Sunday, May 24, 2009

Polycysistic Fybrosis

32 - Going to the Philippines


For Philippines, in principle, 2 parents must travel to the country. If one of the 2 can go, this must be the parent identified as meeting at the sponsorship application to Immigration Canada. In our case, we went to both and in addition we have asked my stepfather to accompany us. First-place, we asked my stepmother and my father-to travel with us since they were both in their retirement. By cons, my stepmother has declined the offer due to his ear problems when taking the plane and its commitments related to her dance school. We wanted them to accompany us, for the father to my spouse has traveled extensively for work and we had no experience in international airline flight. So I knew I could count on them to reassure me on the plane saw that it was the first time I flew. Moreover, they had the experience of being a parent and have adopted 3 children.

My last day of work was Monday, November 17, 2008. What I left Tuesday and Wednesday to finalize the final preparations for the arrival of our son and preparing for our luggage. This allowed us not to be too much running and saved us a lot of stress.

Regarding the list of luggage, I had found a longer list, but since we went to Manila, it was not necessary to sterilize bring water and antibiotics. The water bottles were provided to our hotel (we brushed their teeth with tap water from the hotel without problem), there was a doctor and nurse available to customers our hotel and pharmacies are very accessible to Manila. My stepfather has been sick all week (flu) and I had forgotten to bring a syrup cons sore throat and he is very easily obtained. Finally, what I was needed in the aircraft's my ibuprofen and my anti-diarrhea. I had cramps and go to return, but during the return trip, I forgot to put my ibuprofen in my hand luggage and I had quite a headache. My partner bought me then ibuprofen, at least I think it was because it was written in Japanese on the box at the Tokyo Narita airport. It is important to prevent problems, but it is possible to find everything in Manila or in the airport and saw that everything went well, the documents provided were not necessary. Also, we procured the American silver to fund our region, but we could let it go, because Our hotel had a shuttle from the Manila airport to the hotel (charged to our room) and there were exchange counters at the hotel and shopping malls in Manila, who were very close our hotel. In terms of items that I chose not to make, because I had read about the Philippines that the country was somewhat dangerous with occasional kidnappings for ransom, I regretted not having take my digital camera and my bag to hand (I do not want exposed valuables). I asked my stepfather to bring his video camera to film our meeting, but I very well could take pictures paying attention and security officers are present in almost all shops, restaurants and hotels in Manila. for my bag to hand, I have not found it interesting to drag the bag under my belly clothing with moisture there was. Finally, I should have checked the website of Air Canada for my luggage, because I learned from my father-in-law that I had only 100 ml of liquid or cream in my luggage cab. So I had to rearrange my luggage a few minutes before leaving. Furthermore, I should visit the site of administration Canadian Transportation Security Canadian, because I put my items in liquid and cream in sealed bags for not only the pressure in the hold, they split and spread my bag (it has happened to us on our return to Canada).

Our flight from the Montreal airport was scheduled for Friday, November 21 at 7:50 , but since we live at about 3:30 to 4:00 of the Montreal airport, we decided to sleep the night before we plane ride with my sister who is about 30 minutes-1 hour from the airport. The last day of work my spouse was Wednesday, November 19. So we went Thursday, November 20 at my sister and we had to calculate the schedule Thursday, a journey of about 4:30 to get home. For our flight on Friday, he had to arrive 2 hours before scheduled departure, depending on the experience of my stepfather, to save our luggage and get our boarding cards (boarding pass). So we got up to 4:00 a.m. to 4:30 am for my brother (my sister was not available) we come back to the airport with the vehicle of my step-father (we had taken his vehicle because it was larger than ours for put our luggage) for him to resume and do not let it all week in the airport car to prevent theft or vandalism. Also, since there was snow in November, we would have wanted my brother keeps our boots, hats, scarf and coat and we bring them back when we return to airport Montreal. We forgot this detail and had to put our luggage in the hold. For cons, I kept my coat, but I removed the lining.

From the dock of the Montreal airport , we identified the Gateway our airline Air Canada . Upon entering the airport, we consulted the display panel to find the counter of our airline and we watched on the screens if there was a change to our flight.

Then we used the self-service kiosks to get our boarding cards (boarding pass) for each segment of our flight (Montreal-Vancouver, Vancouver-Tokyo Narita) with the help of our electronic tickets issued by our travel agent. We must follow the instructions written on the screen and follow them until the end because we did not see that our labels for our luggage in the hold were available on them. So after seeing got our boarding passes, we headed to a clerk of our airline where they take the luggage in the hold, because we thought they would give us the labels there. Once in our turn, the clerk advised us that they had to take the self-service kiosks. So we went back to self-service kiosks and have asked the Air Canada representative who oversaw the terminals and answered questions how to retrieve our luggage tags.

After getting our luggage to our labels and have stuck to our luggage in the hold, we have redirected to a committed to our airline luggage room to hand over our luggage in the hold and put it to complete the formalities required .

Then we headed to security checkpoints with our passports in hand. We deposited our coats, our currency, our belts and our baggage in a container and transported liquids and creams in our baggage in a plastic bag to be scanned and to verify that we did nothing forbidden to carry on the plane. If I read control process of the Canadian Air Transport Security , I knew he had to put liquids and creams in a clear plastic bag, then I would have just put in my luggage bunker. It would have to avoid being hurt l'aise to as the customs officer examining my box Canesten (in case of vaginitis) to check if the amount was legal. I felt that exposed the box so that everyone thinks I had a yeast infection, which was not the case. I had taken, over where the water stress and the Philippines, I contracted a yeast infection. Finally, after customs officers have checked our tanks, our clear plastic bags, our passports and we have to pass through the metal detector, we could take our things and head towards our departure gate listed on our card Boarding (boarding pass).

Before heading to our gate, we had lunch in the international jetty Tim Hortons to 7:10, because our first flight segment does not include meals and we had lunch yet. Finally, a chance that my stepfather was there to lead us. We were able to save time (no need to read and analyze billboards to know where to go) and have time for breakfast even though it was written on our ticket that boarding time was 6:55 am.

After eating quickly, we headed to our gate and we sat in the room next to our gate. We waited for the clerk of Air Canada to call for boarding for our flight in the Airbus 321 . Around 7:50 they have entered the business class monitor families with children and the rest of the travelers in 2 shots (people sitting in the back of the plane first). So we headed to the clerk, who had a board with our seat numbers were listed above, with our passports and boarding cards (boarding pass) on hand. Once our passports checked and our boarding cards restored, we were able to search our respective seats and fasten our luggage in the baggage compartment above our seats.

Once seated in our seats in economy class and tied (my stepfather told me that it is better to remain secure throughout the trip, even if the deposit belt n is not lit. It is to avoid, when we sleep, not be attached when the set comes on), we were close to our flight taking off from Montreal to Vancouver . When we climbed in altitude, I felt my ears become blocked, my stepfather suggested I yawning to help them lead. After reaching our cruising altitude, the seat belt instructions are extinct, we have lowered our shelves and our headquarters and we were able to access our individual touch-screen . By cons, he had to buy the cheap headphones. the duration of our flight was about 5:49, but during takeoff, the pilot of the aircraft announced at the microphone (French and English) the current temperature in Montreal and Vancouver and the estimated duration of the flight with winds felt. So to pass the time, I watched movies, television and listened to music. When I was sick of watching my personal screen touch control, I tried to sleep with cervical pillow and sleep mask loaned by my in-laws and my coat as a blanket. I do not feel comfortable with the cervical pillow and I had trouble finding me a position in my seat to sleep. The economy seats are not very comfortable and I had pain in the coccyx, which m'occasionnait frequent changes of position to find the comfort that did not last very long. Also, engine noise, even if they are not extremely noisy, preventing me from sleeping. Also, I had cramps that made me go to the toilet frequently. My stepfather teased me by telling me that I was shrinking. So I had to take anti-diarrhea pills, I brought in my carry-on bag, which made me feel better until the arrival to our hotel. Also, during our flight, we felt a little turbulence , but my stepfather me safe each time, saying there was nothing there, he had experienced far worse in these many airplane flights. I've even seen people not to concentrate at all and lying at full length on the seats were not occupied by their side. There were also people who left their seat belts hang in the hallway, which caused the disturbance to flight attendants, when they carried their cart of food and beverages, which narrowly passed in the hallway. For food and beverage, it was possible to get by paying an amount in Canadian or U.S. dollar. Finally, when it was time to land to Vancouver, instructions seatbelts are on, we have corrected our shelves and our head and our individual touch-screens were no longer available . I still felt that my ears clogged, but with pain a little more intense than takeoff. The pilot of the plane informed us (French and English) of the current temperature in Vancouver and the local time. We arrived Friday to 10:39 (local time in Vancouver), so my stepfather dropped her watch three hours. Once landed we spun, we took our baggage in the luggage compartment at the top of our seats and we exited the aircraft by not putting our coats just for the transfer of the aircraft until that is in the airport (cold feeling in the corridor, given the temperature in November).

Once inside Vancouver Airport , since we already had our boarding passes for the flight Tokyo, we followed the signs to direct us, through the corridor of correspondence, toward the gate of the appropriate international departures. You should not leave the security zone, or we should, to return, we submit to security checks. Since we had about two hours to wait before taking the next flight, we called my step-mother (to 13:45 hours Quebec) with our cell phone to tell him that our flight went well and that the next time we get back, we would be in Manila. Then we took a snack at the airport Starbucks, even if in our next flight we had 2 meals included, because for us it was 14:00 (Quebec time) and we had dinner yet. After eating, we walked in the airport shops . When we saw the typical Canadian products (maple syrup and articles with an image of a maple leaf), we wondered if we should buy for the family home. We decided to leave because we had no idea how this would be perceived by them and we did not know too much and customs of the Philippines. With how our week is held in the Philippines, we have regretted not having bought them. Finally, we headed towards the gate listed on our boarding cards (boarding pass) and we waited in the hall. Boarding in the Boeing 777 Air Canada, was scheduled for 11:55 ET departure for the 24:30. Boarding is done in the same manner as in Montreal.

Once seated in our seats in economy class and well set, we were about to take off our flight Vancouver-Tokyo Narita . When we climbed in altitude, I still felt my ears become clogged and I had to yawn even help them lead. After reaching our cruising altitude, the seat belt instructions are extinct, we have lowered our shelves and our headquarters and we were able to access our individual touch-screen . This time, the headphones were free and we could keep them. the duration of our flight was about 9:50, but during takeoff, the pilot of the aircraft announced at the microphone (English and Japanese) temperature Current Vancouver and Tokyo and the estimated duration of the flight with winds felt. So to pass the time, I have watched movies, television and listened to music. When I was sick of watching my personal screen touch control, I tried to sleep with pillow and blanket provided in the mask plane and the rest borrowed from my in-laws. I still had trouble finding me a position in my seat to sleep. So I have not been able to sleep. During our flight, we also felt a little turbulence, but nothing annoying. For 2 meals included , they served the first meal (rice, potatoes, choice of meat, salad, beverage and wine, dessert) in the first 3 hours and the second meal (rice, potatoes, choice of meat, salad , and drink wine, dessert) in the last 2 hours. For cons, I have not taken the second meal, because I was not feeling very well and I was not so hungry. Also, towards the end of our flight, the flight attendants offered a form for immigration. We did not take, because we did a stopover in Japan. Finally, when it was time to land to Tokyo, the seat belt instructions they are lit, we have corrected our shelves and our head and our individual touch-screens were not available. I still felt that my ears clogged, but with pain so intense and scared me. The pilot of the plane informed us (English and Japanese) of the current temperature in Tokyo and the local time. We arrived Saturday around 3:20 p.m. (Tokyo local time), so my stepfather has advanced its 17-hour watch. Once landed we spun, we took our baggage in the luggage compartment at the top of our seats and we exited the aircraft by not putting our coats.

Once the airport at Narita in Toky0 Terminal 1, we noticed that there was a sheet hanging on the wall with names of registered voters. We read the names and have noticed that our names were on that list. We are, therefore, employed remained near the airport and waited for all the passengers are met. We followed the girls, we headed to the Terminal 2, in order to catch our flight to the Philippines. Before departing from Terminal 1 , we had to pass a security checkpoint , which resembles the Montreal airport, but with an additional infrared camera to check if we were a fever. Once out of Terminal 1, we took a bus (shuttle) free to get to Terminal 2. Once arriving at Terminal 2 , we had another board security point. Subsequently, my stepfather decided to follow the signs and we took a tram to move into Terminal 2. Once out of it, we inquired about where to take our boarding passes for our flight Tokyo-Manila. We learned that it was close to where we took the tram. We, therefore, had to take the tram and return to the site said. It did not matter because we had time, since we had to wait 3:00 and our flight was for 6:20 p.m. . Once our boarding passes in hand, we could relax at the airport. There was a giant screen with a circulation of a sumo wrestling match. We've noticed that Japanese culture is steeped in the sport and I'm bored of games of the Montreal Canadiens. Around 5:50 p.m. , boarding time, we headed towards the gate listed on our boarding pass and we waited in the hall. Boarding the Boeing 747 of Japan Airlines is done in the same manner as in Montreal and Vancouver.

Once seated in our seats in economy class and well set, we were about to take off our flight Tokyo-Manila. When we climbed in altitude, I still felt my ears become clogged and I had to yawn even help them lead. After reaching our cruising altitude, instructions seat belts are off, we have lowered our shelves and our headquarters and we were able to access our individual screen with built-in command headquarters with the supplied headphones. the duration of our flight was about 4:55, but during takeoff, the pilot of the aircraft announced at the microphone (English, Japanese and Tagalog) the current temperature in Tokyo and Manila and the estimated duration flying with the winds felt. So to pass the time, I have watched movies, television and listened to music. When I was tired look at my personal screen with built-in command headquarters, I tried to sleep with pillow and blanket provided in the mask plane and the rest borrowed from my in-laws. I still had trouble finding me a position in my seat to sleep. So I have not been able to sleep even though it was about 24 hours I had not slept. During our flight, we also felt a little turbulence, but nothing annoying. For meals included they served rice, vegetables, choice of meat, salad, beverage and wine, dessert). Also, towards the end of our flight, the hostesses Air provided a form for immigration . We took each one and have filled the plane. Finally, when it was time to landing at Manila, instructions seatbelts are on, we have corrected our shelves and our head and our individual screens with integrated control headquarters were longer available. I still felt that my ears clogged. The pilot of the plane informed us (English, Japanese and Tagalog) the current temperature in Manila and local time. We arrived Saturday around 10:15 p.m. (local time in Manila) So my step-father declined his watch than 1 hour. Once landed we spun, we took our baggage in the luggage compartment at the top of our seats and we exited the aircraft by not putting our coats.

Once in the International Airport in Manila Terminal 1, we headed to the immigration counters with our passports and electronic tickets issued by travel agency in our hands . The immigration official was found that our passports were valid for more than 6 months and we had a flying start. So, we have automatically allowed to enter up to 21 days without visa. Afterwards, we headed to the baggage carousels . We watched over each one to find flight information and go to the correct carousel. Once our luggage was retrieved, we went to customs with our immigration form on hand to present to the customs official. This form expresses our luggage and the reason for our visit to the Philippines. After customs, we were in the arrivals hall. My stepfather has advised us to seek shuttle from our hotel (about 80 $ Canadian) to get to it. So we came outside and looked for the EDSA Shangri-la . When we have identified, we went inside their room and showed them our reservation. They then took care of our luggage, we were offered bottled water and offered us to sit in their seats until the shuttle. When the shuttle arrived, they are busy to pick our luggage and we headed towards the hotel, which is 13 km from the international airport in Manila and is in Mandaluyong City . Once in the alley the hotel, we noticed that there was an employee with a STOP sign and a K9 dog squad. The driver of the shuttle opened the trunk of the bag and the gentleman felt our luggage to his dog. Then arrived at the hotel entrance, we disembarked from the shuttle, the servants took our luggage and we headed towards the door front of it with security guards, who passed a detector on us and our luggage. After tasting the country's security and found the beauty of Christmas decorations (huge size crib and Christmas tree), we are headed towards host with booking charge and magnetic cards have recovered from our room. Then we headed to the elevator and found that there was an attendant at the elevator (we headed toward an elevator available). Arrived at our room around midnight (local time in Manila), my spouse gave a tip to the valet after that it has filed all our luggage. We defeated some luggage, as we got up early the next morning. Our first meeting was with our son Sunday, November 23. So when I'm lying, it was about 32 hours I had not slept.

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