starshadow_rivaulx (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2010-10-25 02:52 pm
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2010-10-25 02:52 pm
There was a trip to Iloilo last October 9th
Waaaay back around the first week of October, I mentioned that I'd be accompanying the parents to Iloilo, so that Ma could visit her baby sister. There was quite a bit of whinging as well, seeing as how I was not looking forward to staying over at Auntie's house - I love my shards of independence too much, apparently.
The universe has a way of working things out, though. *grin*
Since our flight to Iloilo was scheduled for 1.30pm, that meant we didn't have to wake up at oh-God-thirty in the morning, which is always a wonderful thing in my eyes. Security checks being what they are, one has to be at the airport at least two hours before check-in. Since Ma's hip is at its worst early in the morning, an after-lunch departure at least meant she could wake up at around eight, we'd be out of the house by ten, arrive at the airport after 15 minutes, have a snack at the departure lounge to stave off hunger until we got to Iloilo for afternoon tea.
Which is pretty much how it worked out. The Basic Taxi that I called, arrived ten minutes early, but we were all ready, so it made no difference. I was full of last-minute instructions for Ramon, you'd think I wasn't carrying a mobile phone with which to keep in touch! Left the house in good order, and upon arrival at the airport, Ma was prevailed upon to avail of the wheelchair service, having been warned by all and sundry about the distance between the front door of the terminal and the actual boarding lounge. One nice thing, we got to jump lines at the baggage counter, the terminal fee payment counter, and the check-in counter. The wheelchair attendants (because Dad was prompt in getting his own wheelchair too) left us at the DeliFrance (ex-DeliFrance by now) concession, to return when it was time to proceed to the boarding lounge.
Took Ma on a ramble around the pre-departure area, using the wheelchair. We found the washroom, which she used. We looked into the various souvenir/food concessions from the hallway. Then we went back to DeliFrance, where I ordered a club sandwich for the parents to split, and I got myself a pizza. That, basically, was lunch - since we'd all had big breakfasts at home, we weren't really hungry.
The wheelchair attendants were back as scheduled, brought us to the gate, checked us in, left us until it was time for boarding, and then got us on the plane. I made sure all the bags were stowed away, then settled down to make sure Ma had her seat belt on, her handbag was just so; and to watch in fascination at the way the aircon vapors literally fogged out the cabin. I'm serious - pity my scruples kept me from taking a picture - we were in the second row from the front door, and watching people go to the back of the plane was like watching Holmes and Watson disappear into the London fog. Our flight did not have the dancing safety measures, which was a pity - no one was paying attention and the voice over the PA system was meh. Pretty, but meh. There was a "bring me this thing" contest, though, which I also found meh.
Cebu Pacific is totally a budget airline. You pay for your onboard meals/snacks. I think our flight schedule worked out rather well, since if you eat a lot before the flight, it tides you over for an hour-long trip. So everyone's blood sugar remained stable and no one got cranky. There was the moment of slight turbulence as we crossed over a mountain range over Panay Island - which made me think that I may have gained some tolerance in that area. Normally the slightest roll in the aircraft takes my tummy along for the ride, but not this time - I actually thought it was the sound of the landing gear coming down.
What a pity the passenger in the seat behind Daddy didn't have the same constitution. I heard barfing at regular intervals in the fifteen minutes before landing.
Landing at Iloilo's Sta. Barbara airport terminal was a smooth thing; the building is quite new and still has its new-painted shiny about it. Ma got out of the plane first, and instead of waiting for us by the door, got herself into a wheelchair and out the main entrance before I had the bags down from the overhead bin. Which meant that for a few moments Dad and I managed to lose Ma...which I texted to my hubby, who then (being a wise man) suggested that maybe Ma had used the wheelchair service.
And so it was. *chuckle* Dad and I consulted with the security guard - well, Dad consulted the security guard in fluent Hiligaynon (the local dialect), and confirmed that someone of Ma's description had been wheeled out the front door. We collected our stuff and walked right into two of my cousins and Auntie's personal assistant, who confirmed that Ma was already in the family minibus with Auntie. Yay for starting our trip with adventures!
My cousin Heidi and my other cousin Mati had come to fetch us at the airport, together with Auntie. Cousins explained that they were putting us up at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, just across the street from Auntie's house; since (a) Uncle had just come out of hospital the night before, (b) their side of the street was prone to power outages, and at least the hotel had a genset. They hoped we wouldn't mind, and we said of course not - and in my heart there was much rejoicing for the creature comforts of a hotel, not the least of which would be airconditioning and privacy.
We were given a quick tour of the city, during which time Auntie kept asking Ma who she was, and not until I told Ma to remove her sunglasses, did Auntie actually register that it was indeed Ma after all. Though the recognition was short-lived; Auntie really is in the grip of what is so horribly called senile dementia (surely there must be a far better way to address the condition). It's rather sad, given that Auntie was once first lady of the town where Uncle (and his father and grandfather before him) was town mayor; active in the Rotary and all the ladies' associations, to see her barely able to remember who was what and where after five minutes. But the most important thing is that she did recognize Ma. It would have made me cry if she didn't, and Ma having traveled all that way to see how her baby sister was doing.
My other wish was answered, in that I got to reunite with my cousins in batches, rather than all at once. Plus, my least-liked relatives were nowhere in sight, being resident in the other city, haha. So it was the cousins I deal most easily with that spent the most time with us...while we stopped over at Auntie's house, Mati fixed up our stay at the Sarabia, returning after we'd had our tea. The game plan for the rest of the day was to have us settle down at the hotel to freshen up and settle down, then we were to be picked up for a welcome dinner.
The Sarabia is an old hotel, but a good one. Nice central location, it's got a spa and an in-room massage service. Bathroom is clean and the water pressure strong, though I missed having my little tabo/water dipper. First order of the day upon getting into the room was to settle the baggage, and then find CNN on the TV. Stickiest remote control ever, but I finally got it to obey me. *grin* I did manage a short drowsy time before revving up for the dinner, though parents were starting to feel the effects of the excitement and the long day and actually wanted to stay in. Reminded them we ought to make the most of the time, and in the end, they got themselves ready in good time for the pick-up.
The dinner was at a seafood restaurant whose name escapes me, but is very well known among the locals. It's located about five minutes drive from the hotel, right on the beach, with pavilions for diners. Seafood at a seafront resto is always the best ever - and this did not disappoint. There was kilawen (raw fish immersed in vinegar and lemon, tomatoes and onions), latoy or fresh seaweed with vinegar dipping sauce, diwal or angel wings shellfish whose meat I quickly became addicted to, fresh snapper fillet grilled over open coals, rice, tulya or clam soup, and fresh oysters in the shell. OM NOM NOM NOM.
Present were cousins Heidi, Mati and her son Chino, Ricoy - who are the kids of Auntie. Bing was busy with visitors, but was confirmed for tomorrow's send-off dinner. Jesry was represented by his kids. Gigi and her family are now in New Zealand, as I understand it, good for them! Then there was Abet, the son of my late uncle Sergio, the brother of Ma and Auntie. Abet had his wife Au, and younger daughter Janine with him. We seated the seniors at the middle of the table, and the next generation at the ends, with all us cousins filling in the gaps in-between.
It was a case of catch-up like you've never seen. I found out more about Mati's life than I expected to know - the woman has had some tough breaks, and I hope all will end well for her. The kids I only knew as birth announcements are growing up like cogon grass in the summertime. Abet is a dead ringer for Tito Sergio, the resemblance is uncanny. Ricoy has...expanded somewhat, as has Heidi. Jesry's kids are an absolutely beautiful lot - his youngest, especially, has his dad's face when that worthy was a baby. Jesry, following family tradition, is once again mayor of the city, and was in Las Vegas to attend an international homecoming of people who had their roots in Passi.
After dinner, we were dropped off at the hotel, with various plans in place for maximizing the time. Got up to the room, changed out of travel gear, washed up, watched TV, adjusted the aircon, and went to bed.
October 10 events will be in another entry to follow, hopefully shortly. :)
The universe has a way of working things out, though. *grin*
Since our flight to Iloilo was scheduled for 1.30pm, that meant we didn't have to wake up at oh-God-thirty in the morning, which is always a wonderful thing in my eyes. Security checks being what they are, one has to be at the airport at least two hours before check-in. Since Ma's hip is at its worst early in the morning, an after-lunch departure at least meant she could wake up at around eight, we'd be out of the house by ten, arrive at the airport after 15 minutes, have a snack at the departure lounge to stave off hunger until we got to Iloilo for afternoon tea.
Which is pretty much how it worked out. The Basic Taxi that I called, arrived ten minutes early, but we were all ready, so it made no difference. I was full of last-minute instructions for Ramon, you'd think I wasn't carrying a mobile phone with which to keep in touch! Left the house in good order, and upon arrival at the airport, Ma was prevailed upon to avail of the wheelchair service, having been warned by all and sundry about the distance between the front door of the terminal and the actual boarding lounge. One nice thing, we got to jump lines at the baggage counter, the terminal fee payment counter, and the check-in counter. The wheelchair attendants (because Dad was prompt in getting his own wheelchair too) left us at the DeliFrance (ex-DeliFrance by now) concession, to return when it was time to proceed to the boarding lounge.
Took Ma on a ramble around the pre-departure area, using the wheelchair. We found the washroom, which she used. We looked into the various souvenir/food concessions from the hallway. Then we went back to DeliFrance, where I ordered a club sandwich for the parents to split, and I got myself a pizza. That, basically, was lunch - since we'd all had big breakfasts at home, we weren't really hungry.
The wheelchair attendants were back as scheduled, brought us to the gate, checked us in, left us until it was time for boarding, and then got us on the plane. I made sure all the bags were stowed away, then settled down to make sure Ma had her seat belt on, her handbag was just so; and to watch in fascination at the way the aircon vapors literally fogged out the cabin. I'm serious - pity my scruples kept me from taking a picture - we were in the second row from the front door, and watching people go to the back of the plane was like watching Holmes and Watson disappear into the London fog. Our flight did not have the dancing safety measures, which was a pity - no one was paying attention and the voice over the PA system was meh. Pretty, but meh. There was a "bring me this thing" contest, though, which I also found meh.
Cebu Pacific is totally a budget airline. You pay for your onboard meals/snacks. I think our flight schedule worked out rather well, since if you eat a lot before the flight, it tides you over for an hour-long trip. So everyone's blood sugar remained stable and no one got cranky. There was the moment of slight turbulence as we crossed over a mountain range over Panay Island - which made me think that I may have gained some tolerance in that area. Normally the slightest roll in the aircraft takes my tummy along for the ride, but not this time - I actually thought it was the sound of the landing gear coming down.
What a pity the passenger in the seat behind Daddy didn't have the same constitution. I heard barfing at regular intervals in the fifteen minutes before landing.
Landing at Iloilo's Sta. Barbara airport terminal was a smooth thing; the building is quite new and still has its new-painted shiny about it. Ma got out of the plane first, and instead of waiting for us by the door, got herself into a wheelchair and out the main entrance before I had the bags down from the overhead bin. Which meant that for a few moments Dad and I managed to lose Ma...which I texted to my hubby, who then (being a wise man) suggested that maybe Ma had used the wheelchair service.
And so it was. *chuckle* Dad and I consulted with the security guard - well, Dad consulted the security guard in fluent Hiligaynon (the local dialect), and confirmed that someone of Ma's description had been wheeled out the front door. We collected our stuff and walked right into two of my cousins and Auntie's personal assistant, who confirmed that Ma was already in the family minibus with Auntie. Yay for starting our trip with adventures!
My cousin Heidi and my other cousin Mati had come to fetch us at the airport, together with Auntie. Cousins explained that they were putting us up at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, just across the street from Auntie's house; since (a) Uncle had just come out of hospital the night before, (b) their side of the street was prone to power outages, and at least the hotel had a genset. They hoped we wouldn't mind, and we said of course not - and in my heart there was much rejoicing for the creature comforts of a hotel, not the least of which would be airconditioning and privacy.
We were given a quick tour of the city, during which time Auntie kept asking Ma who she was, and not until I told Ma to remove her sunglasses, did Auntie actually register that it was indeed Ma after all. Though the recognition was short-lived; Auntie really is in the grip of what is so horribly called senile dementia (surely there must be a far better way to address the condition). It's rather sad, given that Auntie was once first lady of the town where Uncle (and his father and grandfather before him) was town mayor; active in the Rotary and all the ladies' associations, to see her barely able to remember who was what and where after five minutes. But the most important thing is that she did recognize Ma. It would have made me cry if she didn't, and Ma having traveled all that way to see how her baby sister was doing.
My other wish was answered, in that I got to reunite with my cousins in batches, rather than all at once. Plus, my least-liked relatives were nowhere in sight, being resident in the other city, haha. So it was the cousins I deal most easily with that spent the most time with us...while we stopped over at Auntie's house, Mati fixed up our stay at the Sarabia, returning after we'd had our tea. The game plan for the rest of the day was to have us settle down at the hotel to freshen up and settle down, then we were to be picked up for a welcome dinner.
The Sarabia is an old hotel, but a good one. Nice central location, it's got a spa and an in-room massage service. Bathroom is clean and the water pressure strong, though I missed having my little tabo/water dipper. First order of the day upon getting into the room was to settle the baggage, and then find CNN on the TV. Stickiest remote control ever, but I finally got it to obey me. *grin* I did manage a short drowsy time before revving up for the dinner, though parents were starting to feel the effects of the excitement and the long day and actually wanted to stay in. Reminded them we ought to make the most of the time, and in the end, they got themselves ready in good time for the pick-up.
The dinner was at a seafood restaurant whose name escapes me, but is very well known among the locals. It's located about five minutes drive from the hotel, right on the beach, with pavilions for diners. Seafood at a seafront resto is always the best ever - and this did not disappoint. There was kilawen (raw fish immersed in vinegar and lemon, tomatoes and onions), latoy or fresh seaweed with vinegar dipping sauce, diwal or angel wings shellfish whose meat I quickly became addicted to, fresh snapper fillet grilled over open coals, rice, tulya or clam soup, and fresh oysters in the shell. OM NOM NOM NOM.
Present were cousins Heidi, Mati and her son Chino, Ricoy - who are the kids of Auntie. Bing was busy with visitors, but was confirmed for tomorrow's send-off dinner. Jesry was represented by his kids. Gigi and her family are now in New Zealand, as I understand it, good for them! Then there was Abet, the son of my late uncle Sergio, the brother of Ma and Auntie. Abet had his wife Au, and younger daughter Janine with him. We seated the seniors at the middle of the table, and the next generation at the ends, with all us cousins filling in the gaps in-between.
It was a case of catch-up like you've never seen. I found out more about Mati's life than I expected to know - the woman has had some tough breaks, and I hope all will end well for her. The kids I only knew as birth announcements are growing up like cogon grass in the summertime. Abet is a dead ringer for Tito Sergio, the resemblance is uncanny. Ricoy has...expanded somewhat, as has Heidi. Jesry's kids are an absolutely beautiful lot - his youngest, especially, has his dad's face when that worthy was a baby. Jesry, following family tradition, is once again mayor of the city, and was in Las Vegas to attend an international homecoming of people who had their roots in Passi.
After dinner, we were dropped off at the hotel, with various plans in place for maximizing the time. Got up to the room, changed out of travel gear, washed up, watched TV, adjusted the aircon, and went to bed.
October 10 events will be in another entry to follow, hopefully shortly. :)
no subject
no subject
I think the main difference is that this time, I was operating from a comfort zone of sorts. The last time I had to deal with them, I was still raw from getting Ramon out of hospital and on the way to recovery...and had to be the good hostess on top of it.
no subject