Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at exactly 1:30PM with Flight Number: 5J 428 CEBU-TACLOBAN, was my very first flight in my 21 years of existence. I did had my “first-time sickness” attack again. I tried to keep myself calm and just went on like its one of the most normal days of my life. But its not. So, here is another story to tell…

I was quite early when I came to the Mactan Airport, carrying two backpacks and one laptop bag. When I checked-in my baggages, I kept on observing other passengers upon how they check in their bags. The two elder people before me, dropped all their bags into the weighing scale for check-in and they left empty-handed. Assuming that I should be doing the same, I placed all my bags in not thinking that my laptop bag was not supposed to be included with the baggages since it’s only a hand-carry item. The lady (was nice) told me repeatedly to put only those I want to check-in. I just gave her the blank stare. She probably noticed that I was not aware of what I was doing so she just personally stood up and handed my bags back. Uh, okay, so no check-in bags for me then. O_o. By then, I thought it was all done. But I still needed to weigh myself. I hopped on to the weighing scale leaving my bags behind thinking that they only needed to know how much weight do I need to lose. Okay, but am i really going to need that? O_o. The lady (was really nice) told me patiently to carry my bags along upon weighing. So, I did. Then, she said “You’ll be charged with an additional 300 pesos for your extra baggage”. Whaaaaatt? Extra baggage? Three hundred? This lady is not that nice after all! That was I talking to myself. In spite of my bitter thoughts, I still managed to smile and said my magic word, “Okay”. So then, I paid my extra charges. I was (quite) ready to get inside the lounging area only to find out that I still need to pay for a terminal fee of 200 pesos. Whaaaatt? Another two hundred?. That was I talking to myself again. Well, I needed to get on that plane so I paid.

Finally, I was on my way inside the terminal’s waiting area. What else can go wrong now? I thought. I had to take off my brand new chuck taylors for the security scan. *lol*. Well, nothing was wrong with that. Nature’s in time to call me, so I needed to go to the washroom. Now, will I have to carry all my bags along with me to the CR? Of course, not. So I needed to use my charm to get someone to look after them while I’m brooding. *lol*. I sat next to a lady reading a book and asked her the favor to look after my bags. She did not hesitate to agree. That was very nice of her. And so I went.

When I came back, I thought all was fine and that I just needed to wait for the last call of my flight. All of a sudden, a pretty girl with a boyfriend approached me and asked, “Do you know where is the waiting area for the flight going to Tacloban?”. Wait, I do not actually know that. Am I in the right room? I went on a slight verge of panic, which makes my mind work faster most of the time. So I looked around quickly and saw the sign. “There”, I said. I pointed my hand towards the door to my right about 6-feet away. And so they went. OMG, what was I doing here? I need to go with them. No, they would know that the person they asked for directions with does not actually know the directions! Of course, I know. It was easy. Just read the damn signboards. Darn it. Who cares? And so I went.

Finally (as in finally), I was at the right room. I saw them there, of course. The girl stared at me and was quite confused I guess. I ignored her. Remember, who cares? Okay, so I waited about one and a half hour before the boarding for my first flight was announced. As usual, I was observing the others while I was pretending to be minding my own. I followed as everyone else were standing up in line. We rode a shuttle bus on our way to the airplane. My seat number was 4A. I was so excited because it was a window seat! I managed to buckle up on my seat without problems. I’m glad that the seat belt was easy. I placed my laptop on my lap, obviously. I didn’t need to put it in the overhead baggage compartment, do I? Anyways, I was unexpectedly calm and comfy during the take off. I thought I’d be scared as hell. Instead, I never felt as fearless as I was with such an out of my norm situation. I just found out that I am not afraid of heights. I love it! So, then for the entire trip, I just kept looking out the window to see the most wonderful sights I’ve ever seen my whole life — the aerial view of the houses, mountains and trees that were slowly fading as we go farther above surrounded by the wide blue oceans. I wished I could reach out my hands and touch the clouds. They’re like big cotton candies. If I was still a little kid, as imaginative as I am, I would probably question myself if it was possible to mix some flavors with the clouds and be eaten like cotton candies or mallows perhaps. *yummy*

The plane arrived in Tacloban about 2:15PM. My mother was already waiting for me at the airport. I just so love my mom. So that was the end of My First Flight. =)