Help desperately needed

Sounds like you after your 73 years need to man up and move on, seems the Philippines is not for you, move on mate and stop complaining. Go back home and whing there with your compatriots, pay the money to change your ticket or find a cheaper flight. Seems PH. is not your cup of tea.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

“Anyone not paranoid in this world must be crazy. . . . Speaking of paranoia, it's true that I do not know exactly who my enemies are. But that of course is exactly why I'm paranoid.”

― Edward Abbey, Postcards from Ed: Dispatches and Salvos from an American Iconoclast

The Cold Water Kid said. . . . Our three month vacation has turned into hell, on earth. The misery of our current situation is, quite literally, unparalleled, in my 73 years, of living. And we have two months to go. We could simply go home. But Eva air demands $2,000 to reschedule our departure.

Would someone be kind enough to help us out, PLEASE?

*************************************************

First thing first, like sticker shock you are suffering from culture shock.

I would suggest you spend the next two months in another area, make your vacation a Real Vacation . . . . far away of your current environment.

When you say Our Departure . . . . I take it to mean your Wife & you. Reading between the lines my subconscious thoughts says the environment includes family members.

Who knows, a change of scenery could change your mind or on the other hand Eva Air may only charge you $1,000 for the change of one ticket.

So much being left out.

First off, Cebu pacific is having a seat sale. Since you are in mindano, probably cheaper to fly to Cebu. Easy to fly domestically here, only need your passport. You can use agoda website to find cheaper hotels. Personally, I have no plans to ever visit the island you are currently on, specifically because it’s a lot more dangerous for foreigners there. The visayas and Luzon are much more welcoming to us.

Good luck, my friend

So much being left out.
-@Larry Fisher

I totally agree, we have not been told the full story by the OP. He said he knew five years ago about so called Hit Men for hire so why would that bother him now. Hell the same applies in the UK if you pay enough money and I am sure there are desperate people in every country who will kill for enough cash, probably to fund a drug habit.

If he really thinks his and his families life is in danger, it is a no brainer, pay the $2000 and get the hell out or at least get away from Mindanao sharpish. There is a reason why the UK Foreign Office and many other countries advise against travel to most of Mindanao and I think the OP has discovered why by himself. I have been to Davao and Cagayan De Oro and had no issues in each so it would be nice to know exactly where he is  he was in Mindanao. I also had no major problems getting a taxi whilst there.

I just had a look at cheap flights - Just scrap your tickets and book new ones far cheaper than your estimated rebooking fee.

@Fred I did, too.  What site do you use?  I found the 1-way fare to be over $2000 (each) and only 3 stop, 34-hour torture sessions were available.  I used cheapo air?

@Larry Fisher my post was book.  did my best to be brief...

Your brother in law did 'what'? What'd your wife say? She allowed the same fraud to occur? It is unfortunate, but it looks you agreed to this fraud to some degree.

If I feel I am not safe, 2k is cheap to spend to get to safety. I'd sell blood to get out.

2k for your life is a bargain.

No point to dilly dally on airfare and flight time, I don't get it.

@Cherryann01 We are in Cagayan de Oro.  "Living" in an older, but still nice (grading on the curve) subdivision, south of town.

The main road into town has a dump, sitting high atop a hill.  The "water" flows out f that dump, across a road then down, into the city proper.  The vehicle tires kick that "water" up, turning it into a mist.  People breathe that!

Another subdivision - a squalid slum, by our standards - has had no water for over a month!  Some of her family "lives" there.  The people there are calm, and docile.  And THAT, is why this "city" gets away with being the skum hole it is.

If you come here, whatever you do, DO NOT come to Cagayan!

Yes, I knew all that, before I came here.  So that like, excuses it?

This is where my wife's family lives.  I had no other choice, but to come here.  If not for that, I sure as he77 wouldn't have!

It is unfortunate, but it looks you agreed to this fraud to some degree.
If I feel I am not safe, 2k is cheap to spend to get to safety. I'd sell blood to get out.
2k for your life is a bargain.
No point to dilly dally on airfare and flight time, I don't get it.
-@Jackson4

Interesting...  In what manner did I agree, to it?

We're safe, as long as nobody knows where we will be, and when.  Even a rugby powered idiot would not do a killing here.  It's a long way to the front gate...

We found our little place to go - no thanks to the good folk, here.

And no, I will not tell you were it is.  WACAGA - what comes around, goes around

It is unfortunate, but it looks you agreed to this fraud to some degree.
If I feel I am not safe, 2k is cheap to spend to get to safety. I'd sell blood to get out.
2k for your life is a bargain.
No point to dilly dally on airfare and flight time, I don't get it.
-@Jackson4

Interesting... In what manner did I agree, to it?

We're safe, as long as nobody knows where we will be, and when. Even a rugby powered idiot would not do a killing here. It's a long way to the front gate...

We found our little place to go - no thanks to the good folk, here.

And no, I will not tell you were it is. WACAGA - what comes around, goes around
-@The Cold War Kid

You wrote:

I told him I would do it, but use another name.

I read this as agreeing to commit with a caveat. Still show willingness. You know fraud is a crime.

It would have been best had you said 'no'.

@The Cold War Kid

Could easily and cheaply fly somewhere else in the Philippines. Other countries are cheap as well.

If you look for the negative, that's what you will find. Looks like the Philippines is not your cup of tea.

I'm in agreement with just about everyone else.

The Phils is clearly not where you were meant to be - so get out. if you focus on the negative, you're just going to get that (Hello Universe!)

Maybe in 3-5 years when you have adopted a different mindset, you might want to come back.

No country is ever going to be perfect.

@Jackson4 you missed the point, completely. 

I'm in agreement with just about everyone else.
The Phils is clearly not where you were meant to be - so get out. if you focus on the negative, you're just going to get that (Hello Universe!)

Maybe in 3-5 years when you have adopted a different mindset, you might want to come back.
No country is ever going to be perfect.
-@kristopherryanwatson

perhaps.  but I got another. 

early on, in the year I passed here, i learned to avoid other expats.  your kindness reinforces that perception, like few other things could.

@The Cold War Kid

I thank you all.

Not one person offered help.  Insults and derision were the overall theme on your replies.

I  will cancel my account here, after I post this.

I truly am not fit, to be among you.

bye, con man

@blacksheepjuno  My wife's family lives in Northern Mindanao (Cagayan De Oro), I've been there on 4 visits now, & I feel safer there than I would anywhere else in Mindanao. The dangerous areas are Illigan City, Cotabato, Sulu, & Gen. Santos areas. My only complaint I had on my recent visit was all the rain we had since Xmas day...I think only 2 dry days since 12/21.. rain all the other days..was not able to do anything outside no visiting beaches NOR waterfalls, etc.

Not one person offered help. Insults and derision were the overall theme on your replies.

I truly am not fit, to be among you.
-@The Cold War Kid

Glad to know you gained no help from anyone on these boards.  We have low standards, you could remain among us.

early on, in the year I passed here, i learned to avoid other expats. your kindness reinforces that perception, like few other things could.
-@The Cold War Kid

On behalf of all the other expats,  thank you for avoiding them.

I live in Dapitan, Mindanao... There are many, many Foreigners near in Dipolog area... I visited S&R (Costco)in Cagayan last month and thought the city was actually very nice.... I am still a little confused with your "Need Help" request... So you are asking for 2,000 dollars to fly home early, or ? If you afraid for your life by some phantom idea that someone is out to kill you, then I an afraid you need more than 2k... I am also confused as to why the heck you are in Philippines, and do not have 2,000 dollars. You shouldn't be here if you do not have access to enough funds to immediately leave at a moments notice... period... Good Luck my friend... I think you will need it wherever you go.

@Harbred6051 As an expat and an SRRV holder I’ve lived in Ilagan , Baguio, for almost a year.  I’ve found people here in the province to be curious, kind, friendly and willing to help any way they can.  Can you tell me why you think it’s dangerous.

Looks like the Cold War kid wasn't prepared for a roast.

`

Well, he picked a very appropriate nickname for himself

I never understood this thread. The O/P talked about Hitmen but never said specifically that anybody was after him and I never worked out what advise he was looking for. Several people offered sensible advise, pay the $2000, go home, move elsewhere in the Philippines, etc.

If he has family in Cagayan De Oro, what will he do next time, refuse to visit?

@Cherryann01 I think there is a psychological issue here... His thoughts and concerns were very confusing and jumbled to me as well. Poor guy... He really should go back to the U.S. and seek help.

Is he still here? The cold war kid? He said he would delete his account. I been to Mindiano three times and yes it is a little disconcerting but i still alive

The name sake  "Cold war kids" (Band) had a great song that seems to be right up the OP's grievances.

Hang me out to dry.

https://tinyurl.com/26bd87pn

Well regardless no one knows what the OP is looking for as he/she is not forthcoming with the facts.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl i think he was looking for money and thought people here would be a soft touch. Guess he found out the hard way that was never going to happen 😅

Possibly Parvase but a very disjointed post from the OP. As I always say, God helps those that help themselves and Christ help those that get caught.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl  A very cool song. Nice to know someone else has heard it.

Great band and seemed appropriate, little else for some.

Cheers, Steve.

I just saw this post... haven't been online in a while due to other priorities at the moment. Sorry you got some snarky responses. A couple people did offer advice to get out of there, and a recommendation for cheap airfare to another island. But some folks here seem to get offended by complaints - they seem to take it personally. Reading your original post it seems you were just looking for a cheap place in another area.

That said, you could find a reasonably priced small place in Dumaguete, which is not far from CDO and quite a nice little town, with diving just to the south. It is known as "The City of Gentle People", so trouble will not find you there. I would probably not recommend Cebu City as it has a lot of issues and is more expensive. Lastly, I second the recommendation to avoid family members, especially corrupt ones.

I hope things get better for the remainder of your trip.

May I suggest that this thread be closed since the OP has left the forum and seemed to be derisive of advice that do not suit his personal beliefs. Thank you.

@bigpearl i think he was looking for money and thought people here would be a soft touch. Guess he found out the hard way that was never going to happen 😅
-@Parvaze

Thinking more about this, I think maybe he was waiting for one of the members living in the Philippines to say - I have a spare room at xyz, get on a flight and we will put you up for the remaining two months of your holiday.

Is he still here? The cold war kid? He said he would delete his account. I been to Mindiano three times and yes it is a little disconcerting but i still alive
-@Guest9864

Maybe he has already been Erased. If memory serves me correctly we have a member on the forum who goes by the user name of James Bond. Maybe he took the contract