On the plane

Its time to go and its raining. The day started pretty well but by the afternoon the rain came pouring down. This is the scene in most tropical regions and seeing that it is rainy season here, I guess we shouldn’t have expected anything else. The drive to the airport (the new one is not yet open) bordered on an hour as we were caught up in rush-hour traffic. The drive went smoothly as I expected. O. was buckled securely in the fron seat and we were both proud of him as this was his first trip in the car for more than 2 years. Now, picture this – O. in front, B. in the second row, all the luggage in the third, and the wheelchair at the back. This was chocka block full as they say in my neck of the woods.

From the minute we got out of the car the paparazzi flooded us. We could barely move but we trudged on. First stop – security clearance. Security clearance is everywhere in Manila, department stores,mini-stores, hotels -its literally all over.But one thing I must mention is that the place is really safe and very few incidents occur. Security was a bit of an issue as we had to manuever the wheelchair,bags, and dog kennel between the body scanners and x-ray machines. Luckily they didn’t find and guns or drugs on us otherwise we would not have been able to leave. From the first minute, we were met by B.’s good friend “Attorney Mendosa” (names and places have been altered to protect the innocent). Attorney Mendosa was the hero of the day as he helped us from start to finish. A true hero when you need one. He helped us from check-in to boarding the plane and even though he could have left us at check-in he stayed with us and support, and protected us as the paparazzi looked on. (below is a picture of “Mendosa” & B at the check-in counter)

Now, the check-in took up to 50 minutes as Beethoven’s papers had to be cleared. I guess he was smuggling out dog poo or something like that (beethoven – were you doing that?) I guess a man’s best friend carries all his luggage. And, did he dirty the kennel? Wishful thinking. Beethoven is a well respected dog in society and quite cultured. The kennel was as clean as the hospital.

After the check-in Beethoven was led off to the cargo area and the three of us were escorted to more security checks. I wonder if Beethoven had anymore security checks? They found us clean and as time flew by, we were whisked off to a “Thai Lounge” where the business elite sat. Only problem, the business elite was all over and the place became quite stuffy. We needed room, we were cornered in one spot, and the atmosphere was somewhat somber. I’d say: “Lets cheer up the lads.” but – I guess no one was in the mood. So “Attorney Mendosa” gathered his ranks and sped us off to the “premier” lounge where no one was to be found. Oh sorry, there was a captain having a coffee. And to our surprise there was a couch to lay on as Oli. had congestion. See picture below. This is where the action took place. We did a spectacular diaper change in the men’s quarters. Mom was invited to help (sorry no pictures). I think I broke my back at this time. Mom had put 2 diapers on for the travel occasion and that just was such a hassle. Have you ever worn two adult diapers at a time? I was bloated and sweating. O. was hoisted in the air and systematically cleaned – top to bottom – and then again wrapped into the diaper. Did I say I nearly broke my back doing this trick? The whole process took 30 minutes.

After the dramatic bathroom blitz, we posed for another snapshot with Attorney Mendosa. I got congestion later for sitting in the chair too long. G had to give me some serious percussion.Luckily there wasn’t anymore of those business elite and i could have the full treatment in 30 minutes. By the time I was done we were ready to get into the plane. We got first dips as wheelchair guys go first. We went through the final security check with fly colors and raced to the airplane door but the wheelchair was too large to enter, so ….that left us with one major problem! There wasn’t enough room for me to move so once again I was lifted up through the slender passage way and was placed on a business seat that I must say was confortable but I wasn’t (oliver speaking). Being one of the first on the plane was great but it also came with its hiccups. Every person on the plane had to pass me and some of them hit my feet (don’t you just hate it when people have no respect)

Anyway, I got ready for the flight but I guess I was ill prepared for what was to lie ahead. It was cold, (the poncho was comfy but not enough), whistling sounds were ringing in my ear, and I was as nervous as anything. I hadn’t taken a plane in 5 years and this flight was supposed to be longer than the previous one. My stomach ached like no tomorrow but worst of all (and this is something G. only discovered later) my Batali Crocs started to sweat making my feet wet!!! I tried my best to keep on a brave face but the pressure to my head endured. As you can see G. was with me for a while, while mum rested and then later she came to help me. Take-off was strenuous and the rest of the flight was a battle but we made it.

When mom took over she wrapped me in the Thai Airways blanket. The other purple one was a tad warm and this purple one just served me right. She tucked me in solid and from then on I was as comfy as a turtle under its shell. Meanwhile, G.had the steamed fish onboard and he reported that it tasted pretty good (he didn’t leave me a piece). Anyway, again it came that the hostesses would make their rounds and again I could feel their legs. This one guy actually bumped me – all I could do was stare! What else could I do? But G. gave him such a stare that his apology was heard a mile away (not that there is a mile in a plane or anything like that). So we ended up riding it out and almost three hours later we landed. I could feel the plane descending as once again the weight and pressure played on my head. G came back to take over again and tried to comfort me but it was hard not avoiding that feeling. I guess I wasn’t made out to fly. Can we take a boat or a hovercraft next time? Goodness, if you thought I was stressed out check out the picture of mom keeping a brave face (below).

As we taxied into our dock/spot at the terminal, everyone disembarked except us and together with another crippled fellow we were the last to get off. A special truck with a separate container was forlifted up to the airplane door (quite neat actually). We were shoved in and down we went. G. then pushed us to shore, so to speak, and we were met by an official who escorted us upstairs to customs.

Stay tuned for more episodes and come back on another day when we will continue where we left off. Our next episode: “The Smiley Custom Officials”