I wrote this entry as I was on the plane going to Canada. With all the hassle of moving and adapting to a new country, I was only able to finish and upload it now. By the way, please check out http://lettersfromcanada.blogspot.com very soon as I will be sharing my new life here in Canada.
Thousands of feet above the Pacific while writing this entry, I could not still believe that we will start life anew in another country. To me, it still feels like a vacation – getting to see different places, meeting new people, taking lots of photos – with that feeling of enthusiasm to go back home after the trip to share your variety of experiences to family and friends.
I guess we won’t be seeing Manila for a while. Basked in a sad grey as we left, our last day was a bit funny and strange. As we were about to leave, the floods were all over the streets of Makati. It was just good that the vehicles we used (yup, vehicles as we brought with us a lot of things which lead me to something I will share later) were high enough as the normal sedans parked along the streets had their wheels completely submerged in the murky waters.
While on our way to the airport, we were surprised to see a floating inflatable kiddie pool in the middle of the road. Then we saw three men inside raising their hands up with a bottle of beer in each hand – excitedly shouting as our car passed by and created a strong wave. This was just one of the few things that will make our last day quite strange.
As we arrived in the airport and our bags were weighed, they immediately told us that our baggage was way over the standard weight. We didn’t expect this to happen since while we were packing, we carefully checked that each bag was within the limit. The next thing we know, the guy in charge was giving hints to his real intention – asking for money. Desperate to end the discussion and move on with our flight, we gave in. Even in our last moments in Manila, we had to “feel” that we were still in Manila. Tsk tsk.
The next step was the immigration process where they check your passport. The funny thing was we were in a queue where the immigration officer was a woman in her menopausal stage with that wrinkled forehead and don’t-mess-up-with-me look in her face. The funny thing about it was just right in front of her and beside her pouting mouth was a sticker. It was a yellow smiley with the words SERVICE WITH A SMILE.
Finally, as we boarded the plane, I felt a strong relief that it was all over. I couldn’t help but laugh about what we’ve been through the entire day.
Probably, these things will only happen in Manila. They are not exactly great things or those that you look forward to each day. However, that makes Manila Manila and you just love it for its strange ways.
Well, I guess we won’t be seeing it for a while. Manila, I will definitely miss you!
Thousands of feet above the Pacific while writing this entry, I could not still believe that we will start life anew in another country. To me, it still feels like a vacation – getting to see different places, meeting new people, taking lots of photos – with that feeling of enthusiasm to go back home after the trip to share your variety of experiences to family and friends.
I guess we won’t be seeing Manila for a while. Basked in a sad grey as we left, our last day was a bit funny and strange. As we were about to leave, the floods were all over the streets of Makati. It was just good that the vehicles we used (yup, vehicles as we brought with us a lot of things which lead me to something I will share later) were high enough as the normal sedans parked along the streets had their wheels completely submerged in the murky waters.
While on our way to the airport, we were surprised to see a floating inflatable kiddie pool in the middle of the road. Then we saw three men inside raising their hands up with a bottle of beer in each hand – excitedly shouting as our car passed by and created a strong wave. This was just one of the few things that will make our last day quite strange.
As we arrived in the airport and our bags were weighed, they immediately told us that our baggage was way over the standard weight. We didn’t expect this to happen since while we were packing, we carefully checked that each bag was within the limit. The next thing we know, the guy in charge was giving hints to his real intention – asking for money. Desperate to end the discussion and move on with our flight, we gave in. Even in our last moments in Manila, we had to “feel” that we were still in Manila. Tsk tsk.
The next step was the immigration process where they check your passport. The funny thing was we were in a queue where the immigration officer was a woman in her menopausal stage with that wrinkled forehead and don’t-mess-up-with-me look in her face. The funny thing about it was just right in front of her and beside her pouting mouth was a sticker. It was a yellow smiley with the words SERVICE WITH A SMILE.
Finally, as we boarded the plane, I felt a strong relief that it was all over. I couldn’t help but laugh about what we’ve been through the entire day.
Probably, these things will only happen in Manila. They are not exactly great things or those that you look forward to each day. However, that makes Manila Manila and you just love it for its strange ways.
Well, I guess we won’t be seeing it for a while. Manila, I will definitely miss you!
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