In 1996, I had the opportunity to travel abroad twice, both times to Thailand. The first trip was a short flight from the Philippines to Bangkok, where I was visiting my mother, whom I hadn't seen in almost three years. It was my first international journey, so I was filled with excitement. Despite keeping a secret about being pregnant with my first child, it remains one of the happiest moments in my life.
My experiences in Thailand were a mix of excitement, fun, and concern. When my transit visa expired, I had to return to the Philippines. The night before my flight home, I decided to confide in my mom about my secret, although she had sensed it the moment I arrived at the Bangkok airport. Mothers have that special bond with their children; they can often tell when something is amiss, even from miles away. My mom frequently calls me during those specific moments when I'm feeling down or facing problems, a testament to this connection.
Upon revealing the truth to my mom and stepdad, they offered their assistance and suggested that I spend my last trimester with them in Thailand. So, after a few days in Cebu, I returned to Thailand with them. That's when the real fun began! I cherished every moment of it and continue to consider Bangkok my second home. The city boasts affordable food options everywhere you look, with food stalls on practically every corner. I also appreciate their weather, despite the humidity and occasional rains or storms, which is a marked contrast to the Philippines.
During this time, I also had the opportunity to travel to Malaysia, embarking on a 12-hour train journey from Bangkok. Malaysia struck me as a beautiful and peaceful place, with kind-hearted people and clean air, unlike the pollution in Manila. Unfortunately, I spent most of the train ride sleeping or feeling drowsy. This meant that while my mom and stepdad explored Kuala Lumpur, I was stuck in the hotel room. Nonetheless, I did manage to experience the beauty of the beaches on Penang and Langkawi Island. I recall the ferry ride to the island, which made me feel nauseous. It was the worst feeling, especially on an empty stomach, as I had never experienced morning sickness during my pregnancy. Despite this, I still treasure the memories of the islands, where walking the streets felt safe, and people were incredibly kind. I remember a car stopping to offer us a ride while exploring Penang. This act of kindness was not uncommon in Thailand either, where seats were offered to elders and pregnant women, a gesture less frequently seen in the Philippines.
Returning to the Philippines with my son was a different experience. At the Thailand airport, while queuing for the check-in counter, they did not make me wait in line. Despite having an economy ticket, they upgraded me to a business class ticket due to my four-month-old baby. This unexpected bonus made the journey much more comfortable. Traveling alone with a baby can be challenging, but the upgrade to a business class seat eased our trip, from baggage check-in to boarding.
However, the generosity and kindness we experienced ended when we returned to the Philippines. Regardless of age or pregnancy, nobody offered to assist a woman struggling to push a stroller and a baggage cart. I had to wait in line to have my passport stamped, receiving no special treatment. Fortunately, two foreign elderly women came to my aid, offering assistance with pushing our cart. It was a stark contrast to the kindness I had encountered abroad.
