My POE Experience (July 5, 2008 - Saturday)

[timcass_12 5]

I left the Philippines last July 5, Saturday and this is my POE experience -

0700AM: My family and I arrived at NAIA

0830AM: I went inside the airport to check-in my luggages. I told my family to wait for me as I'll be going out still to spend some more time with them before I leave the Philippines for good. I have 2 luggages. The big luggage holds my clothes and the smaller one has my shoes in it. I also have 2 carry-on bags which is a body/messenger bag that carries our documents including my passport and K3 visa packet. My other carry-on bag is a hand-bag that has my bible, a book that I planned on reading all throughout my flight, a spare blouse, sock and underwear. I also brought with me a traveller toothbrush, a tiny toothpaste tube, wet wipes and some dark chocolates and gums to chew on when I'm bored and hungry.

My checked-in luggages weighed 20 kilos each which is a total relief for me since I brought a lot of stuff and until it was weighed I really thought that I'll be paying the excess baggage fee. Good thing I found out the day before I left that China Airlines changed their allowable luggage limit to 23 kilos each which enabled me to unload some of the other stuff that I originally packed. I saw a couple of people who transferred some of their stuff on their other luggage just so they can distribute the weight. Anyhow, the lady at the China Airlines express counter asked to see my K3 packet before she gave me back my passport, ticket, boadring passes and the baggage claim stubs. I actually forgot to request for an aisle seat because there are so many people in line and I was in hurry to get out of there so I can see my family one more time before I pay the terminal fee.

0915AM: Done with luggage check-in process. I immediately head to the exit door. At first the security guard wouldn't allow me to leave the vicinity and kept on asking why I wanted to go out again when I've already checked-in my stuff. I told him I'll just hand over my mobile to my sister and then I'll go back as quickly as I can. I asked him if he needs me to leave my boarding passes/luggage claim stubs with him but he said it's alright just return immediately as the lines are starting to get longer and it may take me a while before I can get in again which is enough to missed my flight. Duh! I know he just made that up but I know better ... I spent another 30 minutes with my family and was holding back my tears because I hate goodbyes and It will be more difficult for me to leave if I see them crying. Good thing they also held their tears and we just spent the entire time hugging/kissing and saying take care and God Bless to each other.

0945AM: I went back to the airport. Paid the terminal fee (Php750.00). I bought a bottle of Absolute drinking water at one of the stores inside the airport and guess what, the price of that tiny bottle is 1.57 USD absurd! Anyhow, I stayed at one of the lounges in there and waited until 10AM before I went to Gate 3 waiting area which is the designated gate for China Airlines 1055AM flight. I noticed that majority of the people in my flight are Beijing olympic delegates. Our boarding time was supposed to be 1015AM but it has been changed to 1045AM because the plane that we're going to use arrived late. Ugg... 30 minutes added delay is enough to make a lot of people upset including me. But anyhow, it is what it is.

1045AM: Boarding time. I was seated between 2 elderly chinese men. The one on my right (aisle seat) has nasty smelling feet... ugg. The one on my left (window seat) doesn't want to share the arm rest with me which kind of pissed me off but oh well, he's old so I thought It's fine. He can have all the arm rest for himself

1100AM: The plane departs the Philippine soil... sad

1300PM: We arrived in Taipei. The airport is big and is 5x better than the Philippine airport. I almost lost myself because the airport stuff are not that accommodating and ya, they speak chinese so it's kinda hard to understand them. We used sign language I actually just followed the signages which led me to Terminal 2. It was empty when I got there and was a bit scared because I thought I was in the wrong area. Good thing a flight attendant and a pilot came in and all of us took the mini-train that transports passengers from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.

At Terminal 2, I looked for Gate 5 which is the designated gate for flight leaving for LA by 1640PM. It's a long layover so I just waited at one of the chairs there. I was about to read the book I have with me but one of the Filipino passengers approached me and started a conversation. It was his 2nd time in LA and works in a cruise ship.

1545PM: We noticed that the flight schedule on the signage board has been changed to a Kuala Lumpur flight and so we decided to approach the concierge to check where our new waiting area should be. We're led to Gate 6.

1600PM: Boarding time. Flight going to LA.

1620PM: Our plane left Taiwan. 20 minutes earlier than the planned departure time. It was a long flight and so I really forced myself to get some sleep. I didn't have that much sleep eversince I got the text from Delbros about my visa delivery and so I was worn out and practically slept all throughout my flight. It was a good flight actually. The flight attendants were so nice and approacheable. The food was served on time and taste real good. The only problem I had is the defective headset they gave me but it was immediately replaced when I told them about it. I thought the first plane was much better because we have our own individual TV set compared to the one we used for the Taiwan-LAX connecting flight which has one big screen tv for everyone. But anyhow, I woud not have gotten enough sleep if I have my own TV and so it's fine

1330PM: Our plane has landed! I am officially in the United States and I am so very happy and excited to see my husband. It arrived 35 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival and I really hope my husband gets there on time. I am already expecting a long line at the immigration area and ya, I'm right. There are so many people lined-up and all the immigration lanes are crowded with people from all over the world. I literally run out of the plane, used the stairs instead of the escalator just so I can get ahead of everyone but ya, I'm still up for the long wait. I lined up at the visitors lane # 7. There are 3 immigration officers for that lane alone and so I thought It will not be that long before I see my husband again.

My turn has come. I was assigned to a Filipino immigration officer. He said "oh 1st time immigrant" when I handed him my packet. It took me while before he finished asking me all sorts of questions. I thought that if I was assigned to an American (or any other non-Filipino officer) then I would probably be done in 2 minutes. This guy asked me as if I was still doing my interview with the USEM consul Not to mention, he went through my packet for like 5x not minding the long line piling up behind me. He also checked his immigration handbook for something. I guess he's new is why it took him forever before he dismissed me. He wrote July 4, 2010 on my passport and just nodded. I got confused and so I asked him am I done? he said yes, you're fine. Goody! Finally on my last step before I am reunited with my husband.

1430PM: I immediately head to the luggage carousel for China Airlines. There I saw the Filipino guy again, the one I talked to at the Taiwan airport and he helped me load my luggages to my cart. He actually asked if he can hitch with us to his airport while we're walking to the exit door. I was a bit hesitant because he's a stranger and told him I've yet to ask my husband. He probably got the message and so next thing I know, he's gone and took another exit area.

1440PM: I saw my husband waiting for me outside the exit door and it immediately put a big smile on my face. I can't believe what I'm seeing at first. It's a surreal moment and at this point in time, I still can't believe I'm in the US and is finally reunited with the love of my life. It feels so good when you've waited that long.

1600PM: We arrived home (San Diego, CA). He let me open the main door and I saw balloons and ribbons all over our living area. Sweet... He also led me to the kitchen counter and there I found his welcome gift for me which includes a jacket that has San Diego print in it, several types of sunscreen protection because he knows I can't get that much sun due to my skin condition, a necklace, a greeting card and the yummiest box of cupcakes I've tasted ever . One of my happiest days ever...

San Diego weather is just right. It's like summer in Baguio, Philippines. It's sunny yet the wind is blowing cold air. I love it.

[ED*Riza 0]

Congrats! and Welcome to USA!!!

[sj_soulm8ts 0]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thanks for sharing Best wishes and God bless...

[o0pink0o 3]

wow! a pretty detailed one thanks for sharing this and happy reunion with your SO

[mNr 0]

congratulations you made it home safe

[dora2X 0]

congrats.... post ka naman pics... cant wait to see it.

[let-it-be 36]

Welcome to USA!

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

please fill in the poe review on vj too.

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

[vichygurl 1]

hello dear..COngrats and welcome to USA.. I've been waiting for your experienced to share. Good thing you had the flight safe. Have fun and enjoy the moment.

Hope to see you again!

vida

[chris and lorie 0]

welcome here at sunny san diego..hope to meet you soon

['my_destiny' 0]

Welcome to American soil!

[mRs StOcKwElL 1]

Goodluck to ur new life together in US

Edited July 10, 2008 by Rodge & Ninfa

[dbears 1]

I've congratulated you already but CONGRATS again.... wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness.

May God be at the center of your married life always.

[DARUMA07 25]

Very well written POE experience! Welcome to the USA! Hope you have many many years of Happiness!!!!!!!

[MOLEN 0]

Congrats! wow glad you like the weather ..san diego is one of the hottest big city in california. CONGRATS! such a memorable welcome home from your husband.