Edmund is actually back in Manila now. My posts are delayed because I didn’t have access to internet last week. I have some more posts while he was still here but I will adjust the dates to avoid confusion. Sorry about that.
We shipped one balikbayan box thru Alas Cargo before Edmund left. The box contained our dogs’ food and kikays (lucky dogs!), and other non-perishable stuff. Their warehouse is just a few blocks away from Aileen’s house. Their rate is $43 for drop-offs. Dati $35 lang.
The Filipina employee there told us that the US customs now make frequent random checks for a fee of $3,000 each time. Even if they didn’t find any violation, they would still charge ALAs the inspection fee of $3,000. This stricter procedure was due to the fact that some of our kababayans were violating the law by shipping guns, ammunitions, chop-chopped spare parts of vehicles and motorcycles, and other highly taxable goods. Those majority of us who like to send carne norte, Spam, rice, towels, etc. are also included as potential violators.
She also told us that someone from San Jose requested for their pick-up service for one box. Alas cargo’s driver couldn’t carry the box, he couldn’t even move it. It was dead heavy. Because he had to pick-it up and bring to their warehouse, he forced it and he broke his back. When the balikbayan box was already in their warehouse, they couldn’t load it to the 40-footer van. Something was leaking from the box so Alas Cargo didn’t have a choice but to open and inspect the box. The balikbayan box contained two sacks of rice from Costco!!!!, plus there was some spare parts of a machine or vehicle that was leaking. They called the owner and he was pissed that Alas Cargo opened his box. The box was returned to him with an extra fee.
There are also those who like to ship to the Philippines all of their old stuff including broken plantsa, microwave, toaster oven, etc. BROKEN, as in JUNK. Tayo talaga.
We ate pritong bangus and sinangag and ice cream before heading to the airport.
Would you believe this is a sister of our dog Twinkle? Sobrang mahilig mag-anak si Mochi
Teka sweetheart, parang, hindi ko gaanong makita at malabo ang kuha ko at mata, pero, nakabukas ba ang zipper mo? HIndi ako sure O ganyan lang talaga ang style ng pantalon, hay, hayaan mo na nga. hindi ko gaanong makita.
yung zipper?
Kuya Romy——- “Len, ano yan, pang UKAY-UKAY?”
Mga labada ni Aileen, Bow.
Edmund had no maleta, only two balikbayan boxes, plus one box of golf clubs. Excess na yan kasi only two pieces are allowed by PAL.
His game plan was to leave behind the golf clubs if PAL doesn’t give him a 50% discount on the excess baggage.
Edmund was the one who drove the Navigator to the airport. Kuya Romy sat in front and would drive us back to Hayward, while Aileen and I sat at the back.
San Mateo Bridge
Look at how beautiful the sky is
Medyo gloomy na, approaching Foster City
Aileen kept on saying that’s we’re too early because Edmund’s flight is at 10:30 pm. We reached the SFO International Airport at around 7 pm.
Edmund wasn’t sure if Kuya Romy would be able to find the way to the parking, kasi in the past, ang Kuya pamali-mali, naliligaw lagi. When we reached the aiport, Edmund got off and left the engine running thinking that Kuya Romy would take over the wheel. He got a cart for his boxes. I also got off the vehicle, and so did Aileen. then, CLUCK! Patay, the doors automatically locked. The engine still running with the keys inside, including Edmund’s jacket, passports, mga bagahe nya. Naku, ayan kasi sabi ng sabi si Aileen ang aga pa daw namin. Hayan patay!
Edmund —– “Bumaba kayo? Bakit kayo bumaba sabay-sabay?”
I did not want to reason out pero naisip ko lang, eh syempre sweetheart bababa kami, ano naman gagawin namin sa loob ng car eh nadito na tayo sa airport.
Edmund was agitated and wanted to brake the window. Eh naku mahirap yun, I can’t use the vehicle for the next few days, if we were to contact AAA naman, matagal daw dumating, baka 2 hours pa. Patay again.
Aileen said she just saw the spare keys somewhere in their house. I actually doubted about this because Len’s house is makalat, if you lose something, you have to wait for a year to find it. But miracle happened tonight, she was certain that she has seen the keys just a day or two ago. She called up Kimberly who was at their house, and Kuya Romy called up his son Sherwin to go to Tita Aileen’s house, get the keys and bring to the airport. Buti na lang Sherwin and family were in Bay Fair Shopping Mall in San Leandro which is 15 minutes away fron Aileen’s house.
Okay, now that we have the solution, and buti na lang we have ample time while waiting for the keys, maka pag relax na at maka wee-wee nga muna at na i -stress ako, maka picture-picture nga kahit walang kawawakan ang mga sceneries dito.
Pinapaalis na kami nung airport police, bawal daw mag-park.
Eh Officer, wala nga yung susi, may kilala ka bang mga bukas kotse gang?
For $9, this guy would wrap you your bag with plastic to protect the contents and also your bag, if its valuable.
I travel in tsinelas, I wish I could be this glamorous when I travel, in high heels.
———–
Ay thank you Lord, finally Sherwin arrived with the keys, My worry naman is they are the wrong keys. Sa dami talaga ng gamit sa bahay ni Aileen, parang worried ako talaga.
naku Lord, thank you talaga. tama yuhg mga susi, yun nga!
Salamat Sherwin, pasensya at naabala namin ang shopping nyo. Salamat ulit.
Spare keys, aleluya anak ng luya, sa susunod nga makapag pa kopya at mailagay sa bulsa.
May I excuse me, wee-we ulit. Hayyy relieved.
There were several golfers taking the same flight to Manila
hay salamat, makaka check-in na.
Edmund tried to make pakiusap na pwede libre na lang yung golf clubs nya or he could just hand-carry them.
Nope, the box is too big,
Dehins pwede, they gave him a 50% discount na lang instead of $150 excess fee, Edmund paid $75, happy na sya.
Bye ‘tart, see you in two weeks.
Btw, belated Happy Birthday to Kuya Romy (June 28).
