Dad looks after me!

Last October 25th, I went home to my family primarily to visit Dad at the cemetery. In the Philippines, preparation for Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day) generally involves tomb cleaning or repainting, lighting of candles, and offering of flowers and prayers. And since, due to work related travel, I won’t be able to be home on November 1, the day love ones are supposed to visit the cemetery or mausoleums to honor the departed, I decided to visit Dad earlier. 

So, I booked a bus for October 25^th, 8:30 in the evening. Travel time for my 250 kilometers destination was supposed to be about 6-7 hours. The bus left about 9:30pm, so I should be home at around 3:30am. However, after braving the heavy traffic due to extensive road repairs and construction, the bus suddenly stopped half way, in the middle of nowhere at around 7:00 in the morning. 4 hours after doing repairs, it was declared that the bus was doomed and we have no choice but to either wait for the rescue bus from Manila or take our chances on other buses passing the area.

I was so tired that all I wanted was to be home safely. So, I left all the angry and complaining passengers and I hopped in the first bus that came, though I was told that there were no more seats available and it was a “standing room only”. I said it doesn’t matter. After about 5 minutes, the conductor cleared his seat and offered his chair to me. :)  I arrived home around 2:30pm. Travel time for 250kms=16hours! :(

Anyway, the following day, we visited Dad, had his tomb repainted, and offered flowers and prayers. We visited him again the day after. I left for Manila that same day after waiting for 3 hours for my bus. Since it is peak season, I was not surprised that it was a “standing room only”. After 20 minutes en route, someone got off the bus, and I was offered the seat. :)

Thanks Dad! I know it was you who made sure I’d be comfortable during these times.