My mom is a great fan of PAL-akbayan, the PAL package tours, which include airfare, accomodations, free breakfasts and airport transfers. So when they advertised their new destinations and rates in the papers late last year, my mom reserved for the Cagayan de Oro trip.
It was supposedly a family affair, but one by one, my kuyas and sisters-in-law backed out, and my mom and I were the only ones left. Anyhoo, it was a simple 3 days, 2 nights trip and we left January 9, to be back in Manila on January 11.
A few days before the trip, we found out that CDO's main attraction is Camiguin, which required a 2-hour bus ride from the city, and another 2-hour ferry ride from the port. So that's what we did after touching down CDO. It was already a trip beyond our comfort zone 'cause we were left to fend for our selves. We had to hunt for the right bus in the crowded terminal, deal with the ferry's erratic scheds, and figure out how to get to the resort once we're on the island.
Now, my mom ain't exactly young--she's 70, and I've realized that she's not the same quick-thinking, fast-on-her-feet lady that she used to be. Although she's still bibo (managing to wheedle out the ferry guard's cell number so we can verify the sched for our return trip), she forgets the names of our destinations, and when she alights a bus, or a trike or a ferry, she stands still for a few seconds, not knowing where to go. But don't get me wrong, she's still sharp... she's just not as sharp.
Our Camiguin overnight trip went okay and we got back to CDO without hassles. The next day, we were bound for Manila. A worry-free trip. Or so we thought.
The next day, we woke up to the steady pitter-patter of rain, and foggy skies. Big deal, we thought. It wasn't as if it was stormy. We took a last-minute trip to LimketKai, and noticed that the water was rising--the makings of a flood. Our cab driver informed us that CDO flooded easily 'cause of the Cagayan river--and later, we found out from the radio news, it was also because of deforestation. We also found out that the earlier flights were cancelled because of the fog.
So we went to the mall, and mom, fore-seeing another extra night in the hotel if our flight got cancelled, withdrew from the ATM machine. And whaddyaknow, the machine ate her card. So with little cash, we cut our shopping short, and headed back to the hotel. By this time, the cab maneuvered around main streets because of the impassable floods.
In the afternoon, we still checked out and went to the airport, just in case. True enough, the flight was cancelled, and people were panicking to resched their flights. The day-after flights were full, and mom, using her usual "old-lady" charm went inside the manager's office (after ignoring the guard who barred her way) and convinced the "powers-that-were" that she was too old and penniless to be given a flight after 2 days. Now, these airlines always have "secret" extra seats for VIPs, and somehow, mom managed to get us those seats.
To cut a long story short (ang haba na nito!!), flights were still cancelled the following day. But we managed to withdraw from the bank (over the counter). I was already doing my work (checking scripts) on the hotel's computer. The hotel staff warned us that weather was going to worsen the next couple of days. That's when we decided to take a land trip to Davao, and fly from there to Manila.
Since we had relatives in Davao, we decided to stay there for 2 days before going home. At first, PAL wasn't too keen on the full refund because of our extra-2 day stay, but my cousin told them, "Maawa naman kayo sa pasahero! 70 years old na yun. Syempre kailangan niyang magpahinga pagkatapos ng biyahe from CDO!" Pumayag naman ang PAL.
We left at around 3 pm and arrived in Davao at midnight. During the trip, I could see how mom was so tired and cold and dizzy (from the zigzags). Clearly, this type of adventure wasn't suitable for her age. I even put my feet on hers 'cause they were freezing.
Our cousin picked us up from the terminal and when we got to her house, we tumbled into bed, exhausted.
The next day was fun. We met with other relatives, shopped, and ate galore. We were taking the last flight the following day so we could have more time for lakwatsa.
But lo and behold, the next day, my cousin came down with fever and we were stuck at home. So bored. My mom and I took a cab to Aldevinco and she bought some pasalubongs, went home then waited for our flight. PAL called to inform that the flight was one hour delayed. So we waited some more. Finally, we went to the airport after an early dinner, and boarded the plane at 8 pm. We got home at midnight.
And that's how our 3-day, supposed "ladies-who-lunch" kind of trip (no surprises, no effort) turned into an almost week-long "on-the-go, go-with-the-flow" adventure. I've pictured taking this kind of trips with friends, not with my mom...who, strangely enough, enjoyed the whole experience, relishing the much-needed "bonding time" with her not-so-patient and quick-tempered daughter. Thanks, mommy.
