Byahero Blues
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.
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.
