Good to be back home
Pardon the long absence. I’ve been away for business and a short holiday. If it were not for work, I would have stayed put. I am one of the few who do not like to travel. The preps and all I despise to my bone. Flying is that other part that I don’t like at all. Aside having trouble sleeping, hanging up there for long hours really bores me to death. In-flight entertainment may only do well for awhile but it does not stop you from thinking that you have to sit for the next ten to twelve hours figuring out what to do with it. Another unpleasant part of travelling is the long layovers. If you’re flying from Cebu to the US, for example, you need to take an extended stop in Hong Kong, Korea, or Japan. Unless, you’re flying VIP which allows you to use your airline’s cozy waiting lounge and free meals, long layovers are an expense for the ordinary traveler as you would have to spend for your own food.
Enough of the unpleasantries, the joy of traveling is the “getting to know” part: the sights to behold, the unlimited gustatory treats to try, the unique ambiance that comes with the place but I enjoy most specially the unending medley of entertainment to choose from. Although this is not my first time in the US, but I can’t help but marvel at the greatness of its accomplishments – the megastructures, the transport system and the super-economies that’s churning from within each city. Each city seems to be in competition with one another trying to be grandiosely different and greater.
Order is another patent feature here when you’re on the road or in a public transport. You can’t help but compare the kind of road courtesy motorists extend to pedestrians in our country. Here, pedestrian is king. Riding a bus or train is organized where people respect when lining up. Worth noting are civil rights signs that are conspicuous in each car of the train. When commuting the VIPs are senior citizens, the handicapped and pregnant women. Actor Cho Yun-Fat likes to take the New York subway without being mugged by fans.
The best part I guess here in the US is the opportunity it presents. Filipinos do well here in practically all types of job especially in the area of homecare services. Filipinos are the best when it comes to caring for the elderly and children being our inherently family-oriented culture.
The Philippines may have a long way to go to achieve its greatness but it is still a great country nonetheless. And I can’t trade this for any other country in the world. You may have all the fun here, but nothing beats the fun you get with friends, family and neighbors. Here, time is spent mostly on work or making money. Here, people are forced to leave their loved ones to the care of others and I think that’s one thing that makes the Philippines a truly wonderful place because we value our togetherness as family or as friends and we always make it a point to give time to bonding than the drudgery.
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I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful Cebuanos who had made my brief stay in Houston, Lousiana, New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and San Francisco so specially sweet. Mr. Darwin Tormis for guiding us through the daunting New York subway and the amazing sites therein. To Mr. Ibar and wife, Alona Dinampo, for the treat; to Ms. Chona Ramos for accommodating us in her lovely house on Riverside; to Ms. Jocelyn Ferris for the enchanting tour and the hearty clam chowder at Pier 39 and to my uncle Boy Blanco and aunt Agnes Blanco and Nanelle for the warm and meaningful days together in San Francisco.
And to Ms. Anne Momongan of Korean Air and Mr. Allan Carvajal for the upgrade of my flight accommodation with the airline as well as the shuttle service.
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