Where had all the years gone? We were now preparing for the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Our marriage was just like any other, it had its ups and downs. Leo was a good father and provider. He was the complete sportsman, he loved bird hunting, fishing, golf and basketball. He was the first PBA Commissioner, and to this day, he goes to the basketball games, lends assistance whenever needed and is still being awarded for his commitment to the sport.
Fifty years before that, we had been married during the Japanese occupation at the San Miguel Church, near Malacañang. It was a simple wedding with my best friend as bridesmaid and Leo’s brother as groomsman. In spite of it taking place during the war, my sister-in-law Teresa saw to it that my wedding gown was made by Ramon Valera. Only our families attended the ceremony and after a little reception in my in-laws’ home, we went to the Manila Hotel for the start of our honeymoon.
Now, we would renew our vows at the San Miguel Church. It was a simple ceremony with Father Pat Lim officiating and our extended families attending. I wore an Inno Sotto gown this time around. I shed a tear or two when I realized that we were actually celebrating 50 years with our children and grandchildren. After the ceremony (Leo, bless his heart had remembered that we were in our 50th year. Before, we had to ride a calesa because there were no cars to go to the Manila Hotel). As we stepped outside the church I was very pleasantly surprised to see a calesa completely decorated with fresh flowers, waiting to take us to the Manila Hotel. It was truly a blissful moment. I thought to myself, my husband was finally being romantic. Better late than never. The reception was a gay and simple one, decorated also in flowers. The musicians were playing our favorite songs, my brother-in-law Marcos sang. Everyone toasted us and so the happy evening ended.
It was an exciting trip to look forward to as the kids were going to take charge. They would plan where we would go and where we were going to eat, etc. It was summer when we arrived, and quite warm actually. We went to our hotel and got organized. Right in front was the Parliament Building where two guards were stationed and they kept walking back and forth every hour on the hour until they were relieved by other guards. I could never understand their uniforms, which were composed of a red mess jacket, a skirt that looked like a tutu (foustanelas), white socks to their knees and shoes that had pom-poms on them, and a tasseled hat. How in the world could a man do anything in that?
Anyway, the first evening, all of us went to the Acropolis. We had to do a bit of climbing to sit under the stars to watch the "sounds and sights" program. It was a beautiful and impressive evening that none of us would forget. The next day we went out to lunch at a restaurant which the kids had chosen. The moussaka gyros, stuffed grape leaves topped by a glass of oozo, was delicious. We came back several times before we left. We walked around after lunch to see the bazaars and visit a flea market that sold everything from a camera to a candelabra. If you buy anything, be sure to bargain just like you do back home.
The National Archaeological Museum is a must-see. Greek sculptures are some of the most lifelike statues in Europe. Some of the more arresting figures are those of the bronze of Poseidon who seems to move. They say that the bust of Antimous is so sexy looking that it will arouse more than just your artistic interest.
I’m sure that you’ve heard of Ilias Lalounis jewelry. It’s sold all over the world. In Athens, there is a museum in his former home where visitors are welcome.
On the third day, we boarded the SS Triton to cruise the Grecian Isles. The first thing we noticed on board was that many of the crew were Filipinos. You know, there is not one place that we have traveled that there weren’t any Pinoys. They were very happy to see us and we were happy to see them, too. They outdid one another in being nice to us, serving us an extra drink or an extra serving of whatever.
The girls – Chiqui, Tessie and Baby – were seasick and stayed down below in their cabins. I was fine and enjoying the sea breeze. After a couple of days and some Bonamine, the girls were up and about.
The Greek islands are composed of ruins and we spent our time there shopping at bazaars and eating Greek food.
Afterwards, we went to see the beautiful handmade carpets that were comparatively inexpensive. So we got a couple which, when folded, fitted into ordinary satchel bags.
Well, that was the end of the line for Leo and me. We boarded another ship to take us to Austria and Germany.
In Vienna we enjoyed the Vienna Boys Choir, saw the sights and the beautiful public gardens. We also went to the opera house and heard the lovely Viennese waltzer and other Austrian compositions.
We did not stay too long in Germany as we were anxious to get home. But we did stop at Lourdes. We stayed at a small hotel where they had a great fire going day and night in the fireplace. The weather was turning cold and we were feeling it. We walked around the little town and went to the Grotto of the Virgin Mary and St. Bernadette in the afternoon. The place was terribly crowded and somehow Leo and I got separated. There was a long line of people and I joined it. I figured that was the place to be. I waited in line awhile and before I knew it, I was being disrobed and dunked in a tub of freezing water, and just as quickly I got dressed again. I came out of the place a bit dazed. But I felt fine. I finally located Leo and he steered me to the church where we heard Mass.
Going to the Grotto was quite an experience for me. There were hundreds of people waiting in line to reach the place. Some were hobbling in crutches, others pushed in wheelchairs with such faith that you prayed for them to get well. When we finally reached Our Lady of Lourdes, there was a woman holding up her baby offering it to Our Lady. I had never been so touched in all my life.
We finally arrived home. Traveling is wonderful because it a nice feeling that one gets when coming back to one’s home sweet home.