Qatar to Manila Nov 16, 2015

Delayed post

The number of hours traveling from Manila to Europe was longer. Manila to Qatar was 9 1/2 hours +, Qatar to Budapest was almost 6 hours. Coming back, Vienna to Qatar took only 4 hours and 50 minutes,
While Qatar to Manila was 8 hours. Flying in and out of Clark also shaves off those possible air traffic before take-off and waiting for the signal to land which in some of my experiences in the past, could take an hour. Not only dangerous, it also extends flying time, at sa ka pagod. Uwing-uwi ka na, babang-baba ka na, tapos traffic pa sa ere.

My recent flight from Vienna to Qatar seemed quick. Not only it was faster, the flight was smooth. There were no nasty clouds. Plus siguro I was asleep most of the time.

We landed in Qatar from Vienna on time. Hindi ako pwedeng magpa-petek-petek kasi I only have an hour and twenty minutes to get to my connecting flight to Manila. No more gallivanting and promenading at the Duty Free areas. I walked straight to my gate.

There is something wrong with the traction of my Sketcher’s shoes. Natisod ako.

I think my gate is on the opposite end of this humongous building.
Nope, I am not taking the walkalator, walk lang, para exercise.
Natisod na naman ako.

Hingal, I reached the center of the building. Where is gate D?
Oops natisod na naman ako. Hindi na nakakatuwa itong sabatos ko.

Nay ko, ang layo pa, mag walkalator na lang kaya ako, walk na lang uli. I would be sitting for 9 hours, kaya I have to exercise muna my legs. Walk uli. Natisod na naman ako. Pang-apat na yan, itatapon ko na shoes ko pag-dating ko sa bahay. Nakaka-pikon na.

Finally I reached my seat. I was the last again to board, in this section. Aba, I have no seatmate, good.

I can watch two movies at the same time.

There were only six passengers in this cabin. Konti lang pala traveling from Qatar to Clark, but the economy area was full.

Although Qatar Airways has all day dining, I opted to eat first before I lay down my head. Mabuti na yubng busog.

I grew up not knowing what a smoked salmon was. Wala namang salmon sa palengke sa Binangonan. Ayungin, dalag at kanduli lang. Meron ding maliliit na hipon. At hindi pa uso big supermarkets nuon. My parents went to either Cherry Foodarama in Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong Rizal (35 kilometers away) or Unimart in Greenhills, San Juan.

Busog na ako. Ano kaya ito? Merong kanin sa ilalim. Chicken siguro.

This is the kind of plating one learns when attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. You will learn how to make a perfect kulawit like that strawberry sauce.

Wow my dessert is from Laduree. Ang tamis.

After my meal, I watched the continuation of the boxing movie Southpaw starring Jake Gyllenhaal. I wasn’t able to finish watching it on my flight to Budapest.

After watching, sleeping, then eating again before landing.

Shrimp salad

PAL’s lugaw / arroz caldo has become popular among travelers that’s why some airlines have added the dish to their menus. Cathay Pacific has, and Qatar also. This is their version of our lugaw.

It’s also delicious, better with patis.

The flight took only 8 hours, very smooth, and I was able to sleep well, thanks to Bonamine.
We’ve landed safely, we’re here in Clark. It’s November 16, 2015.

I like Clark’s airport. Less passengers, no air traffic, on time take-off and landing. Life is simpler.

Edmund called. I was on the phone I didn’t notice my bags pala went past me.

It’s more fun in the Philippines. This booth set up by the Department of Tourism is really helpful to foreigners or tourists. There are flyers of resorts and places one could visit. Pero walang naka-tao. Baka maaga pa, anong oras na nga ba kami nag-land?

Malabo talaga yung driver ko, he was on the other side. Tawagin mo nga.

McDo, I want hashbrowns.
A——“Pumunta tayo sa McDo, sa drive thru”.
Driver-“Mam, lampas na tayo”.
A——“Bumalik ka”.
Kararating ko lang, iinisin pa ako nito.

Driver—–“Mam, nasa kabila”.
A———-“Di umikot ka”.

Freshly fried hash browns are a happy treat to my morning.

As soon as I finished eating, I didn’t know I dozed off.

My sleep must have been deep. I woke up when I felt the vehicle stopped. When I opened my eyes, look who’s looking at me. Lucy!

I saw Beth drying Stitch’s coat.

Bagong ligo si Stitch.

I was half awake and half asleep when I entered our house. My kids were still asleep in their rooms. Edmund was there but left for an early meeting. As soon as I dropped my bags, I changed into my favorite daster and jumped into my dear bed. Zzzzzz.