Wish me luck, I will need it. As it is, I only now smoke in the
comfort room with a fan on. (That is what they call a bathroom here).
I am a resident of the Philippines now having joined the PRA, check
Google for details. That means I can come and go as I like without all
that Visa stuff. It also has many other benefits. This should be the
number one spot for American Retirement but Americans read the State
Dept. warnings about the southern Islands and conclude it is for the
whole country, that is totally wrong.
Sorry for the long ramble but I have still not told all there is to tell
about this wonderful place. Please feel free to email me at
[email protected].
As for getting back on air I am very much wanting it to happen fast but
I think it will still be a bit.
I have most of my Ham gear here but have not yet tried to get an antenna
up-- I am only one floor from the roof so I have high hopes that I will
be able to get a antenna up there. (200ft)
I am on Echolink (using VR2HF) for you Hams.
That is about it for the moment but now that I have my password again I
will continue to update you on progress. I would be happy to answer any
questions any of you may have. Please feel free to cross post this at
other locations. I am indeed keeping the house in Pahrump, however my RV
and all cars are for sale, please contact Paul at: [email protected] for
more info.
The vehicles are all cherry. More soon.
Thank you all,
Art Bell