I guess you can't choose your conquerors. But I think Spanish culture has a lot of things going for it. Is there much Spanish influence left in the Philippines?

As a place to retire it has so much to offer. It is actually a reasonably cheap place to live, by western standards. And I have seen a lot of good quality real estate here for between 100,000 Euro and 150,000. For a two bedroom apartment. A beach house near me for under 500,000 (some a lot under). In Melbourne I would have paid over 650,000 just for a two bedroom apartment. The prices are out of control.

Here I can get a beer for 30 cents at the Supermarket, compared to $5 at home. Or $1.50 out at a bar, compared to over $7.

I hope to learn a lot from the Spanish about how to be. Tranquillo is a favourite expression of mine. A very good reminder.