Of leaving and coming home

I went to NAIA two days ago to send-off my sister. As I am fascinated by airports and the interesting pool of crowd to be found there, I can't help but cringe at the state of our country's airplane hub. It was a disaster.

Our airport - voted as the worst in the world - is really living up to its label. The road to Sucat (the route to the airport) is currently like hell for travelers: the jeepneys are stopping in the middle of the road without flashing signal lights, apparently for loading and unloading. People cross the street on a run, ignoring the dangers of doing so and the vehicles are promising candidates of a Guinness world-record for smoke-belching.

When we got to the airport, the parking lot was so congested and disorganized. Cars, vans and jeepneys lined up like undisciplined kids with their bodies parked in a distorted line which would make you arrive at a conclusion that accidents may likely occur. Convenience stores were also present with prices that doubles that of 711's. Outside the parking lot were more people walking nonchalantly on the streets; oblivious to the rampant arriving and departing vehicles. A famous fast-food chain is situated at the arrivals waiting lounge and adjacent to it is a mediocre coffee shop that would make your cheap and local coffee taste like heaven.

We arrived at the departure area ahead of time. To my utter dismay and annoyance, just outside the airport building were more, yes, more people present, taxis running and traffic commencing. There was even a media vehicle parked outside that just made it worse. The security guards tried hard to contain the chaos as the crowd bid their love ones goodbye.

I ushered my sister to the passenger entrance and the lady guard reprimanded me for trying to explain to my sister what to do as it was her first time to go back abroad by herself. I thought that she should be considerate because we were not causing any delay or whatnot. The side of the entrance was so full of people that you will not be able to decipher which ones were going to leave or not. Moreover, the screen that displays which airlines are open for check-in were so small you had to squint at it.

I was appalled at how ghastly the service is. For me, the airport is one of the most important thing in a country as it is the gateway for locals and international tourists alike. It is the first thing that a traveler could see from up above while the plane is landing - and rusty roofs with car wheels of different sizes on top of them is probably unimpressive for most people, not to mention that piles of garbage are never a welcome sight.

As I love my country, I hate all the discrepancies that I see in its portal to the world. I hate that we cannot go inside and accompany our love ones as they do in other countries. I hate that it doesn't give a sense of good feeling; that it doesn't exude the smell equal to that of a shopping mall. I hate that people who cannot afford to ride a plane can't take a look of what's inside the airport.

It is very disappointing for me, I am quite feeling really dismayed for a long while now, ever since I get to see the airports of other countries. Though it may seem like I am putting down my own, I am also quite hopeful that the government can do something about it. I certainly hope so. But I only have one wish: please don't let me start talking about what could be found inside NAIA. You might hate so much.

Casa Mia, Amore Mio

Hello Philippines!! It's been a long time since I've seen your rusty roofs from above the plane, your naked kids running along the street, your people who seem to suck up to everyone who works abroad, your dirty surroundings, and the most ironic of all, your grandiose and magnificent buildings that reflect the contradictory state of our country. Hear me when I say: I FUCKING MISSED YOU!!!! No matter how mediocre your airport is, how frustrating is the heat and the air conditioning inside, how ugly are the stores and how men stare at women who smoke as if they're sluts; there is no denying that for me, you are still the most frickin pretty country in the whole world! (Of course that is a bit too much, but hey, I'm just being patriotic. Our country is beautiful beyond words, it's the government and the undisciplined people that sucks.)

I still can't pretty much believe that after five years, I'm really here. I breathe the same air that my friends do and can ride a jeep and ditch tricycles. Seriously, why do they ask for a lot of money? They're a bit outrageous on their fare when you get to inhale all the smog while you're inside it. I prefer to walk, papayat pa ako! Hahaha!

At first I couldn't sleep because of the heat, or because I was jet lagged, but most of all, it just felt surreal that after years of hoping to come home and free myself from every nagging thought inside my head, from every agonizing pain, I'M REALLY HERE!!!!

So yes, three weeks and counting and I think I was culture shocked. I go out only on weekends, can't eat on fast foods, can't go to the market... can't fucking buy a toothbrush that is worth 200 bucks because that is waaaaay too expensive!!! :)) Nakaka culture shock ang presyo!

 But anyway, as the cliche goes: There. is. no. PLACE. like. HOME.

Hello June!