15 Days in Manila

It has been 15 days since our arrival here in Manila. My diplomat friend has been attending seminars and review classes for their examination in December. I have been going around, visiting family and friends. I am glad to know my friends are eager  to see me, and spend time with me. We have been to restaurants we used to go to, and also attending birthday parties.

December is a most awaited time of the year in the Philippines because it is Christmas, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. The season usually starts once the 'ber' month sets in.Families start decorating their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, gardens and even garages. The malls try to outdo each other by putting up tall Christmas trees, lighting the streets with colorful lanterns and multicolored bulbs. Government offices and local government units  sponsor decorating contests, singing contests, all in the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is trully a festive occasion.



Thank God we are here the Christmas holidays.

Home for the Christmas Season

On November 14,at 1pm my friend and I boarded Etihad on our way to Manila via Abu Dhabi. The check-in and the flight itself was good. Although we didn't get a good seat, there was no turbulence, thank God. Prayers really do wonders. We arrived safely as scheduled at the Abu Dhabi airport at 8:55 pm. Abu Dhabi is two hours ahead of Athens.  

                            Beautitul ceiling of the Abu Dhabi Airport


The next flight was 8 hours after, so we had to wait at the airport. Went around the duty free area, had light snacks and did some readings. Abu Dhabi is a busy airport, always full of incoming and outgoing travellers from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Part ofthe time waiting I used watching others sleeping, browsing on the internet, reading and making conversations.

The next flight was delayed for about one hour because of a passenger who would not take to her seat as the plane was taking off. The pilot was heard saying over and over the speaker, for everyone to take a seat and put on the seatbelt for takeoff. Apparently, a woman wouldn't take her seat. So the plane had to return, called up security and bring down the passenger.  It was a first experience for me,and I was terrified. But the incident was handled well.        

The plane landed safely, thank God, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport t rounnd 6pm, an hour delayed. And as I walked past immigration and customs area into the street, I smelled Manila air, polluted but for me, I knew I was home again.

I could smell the cool breeze of Christmas season.The lights, decors and the christmas tree. This is a most awaited season here in the Philippines. I am glad  we are spending it this year in Manila.

                                          In one of the malls in Paranaque

Shopping for souveniers

Last Saturday, we went to Plaka to shop for souveniers.We will be going to Manila next week for vacation so we needed  to buy items for our friends back home. Plaka is one great shopping area, full of clothings, figurines & bronze statues of Greek gods and goddesses. One has to brush up on Greek history and mythology to be able to appreciate the items on display. The shopkeepers though are more than willing to explain what the figurines are, how the candle stands are made, and who made  the beautiful scarfs, among others.

Many of the items are made of quality materials and are  inexpensive. But as you go from one shop to the other, you will find out that prices of same items vary. So you must be able to haggle for lower or better price.

After about an hour or so, we fnished shopping. We decided to have light snacks in one of the restaurants there. It was already about 6pm and the restos were full of customers. As in Egypt, lunch for them is past 4pm.

Giouvetsakia  on Adrianou St.is a family owned restaurant. It  started operations in l959. Very clean and homey. The omellete and  bread that we ordered was cooked just right . Maybe next time we will eat there again and try their other dishes.

Meeting other Diplomats

I am lucky to be the private staff of a diplomat who is also a long time friend. On occasions where she is allowed to bring a companion she always brings me with her. It is during these times when I also meet other diplomats and their families and friends. One unique experience was the reception of the Embassy of Mexico last August. It was held aboard the training ship, Cuauhtemoc which was docked at the Piraeus Port. The ship was on a cruise passing by several ports in the USA and Europe. It was a well attended affair.That was my first time to attend a reception aboad a ship.

Last October 31, the Counsellor of  the Embassy of Vietnam here in Athens hosted a dinner at the Great Wall Restaurant. I met two Filipinas who are married to Vietnamese nationals in Greece. These Filipinas had been here for more than 10 years where they met their husbands. I was delighted to see fellow Pinays living comfortably here. I always thought the Pinays here were married to Greek nationals.I found their husbands very nice, almost shy.

The dinner was a familiarity affair. The Counsellor wanted to find out how the Philippine govt is able to bring Filipinos to work here in Greece. The discussion went from the how and the why...The Ambassador of Vietnam joined us later.

The food was delicious, truly Vietnamese. I particularly liked the spring rolls which were wrapped by rice wrappers. I love Vietnamese food.

More photos ...

Before I begin a narration of my experiences here in Greece, I am including some photos during our stint in Egypt. We had a great time there, visiting Alexandria, Suez, Sharm El Sheik,among others. I found the local folk nice and hospitable. Although most of them couldnt speak English, I was able to convey my message somehow. I tried to learn Arabic but I found it difficult. I can say some expressions,though.

Today, I am still in  contact with our Filipino friends in Maadi. They say things have changed, but they are all right, thank God.I remember during the time we were in Egypt, we found it safe to walk the streets even late in the evening without being harmed. And we could shop in the busy Kan Kahlili area without being robbed. I dont know if this is still the case today.

Cairo Before the Arab Spring

Egypt was the first posting of my diplomat friend. She was crossposted from Guam where she stayed for more than two years. I joined her in Cairo in 2005, about 6 years before the Arab Spring early this year. I vividly remember Cairo, the pyramids, museums, and various historical places . I was fascinated by the beautiful citadels especially with lights on at night. And the prayer of the faithful three times a day which was heard  from loudspeakers was pleasant to me, surprisingly. I could feel the intensity of their love for Allah.

Tahrir square is an important landmark made more significant with the successful 'revolution' of the Egyptian people. It was a place which we frequented during our stay there and left us with memorable experiences. And as I watched the rallies for democratic reform reach fever pitch until  President Mubarak bowed to the will of the people, I somehow felt nostalgic. What lies in store for Cairo and Egypt?

                                           Taxis in Maadi, Cairo

                                           Sheep being tended

                                           Camels in the pyramids in Giza. Tourists could hire
                                            them to go around the area.

Well,this is not the venue for a discussion of what lies ahead.I am grateful that I saw the beauty of
Cairo and its people before history unfolds another chapter.
 Who knows, maybe in the next few years my friend and I would be able to visit Egypt again...

Today I Start another Chapter

Six years ago today, I retired from governmnet service. I worked as a writer, editor and Media Affairs Chief for almost 30 years. I had a great time doing what I loved the most. But as the years went on, I got depressed seeing how corruption remained unchecked, even becoming a way of life for some of the officials. Our efforts at exposing the alledged corrupt practices were not successful.And as they say, if the kitchen is too hot, leave...

It was an early retirement which I have neve regretted doing. I joined my diplomat friend as her private staff and have been travelling with her since then. Through this blog, I will share my experiences in these travels, places I have seen, friends I developed and  important people I met along the way.

I hope I will be able to attract readers who will find my narrations interesting.