Doha-Manila Homebound (Balik-bayan)

A year have passed, 14 months actually and in two weeks time I’ll be hearing roar of one of the noisiest engines on Earth; the airplane’s engine. A very irritating sound unless you’re inside the plane buckled up, seating comfortably and bound for home. Doha-Manila, hmmm I can almost imagine the indescribable feeling upon entering that open door while the steward is checking for your seat (hoping that it would be near the window). That excitement, the moment the plane lift its nose for takeoff; the calmness when it finally settled on its required altitude, “priceless”.

Long journey to home, 9 to 10 hours flight and I don’t even mind. For others it’s nothing, they could just sleep throughout the trip but for me, no. My mind is too stubborn; I can’t get it shut during any trip, no matter how I try. Watch movies that will do. Four movies in between meals is not a bad thing while waiting for that announcement “We are now approaching Manila”. And then the thing that I hate the most.. Landing! The excruciating pain cause by the pressure, like your head is being sucked by a vacuum and you can’t even hear yourself. Oh well, no pain no gain and the prize, worth everything.

The clanking sounds when you finally hit that steel “hall-like” way-out towards this descending concrete hallway down to the conveyor where you will wait for your luggage and those precious “pasalubong”. (my boy would surely love his new Sony PSP and my daughter her iPod music player). But these gifts are nothing compare to the love and longing I'll bring with me. The time I will be spending with them, memories that we will share, the embrace and kisses that I would excessively give my children (don’t ask about what would I do with my wife, I’ll keep it private). Did I mention filling up these forms? “Arrival” and “Custom” form. Yes I will on the plane amidst the excitement I’ll see to it, that not a petty thing will stop me from going out that door where only a thick wall separates me from my waiting family in the arrival area.

Oh! By the way if one of the custom people is reading this, please spare my luggage from scrutiny. I will not fit in a whole "appliance store" inside my trolley or my small balik-bayan box and I don’t have even half of that allowed amount of cash in my pocket so don’t hesitate to stamp my passport “pronto”.