Francesca in France

french dining: 5 hours, with cutleries, wine glasses, desserts
filipino dining: 30mins, by hand, nescafe glass, sibat na after, no desserts

Our dinner experiences :

Filipina 1: "ang lunch at dinner dito titz parang NOVENA
mag lunch lang ha from 1 pm until 5 pm normal ba yun?"
Me:HAHA
"sa atin pag ubos na kanin ulam sibat na ! sa kanila may dessert pa wine fromage kape biscuit at ll takes 1 hour to finish!"
"alam ko yan, nasa blog ko yan, french dining, hahaha"
"experience ko ang nasa blog mo TOTOO PALA TALAGA"
"dami kasi talk talk BESIDES, nasa bahay ka ni queen mother kaya dapat behave, lol kape lang yan, three hours minsan, dami katsikahan"
"OO ha kape lang naku hahhah la akong masabi hahah"
"kasi once a year lang kung magkita, naipon ang tsika! lol"
"masakit na pwet ko kaka upo at masakit narin panga ko kaka smile at pa cute
kasi raw pilipina MAGANDA"
"ah, compensated naman pala ang ngiti mo ala miss universe for five hours eh, pilipina maganda, yehey!"
"hahaha representing Philippines!lagi sabi elle est jolie"
"korek"
"alam mo yung Jolie?
"JOLIE means pretty cest jolie, elle est trés jolie"

"sabi ko hindi napo juli august napo ngaun"

Girls, I have my jaws hurts laughing. And You?

Margie ,18 and Jojo,17 will be soon in France with Mama. Yeheeeeyyy!













The letter came last week from Prefecture(Immigration) informing me that their visa to come to France had been approved, Wo ho ho hohoooo! The letter mentioned that they will send me another letter to instruct me what to do next. Before that:
Here's what I did to apply (Last Oct 2005) their visa (long stay) in France. I passed kilos of papers to prove that Michel and I can cope up their stay financially without depending to the State's budget. Tough work..!

Documents of Regroupement Familial in Petition of Children(or spouse) to France
To present Original and Photocopies:

Temporary Residence card(one year residence pa lng ako non, Oct 2005)
NSO copy Marriage Contract (translated in French)
Birth Certificate NSO Copy of applicant and beneficiaries)
Family Book
Annullement of previous mariage
Authorisation of other parent consenting the travel of children to France, certified by Malacanang and DFA)
Latest tax declaration
Income Tax
Work Contracts
12 latest payslips
Work permit in Monaco
Certificate of House Ownership or rental contract (if renting)
All documents will be reviewed by OMI( Office des Migration International)
Beneficiaries must have their passport ready.

Today there's another letter instructing me to attend a meeting of pre-welcoming them, in preparation of their arrival. Meron pang ganon?! They attached the address where to go, on September 27,2006, in OMI (Office des Migrations International) The letter specified "in case I have questions on what my children needs when they are in France."
What I know is they need food, food , food..!I will bring them to Flunch! LOL

The only thing I would like to ask during the meeting is: Can they have free tickets
to go to France? bwehehehe..!

I told my kids and were very happy about it. They asked if they work like Mama. I said, no, you will both study the language for a year, non stop, then go to university to take your desired course. One would like to be a Nurse(or medical secretary), the other one would take Immigration law,(meron bang ganon?) so she can work on embassies.
Good enough, here, universities are free tuition, wag lang sila study in private schools !

I am sooo happy, even danced with Michel..! Tango and cha cha... lol

Wait, I just noticed, I think they were approved because the colors of the background photo is nearly the French flag? ? ? ?! Look up ! LOL
Feeling integrated na ba in France? lol
(joke joke joke...)

We owned a parking lot but it is open lot, in front of the building.
A favorite place for dogs to make their wee wee.
Everytime Michel sees the owner of the dogs, Michel would ask them politely to bring their dog somewhere else, not allowing their dogs to do his wee in his car's tires.
They dont even answer to Michel and moved on.
Cochon sila!(Pigs sila!)

Today, nahuli na naman siya, allowing her dog wee-weed in the tires.
Michel was so mad he shouted to the lady: "Ow, ow, ow, your dog, keep him off my car."
The lady said: "Its not my dog that did it."
Michel told her: "You liar, I have my wife as a witness, that your dog did it look, fresh urine, what is that to you?
The lady was mad too: "No no no, Monsiuer, its not my dog."

Michel cant stand liars, so he told the lady, "I dont mind your dog doing the wee in your own parking lot. Not in mine ! What if I bring the poopoo of your dog to your door, would you like it?"

The lady is a fighter, she blah blah blah to Michel.
I am next to them,but I dont want to butt in.
Now,here comes her brother telling off Michel face to face !
"Arret ça! çava?!!Hah!?"(Stop it, okey, hah?!)
Huh, I looked at them and it got me angry too, I took my camera and took his photo! Loko ka! Click click!
Michel didnt answer him , went into the car thinking, no point of arguing to these idiots. He didnt knew I took a photo.
The lady told his brother that I took a photo.
He wanted my camera but, I went inside our car and locked it. Bleeeh !Mind you, I was trembling, as I am not used to fight!

The brother was so mad, telling us his name is so and so and he is not afraid of the photo taken.
Michel said: "Oui çava alors..."(its okey then) and drove off!
We saw them really mad, kicking other cars! LOL

One way to shut them up and beat them! LOL
Yan ang Pinay...Bilis reaction...
Whos right, who is not, but I have HIS photo. Nya nya nya nya nyaaahhh!

My daughter send this to me. Excuse to those who are eating. But this story is a must read. After you eat your meal, not before, LOL

Subject: WHAT U GET WHEN U LICK A
FREAKING ENVELOPE!

A woman was working in a post office in California.One day she licked the envelopes and postage stamps instead of using a sponge. That very daythe lady found a cut on her tongue. A week later,she noticed an abnormal swelling of her tongue.She went to the doctor, and they found nothing wrong. Her tongue was not sore or anything. A
couple of days later, her tongue started to swellmore, and it began to get really sore, so sore, that she could not eat. She went back to the hospital,
and demanded something be done. The doctor took an x-ray of her tongue and noticed a lump. He prepared her for minor surgery. When the doctor cut her tongue open, a live cockroach crawled out!!!!

There were cockroach eggs on the seal of the envelope. The egg was able to hatch inside of her tongue, because of her saliva. It was warm and
moist... This is a true story reported on CNN

Andy Hume wrote:
Hey, I used to work in an envelope factory. You wouldn't believe the....things that float around in those gum applicator trays. I haven't licked an envelope for years!" I used to work for a print shop (32 years ago) and we were told NEVER to lick the
envelopes. I never understood why until I had to go into storage and pull out 2500 envelopes that were already printed and saw several squads of cockroaches roaming around inside a couple of boxes with eggs everywhere. They eat the glue on
the envelopes.

Yan,careful, my readers ha?Baka totoo, ewan...

August 25, 2006:
Today I went to the hospital in Monaco because I felt I had "it", I saw lumps in my throat. I went to ecography scan, then to a throat , ears and eye specialist. I got a "calcul" (stone), an infection in my "saliva glands ".I took some medicine and in a week, I ll be okey. Hopefully.

I asked Michel if maybe, I got larvae of cockroaches too.
He said angrily: "Here is my swiss knife, I can open the lump now to see if you want!
"Hmp,I cant make a joke to Lolo..!

Our phone rings...
Allo !
"Teng pautang!"

So I got it, my sister(s) calling me from London.As usual, we greet each other: TENG PAUTANG ! After a few how-are-yous and hows-the-weather ,she ratatatat a funny story.Take note,girls, that with the Brits, they always have proper decorum, well breed, and refined manners. That's their culture.

Sister said: At Earls Court, London,at a stop light,its red light so all pedestrians stopped, mostly Brits to cross the street. In the middle of them a filipina was shouting to another filipina across the street.
The Brits were shocked ,almost jumping, asking themselves, where did they come these lots!
Here goes the shouting discussions :
"Oy, Edna, dyan ka pala, ano, birthday ko bukas, punta ka ha?"
"O sige, teka ano cellphone number mo?"
(The shocked brits were annoyed , but kept quiet!They must be thinking: " no breed, earth people,no manners! ...)

She shouted to Edna:"May ball pen ka?"
"Sigaw mo, dito ko ilagay sa cellphone ko"
"Sige, XXX XXX XXX XXX XX. Punta ka ha? Bukas na yon!"
(Everyone got to know her number???! )LOL
"Eh teka, ano dalhin ko?" She shouted back.
"Bahala ka na, Sinukmani kung meron, okey na yon."
"O sige"
Then comes the green light for the pedestrians. The two filipinas just wave to each other goodbye and went to their destination. Hahaha! Oks na oks! Business made, saves time...
I asked if they were not questioned by the Police nearby?
No, Sister said. "Police here are very accomodating, would even smile back to you" as if saying : GO ON PLEASE YOUR DAY, I say nothing...

In France, you do like that, a french around would say to you:
Ow, ow ,ow, çava pas noh! Quel cochon!
(Ow ow ow, its not right, hah!?) What a pig!

Once, inside a bus, my cellphone rang. I answered: Oy, dumating ka na, kita tayo! Saan? Di kita marinig... Hello, lakasan mo boses mo! ANO? HELLOOO..!
The bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of the road and said:
Descendez s'il vous plait!
Baba raw ako! Waaahhh!

Uy pinay ako ha?...

They said:

"Ma,An internet shop of ten computers along Cubao,owned by a Korean was held up by some goons and the Korean shop owner fights for his money and was shot dead.Then the goons took the cellphones of the customers and ran away with other loots.
The internet shop has a video surviellance camera and captured everything !(especially the face of the holduppers ) Eventually, the goons were caught by the Police and was put to the tv news. On screen,the people were so angry that they kicked and punched the goons.Lamog ang nguso!(they all got a smashed faces)"!

I was alarmed.One never knows what could happened despite all the precautions, isnt it?I told my daughter to inquire for the suviellance camera to install in our Shop. She found a good one,colored, with sounds and with night vision. We also have 3dogs roaming around the backyard every evening. All fierce ones, LOL !

So today, my daughter said:
" Every night, before we close the shop, we review the films and we found ourselves laughing at the silliness that goes on in the shop." Look at them, Ma, at yahoo webcam". So Michel and I watched:

Kids (mostly students)would joked at each other, we heard their voices in the film.Pasaringan, LOL
Some would even pull down another boy's pantalon, and we saw in the screen his slip(brief). Then the running OUT like there's a stampede ...Habulan !

The mirror on the wall was the most frequently visited area in the shop , as most customers are teen agers, they passed by the mirror, looked at it and said :" How do I look, guapo na ba?"
(How do I look, handsome isnt it?)


Then the camera captured also who was in the telephone the whole day! JOJO my son! talking to his GIRLFRIENDS! !
AHA! ! !!No wonder, the telephone bills goes high!"more films rolled...via yahoo webcam...

Another one captured scratching own's bottom... Eh?
My daughter announcing to a kid: "Put first your shirt, then you can come in."
No shirt no entry.Hala, there's a law..
Her voice can be heard: " Bawal ang may kulang sa bayad,kung walang pera, manood ka na lang !( no money, no PC! or just look.)"and suffer...?")
One of my children passed by like a Zombie...bagong gising!
Our tiger cat (a la road runner to a rat...)Bzzzing..!Poor Rat !
Mr Magtataho can be heard,calling "TAHoooo!" Day, Kutsinta, PUTO , sama niyog...Tahooooo!(Mr Beancurd (tama ba ito?)seller calling Tahooo!Rice cakes, and...TEKA, ano ba kutsinta sa english?! LOL)
Another cat on top of pc,falls down still sleeping ->to the customer's lap!Gulat ang bata!
My daughter passed by with a plate full of rice! ! ! Olalalahh!
She explained: lunch and dinner combined, Ma ! Ows...
A customer try to sneak out without paying...Oy huli ka!(You're caught!)
More on these story soon!LOL
PS: One of our neighbors' water meter(Kuntador) was stolen last night. She asked if our camera captured the crime... Ngek!
Pati ba naman yon?! !

Michel and I went to Prefecture (immigration) to renew my papers. We were in a queue at 10:30 am and we were following a couple (frenchman,33 and his 23 years old wife a Thai). They were renewing her papers also. So I chatted with the Thai girl while Michel talked to the husband.Her english is poor, and her french is the worst I ever met.Our discussions , as I posted here, all edited for my readers to get the gist of what was going on. I have to wreck my brain to understand her...

Me: how is it to marry a frenchman?
She answered: "Waaah, husband always told me:"
"C'est pas possible ça hah!
Mais non, mais non!
Olalahhh!"
I was laughing loud! Mama mia!
These are the words of frenchman when angry!lol


She said: I left Bangkok, August 2005, I cry - cry in the plane, no eat. Me, sad. Me cry, no see Mama, Papa.( she covers her face with her hand, I thought she was really crying! Drama lang pala!)
But wawa naman!


I asked her in very slow english, about food, cooking, etc etc
She said: "First months, I eat rice three times a day.
"And now? "
" Only two times."
"And husband?"
"Before, Husband eat three times rice also, now eat rice two times."
I burst out laughing again, the people in queue looked at us, our husbands were laughing too.


Then we took our seats away from our husbands and continued talking...
Me: Thais are Buddhist , arent they?
Her: Yes, me Buddhist,husband no. He , no God.(shock!) Me, Buddha, my God. Him, no God! (shock again!)Terrible!
"And how do you pray when eating ?"
"I pray Buddha, him? eat! no pray! Terrible!"
I was giggling, lol! The typical french were put off by religion as if it is a
Plague, LOL But not all ha?


Me: How are your family in Thailand ?
Her: "I missed family. Mama, Papa, one brother. My husband, no visit his Mama, husband Mama lives another apartment next to us!"
Again I was laughing!
Its true, the french has no sense of family togetherness, ! They like to see families, but they feel better without seeing themMind you, Some does, some dont.
LOL !
She continued:" Me, I like see Mama, Papa, family. Husband, no see Mama. Only see Mama if Mama call my husband. Only if Christmas and New Year and Birthday!
Now, I was really laughing...


" When you arrived in France, how was it meeting his family the first time?"
Her: "Mama liked me,touched my long black hair. Like I am a Cat, miyaw miyaw!Mammy (the grandmother) also. Pappy also, touched my hair like: me a Miyaw miyaw!"
(reminds me of Marichu, in Metz)


Me:"What food do you like in France."
Her:"I dont like bad smell cheese! Buwarrkk! No like!"(I was afraid she really vomits in the seat, ka drama lang pala!)
Me:" I would like to have a KFC chicken later ,after this..."
Her:" No speak food, I hungry! ! !"(she touched her stomach and cringed)
"You like we can buy drinks in the machine?"
"No, me , like eat rice and meat..."


It was 1 PM and she called her husband from her seat:
"François, I want eat!" .
Michel was shocked! LOL
Husband : "later, we are next, so wait, then we go to restaurant."
"Oke! I like restaurant with rice. I want eat rice!"
Husband : shhhh!
Michel had to go out of the queue and laughed in the distance, LOL


That was a day for me and Michel. Na culture shock si Thailandaise!


Girls,how's your first days in Foriegn land? Culture shock din ba?

Ma tag nga CoPinays sa France!
Ana in Dijon,France
Haze in Marseille,France
Lucille in Paris,France
Makis in Marseille France
Kwento nyo to sa blog nyo ha? Just copy my kestions! Salamat nga madamo!

Eto sa akin: I was culture shocked first time I landed in Rome Airport for a flight to Nice,France, we were inside a shuttle bus, and when I looked up: Black People were around me ! I cried:

Nayyy,MOMOooo!

First news: Prefet Chef du Bureau de la Circulation granted me my French Driving Permit!Aie aie aie! They trusted me? Mama mia! Girls, when driving in Nice, and see me in the road, careful. Avoid me in the road, hahahaha!


Second news: August 17 is our marriage anniversary. Two years! Two years of suffering, haha! The day is the renewal of my Residence Card.The lady congratulated us (for staying together, two years,) and Michel joked to her: "Is there any cake and champagne offered by the State?"
The Immigration personnel laughed!

The papers needed to renew Residence card to stay in France are:

Latest Tax declaration 2004 (must be joint husband and wife)
Passport, 3photos, my latest 2 payslips, contracts of work(long term), Permit to Work in Monaco, SSS( Monaco).

Michel's form of income :Retirement papers and a certificate from Monaco Govt that he retired offcially,(July 2006) the retirement payments dossier, national identity card.

Livret de Famille, Telephone bill
Bank Rib, (must be joint account)
55 euros stamp
and presence of husband to sign communaute de vie (that we are still living together)

I signed the récépissé,valid three months. Then sign more papers. I wondered why so many documents needed, when I just renew residence for another year.And why temporary card? When I asked the lady, she said: this récepissé (temporary card) valid for three months is for you to carry, until such time we send you a letter (approx one month)to get your: Ten Years Residence Card.

I was surprised! I will have my ten years residence in France! Wohohohohoooo!
Lolo was surprised too. We thought, I will have it after five years(of suffering, hehe) !

Comments from Michel: "Now, I cannot say anything in the house...Or else I had it!"(di na raw ako mabasta basta! lol)
The lady smiled and said: Sir, she has the rights for ten years residency after two years of marriage...
Bah, some Pinays here are not given ten years carte de sejour,after two years married!

So, thats it! I passed my French Driving Liscence and I have the Ten Years Residency in France. Good eh?

Here are the photos of France Immigration Office( for residents under Departemental Alpes Maritimes).Both bureaus are for Legal Papers to stay in France and for French Driving Liscences.






I feel I am floating... smiling... dancing... Haaayy...!!!
Nice feeling to be treated as a Human Being...

I been knowing Cory since 2002, through
Dutched Pinay
. We started emailing, chatting, visiting Asawa forum,exchanging spiritual values, until such time that she finally find a man of her dreams, came to Monaco, stayed three days, and arranged to see us for drinks at Cafe de Paris, Monaco, Montecarlo.
Her fiance's name is also Michel, and he is a very nice Frenchman from Paris. Cory landed well eh? Cory, huwag mo na bitawan yan, swerte mo na dyan, hahaha!


Click for more!

We are now in Nice, France. At last, back to civilisation, LOL

But, I would like to post , whats up when we travel, because some might want to know how strict it is now at Airports.

Manila Airport:

1.We get in at the entrance of the airport, departure area, and the entrance guard checked our plane ticket, if its our day of departure, if not we cannot get inside.
2.Then we passed our luggages to the scanner, and Michel started to complain of stripping off everything (belts, shoes, watches, celphone, camera).
3.Next, we fall in line to the Emirates booth to checked in our luggages.There were lots of passengers,(a hundred more in queue with two hours left to fly) mostly filipinas going to Dubai. As we did our online checking in via the net, we were accomodated on another counter,nearby the queue of a hundred passengers. Thats the goodness of knowing the airlines' services, we took advantage of this online checking in, without in queue for three hours!

The flight attendant said: "Ma'am, too many stickers and stamps on your passport, I cannot find your residence card, which page is it!"
I told her, to give it back to me, so that I can show it to her. But she wanted to find it herself, so at last, after flipping all the pages, she found it. The day of our departure was Auguqst 13, and my residence card to stay in France expired on the 17th August. That made her stopped, checked, and looked at me, and then think again, until she realized, I still can go back to France, my papers are still okey until the 17th.

Hehe, I was sure of it, ma cherie.

4.Then time to weigh luggages. She announced: excitedly: "Ma'am, excess baggages, you have to pay 500 US dollars if you want it all checked in!"
It irritated me quick! Is she joking or what?!
I asked her, "We are taking Emirates, we are always allowed for 30 kilos each plus 7 kilos hand carry!"
"No Ma'am, your ticket shows 20 kilos each plus 7 kilos handcarry. No more."
"How much is the excess?"
"6kilos Ma'am."
"And I have to pay 500US dollars for 6 kilos?"
"Yes Mam" (with a sheepish grin to taunt me)
Michel butted in: "We are flying, we are not buying the airline company !"
( Michel ever compose but really, it was a shock to him, 500 US dollars!)
So I told the lady: "okey, we will sort out our luggages, we come back later."

I opened all luggages, took the 8 kilos clothes of Michel, (who else? hehe) to leave it to Atty Pulido whom I will call later, as she is living 5 mins away from the airport.

After the sorting out,"I told the girl, here's our handcarry, weigh these all, please."
She announced :"11 kilos Mam."
"And our checked in two luggages?"
"43 kilos Mam, excess of three kilos, but we will accept that, no charge.Laptops not included as they are considered free to go to cabin"

She put all the tags, told me to pay the 200 pesos travel tax, then after showing her the travel tax reciept, she gave my boarding pass. That goonie, if I dont pay my travel tax, she held my boarding pass!

5.We were supposed to get in next to the immigration booth to pay the airport fee of 550 each, when Michel stopped me:
"Isnt it we have to call Atty Pulido for our excess baggages? We cant bring it inside?"
Shh, I told Michel,"I will carry it inside, just look."

So I carried the 8 kilos ,while Michel had the 11 kilos hand carry to the immigration entrance. The guard stopped me. "Mam, this handcarry (8kilos excess)do not have the airline tag.It cant be in."
I said: "Dont worry, guard, I can manage it, its not heavy"... (with an authoritative tone ala Madame( wink)
"But, Mam, you cannot. No airline tag, no entry."
I got irritated, Michel moved on as if he doesnt know me, leaving me to handle it.
I said: "Its okey, Guard, I can manage." Then I turned away and got inside!The guard leave me alone as there's passengers to attend to.
Sometimes it is useful to dress and act as a Madame.hihihi!

In side , Michel was astonished, I got through with the 8kilos excess luggage.
I told him: "Hey, you must pay me 250 USdollars this time, not 500."
He shouted: Didnt I gave you enough!!!

6.We passed the terminal fee booth, then immigration booth,and went inside a gate, another scanning of hand carry bags, Michel stripped off again...his folded scissor was confiscated... and he was ready for a fight, hahaha..calling them robbers ect etc, I had to stopped him. I smiled to the guard (who is ready to held up Michel, and said:"He is just joking ,guard, hehe".

7.After a few walks, another guard to check again our boarding pass. No boarding pass, no entry.No complain also from Lolo.We were relieved, we didnt pay the 500 US dollars!

8.Then, another control of hand carry bags! Michel, ever a french man exclaimed: AGAIN!?!As we were told by the flight attendant: No sharp objects, no liquid, no creams on hand carry, the guard took my EVIAN spray which I always carry for hydrating my face inside the plane.
I told the guard: "ok, you can take it, but let me have a last spray first."Pssk! pssk!to my facen then to Michel's face, pssk !psssk! Then I handed it to the guard.
"There guard, you can have it for souvenir."
He answered, "Mam, maybe you have pesos you dont need, hehe, you can leave it to us for our snacks later? Pleease??..."

I snobbed him.Okey lang siya?!!

Flight (to Dubai )was safe, mostly passengers were sleeping,its 12midnight some were quiet, maybe because some of them are in deep sadness to leave thier families! I heard, a husband called his wife: "I am now inside the plane, please take care of our children,I love you all , see you in three years..."
Ngeeh???!
I remembered at departure time, my children's reactions:
No cry, no sad face, but happy to see us go! Why? Oh why?

DUBAI AIRPORT

After 8 hours, here comes Dubai. Another scanning of my hand Luggage. I passed through but one of my mangoes rolled off the floor!LOL The scanner( Arab girl) was laughing:" hey, your mangoes, dont forget". Then the scanning make a sound! I asked: "What for, I do not have a gold TEETH?" She said, "take off your sandals, the strap of the buckles must have made it." So I passed with my bare feet! Michel did the same. It annoyed him the taking off of belt,shoes, watch, camera,cellphone, keys.

At last, we were in side the DutyFree Shops. I told him I wanted to buy a gold earring and a ring. As usual,he got irritated. Ignoring him, I bought one 22K earring for 32.50 euros and a 22K ring for 49.50 € (at 21$ per 76 gms). In France it cost us triple of the price! Eventually, Michel chosed one ring also. He was jealous, ha ha!How did we pay?No euros, no dirhams, but our Bank card, what else?

We were supposed to go to Gate 13 to take our plane. We arrived in Dubai,at 4:15 am and we still had three hours to wait. Eventually,it was already 7 am, no announcement still , when we can board the plane. So Michel asked the immigration personnel.He said :"here, Sir." Michel told him off,( he is an Indian.)
"Why you didnt put in your tv screen that you are open since 5am, we had been waiting long in the lounge!"
He didnt answer. No signs, nothing, we are waiting for them to open,they have been waiting for us to check in, as we are their last passengers!(tsk tsk tsk!shakes head)

He checked my passport. As usual, if it is Philippine passport,they scrutinized it hundred times.
"Mam, I cant find your residence card."
I said, "look at page 6".
"You dont have a plastic card as French residence card?"
"No, I got sticker card only on passport."
Michel butted in: "she is my wife, she'll get her plastic card after ten years. That is if she stay married to me!"
The officer laughed! He let us in.I answered: "That's why no divorce, within ten years, huhuhu"
Time for Cel, a filipina who was with us. She was held up. Reason, the immigration do not understand where is Monaco.Hahaha! He checked his lists of approved country to go to Europe,called the inside immigration office, to confirm: "should I let her board the plane?" . Then he asked Cel: "Have you been in Italy?"
"Yes, its a schengen state, so I can go to Italy, and if you dont let me board my plane, I'll sue you!" replied Cel.Taray!
"Okey, Mam, you may pass."

The plane was delayed because of us. Thirty minutes! We saw our luggages brought back to the plane! They thought we are not flying, they took it off from the plane. Cel was crying from the plane's window: "Waahh, my red Longchamp luggage, brand new, they just plunged it in. I can see black dirt/ mud now on them...and my mangoes inside, they must be suffering now, with black eyes!"
We were laughing at her agony! I told her:" that's why I hand carry my mangoes!"

NICE AIRPORT
Arriving Nice, at the immigration booth,they are now requiring all non EU passengers to fill up a yellow card. Michel got through,and when it was my turn, the officer said, "please fill up the form, then come back." Michel cried: "What for, she is my wife." The officer said: "The same , she must fill up a yellow card!" Lolo has to exit, I stayed with Cel. We are not french national, so we must fill up a yellow card.Name, surname, country of origin, adress in France ( Monaco for Cel).

Time to get our luggage and get out. The French immigration officers were there again, asking us if we have something to declare. Michel cried: "we got nothing to declare, after the holidays, you think we still got money???!!" I laughed, the immigration officer touched our luggages, in a very serious face, then peeped in my bag full of riped mangoes. If he wants he can have one. Only one, hehe.He let us off.Some passengers , we saw, were opening luggages, as per officer's instructions,LOL !
We moved to the exit.
When I looked back, another officer controled Michel. Asking him the same question: "Do you have anything to declare." "No." "Where did you came from?" "Manila." "Not in Dubai? ""Oh yeah, stop over in Dubai."" Any gold with you?" "No. No gold dentures as well." I have to hold my laughter!

Cel took a bus to Monaco for 15.20 €, while we were fetched by our friend Charly and Rosemarie.
So, girls, thats how strict the airports now. You may call your airline before flying.
All the best!

Whew, long post, soweeee! This is the last line:
When we arrived home, I checked the fridge. The cooked rice I left three weeks ago, was still there.
May bulak na!

Yes, its three weeks! Holidays are over. Times passed by too quick, its time to pack up and go back. And the hard thing is: TO GO BACK TO WORK! Waaah! We fly at 12 midnight today.

I did some shopping. That consoles me, hehe.
At Landmark, Printed dress,800 pesos
( Two printed blouses 100 pesos each.
Michel complained: "What will you do with all that, you got a closet full already in Nice!"
Me: shhh!
At Greenhills: 2 bags 1700 pesos, 2 cotton blouse, 360 pesos,4 panties 50 pesos each,Puma rubber shoes 480 pesos.

Michel: "How about the ones you have at home, they are no good anymore?"
Me: Shhh!
SM Cubao: A linen skirt 400 pesos, 3 cotton blouses 400 pesos each.Rice cooker for 6 cups with Tefal 670 pesos, travel boiler 229pesos,travel iron 500 pesos

Michel: "Come on can't we find it in France ?!"
Me: "No, none in France..."

Ali Mall Cubao: Embroidered skirt, 375 pesos, a embroided printed blouse, 350 pesos.
Michel: "AGAIN"?!

For my vanities:
Sunsilk shampoo for black hair 99.75 pesos each 4pcs
Creamsilk Conditioner for black hair 100 pesos each4pcs
Kankunis tea for slimming 239.75 pesos each 10pcs
Hair spa treatment: 450 per one liter container2pcs
Magic Cream 799 pesos 2pcs

Native Shop: Rattan plates for picnic 11.20 each

At the Market today, day of our flight:
Two kilos of mangos(60 pesos a kilo)
One kilo of Lakatan bananas(15 pesos a kilo)
3pcs huge avocado 20 a kilo
No more space in the luggage! ! !

(Michel is as usual (blah blah blah)!!!)
I answered: "No, mon cheri, my shampoo and conditioners are not chemical bombs ,will be approved to France, no denial at immigration."
"No, my bananas , mangoes and avocado are for personal consumption so its okey."
"No, my bags are not Louis Vuitton, so they can get through."
"No, my rattan plates are good for picnic, I will not leave it here even Summer is gone in France."
"No way, I will NOT put my laptop to checked in luggage, I will hand carry it..!"

So I packed them all, locked the luggages, away from his sight, or else, he will controlor throw them all !lol

Eniweys,I enjoyed the laughter with the girls, at Greenhills Shopping Center.
girlie

marie

justice


Paki visit blog nila and if possible click ad googles. May photos kami don!Also, doon ang story pano tumawad ang French! Comedy!


Eto punching line sa post na ito:
We are looking for our cab Greenhills to Antipolo, some dvd sellers wishpered to Michel:Sir, dvd porno, Sir, you like Sir...?!

Ang tawa ni Michel, Ha ! ha !ha!

I went to my bank two days ago. Its been a year since I didnt check the account there (Aug 5,2005 was the last transaction).The passbok was with me in France and also the visa card that goes with it.
I followed the queue and after thirty minutes I was at the counter.

"Sir, I want to close this account, as I dont need the account anymore..."

He took the passbook , checked it from his computer and told me:"Ma'am, its closed account already. Your account do not exist!"
"How is that? I got 40,000 pesos indicated in my passbook and its gone? Who steals my money?"
"Ma'am, you may speak to our bank manager."
So I went to the bank manager's table.
"Ma'am, its not existing this account number anymore. So I have to check our date base, and I will let you know, you may come back tommorow.

So I went out,thinking there must be some computer errors!

40,000 pesos (615 €) were gone! Its impossible ha?

The next day, I called the bank telling him, unless I got the results, I am not coming to the bank, we are living far. He then explained to me via telephone what happened.

40,000 deducted by 20,000 (check I issued to ayala)
Good! I still on the balance limit of 20,000 pesos. He continued:

deducted by 2,860.00 as autoxfer arr,2000.00 as same auto exferarr,2,400.00 autoexferarr,300.00 service charge,
thats month of August 2005 statement of account.

Balance 8,777.16
Septemeber 2005 statement of account:
2,200 pesos auto xferarr
400 pesos auto xferarr
300 service charge

Balance 5,877.16
October 2005 statements of account:
2,200 pesos auto xferarr
400 pesos auto xferarr
300 service charge

Balance 2,977.16
November 2005 statement of account:
2,200 pesos auto xferarr
400 pesos auto xferarr
300 pesos service charge

Balance 77.16

My question to the bank manager:

Why you didnt inform me whats going on with my account since August 2005 via email or phone call when you have all my contact numbers.

I told you to inform me via my duaghter, in case something happened to my account.I can settle any accounts without trouble, than its too late?
He didnt answer.
I slammed the phone.

Next day, I went to the bank,get the print out of my accounts,leave quick, or else I cant control my anger I will strangle him!

Question:

Does the bank in Philippines has the right to just take money from the account with out informing the client? No monthly bank statement, and they just please themselves with the money?

The bank is : PCIBANK.

The mentality of most filipino parents about rearing children are these: "I will put you in college, because education is the only inheritance that we can give to you if we die. Knowledge/education cannot be taken away from you." So parents send them to school, fend for the expenses until they graduate.

It is very nice. But on the realistic side, with the inflation in the country, graduates cannot find jobs here. The only chance is to go abroad. And if not, they end up marrying , have a family and the parents would still fed them all.

Or if they have work, how much salary? 180 pesos a day(starting salary for an 8 hours work) and they have to run after jeepneys to get to work (and home), beating the rain and severe sun, buy lipstick and stockings.

I interviewed one of the crew in the boat, he said he is an OJT for six months taking care of the beddings, he do not have salary but free board and lodging. He got a family to feed.He said he accepted the work,as he is a fresh graduate, as a marine engineer, because his experience would help him going up to his goals in the future.

I went to a parlor to have my hair done, they told me they are recieving a salary of 115 pesos(2€) per day or 3500pesos(50€) per month with SSS. They can only survive if they got customers that gave them tips. Usually the tips is 30pesos(.50€) maximum but very rare.

Since, a week that we were in Boracay and the internet shop was closed, first day we opened it, people flocked in non-stop until midnight. Michel and I went to the mall,because, we feel we are disturbing the flow of the business LOL.My children took care of it. We can't believe it that the business we put up, three years ago, is now gaining recognition and money.

We got 22 pc, one photocopier, scanner, printer and fax machine( for international and local fax.Services that the neighborhood needed than to go to the center, the jeepney fare costs 17 pesos round trip..The school in front of the shop, with 3000 students does their school projects here. The school has no internet connection,so they do it with us. Sometimes some dont have telephone service, but we have because we are the only one in the area with PLDT service, (theirs is PT&T line).

We are renting the area for 4000pesos a month,(55€) it's a bungalow type house of 200 sqm with bathroom and kitchen,with spaces in front, side and back area and we converted the house into a shop with only a 35sqm bedroom for privacy, where Michel and I slept. If we are here for holidays, children slept on the shops's floor by putting their foam beds.If not, they occupy the only bed room of the house.We do the kitchen , eating area and laundry outside.

With 22 pc and all the other machines, we cant move inside sometimes,plus customers around roaming, waiting! We also provide an aircon, rotating ceiling fans and exhaust fans to keep the place cool and comfortable.

My children worked well: Better than I thought.

Imagine a customer would come and wanted his papers to be edited , printed with some colorful designs, would also photocopy some of it and he would pay 150 pesos.

A student have her term papers printed from the internet website, cost 20 pesos per page.Term papers would be up to ten pages!Plus the internet fee.

A mother would come to chat with her husband in Rijadh. Sometimes she would bring her whole family,using webcam, we cant move anymore in side the shop.

A regular internet user would exclaimed , Ate, look, isnt he handsome, my bf in US?

We already have around 6 succesful internet users that were now in US,UK,Australia via internet relationship. There's also some gays who chats until 2am as to accomodate the hours in Europe.

Michel saw it all.He was happy, it was a very good move to put up this business. We started it from huge investments,and we were complaining, but then, in compare, we are better off than we send money ,monthly and my children will do nothing to pass their time.

Here in the shop, the TEAM build their skills,tackle the ins and outs of the shop's problems, build up confidence, meeting a lot of people, and gaining experience.

With out Mama supervising them.
Without going to College.

THE TEAM:

(Marlon with his niece, and my children Margie and Jojo (will be in France soon) and Lorraine, my eldest, center):click photo
  

since 2003

Our sailing time is at 12noon of Sunday August 6,2006.
Kids woke up, get some breakfast, look around the area of Boracay took photos and off we went. We were arranged (by hotel owner)to be fetched by a mini van to the boat area, cost us 250pesos.
We took a boat to cross Boracay-Catiklan for 20 pesos each passenger. Then we took a tricycle(100pesos per trip) to go to Catiklan Jetty port to board a boat to Manila.

Time to go up the boat. Its called Queen Mary. When the boat starts, the chanting of Hail Mary...also starts. Michel asked me : "Is the boat going to sink?"

We bought an economy seats, and when inside the boat, I planned to upgrade the accomodation. Ngeh, the kids said: "Ma , the Economy room is full of stinking feet! We cant stay here". "And they dont give beddings,one will sleep on the bunk bed with your luggages", said one of the passenger.

We end up looking for a nicer one,(hoping there is hahaha) and the only one they could offer is DE LUXE , aircon but with around 200 others , in a bunk bed.The cabin is occupied, so they say, but we didnt see anybody inside the cabin.Must be for the "important" crews only. We took it.for 817 pesos each additional.The bedsheet for each is white gray due to overuse. What a robbery.

Sailing time, between 7pm to 8pm, we are in the sea of nowhere,it was pitchdark outside , the paging system announced that the boat will stop for "few minutes" because one of the passenger jumped out of the sea.They said, they will send a rescue team .NgeeeeHhh !
All passengers cried: "So stupid of him!"
Speculations mounted:
"He do not have a ticket, it was checking time, he was thrown out or asked to he jumped off."Hahaha!
"He must have been betrayed by wife , suicide? Or pushed by the wife?"
"If he is a native of Boracay he must knew how to swim noh?"
"I have a wedding at 8 am in Manila, I dont want to be late, where is the Captain!!!
After an hour of searching, we moved on. We didnt know if they rescue the person or not.
Back to go to bed. Cant sleep. Toddlers are bawling in the middle of the night. My children were cramped in the bunk bed sized 24inches by one meter and half. And our bags are all over.Then there are passengers that roam around looking looking for I dont know what. I cant sleep, Michel did. He said, this trip reminds him when he was in the FRENCH ARMY year 1960.

I still managed to get few minutes of sleep here and there. Despite of earplugs and eye mask, still the snoring of nearby passengers keeps you awake.

Unrecommended trip, unless you dont care.To concentrate on the most important things here's more photos.





food, food food, glorious food!

Michel and I went to a bar here in Bora, and he ordered a beer .I ordered a Baileys coffee. The coffee was awful taste,sorry, really un acceptable ,we threw it to the pot of plants nearby, LOL. The baileys has better taste.

The beer arrived. No glass.
Michel asked me, if they always serve beer like that, no glass ? I called the for a glass, and she brought it to our table and leave. Michel looked at me.

Normally, in France,when serving beer, beer is already in a big or long glass, because they took it from a draught,where beer are served from a tap. Here, beers are served in bottles or in cans. So Michel expected this way: if she would serve beer in a bottle, there must be a glass to go with it. Then she would open and serve the beer to the glass. Michel used to see like that in his travels. No. He can wait forever, nothing like that happens.

Et oui, we are in the island of Boracay, LOL

We were discussing , when a few minutes later, the girl came around, held Michel's bottle , looked at it, and wanted to pour the contents to his glass. Michel abruptly stopped her saying: "No no no, you dont touch my beer!"

The girl, with all shy smiles looked at me. So I have to say to her in our language, that it's okey, he doesnt want to be served. The girl walked away.
In decent serving, the girl must ask permission first to the guest saying: May I sir? before doing any move to the table. This one, no.

Eh oui, we are in Boracay..!

I explained to Michel, that here, maybe, they must have some percentage on the drinks ordered and they want you to finish the beer so that you will order again. Thats how the filipino men does when drinking beer.And no glass, drink it straight from the bottle, like a real man! And not only one bottle please, but 24 bottles if you can.
At least!Hahaha!

Michel burst laughing , nearly tear-eyed! "They expect me to drink bottles and bottles of beer here? Sorry, I am not a beer drinker. I ordered a beer for our seat,to discuss, thats all."

With customers like Michel, business goes down quick, girls!

When we paid the bill it says:
Baileys coffee 150
Beer 35
Total 208 pesos

Michel looked at the receipt and called the girl. How come (he asked the girl,) baileys is 150 and beer is 35, your total is 208 pesos? Your calculator do not work properly? With a tone from Michel that you wouldnt want to hear, lol !

The girl said: "Sir, there's a tax of 12% added to the bill."
"Ah, so then, you must indicate the 12% tax to my bill, then I know."
"No sir, we dont do that."
"Ah no?"
"No sir."
The girl opened the menu list and show it to us the 12% add on tax to every order.
So thats it, its official, the menu is the basis,"its there, ma cheri!" hahaha!
Michel: "Hmmmmnnn.Funny way of doing business.Legally or not, who knows. I will ask the Barangay Chairman of Boracay tomorrow if it is true that way...hehehe

When she came back to give our change in a tip jacket, she asked: Sir, do you have three pesos? I am giving you your change of 295 pesos, but your change is supposed to be 292 pesos only.We need three pesos from you ,Sir.

Michel: What a joke..!
Girls, I leave it to you, your own conclusions whats next.Hahahaha!

beach front,click for bigger photos

with kitchen ,aircon, cable tv, shower,toilet,wifi (from nearby resort haha), but shhh, dont tell.

Here, filipino are engaged on everyday life to celphone, tv and playing cards!
Michel and I discussed about that life. We agreed the same idea. We can stay doing nothing, but after a while, we feel we are worn out doing nothing. So I end up cleaning the room and the kitchen, LOL! Good we brought our laptop computer, or else, we will be bored to tears !

Here are some dramas, the Philippine way:

Comments of a host to uninvited guest at a birthday party:
("Oy, musta, andito ka pala,ikaw naman Babette,hindi mo sinabi, andito pala siya?"
(Oh, you are there, come in. Babette, why you didnt tell me she is here?)
In France its like: "You didnt tell me she's here..." with all smiles.
( but in a tone: "why she is here...She is not invited!")

My daughter told her bf:Moy, look at some of the filipinas with the white men, ! Then she wisphered: "Moy, your sister got still some hope after all..."
May pag-asa ka pa...(Pinoy humor)


Passing by some souvenir shops in Boracay:
Girl seller to Michel: "Sir, come in ,Sir have a "look". Its free to "look" Sir, "no payment"...
Hehehehe...
In France, say that to a frenchman, he might ask:
What's there that's "interesting "to look? with sheepish grin...Hehehe
Careful, girls..!

I was looking for native plates for picnics,the ones you put paper plates on top, and I spotted some in one of the shops.I asked the young girl, how much is it?
Answer: Dont know, Mam,no price attached, please come back tomorrow.
I laughed. What if the owner heard that answer, LOL!


Host In a Party: Come all of you and enjoy the meal, dont be shy.
In Tagalog: Halika kayo, kain pa, wag mahiya, walang hiya,hiya!

Me: Eh? Ano sabi? "walanghiya" daw?
What did she said? I am a thickfaced?

Despite all, ha, Filipinos are warm, pleasant and respectful .
Photos, what else !





  




Click for big photo,hehe.

More tourists in Boracay in compare to some areas in Manila.
Lots of Korean/Japanese tourists
Filipinas that looks very very simple(like a laddle) tag along with their western husbands.
Mom, I thought the girl is his maid?!
I still got hopes then, Mom, haha!?
Filipinas who acts like babies just to get attention from foreign husbands.
A fat lady in two piece suit, but looks like the size of a whale.
Mom, I saw a whale in the beach! ! !
No, must be a shark, dont be too hard , stranded in the sands!

My kids are over reacting, really typical Manilans!

Displayed Prices of RESORTS:

750,000€ (bar and restaurant,swimming pool,billiard,and tropical garden,all apartments with sea view terrasse fully furnished with kitchennete, refrigerator,téléphone tv,hot water,aircon, and fan.
Mom, how many sacks of pesos are these prices?

APARTMENTS:

250,000 € , 300 sqm océan view,3bedrooms,4bathrooms,Kitchen
Mom, I would work to death, but never could I have those money...

My kids are silly, lets continue:

Internet wifi unlimited connection : 250 pesos(4€) for a week in a business center, bring ur own pc.Can be for free,but order a drink for 90 pesos(1.50€) ,ex; one mango shake from a restaurant with wifi connection, bring ur own pc.I wonder which is cheaper then eh?!
What Michel and I does always? We position our PC in the terrace of the room, voila, WIFI connected via nearby resort!
Shhh! dont tell !

Mom, we could have brought our Linksys router

When paying, at the Market,kids would say: Mama, dont show Michel. (The vendors smell his € !)Meaning, Michel with white skin, looks a rich man from MonteCarlo, LOL !
No, maybe they spotted us coming from Manila City?

So I end up talking my Bisaya (another Philippine countryside language)
Im from Bacolod City so I can do it, haha!Here's discussions at the Market:

Pila ni sya to? (How much is this, boy?)
Duha ka gatos kag kwarenta pesos isa ka kilo na siya Maam!
(Two hundred fourty pesos a kilo, Ma'am)
Abaw,grabeh kamahal! mag sugid bala sang tu-od nga presyo bala!
(Hey, too much, tell me the best price...)

Ahay, Mam, tood na siya iya, may ara lang ako dyutay diha, di na sa dako gid amon ginansiya bala...May bugas bugas lang dyutay, oke na sa amon, Mam!
(Mam, thats the true price, we dont take big profits, we have something to buy rice for later,thats enough...)
Mind you, I knew it, they are taking me for a ride...

Mom, what did they say?
Shhh, kids, I'm negotiating...

Eventually, I paid 230 pesos (4€) a kilo of Lapulapu fish!   
If we eat in a resto here, they cook for you for 100 pesos(2.50€) per 100gms.

Michel: Was the bargaining a success?
My daughter answered: Ten pesos!
Michel : Ten Pesos! And I have to hide somewhere for ten pesos! ! !

Voila, my photos:
Insecured at 43! Shhhh!


click

Upper class VS Lower class

Does it in volves money? Or just the choice of character/personality of a person.
A person with humility despite being poor can have class.
A person , very rich but no fine manners for me is considered poor,he belongs to a lower class.Its not a matter of money. Its how a person behaves.

We all do our blog. Sometimes we boast. I am one of them. If I boast, sorry,my posts are :
True, informative and it makes me happy to share.

Our blog is ours. We do what we like. If some do no like what we post, what can we do? We blog because it makes us happy. If we are not happy, blogging, we dont blog.
Simple. Now, if you need a blog too, ask us, we might be able to help...

Some think I am too much for a filipina. I work as a house employée but travels like a Madame.So where is the flaw there?
Some said,I should have keep my travels to myself. Bof!
If I want to keep my travels to my self, I dont blog.
If I do that, my readers cant read my latest post! Hehe.

If a blog has no interesting topics then it becomes boring.
I travel because its my fancy. And I got "time" and "money" to do so.
So, dont ask any loans from me, I dont have it.lol

Some prefer to have properties. Some invests in jewelries.Some invests to "charity", hehe, meaning, all for family from generation to generation.
I'm different. Travelling makes me RICH. In expérience.
I prefer to travel, It gives me memories, money cant buy.
I might have money in the bank,and have time to do so but never travels, for me thats poor.
Well, Thats my choice.

One might tell me, to help the poor.
Eh, the rich do not help the poor, why should I?
Those having the Petrol should do, dont you think?
Besides, I worked hard. I got kids to take care of.
Okey, I'm getting négative …
And becoming boring , hehe.

Lets go back to whats up:

Today, a slight problem occurs.We cant find a trip to go back to Manila. Superferry business closed. August is not good business BECAUSE of the storm.
Airplane is 4000 PHP(45 €) each passenger, too expensive if we are 6.

What to do?
I called for a conférence .

As we are not in a hurry, I told them, and looking for adventure, we will be taking a MBRSS boat to go back home.
No plane please,kids said. Its not an adventure, after an hour of sitting , we are home! Nyaiks!
I AGREE! Especially when its less costly, hehehe!

My daughter said:
Instead of paying a plane, why not we all take a boat and spend the money on two more extra days in Boracay.
One seconded the motion.Mga baliw, ayaw mag-sipag uwi!They dont want to go back to Manila, they want extension stays! So to go back home Boracay to Manila is with a boat.Agreed! Meeting adjourned.

Michel and I do not have any appointment in Manila. Our INTERNET SHOP has low income when raining,we closed it for a week, so voila, solved!

Then we asked the resort owner if we can have some discounted rates,she is kind, recommended ko ang resort niya, she is attentive to our needs and, she gave us discounts!

Teka, may tirang € euros pa ba kami ni Lolo ha??
Wait, can we still afford it, Michel? Got more euros left?

PS: photo erased...Edited.