Lessons at the Pool

Jeremy and I have been learning about culture and character this week. If there are any Asians or Filipino's listening in, please read my disclaimer:

Disclaimer:all comments are merely cultural observations, not criticism or condemnation.

That being said, pictured above is an extremely inviting motel swimming pool at 30 degrees Celcius in the shade. Foreigners are frequently found swimming here as members. To use it one must either be a guest at the hotel or purchase a pool membership. Jeremy has been overheating and begging to go swimming. So . . . . . Wednesday, we took the 20 minute taxi ride to the pool and was told that we could either apply for membership for 1/2 a year or pay a reasonable amount each time. We would have gone swimming at that moment were it not for a supper commitment that interfered with our swimming opportunity. Thursday and another taxi ride, we were informed that we could not swim at all unless we took out a membership - not even while the paperwork was being processed - no matter how much we paid. We gladly would have paid double or triple the $4.00 it would have cost. Instead, we were given a form to fill out and take home. Did I mention that it was five pages long? Friday, we again took the taxi to the hotel swimming pool with our filled out form, swimming apparel along just in case. We were graciously thanked for filling out the form and told that we could expect the results of our application next week. Monday is a holiday. The main manager is away but it should be processed fairly 'quickly'. QUICKLY?! We're not talking a house mortgage, a car loan or even a lifetime golf membership. We're talking $100 dollars, paid cash in advance! The form alone required more information than applying for a $250,000 mortgage - it even wanted my wife's maiden name and had at least five places for signatures.

I must confess, Jeremy and I hung out for a while at the poolside restaurant and befriended the lifeguard - the guy who the first day told us we could pay each time without a membership. I don't think he was wrong, we simply did not explain ourselves in a way that he understood. Again, cultural and language barriers. I did a little 'begging', sweat pouring out of every pore on my body. After talking to a higher authority and a phone call, they conceded. We were given permission to 'unlawfully' swim in their pool.

What a great swim it was!

We have learned a bit about Filipino culture and we have learned a bit about character qualities like patience. After all, waiting one week for a swim is not really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.