There's Always a First Time :)

After 25 years of existence, I finally got the chance to hop on a plane and visit the capital city of the Philippines: Manila.

And yes, I’m not ashamed to admit it: it’s my first time to fly up high in the sky! (Play that Mary Poppin’s Let’s Go Fly a Kite) Also, it’s my first time to be in Manila, so just imagine all these kinds of butterflies popping in and out of my stomach the whole time! It’s been a week since my journey of firsts and I am so glad to be blessed with such an opportunity to slash off some of the things on my bucket list.

November 12, 2014 was the D-Day for me, but before I could embrace it all into my body and soul, there was still work to do. And just like those days when you have everything planned out, laid out neatly on a sheet, something unexpected comes along and somehow wrinkles your sheet. There was an emergency situation that we had to address to. A kid accidentally had his right eye punctured with a wood while playing with his sibling and he ended up with a small laceration that needs emergent intervention. Gladly, the whole operation went well and we ended up shortly, just in time for us to get our butts to the airport.

So, there I was, sitting anxiously on one of the metallic seats at the terminal. My mind was already playing tricks with me as paranoia, fear and anxiety built up the tension and nerve-wrecking feeling. When it was time to board the plane, oh wow, it felt like volunteering for the hunger games. (Forgive my comparisons, I think this is already overrated. LOL)

When the plane took off, all the anxiety, fear and thrill turned into excitement and elation. I was in euphoria. Looking back to a similar feeling like that, I could tell that it was exactly what I felt when I took my first zipline ride in Loboc, Bohol. So when somebody asks me how my first flight was, I’d simply smile and answer, “It feels just like riding a zipline!”

It was already dark when I arrived in Manila, and I was in perfect awe of everything around me. The terminals were a lot bigger, roads were wider (but still congested) and buildings were taller. A province girl now in a big city: how much more if I get the chance to step on a much bigger city like New York?

The hotel where we were destined to stay for the next 3 nights was beyond my expectation. The lobby smelled so fresh and sweet with flowers and I wish I could stay there forever with all the lavishness and luxury of unlimited buffet style breakfast.

The convention I attended was very helpful, plus the chance to go around Pasay City was a blissful moment. Also, I had the chance to go and faintly die in vain (partly) in Shopville, Greenhills where anyone could buy good quality items at such a cheap price. Mall of Asia also proved to be a challenge for my wallet, but all in all, it was a fun and memorable shopping moment..

My entire Manila experience was something to be cherished forever, especially that it was my first time.

Indeed, this is a journey of firsts! I can’t wait to add more firsts into my life in the coming years, and cross out some more wishes on my bucket list. :)

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