Flying to a Dream

2nd part of Vignettes of My First Overseas Solo Travel

Onboard

Photo by Hasnain Babar on Unsplash

Finally, after almost two hours of waiting for my departure flight, it was time to board. My dream of reaching a new country was soon becoming a reality.

I floated my way through the long tube from the terminal gate to the plane as a mixture of thrill and awe was slowly building up inside me. My Singapore trip was my first overseas travel, yet it wasn’t my first plane ride, having traveled to Cebu and Mindanao — just within the country, eons of ages ago.

Perhaps because this opportunity to travel out of the country just came by so suddenly. Maybe this is how it feels like winning in a lottery or sweepstakes. The tendency to race through time and miss the joy of the moment is what most adults are prone to do. But I relished each second. I wanted to stretch the hours, for this was only a weekend trip.

For others more experienced, this very process of getting to your plane seat is as mundane as counting from 1 to 3. For me, it felt surreal because it was something new and familiar at the same time.

Being hard of hearing, I immediately informed the flight attendant at the plane’s door. I needn’t have to worry about this though, as I earlier notified the personnel manning the airline’s check-in counter. So I was assigned a seat near the front.

Just when I thought everything was running smoothly, another lesson presented itself to me. Looking up at the numbers and letters overhead, I suddenly got confused. I asked the guy who was already seated at the center seat where I should be. Turned out he made a mistake of pointing me to his right and I had to go around the next aisle to get there. I didn’t expect the aisles and rows could be that cramped.

I was already settling comfortably in my seat with my luggage in the overhead bin when a tall, stern-looking foreigner came over and motioned it was his seat I was occupying. Without much ado, I apologized and got up to retrieve my luggage but he shoved it aside to make way for his own.

Such rudeness at the onset – yet the consoling look from the seated gentleman and my own resolve not to be affected melted away the unpleasantness of that incident. As a traveler, you have to be positive at all times and be able to give space in your heart for those who might be going through rough times or carrying extra baggage.

From take off to mid-air to up high in the clouds everything went well – even though I hadn’t taken any meal since early morning to avoid any stomach trouble.

Mid-flight, that young gentleman – a fellow Filipino on leave from his job in the U.S.  — seated between me and that impatient foreigner (who looked like a businessman or even an official), struck up a conversation with me. Engaging and animated, our chat must have surely irked that older passenger because my chat/seatmate sensed I was having hearing difficulties, so he spoke a decibel higher than normal.

After snacks were served (I only asked for drinking water), I pretended to sleep all the way to touch down because I needed time for my own thoughts and to rest as well.

Touch down. My whole being awaited with joy and gratitude whatever would unfold before me. Singapore, here I come!

A souvenier pose after a heavenly repast of authentic Hainanese Chicken Rice at the upper level..

Taking a selfie before one of the stunning kinetic art installations at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 while waiting for my son to fetch me

 

 

Vignettes of My First Overseas Solo Travel

1st of a series: Lessons Learned

Before the flight

Seated at the gate at the airport terminal waiting for my flight to Singapore, I was soon transported into a theater watching as most of my co-passengers seemed to take command of the place.

airport waiting lounge at the terminal gate…Image by Jana Sabeth Schultz on Unsplash

Like synchronized dancers in a performance, they knew exactly where to sit or stand. Nothing awkward about their movements, unlike me who had to observe what they did to be in step. Seasoned travelers I could tell. Yet somehow, I knew they were not your regular tourists.

Most had that look of weariness, resignation, or even sadness in their eyes, slumped on the seats, some lying down for a short nap. While others huddled in small groups sharing updates with one another, a few were by themselves, glued to their mobile phones, or leaning back with eyes closed. Almost everyone had bulky luggage and boxes of ‘pasalubongs’ (send-off gifts) from their families or relatives back home.

These people milling around me, females mostly in their late 20s to mid-40s, were overseas workers. Domestic helpers on their way back to their foreign employers in the country I was to visit. Although there were a handful of real tourists in that big room, there was none of the expected excitement or thrill. Silence hung like a heavy curtain.

As I continued watching them, joy and a sense of accomplishment wrapped my being after having gone through with ease and in so short a time each of the required steps from my arrival at the airport – with no one to go with or guide me. I made sure I got to the airport early — sweet reward and relief for this ‘young’ senior, a first time overseas traveler on her own.

Airport departure area…Image by chuttersnap on Unsplash

I didn’t have to wait in line, thankfully. For aside from being early, I saw designated lanes for seniors and people with disabilities. From getting to the airline counter to the travel tax counter, and back to the airline counter for my boarding pass, to getting through the immigration and security check –the pleasantness and helpfulness of each of the personnel I met, including the airport guards made things flow smoothly.

My worries and fears that had stemmed from all the unpleasant, horror stories I’d heard, plus jitters over my poor hearing, soon melted away at each step. So completing everything fast, and with enough time before boarding, I felt getting more confident. I found myself with no need to rush. The sense of professionalism of the airport personnel, plus the cleanliness of the terminal struck me. I was really pleasantly surprised by all these.

Deep inside, I laughed at myself recalling the stress I went through in the morning at home when I had to change my traveling bag and some of my packed clothes at the last minute. Then I took out the book I brought, “The Power of Thinking Big,” by John C. Maxwell, and read away the remaining hour before my flight.

Whispering a prayer of gratitude to God, I was now starting to embrace this new, thrilling adventure of my life. And discovering a new me!

Here are the lessons I derived at this juncture of my trip: 

• Trust people more and see the good in them
• Go beyond your biases
• Be courageous
• Believe in yourself
• Ask for help
• Enjoy the moment
• Expect the best in each situation
• Be adventurous
• Rely on your capabilities and inner power
• Keep your wits about even in the most stressful or terrifying situations
• Be alert and safe at all times – especially for seniors, have presence of mind
• Keep faith in God — do what you must then leave the rest to Him
• Do prior research so you know what to do and expect in all the places you’re going to

Two quotes best capture what I carried in my heart that day:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
― Lao Tzu

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”
― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Affirming the Writer In Me

I was going over some of my archived e-mails just a while back. Then I came across one from my former English teacher in high school (over 40 years ago). And it made my day!

She wrote to say, “And i again love your memoirs of your own hs days.
Your style of writing is so personalized, which is an added value, so experiential ! And this is good. And i enjoyed reading your memoirs.”

You see, I was among 6 alumni chosen by my high school’s alumni association to write about our fondest memories of our then principal, for our High School’s grand event held in February last year. Our pieces were then published in the souvenir program.

  

In 2016, our high school batch USA Chapter also asked me to write a piece for their grand reunion held in Las Vegas. My piece appeared in their souvenir program, too.

    

In both instances, I got tickled pink, pun intended. (Centro Escolar  University is known for its pink buildings and its students are endearingly called the Pink Escolarinas). Wouldn’t you, too? I mean, who wouldn’t be overjoyed to be handpicked for a task like this then see her name affixed to something she wrote?

There’s something thrilling and affirming in seeing your work – no matter how simple – with your name stamped on it.

Affirming, indeed.

I used to doubt myself for my skills in writing. Yes it’s true I have an innate talent for it. And passion. I’ve always loved the written word. I’d fill my journals back then with my own verses and lengthy musings. Stringing words together into a poem, or just inking down my thoughts – that’s what I’ve always enjoyed.

I wrote about this hobby of mine in Writing for the Joy of It,  a post on my other blog.

But I’ve never considered myself a writer — even though I’ve been working as one. Even though as a student, my siblings or some classmates would request help from me with their English compositions. Even though during my long hiatus from work, I’d be asked to write features articles (with honorarium at that). Maybe, I’ve just been taking myself and my talents and skills for granted.

Having read again my teacher’s words, I feel uplifted. Because as a writer, you write not only to express yourself, period. NO.

You must be able to communicate your message and engage with your readers. To create an impact on them. When readers respond or react to your piece, then you’ve done a good job. Her words stand as mute testimony to my being a writer and my style.

So I tell myself, time to accept who I am. Don’t you think so? Time now to affirm the writer in me. And for this, time to get more professional about it.

There, I’ve just signed up for a short course on Content Marketing (on audit for now) to enhance my writing skills and learn more about copy writing.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

My practice shot of the morning sky and the Manila Bay taken from our hotel window…