Saturday, November 01, 2008
The flight from Tokyo to Manila was completely packed yesterday, and there was hardly an empty seat. While the majority of the passengers were US-Filipinos returning to the Philippines on vacation or family visits, there were also quite a few suspicious looking middle-aged Caucasian and Japanese men. One guy was so large that he created turbulence while walking inside the plane. I am sure he was looking forward to meeting the women of Manila, and although the ladies of Manila will not be as happy to see him, at least he is not a hard one to spot.
While Manila is located only 4 hours from Tokyo by plane, the enormous cultural difference between Japan and the Philippines is apparent already at the airport. The immigration line is the longest and most confusing I have ever seen. Instead of having an organized process that allows passengers to line up in an orderly matter, anarchy rules the day.
After getting through immigration, we bought a taxi coupon (prepaid taxi voucher) so that we could travel to our hotel without having to search for an honest cabbie. When I came to the Philippines for the first time approximately ten years ago, I was still a student and willing to spend time jumping in and out of cabs in search of someone willing to drive using the meter. Luckily, now I can afford to pay a few extra dollars instead.
We took an early morning flight this morning with Cebu Pacific Airways, and this is the only airline I know that organizes games during the flight. In the middle of our flight, three volunteer passengers were selected to come to the front of the plane, where they were challenged to read out some difficult tongue twister sentences using the airplane's audio system! After that, they were given some silly prices. What a weird airline!
While Manila is located only 4 hours from Tokyo by plane, the enormous cultural difference between Japan and the Philippines is apparent already at the airport. The immigration line is the longest and most confusing I have ever seen. Instead of having an organized process that allows passengers to line up in an orderly matter, anarchy rules the day.
After getting through immigration, we bought a taxi coupon (prepaid taxi voucher) so that we could travel to our hotel without having to search for an honest cabbie. When I came to the Philippines for the first time approximately ten years ago, I was still a student and willing to spend time jumping in and out of cabs in search of someone willing to drive using the meter. Luckily, now I can afford to pay a few extra dollars instead.
We took an early morning flight this morning with Cebu Pacific Airways, and this is the only airline I know that organizes games during the flight. In the middle of our flight, three volunteer passengers were selected to come to the front of the plane, where they were challenged to read out some difficult tongue twister sentences using the airplane's audio system! After that, they were given some silly prices. What a weird airline!
|
 |
