June 21, 2017 Tuesday
I was able to cancel my tickets in Spirit Airlines. I got so stressed out with the baggage limitations. I was trying to pay on line for my luggage and it added a hundred dollars for the round trip, plus this and that. Every choice of seat there’s a fee. The thought that I had to get off the train, figure out where to go for the shuttle that would bring me to the airport added to my stress. All those stressed me out so I canceled my tickets. It was good I was able to do so within the 24 hours leeway or else I would not be able to refund my money.
I booked tickets on Virgin America instead. The tickets were surprisingly lower and I was allowed to bring a handbag and a small carry on luggage. It was also convenient that the train would bring me straight to the International Airport.
Hot day.
A two hour travel to the airport that included a 20 minute drive and a two hour train ride.
I have a new travel companion. I was happy with its size. Small and yet it packed all my stuff.
I felt a little sad walking here by myself.
It was my first time to fly Virgin America. It was only an hour and a half flight. I just wanted to have a smooth and on time flight.
My flight was at 12:45 pm. I was at the airport by 10:30 am. When I checked in, the flight was an hour delayed.
So many flights
There’s my flight, delayed
Still with three hours to burn, I seriously thought of having an express massage. 30 minutes for $70?
I looked for food.
I wanted the traditional American breakfast but the more formal restaurant no longer serves breakfast menu because the waitress said it’s 10:50 am.
I just went to the fastfood area.
There were a couple of Filipinos working at this restaurant. The cashier, the kitchen staff. I asked for a cup of ice from one of the Filipina staffs. When I said thank you, she said “hindi libre yan, may bayad”. I smiled.
They ran out of french fries so they gave me fresh fruits instead.
After eating, I looked for my iPad. I thought I left it in the security conveyor. Medyo panic na ako before I saw it was in my bag.
This Virgin America ground staff was working out the crowd.
He asked everyone to sing happy birthday for these two lady passengers.
While I was waiting at the gate, the alarm sounded. For several minutes this guy tried to open this security door but the Virgin America pilots and crew were just standing there not even panicking or bothering to check what it was all about. I wanted to tell this guy to go away. The sound was piercing through my ears. After several more minutes, he was able to open the door with his ID card. There was a guy who asked him to swipe it again after he entered the door. That was it? He should not have entered thru that door. I was annoyed.
My husband told me we should dress up a little when we’re in the US so that people would not think that we’re the poor Asians. But I just wanted to wear slippers. This is a free country. No one looks at what you’re wearing.
Even if you’re not wearing anything, no one cares. Unlike in Manila where people judge you by your looks, here no. So this is my chance to be free. But just the same, I wore shoes. But my dress was un-ironed
Look at them, anything goes.
Star-studded pants worn by an Asian.
You know when to cut-back on buffet when your tummy begins to hang-out.
Serious tattoos
Finally we’ve boarded. Before we took off, the pilot announced that it was going to be a very bumpy ride. Ulk!!! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was supposed to be a one hours and twenty minutes flight only. The sky is so clear and the sun is shining brightly. There are no clouds that should make the plane bumpy.
The take-off was smooth and the next 50 minutes was quiet. The flight attendant made an announcement, “Just like what the pilot said, it’s going to be a very bumpy ride”. ” We ask everyone to go back to your seats and fasten your seat belt securely. We’ve started our descent and it’s going to be very bumpy”. Very bumpy? Not just bumpy, meron pa talagang very.
My God. I should have taken Greyhound.
The bumpy ride started as we descended. It was a half hour of cowboy-like ride, up down, up down. I was scared of course! I tried to play Scrabble pero nahihilo ako kasi taas baba yung plane. I rubbed peppermint on my nose, forehead, nape, lahat na pinahiramn ko sa nerbyos ko pati tuhod.
I was seated in the middle seat. The one on the aisle is an Indian/American lady who always traveled to Vegas for holiday with her husband. She was relax na relax. The young girl by the window started hyperventilating. I could hear her loud breathing. Yun pala inaatake ng nerbyos. Nung bata ako hindi ako gaanong nerbyosa.
I got distracted from my nervousness by the young Italian girl. Hihinga-hinga, nagworry ako kasi baka biglang sumuka eh dikit na dikit kami. Baka ako masukahan ay naloko na. So binigyan ko rin ng peppermint. Nagustuhan naman yung amoy. I massaged pa her shoulder and right arm so she could feel better. Feeling motherly naman ako. The plane was still shaking. Nerbyos pa rin ako but my attention was on her.I told her we’re soon touching down. She’s traveling alone. She just graduated from college and she visited first San Francisco then Vegas. She’s meeting up with her friend who’s from LA. They will fly back to LA from Vegas. Akala ko okay na sya. Nakupo, yung mata pala nya kinusot eh merong peppermint yung mga daliri nya. Nagpanic kasi hindi naman makamulat. Tissue! Tissue, sa panic ko rin, naibigay ko yata yung tissue ko na gamit na.
I myself was feeling nauseous from the bumpy ride. I was relieved when we touched down. But we stayed inside the plane for a good 30 minutes or more.
I took Bonamine. Kala ko na relax na itong seatmate ko kasi we’ve arrived safely. She was still hyperventilating, breathing so loud. She asked me if there’s a doctor at the airport. I said there’s a clinic, maybe they have a nurse. I advised her to go to CVS and buy Vicks vaporub or peppermint she could carry in her bag when she’s traveling.
She took the vomit bag and starting throwing up. Buti na lang, nagtayuan na. Kasi tuwing susuka sya parang gusto ko ring masuka. Kwaaaaak. Mali, parang duck. Whaaarckk.
Before I got off the plane, I approached the pilot and the flight attendant. I told them that the passenger at 15A is vomiting and needs medical attention. I couldn’t wait for her because I have a 5:30 pm appointment.
It took me a total of 8 hours from the time I took the train at 8 am till we touched down at the Las Vegas airport at exactly 4 pm. 8 hours! The heat pala affects the airplanes kaya it was bumpy. Many flights were canceled because smaller planes could not take of with less air to push it. The engines also gets so hot.
While the plane was bumpy, the women seated on the next row were talking about someone winning one million dollars at this airport. They were waiting daw for their flight one time and it was announced several times,
Don’t bet on it.
I went to the women’s toilet and washed my face and my arms. I forgot to bring a face towel that could help cool me down when I go out.
I saw some women dressed “heat” appropriate.
It’s 114 degrees outside and I was not all excited to go out. It would be my first time to deal with this kind of excessive heat and I was afraid I could be hit. My phone’s battery was dead so I stayed at the airport for another 30 minutes to charge the battery and to relax. I was still dizzy from the flight.
I was running late to my appointment but still, I decided to grab a sausage sandwich from Starbucks which was conveniently located before the airport exit. Sa kamamadlai kong kumain, nagkang papaso ang dila ko and I forgot to avoid chewing with my right jaw.
It was 5:10 pm when I braved the heat and went out of the building and walked to the taxi stand. Nanay ko po ang init!!!! Para akong nasa oven.
I took this taxi. The old guy was madaldal, He’s originally from Bulgaria but moved to Atlanta. He owned a construction business supplying granite, marble, tiles but in 2008 he closed his business thanks to Fanny Mae. He has a lot of conspiracy theory about countries, governments, the end, etc.
He said we are the “eaters”, the common people who only consume the world’s resources and not contribute. The “producers” are the multi-billionaires and some powerful group who want to kill the eaters because we are liabilities to this world.
He was also talking about a secret society, North Korea, etc. I thought we were going the long way. When I called his attention, he barked at me “I know where we are going, you are not from here. You don’t know. I’ve lived here for 9 years I know”. Tumahimik na ako.
The meter registered $42 and he told me I could pay using my card. Then he said there’s a $3 additional.
O— “I don”t want to pay extra $3, I’ll just pay in cash”.
Driver—–“I drove for you and you only give me $5 tip? I pay tax on tip”.
I reached into my bag and looked for singles and I gave him $3 more. He got mad.
He said “if you don’t want to give me one penny more it’s fine. I drive and you don’t give me tip”.
Kunsumisyon itong tao na ito. Sarap kutusan.
“I am already giving you tips and you keep on asking for more”.
Driver—“Fine if you don’t want to give. Thank you”.
Grabe, eh binigyan ko na nga, magkano kaya ang gusto $20. Dapat nag-Uber na lang ako.
Yung ka-appointment ko nadyan na. I was late by 20 minutes.
