I spent some time as a teenage boy growing up in Africa. Once in Nairobi my family had an opportunity to dine with a quite famous ex-big game hunter who had become a conservationist. He told us that phrase developed amongst Kenyan big game hunter guides who had to calculate the best distance for their vacationing amateurs to take a shot at one of the Big Five. Success depended on shooting the animal was a deadly balance between when they were near enough to present a sizable target and how far they would run before they dropped. The professional hunter would give out a shout "fire" as the animal reached that magic point. Of course with an animal charging at you there is a premium to getting a kill shot right the first time so the bigger the target, the better. But in a charge the profile reduces...it's head on. Then the animal will run five or six more steps before the legs give out. Generally you didn't want the water buffalo, hippo, lion. leopard or elephant stopping at the toes of your boots. So they'd usually calculate it to be dead at five yards. Give the hunter the thrill of their lives.

"Near enough for a white man"

The real secret behind this he told us was the pro hunter would fire simultaneously with the paying customer...who might not realize they had missed by a mile. The rifle crack would be echoing in their er so they'd never hear the actual kill shot. Usually upon inspection off the carcass only one entry wound was found. If the amateur noticed two it was explained away as an exit wound "Must have splintered the round when it hit a bone"

Pity they couldn't find their thrills in a way that didn't involve killing for a bloody trophy.

You made two statements and both are wrong. Post number one makes no mention that I was well aware of these scams as you state, and I did know better despite your doubts. Anyone who comes to countries such as the Philippines will be well aware that scamming is always a great risk and should be well prepared. The first scam that was attempted was the college scam and I was onto it immediately and dealt with it. Now, herein lies the problem. You CANNOT go around accusing people of scamming,,,lying ...thievery or whatever without proof. Do that, and it will hurt their feelings and pride. This results in having them running to Brgy Capt and making a complaint. If you cannot provide proof of your allegations, then the consequences can be dire. I have an ex-pat friend who accused one of his employees of stealing a mobile phone (mine) and confronted her with the allegation. He had no proof. It was an educated guess. He had to pay a large amount in compensation to the woman and apologise. Furthermore, he was warned of his future contact and possible removal from the Brgy.

So, as I have re-iterated before, proof is a must. Once I obtained proof of the first scam, I dealt with it effectively.

Regards

Perhaps you do not comprehend English. I have already stated on more than one occasion that I believe she had a hand in those incidents. I do not have proof. Perhaps you may be naive enough to think that suspion is proof... It is not.. And for someone who professes to have many years of experience in the Philippines, you should know better than to suggest I throw allegations about without proof..

Regards

But why is there any need to throw around accusations and allegations?

You don't need proof to end the relationship, and it's apparent there's no/very little trust or respect left in it. I guess that's what most people are wondering - well, I am, anyway.
I get the whole "I love them, I know there's something very, very wrong, but I love them and I'm going to make excuses for it all just so I can continue loving them" because I've been there and done that - but it doesn't even read like you love her anymore.

You certainly do not like being proved wrong when corrected do you? May I suggest in future you get your facts correct and do not distort what I have written to suit your opinions.

Thank you

I agree. It may well be that the end is nigh which will be sad, but I can say that I have given it my best shot and if it fails.....then no fingers will be pointed at me for not trying.

Regards

So act accordingly then.

I believe it's going to rain this afternoon. I take an umbrella.

I can't prove it's going to rain, but I still don't leave the house without the umbrella.

I guess what everyone is trying to understand is , in your heart of heart, deep down, it seems like you know its all lies, so why do you stay with her ?

That's what is so unfathomable to the average reader. Especially when, as someone else mentioned, there's loads more fish in the sea.

What is so special about your LL?

Who cares about finger pointing, it's not as if you'd be seeing each other again.