Welcome Reception

I felt a little out of place at the welcome reception for the golfers. I very seldom feel this way, this was one of those rare moments. Mingling with male dominated business events are easy, but to sit at one table with 7 competitive golfers, parang too much.

Three of the men looked at me from head to toe. One from Spain focused for a few seconds on my shoes. The businessman from Denmark, too. What’s with my shoes?
Are they so phaking ugly? Pati ako napatingin din sa shoes ko. They’re neither glamorous nor fabulous. I bought them from Lourdes, some 15 years ago. Edmund and I were walking back to our hotel after a freezing bath at the Lourdes’ shrine. It was raining, dark, and freezing cold. We needed extra layers to keep us warm. We chanced upon this store, which was still open. We walked in and saw sweaters, maong pants, shoes, boots, shawls— all made in Europe, none yet from Asia.
I bought a pair of Levi’s jeans made in Spain or Germany, and this pair of shoes, also from Germany. Ang tibay-tibay, sulit na sulit.

The welcome reception for the tournament players were held at the Conservatory room of the hotel.  We were greeted by Lindsay, and Mark Gardner, the Senior Sales Manager of St. Andrews Old Course Hotel.

I should start wearing high heals, ang pandak ko.

A———“Tart, tart, look at the ceiling, lalagyan ko ng ganyan yung ceiling ko”.
E——– “Yes, I’ve seen it. Madali lang yan”.

Edmund fondly refers to the Spanish group as Spanish Armada. They asked us if we spoke Spanish. Si, un poquito, asta la maniana, que hora es, period.
I told Edmund, sila ang may kasalanan bakit nahilig tayo sa kare-kare, menudo at mechado, masyadong malangis.

Businessman Finn from Denmark. He sat beside the American Phil, when Phil asked about the tax in Denmark, Finn said “May I call you ignorant?”
When he asked about the American tax rate, Phil replied “May I call you ignorant?”

Based on the list of players, four are from Spain, some are from the US, Denmark, etc. Displaying of the flags where the players came from was a nice touch–  sweet and thoughtful.

Edmund and I felt happy and proud upon seeing the Philippine flag. Go Philippine go!

The guy was briefing Edmund regarding the first game tomorrow.

They prepared too much food.  We were only 30 more or less,  parang good for 80 px ito.

I had two bowls of fresh mushroom soup. Kasarap. Mura siguro mushrooms dito, kasi sa breakfast, kasing laki ng platito yung mga mushrooms.

I didn’t try the steak.

Edmund’s plate

my dessert.