Things I Pondered and Did on My Vacation

Going Home

I’m a little deaf, especially inside an airplane but as I entered the aircraft, one attendant greets me “Welcome abort!”

Do you wonder why airline personnel still demonstrate the aircraft’s emergency procedure when something that’s not going to occur defeats the course of action to take... when they say - “In an UNLIKELY event of an emergency landing…”

Ano Raw?
Upon landing at NAIA, I heard this announcement - “Pleas remen seated until the ehplen comes to a full stop befo dis embahking”. A few minutes later, another message, this time in an agitated tone - “Pleas remen seated an wet fo the ehplen to come to a full stop befo you stan up to get yo luggage from the ove’head compahment”

At the tube, attendants lined up, smiling and bidding us goodbye – “Think yo fo’ flying Singgapo ehlines”. Regardless of our stop-over in Dubai and walking endlessly on that huge Changi airport to our next flight; service wise, I still think it’s one of the best airline I ever flied.

Home Sweet Home

Nothing significant happened while I was in my hometown except going to beaches, attending a wedding of my wife’s nephew, wake of a departed aunt and of course our high school reunion.

I met most of my old classmates and thanks to Facebook, I recognized most of their faces and some of their names. We reminisced what we did during high school and one just can’t help put on a “show” of “how good life is” in her adopted city, Lohndohn. Later that day, when most had their fill of San Mig Light and brandy, old buddies clustered together and talked nothing but their health. Back pains, rheumatism, cholesterol and “daily maintenance” dominate the conversation. I’m the only guy who was silent and got nothing to share since my yearly medical data indicates all my “levels” are below “critical”. A classmate even told me I haven’t change since we graduated. He asked who my doctor is – “Si Calayan ba o si Bello?” We flew back to Manila the following day.

Shopping

At National Bookstore, I asked an employee if they have books by Carl Sagan. She typed in the computer the author’s name to see their stocks and then said “What’s the title of the book?”  I gave her the title and right away she said “We don’t have any books by Carl Sagan.”

In a Filipiniana boutique, I was admiring a polo barong with an embroidered map of the Philippines. The shop attendant approached me;

Saleslady - “Espesyal po ang barong na yan. Mismong kanang-kamay ng may-ari ng shop ang nag design at gumawa.”

Me           - “Ganun ba, ang galing naman. E anong nagawa ng kanyang kaliwang kamay?”

She paused for a few seconds, trying to absorb what I just said. It took a lopped-sided smile before she got it and began giggling in a high-pitch voice. I bought the barong.

Going Back

This time I’m pretty sure I wasn’t deaf. I definitely heard the attendant said – “Welcome abort”!