Stress Before Boarding The Plane

September 27, 2023

Later today, I'll be returning home after many years of being away. The reason was unexpected. I'll be attending a wake this time around rather than going on vacation. Everyone is at home, except for me. But tonight, after many years, we'll be complete once again. I had the same mixed emotions when I first arrived in Hong Kong. I'm excited to see my family again after a six-year absence. However, my father is now in his cold casket, which makes me sad. Regardless of where he is at the moment, he will be pleased to see us complete again. I wish I could be so happy. But after his passing, I was filled with worries, especially for my mother.

Back to the main topic stress before boarding.

I got up too early this morning, four in the morning, because I didn't want to miss my flight. I don't want the 2019 flight experience to repeat itself because it wasn't good. I had made a reservation for a cab last night, and he picked me up before 5:30. Around six o'clock, I arrived at the airport and headed straight for the check-in desk.

Due to the desktop I packed in my luggage, I knew I would have excess baggage, but I planned to just pay for it if ever. However, I never expect that there would be that much excess. To be clear, my suitcase weighed 36kg, which was 4kg more than the amount that was needed.

Imagine how stressful it would be to repack and weigh bags to comply with the permitted baggage weight limit. Dealing with the problem, particularly the repacking and weighing, took almost an hour. Thankfully, the staff was kind and provided me with an extra bag so I could hand-carry some and avoid paying for the excess.

When others in the line were staring at me while I was doing these things, I felt embarrassed. I was relieved when the staff considered checking in my large luggage, even though it had one kilogram excess because only 32kg was allowed. She then instructed me to return some items to my hand carry luggage. The bag she gave me was filled with the remaining items. In the end, I was exhausted.

Before going to the departure area, I visited the toilet and found out that I had red spots down there. I got stressed thinking about where I put my liners. Fortunately, it was in my hand carry luggage. Good thing I brought them, otherwise, my underwear will be soaked with red fluid, lol. And it's even more disgusting and embarrassing if I get a stain on my back. I didn't expect it because my monthly period is supposed to be in the first week of the month.

Anyway, despite the little bit of mess, it was still early when I reached the departure area, so I had time to buy some food and have my light breakfast. At 8:30 we started to onboard for our 9 am flight.

I am in Manila as of this time and having my lunch. I had a cup of rice, lumpia shanghai, and a bottle of water. This cost me Php170 or around $3. People talk about inflation. And I guess that's another thing I need to deal with.

I will have a 6-hour layover here because my flight is at 5 in the afternoon. I wonder what I can do within those hours. I hope I could sleep.

Now, thinking about going back to my hometown makes me excited and anxious. I wish I'd have the courage to face them later. I don't know this bizarre feeling. I just don't like it. This is probably the effect of not seeing my family for more than half a decade and their expectations that I might not meet.

That's all for now. My other problem in my province will be, the poor internet connection 🥲. So good luck to me.

(All photos are mine)

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