Derrick dropped me off at the airport after a quick visit to see his wife Angela. Only ticketed passengers are allowed into the terminal, so we loaded up my balikbayan box, my suitcase, and my daypack onto a cart. Guards checked my ticket and passport before allowing me in.
Inside, I had to go through a security checkpoint where they scanned my baggages and where I had to go through a metal detector. One of the assistants helped me unload and reload my cart and led me to the ticket counter, where he again unloaded my baggages. I got my boarding pass and an Immigration form to fill out and was directed to a booth where I had to pay the airport fee of PhP550 or US$10. I gave them two five-dollar bills. Then I went to a line for Immigration where they picked up the form. Then to another line where they carefully examined the contents of my handcarry and my purse. Then I was free to go to my gate N6. The area was taped off. I was told it was okay to go ahead and sit down. They would do the checks later on.
After a while, they called all passengers of my flight to step outside the area and get in line for another security check. We all got in line. That's when I realized I hadn't had dinner, so I went to nearby stall and asked if there was a restaurant in the airport where I could get dinner. There was none, so I bought a couple of mamons (similar to a pound cake), macapuno (candies made with young coconut), and a bottle of water. I put them in my handcarry and went back in line.
We had to go through another x-ray machine (this time, taking our shoes off as well). Then we were individually screened with metal detector wands which were so sensitive that even my earrings made them beep. Our bags and shoes were placed in trays which we had to pick up after we were scanned. No point following that travel advice about keeping an eye on your luggage. You'll just have to hope that nobody picks up that expensive camera equipment you bought last month because it will be out of sight while they scan you. Then you get in line for the "final documents check" where you show your passport, your boarding pass, and other documents.
That was two hours before the flight. If you need to use the bathroom, you'll have to exit the secure area and give your passport number to a security guard. When you come back, you'll have to go through the same x-ray, scanning, and documents check again.
Well, I survived that ordeal, but I was dreading the flight itself. I sat between two men in a three-seat row. And when the guy in the aisle went to the bathroom, we all went to the bathroom. It was just more convenient that way so he didn't have to get up several times just to let us out or in. The good thing about this plane was that each seat had its own screen so you didn't have to strain to watch a movie. And you can choose among several movies. I watched "A Lot Like Love", a little bit of "Miss Congeniality 2" (which I already watched on the flight to the Philippines), and a little bit of "Kingdom of Heaven".
We had dinner soon after we got on the air. They offered snacks halfway through the flight. And we had breakfast a few hours before we landed. There was a call for a medical doctor about an hour before we landed. I don't know for whom or why. We landed at 7:45 in the evening, fifteen minutes late. Then we had to wait for the paramedics to come and get the patient out of the plane and into an ambulance. Then we were finally out.
First, we went through Immigration. After stamping my passport, the Immigration official was handing it back to me when he asked me, "Were you a good girl while you were over there?" I smiled.
Once Jan told me to behave and I replied that I always do, but not always in a good way. Then he switched to telling me to be a good girl. And I had a few smart-aleck responses to that too.
So, when the official asked me that question, I smiled and said, "I tried." He wouldn't let go of my passport and he looked like he couldn't let me through unless I gave the right answer. If he was holding a smile in, he was very good at it. After a few moments of silence, I finally said, "Yes, I was." And he set me free.
Well, how can I be serious if someone calls me a "girl" at my age?
At the baggage claim, there was another delay. There were too many passengers and the carousel was too small that they had to slow down the loading of the bags. Then the carousel got stuck, so we had to wait for that too.
Then Customs asked if I had been in a farm. I said I did, but I discarded the flipflops I used then. I had no fruits or vegetables or seeds, so I was fine there. They asked if I had any soil with me. I said I had some sand. She asked if it came from a farm. I said it came from the beach. She smiled. Another Customs official asked me what was in the balikbayan box. I said it contained a clay pot (my sister's banga) and clothes. Then they let me through.
My dad and his wife found me easily. There were monitors in the waiting area that showed the passengers as they were exiting the terminal, so they saw me coming out. It was 9:30 pm.
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