At last the rush was hushed!
A few hours back, I was waiting for the pick-up car at my apartment. The rain poured heavily and made me worry a bit the trip. I went outside the gate to check if the driver found my place. Around the corner went a white rent-a-car. It saw me so it went straight to where I was standing. I loaded my stuff and off I go to the airport.
When I arrived, I was finding my way through it. It was a different international airport, an old one actually where most of the Asian airlines are. I went straight to the queue where many are apparently checking-in early. I gathered up all the documents needed. When my time came, I prompted the airline lady to put “fragile” label on my suitcase. An officemate asked me to bring with me some of their materials for the meeting that we are going to have in Singapore. It was light really but quite bulky.
Good thing my eldest sister gave me tips on boarding for Singapore. She lives in Australia so she frequently goes to Singapore each time she goes home from a trip to the Philippines.
After checking in, I went straight to pay the terminal fee and then to the immigration. There were several windows open. I noticed that some queues are longer than the others. Apparently, people know that female immigration agents entertain better than males as their queue are longer. Sadly for me though, as this is my first international flight, I didn’t know that. I went to line up a short queue. Later, I learned the reason why. The agent was strict (and a snobb). He raised his voice at me when I wasn’t able to give him all the documents all at once. I was about to react a bit but then decided to let it go. I might not get approved, hehe. Also, I need to be cleared with my scholarship restrictions. It really helps to be patient most of the time. It saves you time for argument, your temper and your poise. People who don’t treat you well don’t deserve your attention.
At last, all was well and here I am, waiting for boarding. I am a bit excited really. Much of this trip was just a dream a few months back. I never imagined I get the chance to see another country with my scholarship holding me back. Yet, here I am, waiting for my flight.
A few minutes passed and people came to fill in the previously empty seats. White, black, brown people gathered together, waiting for their plane to arrive. Strangely, people filled other empty seats with their bags so people who came late had to seats on either their sturdy luggage or on the floor. The white ones don’t mind where they seat as long as they are comfortable. The brown ones however remain standing as sitting on the floor is not common to them. It looks too informal probably, not quite sure. It’s just that sitting on the floor is not a custom to brown, especially Filipinos like me.
Four minutes before boarding and everyone seemed occupied with either, reading, listening to the music or staring at other people. I however had the liberty to write details about their behaviours. There might be someone else in the crowd doing the same, I don’t know. They might be having the same fun as I have.
Oh, before I forget, nail biting is also one of the most common things people do while waiting for their plane. Well, I guess anxiety brings them to bite their irresistible nails. I hope they cleaned it well before hand.
I remember a few months back I went wishing to see Europe and other countries. Though this flight is just within Asia, at least it’s a start.
Singapore, here I come!
