Homecoming 1
Let me tell you about my grand Pinas vacation.
As I tried to coax sleep last night (I have had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep since I got back. Blame it on extended jet lag.). I revisited every single day of my trip back home. I remember my kids’ giddy smiles as I gave them the thumbs-up sign as the plane took off. It taxied for what seemed like forever but when it lifted from the ground, our hearts seemed to explode with anticipation -not unlike what you feel just before you open your Christmas present knowing you’ll get exactly what you asked for.
Philippine soil! I swear it took all of my self control not to run from the plane to the arrival area where Boybee is waiting for us. Nah, I asked the rest of my family not to pick us up anymore. It’s too much hassle to travel from Angeles to Manila. We won’t fit in one van anyway. Besides, Mama would be too busy preparing our breakfast and lunch for us. I requested taho, hot pandesal and Mekeni hotdogs with Eden cheese. For lunch, she prepared tocino, buro, boiled okra and eggplants. Yum! Can’t wait!
But whoa, the humid air embraced us almost immediately as we came out of the airport. And the traffic! Was it this crowded when we left? It felt like another lifetime since we left. And motorbikes everywhere. It reminded me of pictures of Beijng and Shanghai with all the motorbikes in the main highways of China. I caught myself wincing several times as we narrowly missed the cars as we try to pass. Can I still drive here? Shiver. I don’t think so.
I saw my nephew with Boybee for the first time when we stopped over his condo in Timog to pick up his wife, Karen, and little Elias. He was beaming his toothy wet smile when he came forward to let me carry him. Then off we went to take the rest of the trip that was separating us from home. We were cruising along EDSA when we were stopped by the MMDA. Boybee’s van was prohibited because of the coding that was enforced in Manila to address the traffic issue. But being the celebrity that he is - he just flashed his media ID and a little request to overlook this tiny little infraction. The starstruck traffic enforcer was more than happy to oblige. Of course Nikki and Goji were more than impressed. Tito Boybee is so famous and powerful, wow!
The look on Daddy’s and Mama’s faces as we got out of the van is priceless! Their grandkids have grown so much and they just couldn’t believe it. Dad thought Nikki is pretty and looked just like me when I was her age. Lucky girl for having good genes. Haha! Tuchie called in sick. She suddenly developed ulcers, uh-huh, ok. Atty. Nino was there too and re-arranged his schedule so he can be there to meet us. Hugs, hugs and more hugs. I can get used to this. We were finally home and all is well. (Continued)
