But, being on the plane for the first time for eleven hours is a totally different story!!
We arrived at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) few minutes before 8AM. Our flight to Taipei didn't leave until 11:30. Our flight time was originally 10:55, but since the plane arrived an hour late, it was delayed.
When we boarded the plane going to Taipei, Taiwan for our 4-hour layover, I didn't worry a bit at all. The flight only took 2 hours and I've already traveled longer than that when I went to Malaysia last year, so I knew it was going to be just fine. Though my legs kind of hurt while inside the plane during the flight, it didn't bother me that much. I was able to tolerate it all the way to Taipei. I only even slept for less than an hour. I was awake most of the time.
But, by the time we started walking inside the Taoyuan International Airport, my legs, especially the left one, started hurting and had me limping all the way to the waiting area. John and I walked around for a little bit before we headed to the waiting area for our next flight. It was really an experience for the both of us because when we finally decided to get something to eat, we couldn't find a place to eat at where they take credit cards. Every single one of them only accepts payments in cash and there was no ATM machine inside the place to pull out money from. We were so hungry and because of me being pregnant, I could only take too much. My head started hurting and my legs felt so numb, I had to tell my husband I needed to sit down and rest. He took me to the nearest waiting area to sit and relax, while he went to find ways how to get food for us. I think it took him almost 30 minutes to finally at least get something for our empty tummies. I don't know exactly how long he's been gone because all I remember is, I've been in and out of sleep while waiting for him. I really appreciate that he didn't give up finding a way to get us food because he knew I was so hungry and I needed to take medicine that our Aunt prescribed me for the baby for the whole trip. And do you know what saved us that time? It wasn't an ATM machine, but a five [500] hundred peso bill that he didn't know he still had in his pocket. He just found out he still had one when he tried to reach further inside. What a relief that was for us! He said, he hurriedly went to the Money Exchange and had it changed to NT$ (New Taiwan Dollar). A 500 peso bill saved us!! None of us really thought we'd still have that amount of money left since we bought stuff at the airport in the Philippines to basically make use of the extra money we had that, obviously, we won't be using here in the States. But, God really makes a way, where there seems to be no way!! And again, we know we can't thank Him enough for being with us during that time.
Anyway, at around 4:10 PM (May 5th), we started boarding the plane again. This time, for a much longer hours of flight - 11 HOURS!! We were seated almost at the very end part of the plane - Seats 56 A and B. My husband let me have the window seat, but I only got to have a view of the outside for an hour or two because they ordered to shut all the windows and never got to open them again till the plane started to descend to prepare for landing. But it was totally fine with me. I wouldn't have enjoyed the Pacific Ocean view, if they had let me leave the windows open, anyway. I just busied myself listening music on the iPod and watching movies [that I never even finished] every now and then. But like the first flight, I slept most of the time, while my husband spent his time watching almost all the movies available in that plane. We brought magazines with us to read, too but I think none of us really read them. Well, I opened mine but just scanned the pages through and that's it. I only even used the lavatory twice all throughout the flight. I had to at least stand and walk around to promote better circulation and to prevent my lower extremities from getting swollen. It did help, but I started getting anxious by the time the plane hit its 9th hour being in the air. I wanted to see land!! I wanted to open the windows but I couldn't - they won't allow you to do so. I tried to fall back to sleep, but the anxiety was keeping me up. I would fall asleep, but in just a few minutes, I'd wake up and find myself struggling to breath. I started to worry somehow, but I never told my husband. I didn't want him to worry about me. I knew, he, too needed some rest. I knew right then and there that I'll forever dread flying on a plane that long. If only I have another choice.
The plane began its descent at around 12:30PM US time (May 5th). By that time, I no longer had enough room for worrying. Good thing, though because the moment I opened the window and saw the US soil right below me, I started regaining my strength. My first words were, "Wow, there's the land!!" Honestly, I kind of forgot I was already inside the US territory because I'd been that anxious to finally get to land and know that we are safe. But, when I heard my husband said, "That's America right there", only then did it hap to me again that I was indeed already inside the USA and that it was our final destination. Of course, I'd be a total hypocrite if I say I didn't feel any excitement, when I was, as a matter of fact, so full of it. I felt very, very happy to finally be here because of the fact that my husband and I no longer have to deal with long-distance relationship and all the hardships that come along with it. Now, we can finally start the family we've always been wanting and praying for. It's our time now to really start this journey as husband and wife - and as parents-to-be. There's so much for us to do, a lot for me to adjust to. But in due time, we both know we're going to make it. John always assures me that everything will be just fine - and I know they will be :) God is with us, like He's always been. And we both know, that if we Have him, everything will be all right.
We finally set foot on the US soil a few minutes past 13:00. We stood in line at the immigration but only took us like probably 4 minutes to get everything done; the man who's in charge took our passports, my packet that I got from the US Embassy, scanned my fingerprints, and took a photo of me. Then, he handed me back my packet and passport and told us to go to another immigration officer. There, another officer took my right index fingerprint and let me sign two different kinds of document. Then, he took my passport and packet and told us to grab our luggage and come back to have them inspected. We did as we're told, only to find out that we were bound to wait for a good,
boring 2 hours for nothing!! [hehehe] But, everything has a reason. Though we were so anxious to leave the place, we survived and made it till, finally, my name was called. Two officers talked to us and handed John some papers. The lady officer was so nice, she even welcomed me and our unborn baby here in the States :) It only took like 3 minutes, then we were off to go. John was a bit worried that the customs might check our luggage and that means another waiting time and we didn't want that any longer!! We've waited long enough and we were then so hungry again. Good thing, they just took the blue customs form and they let us pass. And, that's it! We headed out of the airport to wait for John's friends, Kimo and Chanhthy, who drove to LAX to pick us up. They took two cars with them, Chanhthy's and John's cars so we'll have enough room for us and our luggage - we brought 4 big suitcases with us. It was my first time to meet them in person. We've only been talking through chat, but I know they're a nice couple :) And, I wasn't wrong about that!! They indeed are super nice :)
We drove to their place first, took a short rest, and then headed out again to get something to eat. Kimo took us to Hooters in Anaheim. It was a very new experience for me - culture shock, I should say. Just a bit hard for me to say in words right now. [hehehe] Anyway, after we ate, we went back to their place, took another rest and then drove down here in San Diego. It was past 8PM already when we left that's why I was kind of worried my husband would fall asleep while driving. We were both so tired. But then again, I knew God would keep us safe. I just said a short prayer before we started driving home. It was a good hour and 54-minute drive from their place. I said I would keep us both awake, but I ended up falling asleep. [hehehe] Thank you, Mahal for just letting me rest. And sorry for not keeping my words. [hahaha]
Well, that's it. Just wanted to share my own experience. There's more updates to come. I now have more time to blog since I am left home alone during the day when he's off to work and there's nothing really right now for me to do. But here soon, I'd be busy doing something :)
8 things I' m looking forward to:
And in making sure I am eating healthy, I must say, he's doing such a great job!!
A Sojourner's Saga
SMiLiES | EMOTiCONS COURTESY OF: