The Flight That Was

I don't know how it had happened, for the first time in 12 years of traveling I missed to look the right date of my flight. I was supposed to leave a day earlier than I thought. This so freaking strange to have happened thinking I was even the one who chose the dates of my flights for booking and this was my third travel of the same route and time slot.

It was my fault. I was too confident that everything was fine and didn't bother to check my ticket days before the flight. My nonchalance has taken its toll on my holiday budget. I had to buy new tickets for both local and international flights. What a mess, it cost me a fortune.

On the eve of my assumed departure I was still busy packing the last few things that I had to bring to Africa. I got tired of the boring routine so I thought of taking a short break by checking-in online. I couldn't believe what I discovered. I was supposed to leave for Manila in the morning of that very day to catch the flight for Dubai later in the afternoon. WHY? It was a shock of my life. I felt like the sky was going to fall on me. I closed my eyes and tried to regain my composure and sanity that's left in me.

I had to think of a plan. I should be able to leave on the following day. I must or I would be charged for AWOL.

I called the office of Emirates airline in Dubai for a possibility of ticket re-booking as Manila office was already closed. I waited for 10 minutes before that cacophonous answering machine diverted me to a desk clerk who spoke English with an Arabic accent. He also told me to wait and it was like forever. He came back after an agonizing 15 min. and said that he had already booked me for the next day's flight and I must go to an Emirates counter in Manila to pay the 100 Euros no-show fee. That was fine with me as long as I can leave.

Next, I called Airfrance in Paris for the re-booking of my connecting flight to Bamako. There was no problem. My flight was re-scheduled without penalty. It was 12 midnight and I was not yet done with packing. I had to get some sleep, so I did. This is one thing I like myself I can sleep over worries and problems.

I woke up full of hope. We left for Cagayan de Oro City early in the morning to give us enough time to settle my flight for Manila. On the way I called the Emirates office in Manila to confirm re-booking that was done in Dubai. I thought the ordeal was almost over but it was not. I was told by the clerk that my ticket has restrictions: it can't be re-booked and it's non-refundable. All I could do was to sigh. I have to take the consequences of my own folly. It can't be undone anymore.

To add insult to injury, my PAL ticket for Manila was also forfeited. It too has restrictions. Damn, this promo tickets. It's cheap but you must be very careful not to violate any of its restrictions, not one or you'll end up buying another ticket.

We went to find a booking agency to resolve this ticket story. I paid about a Thousand Dollars for all. It was a mixed feeling of relief and dismay that I felt like jumping off the bridge and just perish...ha, ha. What a costly lesson in life.

I reached in Dubai airport with the happenings of the day still milling in my thoughts. I look around the shops while waiting for my flight to Paris. I saw a laptop of a good brand. Damn, I remembered again the money wasted for nothing. It was worth to buy the good brand. The one I'm using now is just of a so-so brand because I was saving. Saving for what, for the rainy days? No, it’s for days when my memory will fail me.

In May I will be going home again taking the same itinerary. Never will I forget again because the first thing I will do upon my arrival is buy a white board slate and hang it on the wall of our kitchen. I will write in bold capital letters the date of my departure.

Alas, sometimes shit happens in life.