Sixteen Million Views.

 

This past October, I mentioned on two of my blogs [ robertsimms.blogspot.com/2020/10/fifteen-million and sorryalltheclevernamesaretaken.blogspot.com/2020/10/15-million-views] that the photos I've uploaded to Google Maps had received in excess of 15 million views. Now, in late December, I've learned that these photos have received more than 16 million views.

Naturally, I'm proud of this accomplishment.

I hadn't been checking the stats of late, so I don't know when the number had passed the 16 million mark. Of course, I have uploaded a few photos since October, though not enough to warrant this additional number of views.

I did notice that my photo of what was then known as Silliman University Anthropology Museum was the number one viewed photo in October and December. This photo has been my most viewed photo since, at least 2018.

In October, the number two spot was held by Negros Oriental State University - Main Campus with St. Paul University Dumaguete in third. Now, the two schools have switched places.

Choy-Choy Barbershop

When we were living in an apartment in Cangmating, Sibulan I had a couple of choices when it came to going to a barbershop to have my head shaved. I didn't really care for the two barbershops in Poblacion. My barbershop of choice was one located in Maslog, Sibulan. It was conveniently located, and I liked the Barber.

After we moved into our house, going to Maslog wasn't as easy to get to. Besides, the barber I'd been patronizing had sold his business to another barber.

It looks as if I may have found a new barber. This afternoon, I decided to try Choy-Choy Barbershop located on the corner of W Rovira and Capt. A. Cornelia Road near where the old Alymae U.S. Surplus store was located.

The barbershop was a little cleaner that most I've been to. The barber used lots of shaving cream....I've known some to only use water from a spray bottle.

There's not much too head shaving. He did a good job. The shop charged me 50 pesos of the shaving (about $1). The barber was thrilled with my 50 peso tip.

Upon leaving, I took a photo of the outside. I was able to add the barbershop to Google Maps and upload a photo.
 

 A map of the shop's location can be found below.

 

The VW's of Davao

Since November 22, 2016 I've been posting photos of VW Beetles that I happen upon in Dumaguete and the surrounding areas. At this point, I've posted photos in excess of 70 Beetles.

Knowing my obsession with Volkswagens, my friend Dom sent two Hot Wheels Volkswagens to me in January. That was before the pandemic hit and it seems so long ago.

Today, Dom sent an email with photos of VW Beetles. He lives in Davao and I'm assuming these VWs are in Davao as well. From the look of the streets, they could be in Anytown, Philippines. With the exception of the "Sponge Bob" VW, these look pretty much like the ones I've seen in Dumaguete ......even down to the beat-up white one.

I'm curious to know the back story of these VWs from Davao. I suspect that they are either owned by one man or else there's a sort of local VW club there.

 

All in a Day's Work

The photos at the beginning of this post are of a bicycle powered transport common in Sibulan, known locally as a putt-putt. I took the photos while out on my morning walk today, and upon arriving back home, I posted the photos onto my Facebook page, along with the words -

Next time you feel like your job sucks, just be thankful you don't have to drive a putt putt for a living.

I didn't receive many reactions to the photos and editorial comment, perhaps because my American friends don't quite understand what's involved in getting about on a putt-putt.

Later, while on an errand in Sibulan proper, I saw quite a few putt-putts conveying passengers (and a few in between fares). Naturally, I couldn't resist taking more photos.

I feel it's worth mentioning that, at the times these photos were taken, the outdoor temperature was 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius). I was pretty damn well hot driving my car with the windows down - I can only imagine peddling this contraption, with riders no less.