By Karen Galarpe
Note: This has been in my draft folder for the longest time (2010). Just discovered it again today. Posting now to share this funny incident wherein I felt how it was to be a beauty queen for a few seconds. haha!
That is why I always have some emergency food with me: candy and crackers, mostly. Once, when I pulled out some crackers, tea, and some more crackers from my bag, my seatmate at work said, "Ay, ang daming baon," then we both laughed.
Last month, I found myself in Bangkok to cover an event for the online publication I work for, and I stuffed my bag with some emergency food.
I'm glad I did, because the ride alone from the airport to the hotel was about an hour through Bangkok's famous traffic -- "worse than Manila's", someone said -- and I haven't had my afternoon snack. So I gobbled up one candy after another while the rest of the media people I was with slept in the van.
The next day, we were supposed to ride a tourist bus to take us to Chao Praya River where we would dine in a ferry boat while navigating the river, passing by important landmarks such as the King's Palace, etc.
So I had a snack before the 5 p.m. call time. I ate fruits from the welcome fruit basket, some crackers, and even the bread roll from the plane which I tucked in my bag "for emergency."
Things were OK until we got caught in Bangkok's famous traffic. I was eating crackers and candies already on the way, but could feel the hunger still.
It took us almost 2 hours to reach the pier, and by then my energy was at a low point.
We were having buffet -- hurray -- that means faster access to energy-giving food.
Alas, we were escorted to a small air-conditioned function room below deck. Though the ferry was big, one could feel the boat swaying and I felt I would throw up anytime soon.
So I ran out, told my hosts I am getting dizzy, and they said they'll put me in a taxi which would take me back to the hotel. I just nodded while one of them talked in Thai to the driver.
On the way back, I was just praying that I wouldn't faint. I was in an unfamiliar place and the driver could only speak Thai.
I munched on some more crackers, had some more candy. Traffic, as expected, was again bad, though it was worse on the way to the ferry earlier.
Midway back to the hotel, I was already curled up in a fetal position and just eating the crackers like a mouse (I can't eat as I felt like throwing up, so I would eat it little by little). I knew I had to put something in my stomach for the energy and to prevent hyperacidity.
We reached the hotel, finally, at around 9 p.m. I was surprised I could still walk. I headed to my room and promptly called room service for a cup of hot soup and a ham sandwich -- the lightest meal I could see on the menu.
In my pajamas, I just curled up in bed. Had no appetite at all anymore.
Then the doorbell rang and as I opened the door, the room service man greeted me with, "Good evening, Miss Philippine! How are you today?"
For the first time in 2 or 3 hours, I smiled. But of course, how can you not smile when someone equates you with Venus Raj? hahaha
So I said, "Oh, I'm sick. I don't feel well."
The man said, "You don't feel well? You go to the doctor?" He sounded concerned, while wheeling in a cart which serves as a table, topped with a pretty red rose and my order under a silver cover.
I shook my head and said, "I'll be OK."
And he parked the cart in front of the TV, took the silver cover with a flourish just like they do in the movies, to reveal [drumroll] ... tadah! My ham sandwich. The consomme soup was in a pretty little bowl with a cover too, and seeing everything look so nice made me feel a little better already.
He said he'll come back later when I'm finished. I thanked him.
Since it was already 9:30 p.m. by that time, I couldn't eat much anymore -- nalipasan na ng gutom. I finished the soup, took 2 little bites of ham sandwich, and nibbled on the french fries, smiling to myself. "Miss Philippine!" hahaha
Tomorrow would be a better day for this Miss Philippine, I thought. But first, rest and beauty sleep on the agenda.
Have a great day!
BOOK OF THE WEEK: Reading these days "Gilda Cordero Fernando Sampler", a collection of some of her essays, short stories and speeches. Her writing was so flawless, and her essays are my favorites. Such a talented writer. I've seen her in some events before, and now regret not having the guts to have had a photo taken with her.
VERSE OF THE WEEK: As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. ~ Proverbs 27:19
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