all about my journeys in life

30 March
DOHA / HONG KONG

So I have decided to scrap the Bangkok flight and take a chance on the Manila direct or via Hong Kong flights. At 2100H, I was at the airport queuing for a jump seat that eventually wouldn't be given to me. I was bumped off on the Manila flight even if there were 3 more seats available in the economy cabin and 4 unutilized jumpseats! Damn those in staff travel in charge of these things. I had to go via Hong Kong which was delayed for 2 hours that made me miss my Cathay Pacific connection to Manila at 1630H. I had to wait for another 6 hours to go home. Chance pa yon. Buti na lang favorite ko ang airport ng Hong Kong! :D

While at the airport though, I have:

1. Learned to trust in the system - I had my bags checked through to Manila which means that I didn't have to get them at the HKIA and check them in again for my connecting flight. However, I didn't know if I could still get them because my bags were tagged for CX903 which I missed. I have to commend the CX handlers because I got my baggage in Manila.

2. Learned to let go and move on - I was wondering how much I could have saved if only I planned my trip well ahead of time. Considering that I have already bought my tickets early, I still feel that I could have done better if I planned earlier. I was also thinking "what if I just took the flight via Bangkok? Manila na kaya ako ngayon?" Then I realized, there's no use thinking of whatcouldhavebeen's dahil wala naman nang magagawa kaya kinalimutan ko na lang ang mga yon at inisip na lang kung ano ang mga dapat kong gawin upon arrival. Mahirap to let go and move on but kaya naman pala. Hehe.

3. Confirmed the power of prayers - There were about 30 staff waiting to be boarded on the 10pm flight to Manila which made my chances of getting onboard slimmer. I prayed hard, real hard, to be called but unfortunately, my ticket was returned. I took my ticket back and as I was getting my bag to already look for a place where I could spend the night, I heard the agent calling my name. They asked me to wait for another few minutes because I might get a chance to be boarded. Miracles do happen and I was onboard at 2150H! How it happened, God only knows!

If not for the weekend trip to Bangkok I did a month ago and a Doha tour (zoo, sand dunes, malls, etc.) my flatmates and I ventured in a week before that, I don't think I would have survived almost three months without going home. This is the longest time I have been away from my loved ones, the longest time I have lived on my own.

Exactly three weeks before my planned trip on the 30th of March, I bought Nanay's ticket to Canada (when she'd use it, I don't know), had my VL request form signed by my boss, obtained my OEC and exit permit and bought my tickets as follows:

DOH-MNL on Qatar Airways
DOH-BKK-MNL on Thai Airways
DOH-HKG-MNL on Cathay Pacific Airways
MNL-HKG-DOH on Cathay Pacific Airways
MNL-DOH on Qatar Airways

Even with lots of tickets in my hand already, I would still have purchased a MNL-DXB-DOH just to make sure I'd get back on time but apparently, a problem between Qatar Airways and Emirates occurred such that all requests for discounted tickets from Emirates were put on hold. Grrr!

The weekend before my trip, my roommate and I went to the supermarket to buy pasalubong. When asked what she wanted, Nanay just said, "kending masarap" then later on added that she also wanted dates and cheese (yes, we're both addicted to cheese!) I find it funny that while packing, I realized that my 20-kg baggage allowance is composed approximately of:

6kg Qatari Dates
1.5kg Cheese
1kg Chocolates
1.5kg "Kending masarap"
5kg Clothes
1kg Shoes/Slip-ons
4kg Weight of the bag itself

With everything packed and ready, I just need to ensure that I get on the flight--a task I don't know how I would accomplish. As of today, the flight loads are really bad. First option is via Bangkok, but the sector BKK-MNL is full, hence, I don't think it would be wise for me to go to Bangkok and get stuck there for more than 24 hours. Next option is to go direct to Manila but the Senior Manager Revenue Management who is in charge of flight bookings earlier told me to look for flight alternatives as the Manila flight will definitely be full. My only chance left, he said, would be to travel on a jumpseat again. Last, but definitely not the least, is to travel via Hong Kong. HKG-MNL flights of Cathay Pacific are also full but since there are a lot of flights going to Manila, I have a bigger chance of getting home.

Good thing that my boss is also going on medical/vacation leave because I won't be spending my holidays worrying about work. However, these last few days spent at the office have been pretty tiring especially since I have to prepare everything that I will be leaving---memos to be released, minutes to be circulated, research materials to be submitted, documents to be filed, etc.

I so look forward to my vacation, THIS vacation. But first I have to get on the flight.