Last Christmas I received a gift -- a silver pen that had a laser pointer and flashlight.
I brought this during my trip to Korea. On my way back (transit from Hong Kong to Manila) I can clearly remember it, I had with me only one handcarry baggage and placed my jacket inside it before the flight. I placed this bag in the overhead storage.
During the flight, I was holding only 3 things: my mobile phone, passport and this pen. I was sure the pen was there because I used it to fill up my disembarkation card. After writing, I clipped the pen on the seat pocket in front of me. I fell asleep for a bit after that, and during the plane's descent I found out that the pen wasn't on the seat pocket anymore. It wasn't on my seat, and definitely not clipped on my pants or shirt. I gave up looking for it after almost 10 minutes of awkwardly looking under nearby seats and aisles. When the plane landed I hesitated at first but brought it to the attention of the crew so that they would do a quick sweep of the area to see if anything was found. I looked around again after the plane was emptied, but found nothing. Since the plane had to leave soon, the crew asked me to fill up a form so that if they find it, then can call back and send it to me. When I reached home I checked all my stuff one last time and after that I was sure I didn't accidentally placed it in my bag.
I thought that day was the end of my pen... two days later, I told my mom that I lost it. Suddenly she mentioned that she saw it somewhere and let my brother borrow it for school that day. I saw the pen that same evening, and nobody received any deliveries for this pen. I couldn't explain how it got back -- this was really weird.
A couple of days later I went to Toyota to have my car fixed. While waiting, I went to the showroom to check out the latest variants. I don't know what exactly happened or why, but after checking one of the Vios units, something told me that I might have dropped a pen in the Vios. I went back to that car in the showroom and opened the door... and right below the driver's seat (somewhere under the spot where you have the lever to recline the seat) I found the pen. So much luck for almost losing the pen twice!
... Later, when I reached home, I found out that I already had 2 of these pens! The one I found in Toyota was actually another pen (it actually looked slightly different because a sticker on the side was peeled off).
I wish this can also happen to my wallet (when full) or cellphone.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Strange Pen Incident
Monday, February 5, 2007
Northern Luzon Tour
I am thinking of a good 1-week itinerary for the whole stretch from Manila to Pagudpud.
Here's the route based on waypoints.ph data.
Waypoint Location [Province] waypointname waypointdistance cumulativedistance
- Balintawak Cloverleaf [Metro Manila] clover - 0 0
- Mabalacat Exit [Pampanga] clover-nexmab 79.3 79
- Mabalacat [Pampanga] nexmab-mblct 1.5 80
- Bamban Bridge [Pampanga] mblct-bmbnbr 4.3 85
- Capas [Tarlac] bmbnbr-capas 9.4 94
- Luisita [Tarlac] capas-lusita 11.3 105
- Tarlac junction to Camiling [Tarlac] lusita-jtrc01 5.4 111
- Gerona Bypass Road [Tarlac] jtrc01-geronb 14.6 125
- Paniqui junction [Tarlac] geronb-jpniqi 8.2 133
- Moncada [Tarlac] jpniqi-moncd 7.7 141
- Carmen [Pangasinan] moncd-carmen 17.6 159
- Villasis [Pangasinan] carmen-vilsis 2.0 161
- Urdaneta Crossing [Pangasinan] vilsis-jpng01 8.5 169
- Binalonan junction [Pangasinan] jpng01-jpng02 8.1 177
- Pozorubio junction [Pangasinan] jpng02-jpng03 10.1 187
- Sison Junction [Pangasinan] jpng03-jpng04 7.8 195
- Junction to Kenon Road [La Union] jpng04-jkenon 5.8 201
- Rosario bypass to Pugo [La Union] jkenon-jlun02 0.7 202
- Rosario [La Union] jlun02-rsarlu 1.3 203
- Damortis Junction [La Union] rsarlu-dmorts 9.7 213
- Agoo Church [La Union] dmorts-agooc 10.4 223
- Bauang-Naguilian Junction [La Union] agooc-jlun05 23.5 247
- Poro Point Landmark [La Union] jlun05-poropm 7.8 254
- San Fernando [La Union] poropm-snfdol 2.2 257
- Candon Church [Ilocos Sur] snfdol-candnc 78.2 335
- Sta Maria Beach [Ilocos Sur] candnc-stamrb 19.9 355
- Narvacan Coral View [Ilocos Sur] stamrb-nrvcnc 15.9 371
- Vigan Arc [Ilocos Sur] nrvcnc-vigana 24.2 395
- Magsingal Belfry [Ilocos Sur] vigana-mblfry 13.1 408
- Cabugao Church [Ilocos Sur] mblfry-cabugc 13.8 422
- Batac Church [Ilocos Norte] cabugc-batacc 37.5 459
- Paoay Church [Ilocos Norte] batacc-paoayc 4.8 464
- Laoag Church [Ilocos Norte] paoayc-laoagc 19.5 483
- Bangui [Ilocos Norte] laoagc-bangui 65.4 549
- Pagudpud HiWay Junction [Ilocos Norte] bangui-jiln01 6.7 556
- Pagudpud [Ilocos Norte] jiln01-pagdpd 5.4 561
,
Dreaming 20 Years Back
I had a dream the other night which brought me many years back to the past.
... It started with an attempt to jump off some alien vehicle.
The squid-looking aliens were interested in a time machine developed by some scientist whose name or face I could not remember and I was taken along with him. The alien ship flew fast and high. It looked like a huge golden shoebox with an open top so it was really easy to escape, but at such high altitudes, it seemed falling off this shoebox meant certain death. We had to try anyway because there wasn't really anything more to lose. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and jumped off...
Everything was dark until I hit the ground, and as expected (hehe) I was alive. When I opened my eyes I immediately knew where I was. It was around 6pm, quiet and dim. I was outside my home, and it looked the way it was about 20 years ago. The ambiance was ghostly and nostalgic. As I got up and looked around, there felt like a powerful spirit embracing my presence, welcoming me back home. As I was about to touch the door, it opened. My mom opened the door and there was a young girl who walked out from it. She was around 16 and had short 70's looking hair. From the scenario I was guessing that I must have fallen into an alternate past and I was looking at what could have been my older sister. She did not talk to me, but mom called me and asked me to come in (I think she was the one who told me that the person who walked out was my sister).
(the scene went blank for a couple of seconds and then I was somewhere outside the house again, near our parking space)
Suddenly, from darkness, it turned to daytime. I saw two cars, both of which my father owned previously, a '74 Colt Galant and an '87 Lancer. I have never seen these things looking brand new in my lifetime, and I think it was only in this dream that they appeared this way.
I looked back at the house and could very well tell how much it has changed. The house radiates of youth and freshness, while the neighborhood was seemingly bustling... I can see and hear illusions of children playing and adults having a fine afternoon chat on the driveway. At the present times it doesn't happen as often anymore. Kids stay at home, while adults are busy working all day. We also used to go in and out of the neighboring houses freely, but now they are locked to keep away the thieves.
In that dream I also saw a friend who recently lost his mom and two brothers. I think he was also sent there to get another chance with his loved ones. We were once best friends in elementary, and I understood just how much he cared for these people. I even remember one time he was doing this strange countdown and cried when it reached 0:00:00, and I realized later that a close relative had just left the country.
So back at the dream scene... he set aside a couple of minutes before going to meet his family, we played and ran around the cars as kids and laughed -- it seemed like nonsense but the childhood laughter I experienced was so real, it was an easy and focused burst of joy. Unfortunately, as an adult, I think it's not exactly the same experience because you'll need to manage the feelings. People will think you're crazy if you laugh too much over nothing, or you can end up suicidal if you don't hold yourself up against your negative feelings.
... I woke up to the sound of the alarm.
[Korea] Annyeonghaseyo, Hanguk!
Preflight
Getting my first Korean Visa took a little over a week. I had to get my invitation letter, certificate of employment, guarantee letter, bank statement, social security system data, passport photos and a few more small things just to complete the requirements for application. I didn't get any bookings until I actually got the visa on a Friday afternoon (I wanted to fly on a Sunday morning), but by that time, the travel agency told me that all weekend flights were already full. I waited up a bit and our agent called back and she found one available CX seat which was flying out in about 12 hours (6:30am to be exact). I had no other choice if I am not to miss my Monday meeting so I took it. That means I'll have the chance to move around on Sunday, but I also had to hurry and pack my stuff.
In-Transit
(Saturday morning, MNL to HKG)
I slept all the way until I reached HK, and exchanged my pesos to USD (I think I shouldn't have done this) thinking that the airport in Incheon would not accept pesos or Traveller's Cheques like in Guangzhou. I took a quick visit to the electronics shop there, not much has changed except for the centerpiece which was now the dSLR cameras on display. I saw a price tag beside the Nikon D40 -- about 1700 HK$ and I thought I hit the jackpot... but alas, it was for the lens only!
(Saturday afternoon, HKG to ICN)
I took out the winter jacket from my bag before boarding the plane. I had to be ready because as a first timer in a country with negative temperatures, I didn't know when the cold temperature would start to kick in -- maybe while landing, or walking through the duct to the gate, or maybe inside the airport. I was seated beside a 64 year old American who just worked on Sudoku puzzles during the flight... we talked a bit about snow and our work, and that was it.
In Korea
(Saturday afternoon, Incheon to Seoul)
I got instructions from officemates on how to reach Renaissance hotel and they gave me a cheap alternative. I heard that the hotel car transfer would cost about 200$ (that's about half the cost of flying to China). The KAL Limousine (airport bus) that goes to the same location is way cheaper (about 13$) and the ride was ok. The waiting area is just outside the airport entrance, and it was really cold (3 degrees celsius according to the flight captain).
Rennaissance Seoul Hotel
At the hotel entrance I was greeted by a lady in traditional Korean dress (chima jeogori). The attire is worn as two silk pieces -- a skirt (chima) and shirt (jeogori). Unlike Kimono's which are belted at the waist, they are tied somewhere at the chest with a long wide ribbon. You won't see people wearing this in the streets anymore. These days, they are worn usually only for their ceremonial purpose. If you want to know why, think of a situation like wearing our local Barong for a gimmick in Greenbelt. You'll need a casket or sword to make your get-up more convincing.
(Sunday afternoon)
Gyeongbokgung (Geongbok Palace)
If you've watched Jumong, Jewel In The Palace or Princess Hours, chances are, some of the scenes were shot in Geongbok Palace.
We went to Gyeongbokgung by train. It took about 20 minutes to get there and the ride wasn't bad at all. In this train there were people selling gloves and some beggars moving around. The seats were heated from below and I think it also helped keep the train car warm for all passengers.
From the station, the first thing you'll notice in the pathway is this structure. The sign says "This gate was made of monolith in imitation of Pullomun in Ch'angdŏkkung. It has a legend that once one passes through the gate, he would not be old forever." That means, on my next birthday, my age will stay the same.
Just a couple more minutes of walking and we finally reach the palace walls. From here you can see that the structure is really huge, even the camera angle isn't enough to capture the whole thing. I don't know why they used pink for the walls (does the emperor also have a pink wardrobe?) On another corner of this structure there is a small tent where you can try wearing the palace guard uniforms and take a couple of pictures. We went there during their lunchtime and closing time so we didn't get that chance.
The artwork on the palace is impressive, each pattern is made with very small details and lined up in a very precise manner. The image here shows a view under the roof.
In another area, we saw some objects of folk beliefs... stone and wood piles. People prayed to these for prosperity and abundance of crops. These were erected on roadsides or the village entrance to protect villagers and ward off evil spirits and disease. I think they are cool and very friendly to people.
Hyangwonjeong Pavillion -- some structure connected to a palace by a wooden bridge. The view from the other side is great, and if you notice, the water is very calm, making it appear like one huge mirror. The water here is slightly frozen at the surface, and some birds can actually walk on the very thin sheet of ice.
I found this kid in the palace grounds, runing around stone figures of the Chinese Zodiac. This little thing makes strange noises, and can communicate with just about anything from stones to air. He is not of any historical value yet, but with enough exposure and influence from me, maybe he will be immortalized someday in the form of a stone figure too. Sometime after I took this photo, the mom approached me and babbled some Korean words. I smiled but didn't understand what she said, so I stepped away from the kid and murmured a bit of Filipino to get even.
(Tuesday Morning) Snow!!!
I was asleep during the only snowfall of my short stay in Seoul. By the time I woke up it was all ice on the floor.
