Frankfurt, Germany

I thought it would be difficult for me to tour around the place since they said I had to use the train to get me to the city center. .Good thing I was with the rest of economy crew who also wanted to go sight seeing. We started early and walked a couple of blocks before reaching the station. Looking around, it was deserted and we felt like aliens as we briskly walked down a street. It was like being in that movie "The Silent Hill", where at any moment, monsters would come out of the buildings.
We actually got lost. Not knowing what train to get on,it took a lot of fussing with the map and a stranger helping us before we were able to know where our stop was. When we got off the subway, I smelled heavenly baked bread. I wanted to buy some, thinking I could chow down while we strolled around. I remember hitting myself on the head for forgetting my wallet. Dear Diego rescued me, lending me 20 euros, and I bought cinnamon rolls from it costing only 1 euro.

The place was buzzing about, a direct opposite of the eerie feeling of walking on the outskirts of the city. There were a lot of interesting stuff to see. I laughed when I saw a shoe hanging on top of a tree. Too bad I forgot to take a picture of it. We went straight to the plaza as I told them I wanted to take pictures.

Certainly I could remember in high school a Social Science project- a hand-sewn Germany flag. Who knew that one day, I’d be strolling around the country, a thousand miles from home.

Even before we landed, I knew I wanted to have my picture taken with the Germany flag. So when we got to the city hall of Frankfurt am Main, I became trigger happy, snapping pictures all over, posing tirelessly in front of the Römer.


The Römerberg Plaza was so cute. It reminded me so much of Prontera, a fictional city from an online game I used to play. They had these little stores on the first level of these doll-like houses and some lovely coffee shops just outside.
I was standing outside a souvenir shop when diego wanted me to snap his picture with this bronze statue of a fish, with water sprouting from its mouth. He posed sideways, pretending to pee. Tourists… tsk. ^_^









I was happy to settle down and have coffee with them outside the plaza, choosing a seat where the morning sun would hit us. The air was a bit chilly; it was a nice feeling to be out, warm and toasty in the sun. I ordered a sundae and they ordered cappuccinos. I’ve had enough of coffee on my flights, I wasn’t about to miss out on eating ice cream loaded with heavy whipped cream. Yum!

Mauritius: My First Operational Flight

My first operational flight was to Honeymoon Island! Yay!



You could very well taste the icing circulating in the cabin;we gave so many cakes to newlyweds that we had to give away champagnes too! We can’t let them alone with all those sugary goodness without love potions to chug ‘em down.

Since it was my first layover in another country, I felt that the 5-hour flight was too long – or maybe that was just the excitement in me dragging the time. Gahhhd! I just wanted to tear off my uniform and head for the water!

When we got out of the aircraft, the warm, moist wind swept my veil, making my skin feel clammy and sticky. This was the same feeling as being on one of the beaches in the Philippines. Nice.

The resort we were going to stay at wasn't very far. We were greeted by this local guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt, holding a tray of drinks. It was a deep amber concoction with a little cherry skewered on the glass. Yum! I gulped it down as my eyes wandered around.

The view was breathtaking! I couldn’t put into words how it was like to be there; standing beside a Mediterranean inspired fountain, tropical plants abound, a deep aqua infinity pool that made an illusion of continuity to the sapphire waters of the ocean. And it was lovely how coconut trees framed every seating area- I just couldn’t believe how many species of birds were frolicking around 'em!

Though my body was aching and I felt limp from fatigue, my mind was immediately restored to a cool, relaxed state. When I entered my room, I fell in love with the interior. It was simple, yet something about it recaptured my interest in interior design. It had this charming balcony where there were plenty more coconut trees barely blocking the beautiful shore of Mauritius. I took it all in, before changing into a more comfortable attire.


I met with some of the girls, and strolled around the sandy resort. After taking pictures, we felt famished and conquered a table just outside this quaint restaurant. We were informed that we could order anything we wanted in the menu, anything at all, and our company will pay for everything. I love my life! Waah! I’m so lucky! LOL


I ordered steak, octopus, fruit platter, and some yummy colorful drinks! I ate so much, I almost ordered everything on the Menu! And how could I forget this fat bird that wasn’t afraid feeding off my feet just to get the crumbs falling off my plate. I thought it was adorable so I kept feeding him bread crumbs. Lucky little birdie!

I spent the rest of the day dozing off in one of the hut-like gazebos just along the shore.

For a moment, I sure felt I was back home.. sweet home in tropical Philippines

First Flight as Emirates Cabin Crew !

My first observational flight was going to MCT (Airport code for Muscat). It was going to be a short one hour flight going, and another hour coming back. We call it a turnaround- when you fly to the destination and head back to base again the same day.

I am not required to work here; I’m only to “observe” what the real thing was like. I had to learn what really happens on board, how the flight service goese, and how my duties are supposed to be executed. I had to learn from the current crew, and get the feel of what the job entails.


When we had our briefing ( a meeting of the cabin and flight deck crew before a flight ), I approached my purser (head cabin crew) and informed her that I was a SUPI - a first timer- and might mess up.

She greeted me enthusiastically, introduced me to everyone, and told me not to worry. It wasn’t about learning fast, but to enjoy the experience and absorb as much knowledge as I can. After all, experience requires time.

In the briefing room was an oval table with blue office chairs around it. The purser was at the end of the table with two SFS (senior flight stewards) flanking her side. Everyone looked so serious with their thick red manuals opened, and their faces buried in them. I sat at the far end and reviewed the safety and emergency procedures along with them.

“Hello everyone! Who is our supi for today?” bellowed the captain as he stormed in, with the first officer lagging behind him.

“It’s Janice.” Purser smiled.

“Hello captain,” I said as I hesitantly raised a hand.

“So you’re the baby eh? Everyone, please take care of her, make sure to teach her the good stuff. Don’t show her any wrong shortcuts that you guys got used to doing.”

There was a burst of giggles from the girls and some sly remarks accompanied by stomps on the ground from the guys. Ugh..

We carried on with the information exchange, what to expect of the flight and some important details about it. Then we went through immigration, and boarded a shuttle that was to take us to our aircraft.

I got to ride inside the cockpit for the take-off. Though the view was amazing, I felt bored. So when they asked me to come in again for landing, I politely refused, reasoning out that I could learn more if I stayed in the galley. Really now, I just wanted to stuff myself with chocolates from the crew meal.

It was an easy flight because I didn't do anything. I just helped out with the service so I could learn a bit. I’d rather make mistakes now than later.

After the flight, I dragged myself to my bed, and slept early for my next supi flight to IST (Istanbul, Turkey); another turnaround, which was then changed later to RUH (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

The flight to RUH was easy than expected, the same flight time as MCT. I was with a fellow supi this time, who was also my classmate back in training college. It made it all better knowing I was with someone to be blamed for in case of mishaps. Haha.

Now, I have to prep up for my operational flights. This time, it’s real.. and the pain will be intense. Nothing exists in the sky but me, the passengers, and some silly bird’s poop on captains window.

Emirates Graduation and Celebration

Our class decided to go on this safari as a last hurrah together before finally getting separated and flying to all parts of the globe. I was really excited to ride a camel and experience the Arabian night dream.

We took this shuttle, going out of Dubai and into the edge of the desert, where we switched into four-wheel drives that could take on the harshest dunes.

We had the craziest driver ever! I was shrieking all the way- around and through the dunes. It was so funny to see myself letting lose of all the fears and troubles I had as we dove into sand drops- getting almost buried in the middle of nowhere.

It felt like a very long roller coaster ride as we finally stopped on a very high slope where we could see a panoramic view of the Arabian Desert and the majestic sunset melting into a mellow gold beyond the horizon.

It was fantastic. I felt that the world was mine for the taking- just me and the sand bugs.

Then we settled into this sort of camp where tall branches were used as forts. Just outside were camels waiting for our butts on their humps! Yeah!

They had cute faces – like puppies. But I heard they bite,so they had this muzzle on, and I just felt so sad for them.

When do I get to ride ‘em?! haha

When I made the attempt to hop on camel’s back, it gave a long grunt which triggered doubt whether I should still go on or not. But even before I could get a grasp of what was going on, the camel immediately stood up and walked in reverse! I was freaking out! I never knew it was so high up sitting on these animals! There were no seatbelts! It was extremely uncomfortable knowing I could fall off anytime, what with the rough terrain and the unpredictable behaviour of these creatures,I was hanging on for dear life!

It was a short merry-go-round but it felt like an hour to me. I stood there for awhile beside the camels trying to catch my breath, when I realized, I was stepping on camel poop! All the while I thought it was plant produce! Gaaah!

Finally, we settled down on this huge carpeted area with low tables all around. We watched a belly dancer bare the essentials as we ate our dinner- Arabian style.

…truly an unforgettable Arabian night.