My
journey to Makati City in the Philippines was an adventure partially
made up with a series of misadventures...
It
began April 6 (2014) by traveling to Clarksburg West Virginia when a
friend picked me up in Harrisburg Pennsylvania to visit for a few
days. That may have been the adventurous part. The misadventure?
Eviction notice served to leave my dwelling by April 7. It was
brought on by a tax levy that took too long to resolve and taken to
court twice by the property management where I lived since October
2011. I had managed to sell a lot of things, give away other things,
pack up some, but left some things behind. I had actually planned in
October 2013 to apply for my passport but the levy began then, at a
time the Federal government shut down for two weeks. I was left
without enough to cover my expenses. Once they reopened, it took
months to get anything resolved with it...As in February the next
year. By then, taken to court twice over rent, seeing late fees
tacked on, and an uncooperative property management that gives the
term 'entitlement' the very meaning it is.
The
passport application done in February was another adventure. My last
name is adopted since I was 13. But the State Department wanted more
proof than the adoption documents, requiring a court order from my
step father's state of Nebraska signed by a judge for the adoption.
Problem is that document never existed...The adoption took place
overseas in Yokohama Japan, signed and approved by the Navy
Department and the courts there, overseen by a court on Yokosuka
Japan. Much of it is written in Japanese and noted is a true
translation. I provided documents from where I had worked, almost 30
years as a Federal employee in DHHS at the National Institutes of
Health in Bethesda Maryland as well as marriage license and divorce
decree, all showing the use of my name for nearly 40 years. I also
provided names of family.
Apparently
was enough for someone in the State Department, because my application
was approved.
Why
the Philippines? It began in late 2009, meeting someone a bit by
coincidence hearing of her from a mutual friend online living in
Manila. After some time dealing with my personal life, we began plans
to meet. Since she had no desire to uproot her life since she has a
business to run in Makati, if I wanted to meet her I needed to come
to the Philippines.
And
after such a length of time it was now or never. Her name is Cinch,
an Architect and Graphics Designer. And plans were to move there, not
just to visit. A 10,000 mile move is no easy task.
I
heard things from other people of the Philippines. Yet if I try to
keep an open mind on life, observing and want to learn of things for
myself, not take in what others view from their perspective since it
can be colored on hear say and ignorance and not on facts or logic,
the real picture is in front of me. I read a lot, viewed photos,
contacted people, made contacts with my friend's friends. I saw the
many sides the Philippines can and does represent and made my own
conclusions.
I
saw a beautiful country. I also saw a nation maybe struggling some
for their identity in the world. There is modern buildings and
skyscrapers and old buildings...Normal hard working people, wealth
evident in places. Since I just arrived much to see and take in
still.
But
as far as a relationship, it is not based on distance or standing in
the world. A person could live a block away, another city or state,
or another country. If one is interested that is not going to matter.
Accept it.. And here, I find patience works well. If I have none, it
does not work well...
So...the
adventure began. And so did the misadventures, yet I did get to
Makati...
The
original plan was visit friends in West Virginia for a few days, go to Florida
and Oregon for family using United Air Lines and Philippines Air
Lines out of the U.S. It did not go as planned. I ran out of time,
was not organized. Trying to compress so many plans into a tiny frame
of time was not working. I found a few things not going as hoping
would.
I
decided to take Amtrak across the U.S. to Vancouver British Columbia
and booked a flight to Manila using China Eastern Airlines via
Shanghai that left Monday April 14. There was a layover in Seattle on
the train...It went to Chicago, then to Seattle, then Vancouver.
I
stayed with my friends until Wednesday afternoon (April 9), then
given a ride to Pittsburgh to the Amtrak. They just bought their home
and renovations to it was going on. In spite of the work in progress,
was good to see them again. Real friends are rare.
The
trip to Chicago was uneventful, the Capitol Limited. I have never
actually seen Chicago except outside a Greyhound or Amtrak station.
The train left from Pittsburgh late Wednesday the 9th,
and was behind schedule a lot. It left late. The reason I was told is
Amtrak maintains the tracks, but do not own them. Freight trains have
priority on them and Amtrak sometimes needs to stop to allow freight
traffic to move through. In this case a rumor was someone needed
medical assistance. But though late arriving in Chicago, the train
departing to the West coast was on time the next day in the afternoon. I had plenty of
food to last with me thanks to my friend Dave taking me out shopping. The
Capitol Limited went from Pennsylvania through Ohio, Indiana then to
Chicago Illinois.
On
to Seattle.
This
was the Empire Builder known as a loop train leaving Chicago in the
afternoon. At some point the train splits into two going in different
directions out West. It was two trains combined, the 7 and the 27.
Mine went to Seattle, the other, the 27, to Portland Oregon. Again it
began to fall behind schedule due to stops for freight trains. We
also had an event on the train in Montana...Some guys brought bottles
of Gin on board and got more than a little drunk. By the time we got
to Whitefish Montana the train had been stopped to escort them off by
county sheriffs.
My journey so far took me through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois; then Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana and
Washington. We arrived in Seattle on Friday (April 11). The purpose
for me was to see the U.S.A. from the ground on my exit out of the
country, a sort of last look one could not get from the air.
So
now the final leg, to Vancouver. Once again here comes
misadventure...The 516 train runs from Eugene Oregon to Vancouver. I
got on in Seattle. I was tired. I do remember hearing our baggage
will be waiting for us in Vancouver. This train also had to slow for
Freight trains. It arrived late, and discovered as soon as we hit the Canadian border my cell phone lost service. I was supposed to meet a
friend of Cinch, Jun, in Vancouver and it was arriving late at night.
We
got off the train and I proceeded to the Immigration checkout but
heard some conversation behind me about some luggage. And discovered
it was my suitcase. That caused an immediate go to the front of the
line and questions...Then taken to a back area.
I
actually thought luggage waiting meant on a carousel, not on a car on
the train. And I was tired.
For all my supposed brains...I did not print out my itinerary for
leaving Vancouver in two days on April 14. So, I sort of entered Canada
with no proof of how long I was staying. That caused an hour of
'conversation' as to why I was there as well as going through all my
things including a laptop, and some doubts as to my plans. From lack of sleep I was not thinking
a country North of the U.S. that speaks English would worry so much
over an American...I was wrong. Discovering I had a misdemeanor from
five years earlier I was told laws are not the same in Canada (I later
discovered would not be enough to deport me), then googling my name
came up with someone back East convicted of murder with my same first
and last name...was asked was I aware of that? Uh...Yeah, he was
imprisoned and died of a heart attack in it 20 years ago...A bit of humor came from that but I was
seeing a bit of good cop bad cop played, one frowning dumping my
stuff out to look at, the other talking with me. My Itinerary was
found online.
After
some time it was explained I am denied entry into Canada for now, but
will have permission to remain until my flight two days later since
someone was there to collect me, a friend of Cinch, and I did have a
reason to be in Vancouver. On April 14 the day of my flight I needed
to report to Immigration at the airport to check in. I also got a
hint of problems between the two nations, one over cell phone
coverage. My phone had been dead since crossing the border from the
U.S. Oh, well.
The
stay with my new friend Jun and his family was nice. They were very
generous. I spent some time with him as he worked. It was off to the
airport Monday. There was a struggle to get an 'exit' ticket for
travel out of the Philippines...There, it is a visa waiver for 30
days but must show somewhere to travel once 30 days is up. I needed Cinch's help in obtaining it...in Canada a bank card was difficult
to use to purchase any ticket to anywhere. We eventually got one to
Hong Kong on Cebu Pacific Airlines and got a partial refund later when my Visa was extended. While I found it not necessary to show the exit Itinerary in
Manila, it was to be able show China Eastern Airlines for my first leg to
Shanghai China proof of exit from the Philippines after 30 days on a visawaiver.
Reporting
to Immigration I found was friendly enough. But my passport was held
until boarding time...To me OK, because it was the intention to go. I
converted some funds to Pesos and got my first look at pesos.
I
got to take my Fender guitar on board. The attendant was concerned it
would not survive as checked in baggage. China Eastern was satisfied
with my Itinerary since I had a one way flight to Manila but also a
flight scheduled to Hong Kong within 30 days of arrival.
I
was on my way, and a smile as the plane revved up to go.
A
word on China air flights. I had read comments from some who had
taken flights on them, complaints. Well, I didn't get it. From the
time we were up in the air to landing the crew was nothing but
attentive. We got snacks and drinks almost right away, peanuts at
first, and a choice of beverages such as water, tea, soft drinks,
beer, wine. I chose soft drinks at first. No sooner than those were
passed out here came lunch. And each seat equipped with a TV and
headset. My headset was accidentally broken by the woman next to me,
but still usable. We could see movies, TV shows, the flight path of
the plane. So those complaining of service on a Chinese
flight...Well, I didn't. It is said Americans demand and complain a
lot.
Arriving
in Shanghai was a different story. The airport was huge. And of
course, not allowed to leave it, no visa. The layover would be close
to eight hours and I found no way to be able to communicate with the
woman in my life or anyone else...WiFi required a password and user
name, and in order to get it was to be able to receive a code on my
phone, and the service on the phone was DOA since Canada. To convert
USD to Yuan, Chinese currency, was a service charge of 50%. A cup of
coffee was for me, to be $8. I knew I was being ripped off. So I
didn't even bother attempting a calling card for a pay phone. I
was also mindful this is China, which has changed, but seeing a
sign saying no photography allowed I was not going to try photos
though the clown in me was tempted to shoot a photo of the sign...I
eventually found my gate and dug in for the long wait.
When
the flight for Manila was being called we were herded onto buses and
traveled to the plane. And in a few hours I was looking out the
window trying to get a glimpse of Manila. It was amusing the man
seated next to me seemed intent in all the information I was writing
down as far as Cinch's address and phone numbers. Each arrival
required information for it.
Going
through Immigration could not have gone smoother. I was approved
quick. The man did not even blink and was satisfied as to my reasons
for entering the Philippines. Now the main objective was to collect
my baggage and contact Cinch..
Once
I got my baggage I decided I should at least ask at customs of my CDs
and DVDs I brought, but was told as long as not pirated they are ok.
I asked of a pay phone to use, I got my first experience of Philippine generosity. An agent allowed me to use his cell phone and even dialed
the number for me. I was to meet her outside at an exit for the
airport. The agent even drew me a map of where to go. I was
nervous...But was put at ease once we met. We got a cab and I saw my
first of Makati.
This
is not an end of a story, it is a beginning. I tasted my first food,
and not long after met my first of friends. I was not exactly looking
my best...I needed a hair cut and got one soon.
Yes,
I have a lot to learn. For me it is a new world, new people, new
experiences. And had to give my regrets for leaving like I did to my
family. It is not like I do not intend to come back, but this is my
home now.
I
am enjoying new friends here. A running group that has accepted me
and a great group of people. I am attempting to get used to stares...
There
is someone who spent time traveling through the Philippines I read of
with great interest, Nathan Allen. Check him out.
He
is very accurate on life here. I have already experienced some things
he did.
We
will eventually spend time traveling (beginning this weekend) but
Nathan spent time in the country, the Provinces, where mine has been
the city so far. I highly recommend his blogs to anyone interested in
travel here. Incredible life.
To
add anything? I got an extension of a visa to mid July. I picked up an
Alien Registration Card (ACR) . It is sort of like a green card,
enables me to do some things like open a bank account. The extension
can be renewed over and over for about 16 months, unless a change in
my life ...Marriage,which gives me another type of visa and another kind of life....And one needs an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry" from the U.S. Embassy to present for an application to marry a citizen of the Philippines. From the information I read it is evident most American men marry a Filipina and they go to the U.S. In our case is not, I am remaining here.
On
that note...I am learning patience. There are differences in culture,
but I always seek a bridge once I understand my feelings, and
sometimes I need Cinch to help me understand. It is not of right and
wrong, but seek common ground. Sometimes one sees a path. Sometimes
we ignore it. Sometimes is best we do not.
For
those who know me well and my kidding of coming from another planet
and waiting to be picked up and returned to my home planet, now I
am registered as an Alien.
Yep.
Photos used are in sequence of the journey across the U.S. Not labeled...
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