In transit: Zamboanga to Bangkok

Well, it was hell.

The mere thought of starting this reminds how I silently cursed everyone on my way.

It was supposed to be an early morning flight to Manila. Which supposed to spare us 7 hours hassle free travel time to Clark. My quick vision of it during my planning stage is that it would be leisure trip ahead.

Coming from Sulu Archipelago, the nearest international flights would be coming from and going to Manila, Clark (like ours) and sometimes via Cebu so to speak. So that leaves you no option but to pass by either of these places for you to be able to fly internationally. By 6:30 am we were already seated by the airport's boarding gate. We were these morning fresh couple smilingly breathing crispy sunshine. An attendant called us in after some time and there we were, with already fastened seat belt. The cabin door was already closed, everyone was seated, waited and again waited until the captain announced that there was an engine problem and that we need to alight the plane and wait for further announcement. Wow. So we lalala waited. Then the announcement finally came and it said, our flight to Manila was moved to 3pm.. Well okay, let me lay down our "supposed" flight itinerary that day for I know this is confusing:

7:45 - 9:20 Zamboanga to Manila
10:00 - 12:00 Lunch
12:00 - 2:00 Manila to Clark
4:15 - 8:30 Clark to Bangkok

There. This can't be happening! Denial then with composure I headed to the airlines counter and politely told them my concern. There was no way we could wait for the 3pm flight to Manila for we need to be in Clark before that. Options options options for if not, everything will be ruined, lots will be wasted and what? left overs will be meant to learn from their mistake? No way. So we were left with an option to fly to Cebu and then to Manila with expected arrival time by 2:00 pm. So not fair. But then we need to gamble with time and pressure. No time for pointing fingers and we were like Pacmans gulping instances on the way. Familiar with a reality TV show "Amazing Race"? It was more like it, only that this time we are dealing with random people in real time without a script.

Then we landed Manila by 2pm, which would need us to rent a taxi from NAIA Terminal 3 straight to Clark's Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, giving us with travel time including traffic congestion an 1 hour and 15 minutes beating the 2 hours trip. Not minding the agonizing P4200 rip from our pockets. Plus the condition that our driver can't go beyond 120km/h he was already in his last warning for over speeding violation. We vested upon the taxi driver the pressure as we leave everything to his control as if he was our god like anytime I would raise my white flag.

3:30 we were still not in Clark Airport.. 3:45 I found myself in between begging and giving up when the airline's attendant refused to check us in for we were 15 minutes late pass the boarding time. Reasons like they already had admitted chance passengers and outright purchases and that she can't promised us seat vacancies. I swear, I'm never a pushy type of person. I don't beg and never I insist but at that moment, I just feel like I need to pull my last string and there, with hands clasp together, I uttered the word "please". She went soft , exchanged words with the captain and finally checked us in.

Tips?

1. Avoid connecting flights with different airports and airlines. Save the travel time in between airport transfers especially when you're commuting in between.
2. When flying with low cost airlines, give at least 12 hours allowance or depending on flight availabilities for they are a point to point carrier only. They are not responsible with your connecting flights especially with different airlines or when your heading international. We'll never know when force majeur strikes or like in our case, engine trouble.
3. Be courteous all the time, mind your words and keep your cool.

To sum it all up, we were in transit for 14 hours, 5 airports, Mindanao to Visayas to Luzon to South East Asia, 3 coffee cups each and lesser nicotine intake. Glad Bangkok is a delight.

Faithfully

"They say that the road ain't no place to start a family..."  a profound excerpt from Journey's Faithfully. Surely no one wouldn't miss a slight effort in delivering that line in tone sincere to one who can relate.

The intensity beyond this thought are the questions of how and how and how would a dearly beloved bears the thought of a departing better-half once more. Sure the weight would vehemently rely on the why but who could contain the reason of "none, I just feel like going in awhile."?

The passion to travel is infinite and worse, addictive. Yet one could not just entirely hit the road alone by not taking into account the loads of those who are left. Effortless to sing yet heavy to ponder upon. Paranoias and uncertainties will be built one at a time. The ever disturbances of annoying reasons could be haunting. One can't just accept the absurdity of the impulse of a lover who is away. The thoughts of why is never ending. Like why would he choose to be there were in fact, I am here? And the assumptions would attack flowingly. Ending? well, misunderstanding.

If one is vested to be a part of a nomad's life, she must surrender all the doubts and fears. Regardless of where the madness has started, on whether before and during their togetherness, one shall swallow unconditionally the needs of the other. Yes, it is a need. An intimate need to oneself in whatever desire it shall serve. It may sound absurd but no matter how one denies it, travelling for some, is a need. I may not be able to decode this passion accurately for one to agree but I guess, the mere title of it is more than what it takes for a loveone to smile and wish him well in his travel.

No man is travel mad enough to set aside his heart. Wherever he goes, in him is you. The reason is mainly you, for it is the distance that could make the love grow ponder as they quote.

Never be weary. Never curse and never should you fret. Let your heart rest as you sleep. For despite of what is on his face "right down the line it's been you and me".