"Ang sarap kumita ng dolyar sa Middle-East"

"Pare, ang sarap naman kumita ng dolyar!"

Yan ang madalas sabihin ng aking mga kakilala at kaibigan pag nakikita nila ako tuwing ako'y nakabakasyon. Palibhasa nakikita nila kung gaano ako ka-relax kasama ang aking pamilya tuwing weekend o family day kung tawagin. Marahil nakikita rin nila yung mga naipundar ko sa tagal ng aking pagiging OFW sa Middle-East. Natanong ko tuloy ang aking sarili kung masarap nga bang kumita ng dolyar sa Middle-East?

Patapos na ang summer sa Pinas. Ito ang isa sa mga panahon na dagsa ang mga kapwa ko OFW sa paguwi sa ating bayan. Bakasyon kasi kaya masarap mamasyal o mag-outing pag walang pasok ang mga bata. Sa ganitong panahon ako madalas ma-upgrade sa business class kasi palaging fully-booked ang mga eroplano papuntang Pinas; member kasi ako ng Skywards o frequent flyers club ng Emirates kaya priority kami sa upgrade. Ganon din pag pabalik na ng Middle-East pagkatapos ng summer vacation, dagsa din ang mga kapwa ko OFW pabalik sa kani kanilang trabaho.

Papasok na ang buwan ng Hunyo at palipas na ang summer sa atin habang sa Middle-East naman ay magsisimula pa lang ito. Parang ang sarap pakinggan, enjoy sa summer vacation sa Pinas then pagbalik sa work ay summer pa din. 

Ang totoo itanong nyo man sa kapitbahay nyong nakarating na sa Middle-East, itong summer sa Middle-East ay kasumpa-sumpang panahon. Naaalala ko noong nasa offshore ako sa Abu Dhabi maraming taon na ang nakakalipas, muntik na akong mag collapse dahil sa heat stroke. Lagpas 40 degrees Celsius and temperatura at tagaktak ang pawis ko habang nagtratrabaho at sinabayan pa ng humidity dahil nasa gitna kami ng dagat. Naririnig kona ang pintig ng aking puso at medyo nahihilo at nanlalamig na ako. Nag paalam ako sa aking amo para magpahinga dahil baka tamaan ako ng heat stroke na maari kong ikamatay. Heat stroke vs dollar, anyone?

Ngayon naman nasa gitna ako ng disyerto, hindi na masyadong humid kahit napakainit ng summer. Kaya medyo kaya na ang mabibigat na trabaho sa labas wag lang mag sand storm. Pero kanina ay napapalakas na yung hangin dahil papasok na ang tag init dito. Kung 38 degrees ay maalinsangan na sa Maynila, dito sa kinaroroonan namin sa Yemen ay presko pa rin ang aming pakiramdam. Next month ay papalo na sa 40 degrees ang temperatura dito sa worksite ko. Kailangan na ng sunblock at tissue sa work kasi minsan napatak yung dugo mula sa aking ilong dahil sa sobrang init. Nosebleed in summer vs dollar, anyone?

Pagkatapos ng summer dito sa Middle-East ay winter naman ang kalaban namin. Kung minsan ay bumabagsak pa sa 5 degrees ang lamig kaya bukod sa cover-all ay meron ka pang makapal at mabigat na panlamig. Hindi ka na nga magnose bleed pero putok naman ang labi dahil sa tindi ng lamig. Minsan pati coverall na pangtrabaho ay ipinapantulog na rin para may panlaban sa lamig. Cracked lips vs dollar, anyone?

ganito ako noon

eto ako ngayon

Klima pa lang ang pinaguusapan natin. Paano na pag ikaw ay naatasan na magtrabaho sa ibabaw ng storage tank na may taas na 15 metro? Pag-akyat pa lang ay hilahod na ang dila mo sa bigat ng protective equipment and hand tools mo. O kaya ay nakasakay ka sa basket na minsan ay tinatangay pa ng malakas hangin at nakabitin sa taas na mahigit 20 metro. Sasabayan pa ng buwisit na sand storm. Kaya paguwi mo mula sa trabaho ay napuno na ng ga-pulbos na buhangin ang loob ng tenga at ilong mo. Pwera pa yung puwing sa mata. Naninikit rin ang iyung mga buhok dahil sa pagkapit ng buhangin. Hindi ka rin makatawa habang may sand storm dahil sisingit ang mga buhangin sa pagitan ng mga ipin mo. Sand storm vs dollar, anyone?

Ganon pa man, kilala tayong mga pinoy bilang hard-working at matiisin. Kahit araw-araw na pritong manok ang ulam sa mess hall ay kaya nating tiisin. Sabi nga basta may manok at kanin ay mabubuhay tayo. Kahit bawal ang tagay sa worksite ay tiis pa rin tayong mga pinoy. Madalas napakabagal pa ng internet kaya pati mga mahal natin sa buhay sa Pinas ay tiis din dahil pahinto hinto ang chat at skype. Minsan pag bumabaha sa inyong lugar sa Pinas, nagpapanic na ang pamilya mo pero naka-freeze ang FB page mo dahil sa bagal ng net. Slow internet vs dollar, anyone?

Pag minalas malas ay dadapuan ka pa ng sakit. Nandyang magdamag kang may diarrhea tapos hapon pa ang bukas ng clinic kaya di ka makapasok sa umaga. Buti na lang may banyo sa loob ng kwarto namin kaya kahit paano ay madali kang makaraos. Minsan kasi dahil sa gutom kahit may langis at grasa pa ang mga kamay ay kakain na. Ang diarrhea ay para lang sipon kung aming tratuhin. Puede mo inuman ng gamot o wag mo pansinin dahil pakiramdam mo lang naman yun. Diarrhea vs dollar, anyone?

Kamakailan lang ay yumao ang isa kong tyahin. Malapit kami sa kanya lalo na nung maliliit kami. Pero nasa duty ako ngayon kaya hindi ko man lang nasilayan kahit ang burol nya. Ganon din ng iniwan kami ng aming lolong intsik at isa kong tiyuhin na kapwa malapit sa akin. Wala ako sa Pinas ng sila ay yumao. Malungkot kung iisipin pero kaya naman kung titiisin. Missing a loved ones funeral vs dollar, anyone?

Apat na linggo ang aking trabaho pagkatapos ay apat na linggo ring bakasyon; dose oras araw araw ang duty at pag nagka-aberya sa planta ay tatawagin ka pa sa gabi at kung minsan derecho na hanggang umaga ang trabaho. Ilang taon lang ang nakakaraan ng magkaroon ako ng anxiety attack na syang dahilan ng irregular heart beat ko dahil sa panay panay na emergency calls sa loob ng ilang buwan dahil sa mga bago naming kagamitan at makinarya na nagkakaaberya halos gabi-gabi. Minsan kahit walang tawag ay parang naririnig ko ang ring ng aking telepono sa aking isipan at panaginip. Kahit nakabakasyon ako ay parang nagugulat ako pag nagri-ring ang aming telepono sa bahay. Mabuti naman at nabawasan yun ng maging maayos na ang takbo ng mga bago naming kagamitan at makinarya. No day off and 12 hours duty with night call vs dollar, anyone?

Kaya sa susunod na bakasyon ko ay marami akong plano. Kakain kami ulit ng aking pamilya sa eat-all-you-can at manonood kami ng sine sa SM North pag may magandang palabas. Magpapaluto ako sa aking biyenan ng paborito kong adobong manok sa gata at rellenong Bangus. Susundutin ko ng agua de pataranta pagkatapos ng hapunan para makatulog ng maaga. Limang oras kasi advance ng Pinas sa Yemen kaya antok na ang pamilya ko pag alas diyes ng gabi pero pakiramdam ko ay alas-singko pa lang ng hapon. Kahit nakatagay madalas ay alas dose pa rin ako nakakatulog. Pagbalik ko naman sa trabaho, alas-otso pa lang ng gabi ay parang ala-una na ng madaling-araw. Bagsak na agad sa kama. Pagdating naman ng alas-dos ng madaling-araw ay mulat na ang mga mata at naghihintay na ng pagpasok.

Habang nakabakasyon mas gusto ko pa sa bahay lang ako pag weekdays kasama si misis habang nanonood ng teleserye. Minsan kasi pag gumala ay di maiwasan na may makitang kakilala at kaibigan sabay parinig ng "ang sarap talaga kumita ng dolyar sa Middle-East."

Our fourth day - Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Ginza, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Tokyo Tower

Due to Golden Week festival we opted to visit Sensoji Temple and Nakamise as early as possible. Using JR Yamanote line we traveled from Harajuku to Kanda station then transferred to Ginza subway. We disembarked at the last (Asakusa) station and walked around the block to reach Nakamise.

We arrived at 8:30 am and surveyed the place. We started searching for souvenir items such as katanas and ref magnets but many shops were still closed. Nakamise is simply a narrow road leading to Sensoji Temple entrance. What makes this road prominent to tourists are the shops lined-up on both sides selling local souvenirs items, pastries and delicacies and other tourist knick-knacks.

Nakamise

expensive crispy rice cakes with free taste

kimonos

some masks

expensive katanas

some ref magnets

We loitered for an hour before proceeding to the temple. To be honest, after visiting some of the magnificent Buddhist temples in Bangkok in our previous trips, we realized that there was nothing spectacular here at Sensoji Temple if I may say so. Anyway, we had some photo-ops and bought 6 pieces of Takoyaki Balls for 500 Yen. Their Takoyaki balls were relatively huge compared to Takoyaki Balls being sold in Philippines.

food shop - Takoyaki balls

huge Takoyaki balls

Soon afterwards we decided to leave the temple and strolled back to Nakamise. We bought several custard flavored Mochi Balls and noticed that all the shops have opened. We checked for the price of katanas and found them too pricey thus I opted for mini-katanas for 3,800 Yen while the wife bought a yellow lucky cat ceramic figurine and several ref magnets for her collection.

entrance to Sesoji Temple

Sesoji Temple

with wife and cherry blossom

Rickshaws near Nakamise

The crowds started to thicken at 10 am. It was pretty difficult even to cross the road and accompany my wife on the other side. Due to suffocating crowds we decided that it was time to leave the place. I don't know how this place can hold this sea of tourists and devotees. In fact when we reached the subway station, trains were still arriving full of passengers. Fortunately we were ahead of the packs.

Uniqlo at Ginza

From here we traveled on the same subway line until Ginza station. Upon reaching Ginza we searched for the biggest Uniqlo store in the world. Yes, we were there to satisfy our curiosity on how huge was Uniqlo and didn't bother to waste our time to drool at signature brands around that area. Armed with pocket wifi from the apartment we followed the GPS tracking until we saw a medium size building. It was twelve floors full of men, children and ladies apparels. We have seen plenty of new models not yet released in Philippines and a lot cheaper. We bought several pieces since these were the only items we can afford at Ginza, LOL. Famished, we left Ginza for Shibuya since we found it difficult to find cheap restaurants in that area. Most food shops and restaurants in Ginza obviously cater to high-end brands shoppers. Nevertheless, we found it strange that this part of the city was almost deserted considering it was Sunday and Golden Week. Perhaps due to astronomical price of global brands being sold in this area mainstream tourists found this place uninteresting.

the price of these coats are cheaper by at least 500 pesos from Uniqlo Philippines - I know because I bought the same model at Uniqlo SM North EDSA

cheaper UT collections

entrance

Surely, prices at Uniqlo Ginza are lower than Uniqlo Philippines.

We traveled back to Kanda station and transferred to JR Yamanote line back to Shibuya station. We dined at an unknown generic restaurant inside Tokyo Plaza. I asked for rice omelet while the family settled for something "foreign." They asked for Spaghetti Bolognese and burger Japanese style.

The Famous Shibuya Crossing

STOP

GO

with Hachicko

they really love Hello Kitty

After a filling meal we explored Shibuya and searched for the famous Hachiko statue. We watched as well the pedestrians at the famous Shibuya crossing. We didn't explore the surrounding area since we need to conserve our energy for Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park. In addition, Shibuya seemed like Causeway Bay of Hong Kong thus we lost interest in exploring the place.

Yoyogi Park entrance

From Shibuya we traveled to Yoyogi station using the same Yamanote line. In no time at all we were searching for the way to Meiji Shrine. We got lost but again due to ever dependable pocket wifi we found the correct way to Meiji Shrine. It was a very long and tedious walk for the wife and daughter while for us boys it was enjoyable especially due to cool weather.

A shrine is a shrine, no more no less though its architecture is somewhat similar to a Buddhist temple. In addition, it was fascinating to see a dense and huge park right in the middle of Tokyo. Interestingly, we saw an on-going local ceremony which seemed to be a wedding ceremony where all the participants were draped in local dress or kimonos. It was a great photo-ops for us. We spent an hour here resting and enjoying the crisp and cool air.

Meiji Shrine entrance

local wedding (?)

Meiji Shrine

After an hour we decided to go back to our apartment. We trekked back to Yoyogi station and traveled back to Harajuku station. Upon leaving Harajuku station we passed at Takeshita Street. Since it was Sunday, the place was full of tourists, cosplayers and Japanese ladies looking for bargain. You can buy here anime costumes, cheap ladies clothes and accessories among others. All food shops and restaurants were full while some shops were even limiting their patrons to avoid overcrowding. The place is like a first world flea market targeting young ladies. It even boasts a large Daiso where you can buy everything for 100 Yen. Earlier, we bought from here some toothbrushes since the kids forgot theirs.

Takeshita Street

Takeshita Street near Harajuku station

crowds at Takeshita Street during Sunday

Hello Kitty cosplayer

jampacked street

ice cream cakes from mini-stop

After reaching its end we walked back to our apartment which was a short distance down the main road. On our way we bought some ice cream cake for snack. We were all dead tired upon reaching our apartment.

Tokyo tower from Shiba Park

While resting, the family agreed to visit Tokyo tower after dinner. Having rested we left our apartment at around 6 pm and traveled from Harajuku station to Hamamatsucho station through JR Yamanote line. We found a Yoshinoya branch just outside Hamamatsucho station. We ordered rice toppings. Right after dinner we strolled towards Tokyo tower which was at the back side of Shiba Park. Tokyo tower was indeed awesome during night time due to its bright lamps that adorned its structures.

entrance ticket

view from the main observatory deck

entrance

Tokyo tower viewed from ground level

We bought a ticket at the ground floor for 820 Yen each for main observatory deck which was 150 meters high. There is a special observatory at 250 meters high but the ticket is too pricey. We enjoyed the night view of Tokyo city and had a family picture taken at lower level of the main observatory deck.

raw family pic

After an hour we called it a day and retraced our steps back to Hamamatsucho station and traveled back to our apartment in Harajuku.

It was another chilly night and though we were all tired there was a pang of sadness because that was our last night in Japan. We would be flying back to Manila the next day. It was truly a remarkably wonderful and memorable visit to the land of the rising sun for all of us.








Our Tokyo Journals:

Practical tips for Filipinos applying for Japan visa in Philippines
Does your flight lands at Narita airport T1 or T2?
Our first day - Arrival and explore Harajuku & Odaiba
Our second day - Tokyo Disneyland
Our third day - Tokyo Disneysea & explore Akihabara
Our fourth day - Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Ginza, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Tokyo Tower
Our fifth day - Sayonara Tokyo!
Baffled by Tokyo's rail network? Try Suica card.
Big apartment near JR Harajuku Station

Dad's Review - Sending your documents from abroad to Philippines through DHL? Think twice!

DHL is e a global brand when it comes to parcel and courier services. My previous employer's sponsor in Abu Dhabi is an owner of DHL in UAE thus I am not surprised anymore when it has been designated by UAE embassy in Manila as courier for its document attestation jobs thus I hold this company in high esteem until yesterday.

Yes until yesterday, because this morning my patience ran out due to grave errors that happened in both of their Manila and Dubai Gateway Hubs.

My story goes like this; my company in Yemen sent my working visa through this company. Processing at DHL Sana'a Yemen was quite fast. My document was collected, processed and sent to DHL's Gateway Hub in Dubai on 14th of May. However, it was stuck in this place from 15th up to 19th of May without any given or valid reasons. You may refer to the cropped illustration below:

I was able to monitor my document through the tracking number sent to me by our company's liaison officer. Interestingly, for five days there was no update or movement of my document at their Dubai's Gateway Hub. It was showing "SHIPMENT ON-HOLD."

I started calling DHL Manila customer service center daily starting 15th of May. Their CS representative referred me to a certain Edward who tried to coordinate for several days with their Gateway Hub in Dubai. The reason for the delay given by their Dubai's Gateway Hub was due to lack of direct flight from Dubai to Manila according to Edward. I reasoned to him that Emirates has daily flight between Dubai and Manila if I am not mistaken since I traveled the same route every month. Anyway, I had no option but to accept Edward's apology.

By the way, to save delivery time I informed their Manila's customer service staff on 18th of May that I would personally collect my document from their Gateway Hub at Andrews Avenue near NAIA terminal 3. I need to do this because I have been told that once my document arrives at their Gateway Hub in Manila they need to send it to DHL Express in Angono Rizal for delivery to my place in San Mateo, Rizal. The distribution process might take another day according to their customer service staff.

Unfortunately, on my supposed flight back to my work in Yemen on 19th of May my visa was still at their Dubai's Gateway Hub thus I informed my company to cancel my flight and re-book it on a later date. This time it was Edward who was coordinating this matter with me by phone. He was apologetic and courteous. I reiterated to him that I would personally collect my document from their Gateway Hub in Andrews Avenue to save time since I need to go to POEA to process my OEC on the same day. He confirmed that their system was already showing that my document would be for pick-up and it won't be delivered to DHL Angono, Rizal anymore.

While monitoring my document through DHL tracking system I noticed that it was sent to Manila on 20th of May. I received a call the following day from Edward informing me that my document was already on transit. Again, we agreed that I would collect it personally today 22nd of May.

To save time I woke up early and drove to DHL Gateway Hub at Andrews Avenue for an hour and a half. It was pretty easy to locate their Gateway Hub since it was quite near to NAIA terminal 3. I arrived at their main building at almost 10 am. Their bespectacled male receptionist asked for my tracking number. After some time he reverted back to me and informed me that my document was already on its way to their DHL Express Angono, Rizal branch. I got ballistic and was fuming mad. I threw my bull cap and cursed their nincompoop staff who sent my document to their Angono branch regardless of my repeated request that I would collect it personally - not to mention that their system was showing that my document was for pick-up. I lost precious time and expensive fuels. The guy profusely apologized since it was their staff's fault. He contacted their Angono, Rizal branch by phone and sent emails so as to expedite my document. In fairness, their two male receptionists were polite and courteous as well.

In short, I received my visa at exactly 1:50 pm today. The messenger was ordered to prioritize the delivery of my document thus he was also aware of the complications of my situation. Notwithstanding, I have no more time to travel to POEA to process my OEC today thus instead of preparing for my flight back to my work I need to travel again tomorrow. Moreover, I lost several days from my pay slips; I just hope that my company would not deduct my absences from my payslip since it wasn't my fault.

Due to the nature of their business, it is obvious that their system has been designed to avoid mistake but if their staffs don't follow their established procedures then grave errors will surely occur that will definitely affect their customers. Nevertheless, a complaint handled professionally would reduce the negative impact to their clients.

Our third day - Tokyo Disneysea & explore Akihabara

Armed with upgraded 2-day passport we visited Disneysea on our third day in Tokyo. This theme park is one of a kind thus we made it sure that we would be able to visit this place as well.

Again, we raised the kids as early as possible and took our breakfasts bought from Mini-stop inside our apartment. We followed the same route in going to Disneyland. However, upon reaching Maihama train station we transferred to nearby Resort Gateway station. There are four stations being served by Disney monorail and Disneysea is third station coming from Gateway station. The other two stations are dedicated for Disney Resort hotels. Be aware though that train fare at Disney monorail is 260 Yen regardless of your destination.

Since it was Golden Week and weekend at the same time, the crowds inside Disneysea were overwhelming even at early morning. Unfortunately, Toy Story Mania closed its Fastpass ticket machines for that day so we were left with no option but to fall in queue. To our surprised, Disney Resort hotel guests were flocking to Toy Story Mania in throngs. It seemed all Disney hotels guests were offered free access or Fastpass tickets to Toy Story Mania thus it took us almost 4 hours before we were able to play Toy Story Mania. The wait was unbearable and tortuous but it was worth it. It was the best family game we have played. All of us enjoyed this 3D interactive game. Don't leave Disneysea without experiencing this awesome family shooting game.

After Toy Story Mania, we opted to take our lunch. As usual, everything here is expensive. A set meal would always exceed a thousand Yen.

We strolled inside the Disneysea and enjoyed its different view especially the Mysterious Island. Moreover, we collected 5 fast pass tickets from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea for 4:45 pm.

My family admired and had a bird's eye view of the Arabian architecture and culture while strolling at Arabian Coast while it reminded me of my worksite in Middle-East, LOL.

Mediterranean Harbor

American Waterfront

Lost River Delta

Arabian Coast

Mermaid Lagoon

Mysterious Island

MORE SHOTS

our FASTPASS tickets

ensemble performing at the entrance

What does "S" means at Sinbad's Seven Voyages? Your guess is as good as mine, S means SAGING (banana).

with my first ladies

Since we lost four hours at Toy Story Mania and we planned to visit Akihabara at night time we sadly skipped many rides and attractions due to long queues. Fortunately we were able to avail Fastpass tickets for 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. The 20,000 League Under The Sea ride was equally interesting and enjoyable.

By the way, like in Disneyland, all narrations at Disneysea's rides and attractions are mostly in Japanese. We left Disneysea at past 5 pm and paid another 260 Yen at Disney rail going back to Maihama station. From here we traveled back to Tokyo station then transferred to JR Yamanote line going to Akihabara.

Sun was still hovering above the horizon when we arrived at Akihabara. My eldest son immediately searched Yodabashi Akiba in the area for his Gundam souvenir. We found it at the back of 4KB48 cafe. We didn't bother visit the Gundam Cafe anymore since we knew that they offer Gundam souvenirs at a very steep price.

SOME AKIHABARA SHOTS

VOLKS Hobby shop

inside VOLKS

inside VOLKS

Yodabashi Akiba

my eldest son found it hard to choose his Gundam

the famous SEGA building

4KB48 cafe

"for adult Manga shop"

Pachinko game arcade

sales staff in anime uniform

My kids also entered VOLKS. A hobby shop full of different collectibles and hard to find Animes and Mangas figures. We had a glance at Panchinko outlets and some "for adults" Anime shops as well. I coined them "for adults" since the display outside their shops were not suitable for my kids if I may say so.

We spent a few hours admiring the brightly lit buildings while our eyes feasted on different Animes, Mangas and other related hobby things. My son got himself a Gundam for half-the price in Manila. It took him almost an hour to select his Gundam due to wide varieties and selection of Gundam suits which made his friends drooled upon seeing his pics. In addition, I noticed that this place is not being frequented by Japanese ladies. Most patrons in this area are Japanese men from different age levels unlike in Takeshita Street in Harajuku where most shoppers are young ladies.



Our Tokyo Journals:

Practical tips for Filipinos applying for Japan visa in Philippines
Does your flight lands at Narita airport T1 or T2?
Our first day - Arrival and explore Harajuku & Odaiba
Our second day - Tokyo Disneyland
Our third day - Tokyo Disneysea & explore Akihabara
Our fourth day - Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Ginza, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Tokyo Tower
Our fifth day - Sayonara Tokyo!
Baffled by Tokyo's rail network? Try Suica card.
Big apartment near JR Harajuku Station