Dec. 16, 2014
AWESOME SURPRISE
The day started similar to others have been - monotonous at best. The same routine of waking up, getting out of bed at 7:30AM and heading out to McDonald's to pick up Suzanne's breakfast order of Egg McMuffin and a large Sugar-Free Vanilla Iced Coffee with 2 sweeteners. Returning to the complex I chat with Vernon, the guard stationed at the gate and we chat a little about how each of us have planned our day. I inform him that I am awaiting news from my travel agent Jennifer regarding a trip back to the Philippines though expressed expecting disappointment when she informs me that no available award space can be found. You see, I gave her a day's notice to track award space for DFW-MNL-DFW with a return date prior to the first Monday of January. I couldn't on my own find this type of booking and I've practically been looking for the last 3 months.
I head into the house, drop of Suzanne's breakfast and sit in Poppy's office. Back to the same routine of checking email, looking at what the stock market is doing (wishing I didn't cash out the account since it was looking to be the right time to short the market), and mildly check Facebook. As I scan email at around 9:30, I'm notified of an email from Jennifer that she has an option for an itinerary with all my requirements. What a surprise! I look it over and after a couple of email replies (ok 21 in all), we tweak the trip and any connections I'll need. She books the trip and I'm set. Whew! I'm headed home! After the initial shock of amazement, I called Kelly and told her about the development and arrange transportation to and from DFW airport. I then walk over the Suzanne and inform her of the same. I also start texting Uli about my itinerary and we concoct a plan to surprise everybody there. I will arrive there at around lunchtime and they should be at the table and will be able to see me walk across the lawn from the driveway. More on how this turned out later.
I'm now confronted with the thought that I'm headed home without any presents. I have 9 nephews and nieces who should get something especially since it is Christmas. The two youngest are 8 and 5 who still believe in Santa Claus. I don't think they'll appreciate a gift card so I have to go and shop as soon as possible. Christmas shopping in the Philippines is similar to everywhere else.. crazy! The one thing that I couldn't pass is mom's Chanel #5 request.
Dec. 17, 2014
THE WAY TO TRAVEL
One thing I can tell you about using award space or miles is the ability to fly in upgraded class- Business Class. Worth it most especially when flying more than 1,500 miles. Anything less I can tolerate being in coach since I can entertain myself with magazines, my electronics, or just plain catching up on sleep. It is truly amazing how being able to sleep in a flat surface while flying is so much better than even a relining seat in the rear of the plane. The food is better too just because you can order as much as you can or they allow until they label you as a glutton. The guy seating in the next booth I swear has food or beverage being delivered to him every 10 minutes it seems. I woke up roughly about 7AM Chicago time with him having a Heineken. A Heineken! He had wanton soup with noodles, a burger snack, and a cup of ice cream even before I was able to order coffee. I check the menu and it shows that breakfast will be served prior to arrival. I wonder if he'll be hungry then? What are you gonna do? Its Business Class. I love it!
GOTTA LOVE HONG KONG
My first time laying over in Hong Kong. Too bad I didn't have enough time to look around because I didn't even think that this city might be where I'd be laying over en route to Manila. I remember my parents talking about their trips here during my dad's Beautifont days. Mom talked about their endless walking trying to take in the sights and places of interest in the short amount of time they had. Back then they did a few of those weekend trips accompanied by friends and co-workers.
My day started here at 5AM Hong Kong time since my ORD-HKN was scheduled then. Similar to our experience a few years ago passing through Seoul, the airport stores and restaurants were still closed. I wasn't a bit hungry at all given all I did was eat during the long leg of my itinerary. I was tempted to at least try local delicacies as these stores were abundant at the airport. I decided to wait until I passed Immigration and venture around the terminal given I had a couple of hours to kill. It was a good plan then until one of the custom officers flagged my duty-free bag and stated that I was not allowed to carry anything more than 100ml regardless whether it was duty-free or not. He recommended I check the small package in which I played innocent and non-understanding because this was a gift for my mom who I wanted to make sure she gets. I was afraid that the item would be lost in transit or (stolen) once we got to Manila. I eventually had to return to the check in counter since the customs officer didn't buy my innocent plea. Trying to check in the item itself was frustrating. I thought that it would be handled carefully but the desk clerk recommended I go to the packaging counter to repackage the item which cost me $8. The desk clerk even took me to the repackaging counter and helped me see the package through. I looked at her name tag and noticed “trainee” to which I felt lucky about the whole thing. I was suspicious about the old timers how much help they would have extended to me from the get-go.
On my way back though Security and Immigration, I noticed that I had lost so much time that my flight was now boarding. I do recall the desk clerk to say my gate was far but since I had checked in early the first time, I had a lot of time to spend and not worry. But the situation has drastically changed. I find out that my gate involves taking a shuttle to another part of the airport. 20 minutes had already passed since my original boarding time. I was so sure that I would not make it. To make matters worse, the shuttle had to cross the tarmac where the driver had to wait for two planes to pass in front of us. This added another 20 minutes of waiting. I've never ran so fast to catch a flight. I was one of the last few passengers to board but it seems that they haven't really finished boarding anyway. All is well. On to Manila.
SURPRISE LUNCH GUEST..
As Uli was parking the car, we plan a way for me to join mom and dad at the lunch table thought they'd find it a nice surprise since they weren't expecting to see me so soon. I find out that they now face away from the garden which I have yet to find out why. I then thought this would be an opportunity for Eline to see me first so asked Timmy to video the whole thing. You can see the video here. Eline see's me first at around the 0:50 mark. I join them at the table at 1:01 and mom realizes I'm the one sitting there at 1:12.
