Pampanga - Languages - http://maxpages.com/pampanga/erniet55

Subj: Six Days in Peking
Date: 3/25/2004 10:38:46 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: EITURLA
To: CFAA@yahoogroups.com

It was history-in-the-making --- an undertaking never before achieved in the annals of Oregon Fil-Am's endeavor. For its record-breaking feat, it fitted no less than an honorable mention in the Guinness. Now, just what is this thrilling and glorious event that makes us beat our chests, growl in triumph and beam with pride? The answer, my friends, is in the paragraphs below.

On March 16 (same date as in 1521 when the Philippines was discovered by Magellan), a group of "young" Filipino-Americans living in the Portland area set out on an adventure to Beijing. The group was composed of people among Fil-Am's finest -- Simeon Dacanay Mamaril, Christopher Leung, Francisco and Flordeliza Irlandez, Jaime and Adoracion Lim, Jesus Osilla, Marietta Bonifacio, the Macalino siblings (Fe, Filipinas and Fernando), Carlos and Luisa Catala, Jose and Linda Catala, Ernesto and Angela Turla. Seventeen in all! The biggest Fil-Am group in the history of the northwest to go on an adventure to a city that used to be behind the Bamboo Curtain! It consisted of folks representing various associations including PACCO, NaFAA, FANHS, Fil-Am Association of Portland and Vicinity, Fil-Am Friendship Club, Fil-Am Veterans Club and the AGUMAN.

The idea of a trip to China was not on our calendar five months ago. It all started with small talks over a cup of coffee about travels. My wife's penchant for travels redounded to her contacting travel agencies. Having just recently been with me , her sister, Claire, and Mr. Mamaril to Russia and other countries that used to be behind the Iron Curtain, she and Mr Mamaril suggested a trip to another forbidden city, Beijing. The plan reached the ears of Chris and Jimmy and the others, and before long, several others including me got interested in it and allowed ourselves to get involved. So, we lost no time renewing our passports, and applying for Chinese visa.

We took different planes. Four of us (Chris, Sim, Flor and Frank) drove to Seattle and started their flight there. Eleven of us took a flight to San Francisco and from there flew with 2 others (Joe and Linda) to Tokyo where we all regrouped. Once in Beijing we joined a group tour that included many americans from different states. We stayed on the 11th and 12th floor of the Jing Guang New World Hotel for six days and five nights. We were drove around in two large buses and we got to see Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, etc. The weather was bright and clear, but we still had to wear our coats as it was kind of cold. And yes, Chris was so handy with his skill in Chinese and without him some of us could have easilly gotten "lost in translation"! The rest could be summed up as an adventure culminating with a walk along the top of the Great Walls - purportedly the only man-made structure visible to the naked eye from a craft in the outer space. It was nice being able to see the city that will be hosting the 2008 Olympics.

We were surprised to see such a beautiful weather waiting for us here - as compared to that of Tokyo where it was raining cats and dogs. Unfortunately, as I write this, it is now raining :)

I'm sure the trip has widened each and everyone's horizon. Hopefully each association leader would disseminate to their members what they have seen in our journey.

Now the members of the group tour are talking about similar trips in the future. Whether this would become a tradition among us, only time will tell. In the meantime, with the exception of Charlie and Baby who proceeded to Korea after the tour in China, we're back in the City of Roses, both reminiscing the great time we had in Beijing, and getting back to our routine chores.

Ernie

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