At Rosedale Station

At Rosedale Train Station

Everyone has his own story to tell.

Waiting for the next train at Rosedale Station for my last minute shopping in Manhattan, I bumped into Maria, a very nice Colombiana in her 50’s. Maria is one of the many migrant workers in the Big Apple doing limpieza, or house cleaning, part- time or on-call basis.

Since the train is yet to arrive in the next hour, tried to strike a conversation with her in Spanglish. After all, an hour wait doing nothing is too much to bear.

She has two daughters in Antioquia and is separated from her husband. Most of the money she earns goes straight to Colombia for her daughters’ daily needs and education.

Life is not easy for her in New York but she exudes optimism. She has a happy disposition in life. In Antioquia she said, “Not all women have the same opportunity like me to be able to come and work in the US. I’m blessed. Gracias a Dios.”

I shared with her good memories of my recent visit in Medellin and in Bogota. She was fascinated but homesickness can be seen all over her face. “Que bonito! I had been planning to visit Antioquia for the last three years. I hope I can make it happen soon.” She said.

I’ve learned that she’s been in the US for seven years without seeing home. Her meager income has prevented her from doing so. Likewise, she is saving money for a house in Colombia. With a plastic bag of sandwich, fries and a can of soda in her hands, she was ready for supper when she gets to her apartment.

Her story is not extra-ordinary. In fact it is very common to several Filipinasworking abroad as domestic helpers. What interests me about her tale is that it’s full of hope for better days to come. It’s a noble story of doing great sacrifices for family members, of putting aside personal happiness so her children can live a decent life. Most important of all is the virtue of being grateful for the many blessings she receives, of being contented to life’s gifts no matter how big or small.

We had a very great time talking about going to a rumba or a discoteca, eating bandeja paisa and getting drunk of Antioquia’s old-time favorite Arguadiente. I told her that bandeja paisa is too heavy for me and that arguadiente is too strong. She burst in a minute of laughter. When she learned that we passed the night dancing salsa, her laughs were unstoppable.

Before we knew it, the long wait was over. The train arrived on time. We bid goodbye and exchanged besos. She was going towards Jamaica. I was heading to Penn Station.

So the Trip is Over and the Fun has Ended

So the Trip is Over and the Fun has Ended

Universal truth, vacations are short-lived. We met people, found new friends, share travel experiences with them. We touched their lives, they too became a part of our lives.

But when the holiday is over, we are faced with the sad reality of bidding goodbye to the wonderful people we met, hoping against hope that our paths would cross again someday.

Been seeing friends and newfound friends come and go. Saying goodbye may not be easy. But that’s how it goes.

We just have to face another universal truth that when somebody leaves, another one would come, that when somebody closes the door on you, then another welcomes you with arms wide-open.

Then you embrace this new chapter and another journey begins.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Home Is Where the Heart Is

I may be faraway from home whenever I am in the Americas but I always get a piece of home in New York City.

My sister Lanie is a Yorker. She’s a nurse for over 20 years in the Big Apple where she realized her dreams together with her husband and with her lovely daughter Kay.

A stop-over for a couple of days in NYC is a very good idea. Catching up with her is part of the fun. Biggest part of what I am and what I have, I owe it to her. In her selfless ways, countless times she’s there to help financially, morally and spiritually.

I’ve witnessed how her daughter grew from a toddler to a young pretty lady. I’ve seen how she equipped her with education and special skills from ballet, Taekwondo, to playing with musical instruments like drums and guitar. I adore them both.

Looking back, we were just innocent kids, climbing trees, riding water buffalo, hunting bird’s nest. Those were the days.

I am glad to have a big sister like her. She’s always there no matter what. I found a piece of home in her. She will forever be in my heart because home is where the heart is.

Thank you sis.

Somos Hermanos (fotos)

Me and Big Bro in Disney Orlando

Guilberto and Sam

Me and Kay

See You in Chicago (Part 3 of 3 parts)

See You in Chicago
(Part 3 of 3 parts)
For a decade, Chicago has been a good host to my business partners and friends…




Reunion with Friends in Chicago

I didn’t expect that in the Summer of 2003, exactly 15 years after singing our “farewell, goodbye, adieu …” song in High School, I will be reunited with Gerimel, Rey and Marjorie in Chicago.

Back then, Gerimel and Rey were all single and were sharing an apartment, while Marjorie was already married and was living with a Jewish guy. Gerimel was already engaged that time to a girl from Cebu. Rey I suppose, had no time for love because it seemed to me that he was so busy trying to become rich if not richer sooner.

On my most recent visit in 2007, Marjorie has already become a mommy with a lovely white daughter named Parin. Gerimel and Rey had given up their apartment because they both now have their own places to stay.

Gerimel chose to live outside Chicago because he wanted it peace and quiet once home, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ray and I drove to his place. It was more than an hour's drive past wheat fields and a golf course. He lives in the suburbs, an ideal place for him to raise a family. I should say that he is a lucky guy. He has a grand, well-appointed house. I can't help but imagine how much time his wife spent filling the house with appropriate and lovely furniture, frames and art pieces. Gerimel is now a daddy. I can see the contentment in his face, especially now that he has a beautiful child to raise. Congratulations my friend!

Meanwhile, I could claim that Rey and I share a lot of things in common. For one thing, he likes living in the city to being near with the hospital where he works and with the city’s attractions. Another, he is still single and a workaholic. He reports at St. Joseph Hospital at the ICU/CCU unit, which is just a few minute drive from downtown Chicago. He never wastes his time for time is indeed gold. In his days-off, he works part-time in some health agencies.

No wonder, he’s now got a 1500sq ft pad in North Rockwell, built a two-storey 5 bedroom house for his parents in the Philippines, drives a silver Pioneer Exterra and is currently amortizing a two-storey commercial building in the city.

Rey is a good son and a very good friend. He’s been living a selfless life, supporting his family and helping some friends. He just laments on how people close to him could abuse his goodness. He complains, to date, two or three persons owe him a total of USD80,000 with no assurance or guaranty that he will ever get paid as some of them have already left or have since then made themselves scarce.

In his flat, I saw a big Balik-Bayan box full to the brim of canned goods, clothing, oversized shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, vitamins, bars of soap and other household necessities, being readied for ship-out to Manila.

He makes it a point to have a day-off when I visit him and the rest in Chicago, so he could drive me around and take me to interesting places or dine in cool restos. Though in one occasion, I have to stay for over two hours in his office in a healthcare company where he works part time as he can not go on leave. One time, he took me to a lawn tennis court where I met his Filipino friend working as a Physical Therapist. We had a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of working outside the Philippines, bottom line I guess is, “ the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

But I already made a resolution years ago, that I would never leave Manila and work abroad as long as my business is doing good. Home is where the heart is. My heart is in Manila. Amen!

Looking back 20 years ago, my and Rey’s life was not that easy. We were not born privileged. It was a continuous uphill climb to success for both of us. His success is an inspiration to me.

I only maintain a handful of friends. Chicago will always be my destination once I’m in North America for people like Gerimel, Rey and Marjorie make my stop-over worthwhile. They are my good friends. They are the kind of friends worth keeping.

So when we sometimes see each other in cyberia, I would always say to them, “See you in Chicago.”

(Part 3 of 3 parts)

See You in Chicago (Part 2 of 3 parts)

(Part 2 of 3 parts)
For a decade, Chicago has been a good host to my business partners and friends…

Discovering Chicago

Chicago is a huge city. My three short visits proved inadequate for me to see all the places I wanted to see. Up to now, I still long to return there, enjoy it’s cuisine, watch a game at Wrigley Field, watch Oprah Show, etc. things, that I haven’t tried doing yet during those past visits.


The Wrigley Building

An organized bus tour could be a wise option to see the city’s architecture and skyscrapers, museums and other interesting places in four hours. Some of the world’s tallest buildings like the Sears Tower and the Hancock Center dominate its skyline. But the one that has forever left an impression on my mind every time I think of Chicago is the Wrigley Building, the headquarters of my favourite chewing gum.

If it’s a woman, to me, she’s a goddess. Built in 1920, the building has a well- proportioned architecture with sparkling white terra-cotta cladding. I like it because of its Hispanic touch. It was patterned after the Giralda Tower of the Cathedral of Seville, Spain. This Gothic cathedral was built in the 15th and 16th century on the grounds of the former major Arab mosque. It takes pride of being the largest place of worship in Spain, and the third largest cathedral in the Christian world.

Meanwhile, the Giralda Tower was the minaret of the 12th century Moslem mosque. A minaret is generally a tall spire with onion-shaped crown, usually either free standing or much taller than any surrounding support structure.

The Wrigley Building is such an architectural marvel especially at night when it is flooded with lights.


Navy Pier and Lake Michigan

Chicago boasts of its largest freshwater lake in the US and the fifth in the world, the Lake Michigan . The lake’s shoreline is approximately 500 kms. with a pier constructed in 1916, named the Navy Pier.

With my business partner, we took a one-hour Lake Michigan cruise. On board the ferry, my eyes feasted on the magnificent skyline of Chicago viewed from a distance. It was such a lovely sight, with skyscrapers, clear blue sky and white clouds on the background. Not so far away from our boat was the sight of the lake, its shoreline with people unmindful of their activities. I thought, there could be no better place for me that day save for that seat at the deck of the boat, enjoying the scenery with cool winds blowing.

After the cruise, we were joined by Rey at the port. He was my High School buddy. He works as a nurse in Chicago for over a decade, together with my other classmates Gerimel, and Marjorie. The three of us spent hours walking along the shore, passing by joggers, lovers , families and dog walkers, while enjoying the good weather and the fresh air. It was such a fine afternoon walk along the lake shore.


Casinos

After our business meeting, shopping and museum visit, Marjorie took us to a Mediterranean restaurant. We had a good meal. After dinner, she revealed her great plan for the night, to play slot machines in the nearby casinos.

Playing slots is Rey’s and Marjorie’s stress buster. I should say, Marjorie is a high roller in her own right. No table games please, only machines. She’s got VIP cards and invitations from these gaming institutions, sometimes, she receives free buffet meals and accommodations too. Though I should say her stress buster activity caught up with her over time. She said, she asked her husband to instruct Harrah’s to ban her from entering the casino.

Past Harrah’s East Chicago, they took us to a Casino in the nearby state of Indiana. Inside, we started cranking our machines, hoping that we can bring home the jackpot. While losing almost a hundred dollars of my pocket money, I heard an unusual sound of Leo’s machine. Seeing his machine’s overhead light flashing, my heart beat so fast. “Could it be the jackpot?” I asked myself.

Then he started shouting and clapping. Yes he won a jackpot! I trembled at the thought of the jackpot! However, it was my calming moment when I learned that he only won a minor jackpot prize of USD800 net of tax. “Beginner’s luck.” my friends told him. But whatever it was, it surely made my colleague’s wallet fatter that night because after cashing-out his winnings, he stopped. I swear, I turned green in envy that night. Good enough, Leo returned my USD100. Thank you!

(with part 3, last part)

See You in Chicago (Part 1 of 3 parts)

See You in Chicago
(Part 1 of 3 parts)
For a decade, Chicago has been a good host to my business partners and friends…

For me, every visit to the US, should mean a stop-over to Chicago to pay a courtesy call to my principal and be reunited with good old friends in High School. Chicago is home to my shipping principal, headquarters to some of my customers’ suppliers and a residence and a workplace to my nurses friends.


Doing My Thing in Chicago

Chicago is the largest City of State of Illinois and the third most populous cities in the United States. It is served by two major international airports, Chicago Midway International Airport and O'Hare International Airport. The latter is the world's second busiest in terms of passengers. The city is also home to the internationally recognized Chicago 'L' system of heavy rail rapid transit, a part of its past grandeur of being once the capital of the railroad industry.

I had been working with a Chicago based principal for almost a decade. Debbie, my polish Cargo Queen has been doing a very good job picking, packing and shipping my freight. I enjoy working with her. She is incomparable.

O’ Hare International Airport has been my and Debbie’s mute witness to a decade of good business relationship. We airfreight tons of kitchen and restaurant equipment of US brands from Chicago and nearby states for the booming fast food and restaurant industry in Manila. Likewise, movements of golf course equipment parts and irrigation materials for the Philippines fast growing golf course industry has kept us busy for 10 good years and counting.

Chicago’s Railway System has also seen our hard work of moving containers of industrial, commercial and household equipment, chemicals and food stuff, irrigation and golf course materials and equipment, golf cars, etc. These cargoes are all laden in regular dry container vans or out-of-gauge open-top containers. Then ,these vans go to Ramp Chicago, hauled by the train to the port of Los Angeles, the final port of loading for the containers’ voyage to Manila.

Debbie is a real Cargo Queen. The first time I saw her, she was wearing a pair of faded denim. She said, “I went to the warehouse and checked the goods for ship-out so I’m in my warehouse working clothes.” The last time I visited her office, she was wearing a pair of cargo shorts. Cool! No more explanations from her this time.

And oh just like a real monarch, she’s got talent too! She was once a member of a band. She used to travel with her band in the 70’s across America in her younger years but she said, “America didn’t want us to become famous, so I ended up in a cargo business.” Last year, I learned that she’s reunited with her band and they perform in some of Chicago’s bars at night after office hours. She sings and she plays the guitar too.

I haven’t seen the musical artist side of her. I hope in one of my future visits I can listen to her craft.

I love what you’re doing. Keep it up your majesty!

My Travel Woes (part 2)

My Travel Woes…
(Part 2 of 2 parts)


I had an asthma attack in USA

Back in 2003, everything was all set for our early morning drive to Niagara Falls, when I suffered from an unexpected bronchial asthma attack. Everybody advised me to just stay home, take a good rest and guard the house a la “Home Alone” kid. I firmly said “NO!”

Asthma is no joke, not to mention the chest and back pains that I had to endure. At Niagara, I felt my knees were shaking while queuing for our boat ride to flirt with the Maid of the Mist. But when we reached the foot of the falls, I had forgotten all about my asthma. I can’t describe that magical feeling being so close to the giant falls, hearing the laughter and jubilations of the passengers as the wind blew a bountiful amount of water all over, the joy in the faces of my parents, the magical sight of the rainbow on the background, all these lifted me up that no amount of asthma suffering could dampen my spirit.

The Niagara Falls experience was worth the risk I took in spite of my health concerns.


I was served an awful meal in Malaysia

I am adventurous when it comes to food. However, the taste of the packed meal served at the train on our night trip to Malaysia from Singapore made my stomach summersault. The slimy rice mixed with cracked corn and anchovies could pass for a hog meal. I chose to just sleep my hunger away.


The taxi driver in Hong Kong could not speak and understand English

On the last day of our shopping spree in Hong Kong, Leo, Lloyds and I made our last minute purchases at a night market called Stanley Market.

On board the taxi, I requested the driver, “Sir, can you take us to Stanley Market?” The driver replied yes. Later, I noticed that he was taking us to a different route, I asked, “Are you taking us to Stanley Market?” the driver said, “Yes.” Then, it came clear to me that the driver was taking us to the airport. It was late for me to realize that he could not speak nor understand English, but Chinese. Perhaps the only English word he could utter was "yes”.

Fumingly, I told him to stop the car and we got off. Luckily, the next cab driver could speak English. It was such a great relief.


It was a rainy day at the beach in Rio

It had been my dream for a long time to visit Rio de Janeiro and enjoy the sun and get a good burn while sipping caipirinha at the beach.

So, I decided to make it happen in September of 2006. However, it was such a great disappointment upon landing at Jigondas Airport when I discovered that the sun was nowhere to be found. It was raining. There were no beach goers at Ipanema or Leblon in their string bikinis.

I patiently waited for the sun to shine but I lost hope on the third day. I checked-out, went to the airport, and decided to get a ticket for Sao Paolo. As I was approaching Varig’s counter, the sun shone so bright, as if enticing me to just stay and enjoy Rio. So, I made a full turn, took the bus and returned to Ipanema.

What followed was a four-day holiday extravaganza at the beach.

My Travel Woes (part 1)

My Travel Woes…(Part 1 of two parts)


Travelling is not always that fun. Troubles may come unexpectedly. And when they do happen in one of your trips, my advice is, just maintain an open mind and consider them as part of the whole travel experience. Never let these travel woes ruin your holiday mood. Just enjoy the rest of the trip.

Hear me out and think how these hassles added thrill to my travels making them more exciting.


I lost my wallet containing banknotes, credit and ATM cards at Munich Airport

I felt my whole world collapsed when I found out that I lost my wallet with my cash, credit and ATM cards at Munich Airport. I was terrified at the thought of losing them halfway on my vacation. It’s no joke being left with almost nothing in a foreign land.

My suspect was the guy who bumped me at the airport. He distracted my attention and swiftly pick-pocketed me.

I was totally helpless. I never felt so poor my whole life. I wasted more than three hours at the Airport Police Station just to have my cards blocked, request for replacements and ask for a police report. Citibank would charge me an emergency replacement fee of USD350 per card or that would be USD700 for both Visa and MasterCard. I had to decline. It’s a highway robbery!

Instead, I asked my office to transfer money through a Western Union branch in Zurich because I would be going to Zurich in the next 5 days. I incurred USD350 conversion loss from PhP to USD to CHF because Western Union could only pay me CHF in Zurich. In Manila, Western Union wanted my office to remit in USD. My office had to buy USD using peso funds. The conversion process from PhP to USD and ultimately to CHF by Western Union was another robbery in a broad daylight. Everybody was in it for the money!


I travelled sin documentos in Argentina

This incident almost brought me to jail in Argentina. Please read my April post entitled “A Brave Yet Foolish Decision” in two parts.


I missed my Hong Kong flight

I missed my Hong Kong flight in 2004 with my business partners, Leo and Lloyds. We underestimated the highway traffic to the airport. We did not make it on time. We were rebooked on the first available flight the following day. My colleagues had to stay overnight in my flat because they don’t want that their families would know that they missed their flights. Never mind about the rebooking fee. We decided to just keep it among ourselves. Meanwhile, from the airport, an unexpected black-out in the whole Luzon occurred. When we reached my flat, the elevators were out of order. We had to use the stairs all the way from the ground floor up to my unit on the 22nd floor with our luggage. Too bad for Lloyds for using the stairways up to my unit in high-heeled shoes carrying an oversized bag.


I missed my train ride in Singapore

In 2000, Leo and I missed the night train from Singapore to Malaysia. Since the train had just left, the officer suggested that we take a taxi and catch the train at Johor Baru Station. It’s the station dividing Singapore and Malaysia. That taxi ride was equivalent to one half of our train fare to Malaysia.


My luggage was misrouted in Bologna

On my Holy Week vacation in Bologna last March 2008, I was terribly mad at the airport after I discovered that my luggage was missing. I only learned the following night that Austrian Air misrouted my luggage to Vienna.

I only had my Paul Smith messenger bag containing my travel documents, wallet and some personal stuff when I arrived in Bologna. I spent the rest of the night sleeping naked at my hotel room, anxious about the whereabouts of my personal belongings. The morning after, instead of taking a day tour, I spent half of the day shopping for clothes, underwear and toiletries.

My luggage was only delivered after 24 hours. Good enough I had a travel insurance. Philam reimbursed me PhP10,000 out of the Euro237 that I spent for clothes and toiletries. But still, the reimbursement was not enough to cover such unnecessary purchases.


My flight was delayed in Buenos Aires

A delayed flight could ruin your whole itinerary especially if you don’t have enough time for your connecting flights. Last year in Buenos Aires, my flight was delayed for three hours. As a consequence, I missed my connecting flight in Houston on my way to New York City. I got rebooked on the next available flight departing only after three hours. That was a six-hour delay combined.

My sister had to drive twice from Long Island to JFK Airport to pick me up. I didn’t get the chance of informing her about the delay because my mobile phone ran out of battery. Its charger was inside my checked-in luggage. The delays took one day of my holiday in New York.

Also, in 2004, I missed my connecting flight in Zurich with my colleague because of a two-hour delay of our plane’s take-off at London Heathrow Airport due to heavy runway traffic.

Upon our arrival at Zurich Airport, Swiss Air had to book us in one of its flights to Paris so we can catch a Cathay Pacific flight to Manila. The whole thing made it a 24-hour travel back home. It should only be 14 hours. That was ten-hour deprivation of the comfort of my home after more than a month of being away.

(With part 2)