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Articles by Doug Nienhuis

I am a Canadian, and I am currently traveling through Asia with a touring bicycle. These are stories and pictures from my trip.

Rambling About the MMA and the UFC

August 18, 2014 – 11:17 am

Monday August 18, 2014
6:30 a.m.
Back at the 7-11 and having a coffee and squinting at the keyboard. I had a sense that I experienced a setback in terms of my vision. It’s a weird thing, but when I wake up in the morning, my eyes – even after a long night of restful sleep – are very sore. Both of them. And they water like …

Thoughts about the Movie “Mr. Nobody”

August 17, 2014 – 10:45 am
mrnobody

Sunday August 17, 2014
A lot of activity at 7-11 this morning. That’s mainly because it’s Sunday. For most people, it is their only day off, so people get up early and go out to do things. Plus, there are people still awake from a Saturday night at the clubs. I’m not sure how late this 7-11 is open, but from the disaster area around me, …

Talking Movies: Locke and Last Train Home

August 16, 2014 – 10:11 am
locke_movie_poster

Saturday August 16, 2014
(Spoilers)
 
I have the movie Locke on my mind this morning. I enjoyed it. It’s a very thoughtful movie – something that you could discuss afterwards for a long time. At least, I could. I forget about most movies almost before they’re over. Movies like this stick with me.
My one complaint – if I had to come up with one – is that …

Pop Culture Thoughts

August 15, 2014 – 9:46 am
Looking Good in the Philippines

Friday August 15, 2014
7-11 Cebu
Not much on my mind first thing this morning. Jeepneys are going by and filling up with customers. I can’t say with any confidence who all these people are and where they are going. Many are students. That is clear. Others are going to work, but I have no idea what kind of work. It’s not like Bay Street in Toronto …

Early Morning Thoughts Over Coffee

August 14, 2014 – 9:24 am
Good Advice for Jeepney Drivers (at least the check brakes part)

Thursday August 14, 2014
6:30 a.m.
Not much going on at the 7-11 this morning. When I came in, all the chairs and benches were still up on the table. I had to clear my own table first and I learned how heavy these friggin’ chairs are. They’re made of square steel tubes welded together. Built to last. The music is blasting like a night club. I’ve …

Jeepney Workers and Beggars

August 13, 2014 – 9:05 am
Jeepneys

6:10 a.m. 7-11 in Cebu
Got an awesome night of sleep last night. I woke up fully refreshed and feeling great, but I still have ghost images in my left eye. Who knows? It might be a permanent part of my life now. It doesn’t affect distance vision all that much. A very annoying side-effect is that my prescription glasses are now all wonky for my …

A New Internet Cafe in Cebu

August 12, 2014 – 1:45 pm
A Typical Small Internet Cafe

There is a crazy homeless dude outside the 7-11 window this morning. He’s got dirty rasta-style locks of hair going down to his waist. Black skin from the layers of dirt. Wearing one flip-flop on his right foot. Holding two flip-flops in his hands. I haven’t seen this guy too often. I saw him yesterday, and he nearly ran right into me. That’s one thing …

A Neighborhood in Downtown Cebu

August 11, 2014 – 1:16 pm
img_3763 - small

This morning, I came into the 7-11 to find the place almost completely empty. Unfortunately, there were four customers in line at the counter – worse, they were 4 senior citizen customers! Oh, man, did the 7-11 clerks take a long time to finish dealing with them. They used not only ID to get the senior citizen discount but also some special 7-11 discount card. …