It seems like forever
By solxee
@sol_cee (38219)
Philippines
November 1, 2020 4:18pm CST
As some myLotters know, I’m a teacher working in Japan. Early this year, the Covid situation was rapidly getting worse until WHO declared it as a pandemic. I was worried about my family so I asked my boss if I could get some time off and she allowed me to go back home.
I could book some flights but last minute they were cancelled and I almost lost hope. Luckily I was able to get a flight from Japan to Philippines but it was crazyyyy expensive, mind you. The airports were almost empty it felt creepy; Immigration check was the fastest I ever had but with Immigration officers fussing over you because, hey no other passengers; the few souls on board looking somber as they were fastening their seatbelts but kinda relieved when the plane finally took off. I thought everyone would have been happy having the window seats all for themselves with no one to sit beside them because I was. Lol
Honestly I was too exhausted and too worked up to notice. I was constantly checking the situation in the Philippines and was deeply worried whether the government would declare a lockdown or something like that.
Thinking about it, if my flights were a day later, I would have been stranded somewhere else because right the next day, the government imposed a total lockdown all over the country which lasted more than a month. Crazy luck.
Well, not at all lucky. Some of my cancelled flights weren’t refunded yet but that’s another story to tell. I’m just happy to be back home with my family. I actually don’t miss work but who does? Lol
17 people like this
19 responses
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
2 Nov 20
So although you teach in Japan, you had made it back to the Philippines before the lock down and you are sheltering there? Is there any online teaching you can do?
3 people like this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
2 Nov 20
Nothing like the family. Glad you got home safe.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
2 Nov 20
@sol_cee That's what the family can do together this pandemic, make the precious moments count.
Blessings to you and the family.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
3 Nov 20
@eileenleyva God bless you too (not only with money lolll)
1 person likes this
. It's a strange time in this world, but enjoy this time you are together with your family - they need their mom and you need them 
.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
2 Nov 20
So you were still not required to undergo the 14 days quarantine? We arrived here a few days before the total lockdown in NZ. As a precaution, my younger daughter and her baby and husband stayed in the home of my older’s friend and we stayed in the house with our older daughter. Incidentally, I think it was the flight boarded by the country’s first fatality that we boarded on our flight from Manila to our city. Their flight number to Manila in the morning was PR 243 while ours in the afternoon was PR244. My friend (an engineer) took that morning flight on their way to Singapore with his wife and mother-in-law and when they went back to our city they were monitored daily by PAL and DOH. Our TWG meetings in the coop were postponed too because he was a member like me.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
2 Nov 20
News ran fast in the province lolll because the next day some barangay health officials came to our house and conducted a health check/interview. I was advised to have a house quarantine. They monitored me for 14 days but I didn’t have chocolates for them lolll
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
2 Nov 20
@sol_cee I’m sure I would be anxious too if I were in your place.
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
2 Nov 20
Many other people had this same experience and worse. You are lucky. My country shut down for over six month with many stranded in nearby countries. When they did gain entry all 100% got tested and showed positive.A dismal ending.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12391)
• United States
1 Nov 20
It's a good thing that the travel time from Japan to Philippines is not too long. I visited my family there last year around November, but at that time COVID is just starting to creep around the corner. I am grateful that I was able to spend my limited vacation time as the travel time for me and my husband is almost over a day, what with the time change and all.
This year, unfortunately, we will not be able to visit my parents there. I even told my younger brother, who was finally able to secure a US tourist visa, that we will have to re-schedule his all-expense paid trip here to the US sometime next year if the travel situation improves. I saw the poutiest and saddest expression ever on FaceTime when I told him the news, but we know it's for the best. I would rather have him stuck without his promised trip for a while as long as he is healthy.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
12 Nov 20
I am so glad you are able to be home with your family during the pandemic
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
2 Nov 20
glad 't all worked out ('xcept fer those cancelled flights) 'n ya made't home, hon. very tryin' times. i'd love to've a job myself.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121656)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Nov 20
I'm just happy to hear that through all that, you were able to get back home and be with your family. That is the most important thing of all. Be safe my friend!
