February 26, 2014
Vinny here. While Mom and Dad went on a two week trip, let me tell you where I was.
"The Dog Spa"
Well there were dogs there, but I saw no spa. I have never been away from my owners and on my own. usually Lacey is with me. But she is in Nebraska and I am here so there is that.
The place is two blocks from our condo. Its across a bust road, so we took a cab. I went in with Mom and Dad stayed int he cab to make sure he did not drive off. I kept trying to escape out the door when Mom was filling out paperwork. I do not like this!!!! Where are they going?
I had a suite. Well it wasn't the Waldorf Astoria, but it was better than that flea motel we had to stay in Columbus once. And no one was saying "Dead dog walking"
The staff said I was hyper. HYPER? You think that is HYPER? I will show you hyper... all over your leg. Give me a break. Lacey is usually around to regulate me. I was alone... for two weeks, in a foreign land with people who speak a foreign language... and I am HYPER? There were other dogs to interact with but I don't like all of that. i just want to bark...
Since I have no concept of time, 2 weeks feels like forever. Finally, Mom was back at the counter and there was Dad sitting in a cab. They got me home and I decided to take a nap.
and then a few hours later... I woke up long enough to drink some water...
and sleep.......
Pretty much I did that for 4 days... Those $%$^$#^ owners better not leave me again!
VINNY
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Chilling in the Philippines -- OOPS
So we get back to the Philippines.
Customs-- Check.
Passport stamped-- Check.
Luggage-- Check.
Final security-- Check.
into a van we got to take us back-- Check.
Groggily, We got home, and I ordered McDonalds to be delivered and then went to Friday's to say hi to my friends.
after that I came home, ate and we went to sleep. The next morning, Suzy said, "remember to put your passport away." I said I already did. "its not there." What?" Blood pressure starts rising.
"Not here"
"What?"
We are at a simmer... Things start to get more frantic. I start going through everything. No passport. "Its gone."
I can only assume it fell out of my pocket when we were in the van. I have a history of losing things out of my pocket. (Green Bay Packer glove as a youth at Hy-vee West, $100 one day on the east side of Newton, as well as other things) But not my passport.
By this time with still a severe lack of sleep my mind was playing tricks on me. It was like I was recreating in my head that I put it away. or put it in my bag. but it is nowhere. The whole time I was thinking in the back of my mind that it was like an episode of Amazing Race when a team loses their passports. I could hear that zinging background music. I could just picture that a re run of me losing the passport was being played with the passport being highlighted.
Well time to learn how to get a new passport.
It is not easy and the process makes me want to have my passport chained to me.
1. fill out an online application and schedule an appt with the US Embassy.
-- We do not have a printer so I went on a search... I asked the admin office here and the lady took me to an adjacent room and told the staff (apparently) that I needed the CPU. I am working on it and almost done when the lady whose desk I borrowed came over and said, " SIR-- How much longer SIR." She then kept making a motion tapping her wrist where a watch would be. " I have business SIR," I advised I was told I could quickly use it and I needed 5 more minutes. She then stood over me (the Wells Fargo term for this is shouldering) and watched my every keystroke. I get done, finally and ask, " Im done, and where can I print this off to?"
"Sir, I have no printer."
silently to myself I said...
"WHAT?!?!?" "WHAT????" "WTF" No Printer? "WHAT?" "What have I been doing for the last 15 minutes?" "WAIT, WHAT????"
I then composed myself, smiled and said, "Thank you. Thank you very much for wasting my time. I sure appreciate this."
"ANYTIME, SIR!"
Defeated I went back home and told Suzy I needed her help. She got it done and set me up for a friday 7:45 appointment.
2. go to the U.S. Embassy
I did not want to be late so I left at 6 am. I got a cab and told him to take an advised route that should have less traffic. Nearly 2 hours later (should be a 30-40 minute cab ride) I got to the US Embassy. The embassy gives you a 30 minute late window so I was fine. I went through security-- they take your phone and any other electronic devices-- and got a number. I was # 1032 and the sign said -- "Now serving 1001"
I ran the gamut of human emotions. boredom, and then anger with myself for putting myself in this spot, then boredom, then anticipation as it got to 1016, then boredom, then anger, then elation as finally I was called. I get to the window (window 8), and turn in my paperwork. Window 8 takes my info and then advises, " go to window 15 and take this paper there and pay, then go to the air 21 desk and pay for shipping and then come back here with receipts."
Off to window 15... DONE. Then off to the shipping desk. I just shelled out $135 bucks now how much??? "Sir, 65 pesos please." Whew a buck and a half for shipping. relief. Now I am back to window 8. Thanks sir-- now sit and wait. The embassy has a gift shop so I got some pens and a magnet to commemorate how much fun I am having and then it was back to sitting and waiting. finally, around Noon, I got called back up (window 5)for a final answering of questions. by 12:30 I was Out of there!!! Now to find a cab and get home.
3. Go home
I was on a busy thoroughfare (Roxas), but no taxis-- so time to walk. I crossed and tried flagging a cab... some cabbies said too far. Then I was approached by a hotel van that wanted 1,200 pesos to take me home. NO Thanks. Normal trip should be 300 or so. Although right after it I was starting to think twice. To my right were some dogs, seemingly fighting, that turned my stomach... to my left was a deformed guy sitting on the corner with one full left arm and nubs for all other appendages. That was awful. I needed a cab and fast. Just another reason to never lose my passport
Finally, a cabbie stopped and got me back home. In 2-3 weeks my passport will arrive. WHEW.
Well everyone, hold on to your passport. It is sacred. And take care of yourselves.
Chuck
Customs-- Check.
Passport stamped-- Check.
Luggage-- Check.
Final security-- Check.
into a van we got to take us back-- Check.
Groggily, We got home, and I ordered McDonalds to be delivered and then went to Friday's to say hi to my friends.
after that I came home, ate and we went to sleep. The next morning, Suzy said, "remember to put your passport away." I said I already did. "its not there." What?" Blood pressure starts rising.
"Not here"
"What?"
We are at a simmer... Things start to get more frantic. I start going through everything. No passport. "Its gone."
I can only assume it fell out of my pocket when we were in the van. I have a history of losing things out of my pocket. (Green Bay Packer glove as a youth at Hy-vee West, $100 one day on the east side of Newton, as well as other things) But not my passport.
By this time with still a severe lack of sleep my mind was playing tricks on me. It was like I was recreating in my head that I put it away. or put it in my bag. but it is nowhere. The whole time I was thinking in the back of my mind that it was like an episode of Amazing Race when a team loses their passports. I could hear that zinging background music. I could just picture that a re run of me losing the passport was being played with the passport being highlighted.
Well time to learn how to get a new passport.
It is not easy and the process makes me want to have my passport chained to me.
1. fill out an online application and schedule an appt with the US Embassy.
-- We do not have a printer so I went on a search... I asked the admin office here and the lady took me to an adjacent room and told the staff (apparently) that I needed the CPU. I am working on it and almost done when the lady whose desk I borrowed came over and said, " SIR-- How much longer SIR." She then kept making a motion tapping her wrist where a watch would be. " I have business SIR," I advised I was told I could quickly use it and I needed 5 more minutes. She then stood over me (the Wells Fargo term for this is shouldering) and watched my every keystroke. I get done, finally and ask, " Im done, and where can I print this off to?"
"Sir, I have no printer."
silently to myself I said...
"WHAT?!?!?" "WHAT????" "WTF" No Printer? "WHAT?" "What have I been doing for the last 15 minutes?" "WAIT, WHAT????"
I then composed myself, smiled and said, "Thank you. Thank you very much for wasting my time. I sure appreciate this."
"ANYTIME, SIR!"
Defeated I went back home and told Suzy I needed her help. She got it done and set me up for a friday 7:45 appointment.
2. go to the U.S. Embassy
I did not want to be late so I left at 6 am. I got a cab and told him to take an advised route that should have less traffic. Nearly 2 hours later (should be a 30-40 minute cab ride) I got to the US Embassy. The embassy gives you a 30 minute late window so I was fine. I went through security-- they take your phone and any other electronic devices-- and got a number. I was # 1032 and the sign said -- "Now serving 1001"
I ran the gamut of human emotions. boredom, and then anger with myself for putting myself in this spot, then boredom, then anticipation as it got to 1016, then boredom, then anger, then elation as finally I was called. I get to the window (window 8), and turn in my paperwork. Window 8 takes my info and then advises, " go to window 15 and take this paper there and pay, then go to the air 21 desk and pay for shipping and then come back here with receipts."
Off to window 15... DONE. Then off to the shipping desk. I just shelled out $135 bucks now how much??? "Sir, 65 pesos please." Whew a buck and a half for shipping. relief. Now I am back to window 8. Thanks sir-- now sit and wait. The embassy has a gift shop so I got some pens and a magnet to commemorate how much fun I am having and then it was back to sitting and waiting. finally, around Noon, I got called back up (window 5)for a final answering of questions. by 12:30 I was Out of there!!! Now to find a cab and get home.
3. Go home
I was on a busy thoroughfare (Roxas), but no taxis-- so time to walk. I crossed and tried flagging a cab... some cabbies said too far. Then I was approached by a hotel van that wanted 1,200 pesos to take me home. NO Thanks. Normal trip should be 300 or so. Although right after it I was starting to think twice. To my right were some dogs, seemingly fighting, that turned my stomach... to my left was a deformed guy sitting on the corner with one full left arm and nubs for all other appendages. That was awful. I needed a cab and fast. Just another reason to never lose my passport
Finally, a cabbie stopped and got me back home. In 2-3 weeks my passport will arrive. WHEW.
Well everyone, hold on to your passport. It is sacred. And take care of yourselves.
Chuck
Chilling in the Philippines -- Trip to the USA
I can't believe it has been 2 months since my last blog.
Well today will be doubleheader blog day!
January 31 we left the Philippines to head home for 2 weeks. I doubt I will ever adjust to the flights. it is essentially a 24-26 hour event and 18 hours of that is in the air. EACH WAY. With time adjustments, It makes the trip there a 38 hour day essentially (14 hour difference) with leaving at 7:30 AM and landing at 2:30 pm same day and the trip home a 10 hour day with leaving at 7 am on thursday and arriving at 12:05 AM Saturday.
Flying to DSM-- 4 hours from Manila to Tokyo. Not a bad flight. Good breakfast meal. I watched We're the Millers. Funny. Tokyo airport Narita is nice. They also have the best bathrooms ever. Heated toilet seats, full service bidets. Nice. Then the flight to Minneapolis. It was not as crowded but 11.5 hours is nuts. I like tracking the flight to see where we are... at one point we were going 647 MPH with the wind behind us at like 90 MPH. CRAZY.
My plan on a flight of that length is to get up at least 3 times. We are usually near the back of the plane so it an easy feat to get to the back and stretch. I only got up once in that flight due to the food service... everytime I wanted to move, a cart was in my way.
We got to Minneapolis and it was noon AND WAY COLD. I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt and a smile.Weird to think how we have flown 16 hours and the clock is only 4 hours later.
Then a puddle jumper to DSM. HOME! We went to Dollar where we reserved a car for 2 weeks. The lady there (Alex) was super cool and enjoyed that our story. She then let us choose our car-- we went with a Fords Fusion. They had a brand new taurus, but she said it was rear wheel and didnt want us in that. fair enough. We love Ford Fusions.
We stayed at the Extended stay on Douglas. I liked having a kitchen ... Before that we did stop at wal mart for hoodies, hats and gloves. Warmth. Well after one day of the Fusion, we found out that the windshield washer pump was broken so we had to trade our nice car in for an ok Mitsubishi mirage... Not the same.
Des Moines was great. Great seeing all the people I did. Weather did not disappoint. It snowed and was cold. Thank you, Mother Nature.
after 5 days in DSM, we were off to Columbus, Nebraska, to see Suzy's parents. Columbus is a nice town and we had a great time. After 4 days there... We were off to Colorado, time to stay at Suzy's brother and see my parents. Colorado was great. I like visiting there very much. Although I have a lot of friends in the denver area, I don't think I could ever live there, but its nice to visit. Went to my 1st brewery tour and got to see how beer is made.
--Driving in the US vs. Driving in the Philippines.
Now I have not yet driven here. Probably won't. But its different. People use their horns in America as a way to voice displeasure. They flip people off and have severe road rage. In the Philippines, horns are used as a communication device. "Hey, Im going to cut you off!" "I am on your left"... etc. etc... They will drive 5 wide on a three lane road. Cutting someone off is a way of life on the roads. That could never happen in America. American drivers take everything personal, I am learning from being over here... it isnt personal at all. I hate getting cut in front of, but it isn't personal here. In America a lady was cutting inadvertently ahead of me, and said-- oops sorry-- I am not trying to cut in front of you... I said, "No worries... I live in the Philippines. It happens all the time. I am used to it."
--Flying home
Due to the storms in the South, it affected our flights out. We were supposed to go Denver-Seattle-Tokyo-Manila. Well the first flight was delayed so we had to re-route. Denver-Detroit-Japan-Manila. That added a few hours to our trip. It made the long stretch 13 hours instead of 9 from seattle. The cool part from Detroit was that we went up and over to japan. We went over the North Pole. it was cool looking out the window and seeing that area. No Santa... but potentially saw his workshop...
On that flight I did get up often. One, I needed to stretch. Two, I was on the left aisle of a 3-4-3 rows of seats plane. the two to my left was a guy and 3 year old son from North Dakota. He was of Filipino descent, on his way back to Manila for his Dad's funeral and they had to get up a few times. Three, there were these ladies from Japan behind me who were kicking my seat and being very vocal. After one time I got up -- the lady behind me started acting all crazy-- the one glass of wine she had must have affected her. Well the staff tried to help but she would not be helped. so I stayed back and stood for an hour. There was a tall guy back there and he stood by me most of that time and just read his bible.
We landed in Japan and it was just a short layover to Manila. I had the same seat by the same people on that flight but since there was considerably fewer people, I moved back to an open seat to give them more room.
Someday I will figure out how to sleep on a plane. 40 or so hours on a plane this trip anmd maybe I slept for an hour total. It leaves me a little loopy, which leads to my next blog...
Take care of yourselves everyone and appreciate each day we have. I sure appreciate all of you.
Chuck
Well today will be doubleheader blog day!
January 31 we left the Philippines to head home for 2 weeks. I doubt I will ever adjust to the flights. it is essentially a 24-26 hour event and 18 hours of that is in the air. EACH WAY. With time adjustments, It makes the trip there a 38 hour day essentially (14 hour difference) with leaving at 7:30 AM and landing at 2:30 pm same day and the trip home a 10 hour day with leaving at 7 am on thursday and arriving at 12:05 AM Saturday.
Flying to DSM-- 4 hours from Manila to Tokyo. Not a bad flight. Good breakfast meal. I watched We're the Millers. Funny. Tokyo airport Narita is nice. They also have the best bathrooms ever. Heated toilet seats, full service bidets. Nice. Then the flight to Minneapolis. It was not as crowded but 11.5 hours is nuts. I like tracking the flight to see where we are... at one point we were going 647 MPH with the wind behind us at like 90 MPH. CRAZY.
My plan on a flight of that length is to get up at least 3 times. We are usually near the back of the plane so it an easy feat to get to the back and stretch. I only got up once in that flight due to the food service... everytime I wanted to move, a cart was in my way.
We got to Minneapolis and it was noon AND WAY COLD. I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt and a smile.Weird to think how we have flown 16 hours and the clock is only 4 hours later.
Then a puddle jumper to DSM. HOME! We went to Dollar where we reserved a car for 2 weeks. The lady there (Alex) was super cool and enjoyed that our story. She then let us choose our car-- we went with a Fords Fusion. They had a brand new taurus, but she said it was rear wheel and didnt want us in that. fair enough. We love Ford Fusions.
We stayed at the Extended stay on Douglas. I liked having a kitchen ... Before that we did stop at wal mart for hoodies, hats and gloves. Warmth. Well after one day of the Fusion, we found out that the windshield washer pump was broken so we had to trade our nice car in for an ok Mitsubishi mirage... Not the same.
Des Moines was great. Great seeing all the people I did. Weather did not disappoint. It snowed and was cold. Thank you, Mother Nature.
after 5 days in DSM, we were off to Columbus, Nebraska, to see Suzy's parents. Columbus is a nice town and we had a great time. After 4 days there... We were off to Colorado, time to stay at Suzy's brother and see my parents. Colorado was great. I like visiting there very much. Although I have a lot of friends in the denver area, I don't think I could ever live there, but its nice to visit. Went to my 1st brewery tour and got to see how beer is made.
--Driving in the US vs. Driving in the Philippines.
Now I have not yet driven here. Probably won't. But its different. People use their horns in America as a way to voice displeasure. They flip people off and have severe road rage. In the Philippines, horns are used as a communication device. "Hey, Im going to cut you off!" "I am on your left"... etc. etc... They will drive 5 wide on a three lane road. Cutting someone off is a way of life on the roads. That could never happen in America. American drivers take everything personal, I am learning from being over here... it isnt personal at all. I hate getting cut in front of, but it isn't personal here. In America a lady was cutting inadvertently ahead of me, and said-- oops sorry-- I am not trying to cut in front of you... I said, "No worries... I live in the Philippines. It happens all the time. I am used to it."
--Flying home
Due to the storms in the South, it affected our flights out. We were supposed to go Denver-Seattle-Tokyo-Manila. Well the first flight was delayed so we had to re-route. Denver-Detroit-Japan-Manila. That added a few hours to our trip. It made the long stretch 13 hours instead of 9 from seattle. The cool part from Detroit was that we went up and over to japan. We went over the North Pole. it was cool looking out the window and seeing that area. No Santa... but potentially saw his workshop...
On that flight I did get up often. One, I needed to stretch. Two, I was on the left aisle of a 3-4-3 rows of seats plane. the two to my left was a guy and 3 year old son from North Dakota. He was of Filipino descent, on his way back to Manila for his Dad's funeral and they had to get up a few times. Three, there were these ladies from Japan behind me who were kicking my seat and being very vocal. After one time I got up -- the lady behind me started acting all crazy-- the one glass of wine she had must have affected her. Well the staff tried to help but she would not be helped. so I stayed back and stood for an hour. There was a tall guy back there and he stood by me most of that time and just read his bible.
We landed in Japan and it was just a short layover to Manila. I had the same seat by the same people on that flight but since there was considerably fewer people, I moved back to an open seat to give them more room.
Someday I will figure out how to sleep on a plane. 40 or so hours on a plane this trip anmd maybe I slept for an hour total. It leaves me a little loopy, which leads to my next blog...
Take care of yourselves everyone and appreciate each day we have. I sure appreciate all of you.
Chuck
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