Fatima, Portugal

We urged everybody to take a shower during the night so we won’t take too much time to get ready for our morning trip towards Portugal to visit Fatima where the Virgin Mary appeared before three shepherd children.

Robert said we’ll leave at 8 am. The trip takes about 6 and a half hours, give or take.

Tuesday, August 7
Eight o’ clock comes and we’re not ready! So he gave us a final time of 9 am. We have an inside joke here about 'Filipino time' - on how Filipinos are always late for appointments. But since we're in Spain, this attitude gets worse because of the people's procrastinative 'manana' way of thinking. So a little before 9, we’ve loaded our goodies, drinks, rice and ribs, empanada, hopya, ensaymada, various fruits etc. into the vans. The trip to Portugal was pretty uneventful except for the complaints of those seated at the back (in our case, Stacy, Daniel and Adrianne) saying the cool air does not reach them. We passed by a lot of farms on rolling hills in Spain and Portugal both, of sunflowers (that are ready for harvesting) and acres of olive groves. We stopped and gassed up and made restroom breaks right before the border. We also gobbled mouthfuls of our baon and bought some souvenirs.

We arrived into Fatima after about 7 and a half hours and there was time to visit the Cathedral and hear mass. Not sure if that was a regular mass because it was in Portuguese first of all and we didn’t have communion. Instead, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and went through a procession which we followed from the church to the outside towards the side where it was kept.

Afterwards, we want back into the church to go on line for the visit to the tombs. The tombs of the children are on the left and right sides of the altar. It turned out that two of them died early on still as children and the third grew up to become a nun but has since passed away as well. We took several pictures.

Then we went on a tram tour to the village where they used to live. Their homes were preserved like museums and there’s a person in each one who’s a relative explaining in Portuguese whose house is whom. We visited the site where an angel appeared before the three and where now stood a memorial with sculptures in their likeness. There’s a well on this site and there’s an old lady there offering visitors a drink from the well.
Lilibeth claims that she had a stomach ache that went away right after drinking and emptying the water from the small cup.

After the tram took us back to town, Mary took us to her favorite store where Donna and Emy bought embroidered face towels with ‘Portugal’ written on them. Then we had dinner at a nearby restaurant. We’re basically a ‘crowd’ so we practically fill up small restaurants. When dinner was over, we walked back to the Chapel of the Apparitions for the daily evening rosary and procession of the Virgin Mary. We bought candles on the way and lit them as soon as we arrived.

A bishop looking priest was praying in Portuguese when we got there. Then they started the rosary. This was unique because the mysteries were said in several languages; Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, English, Checkoslovakian and a couple more I didn’t recognize. Mary said when there’s a group from a Filipino pilgrimage, they sometimes have the Filipino priest say it in Tagalog. Then an image of the Virgin Mary was carried on a procession around the square.

We walked back to the hotel afterwards and for some reason the warm day turned into a really cold night! I was freezing on the way and the ice cream we bought and ate on the street didn’t help.

We told the front desk to wake us up at 7 so we can make it to the complimentary breakfast. After a quick shower I was knocked out. After all Robert and I were the only ones who didn’t get a chance to take a nap during the drive.

Wednesday, August 8
We were woken up by the front desk’s wake up call at 7. We got up, changed and packed our stuff. We were ready to go after 45 minutes. Breakfast doesn’t start till 8 so we had time to take our luggage down and load it into the vans.

Breakfast was pretty decent; rolls, pastries, fruit, juice, cereal, cheese and some cold cuts. After breakfast we took a couple of group pictures in front of the Santa Mafalda Hotel, then we gassed up and drove around looking for a store which is open where we can get some of the coveted Portuguese sardines.

Robert was going to take us on a side trip to Lisbon but they took their time buying sardines so we ran out of time. We instead drove straight for Spain. Midway to the border, we passed by this cool looking castle in Serpa, Portugal. Robert pulled over to compensate for us missing Lisbon. Small homes were built inside the castle walls right next to the main castle. We were not able to go inside the castle itself because it was being renovated. We still were able to take a bunch of great pictures. Daniel found a restaurant by the courtyard in front of the city hall so we had lunch there.

Our only other stop was at the border taking pictures of both Portugal and Spain border signs.

About 15 minutes before we get home, Robert pulled over and told us Mary is transferring to our van so we can go to the market while he’ll drive the rest of them home. Then Mary dropped a bomb on us. She said Imelda got a phone call from the US on her cell and she was told her Mom has passed away. Imang Belen was in her 90's and has been in a coma for a little while since she suffered a stroke. So the news was more or less expected but it still doesn’t make it any less devastating to Imelda. We picked up some stuff from the supermarket Super Sol for dinner and went home.

They were busy making phone calls here and there when we got home. Imelda has been crying and has made the decision to go back home to the US even just by herself but the kids didn’t want to stay without her. We had an informal ‘meeting’ telling her we’ll support whatever decision she’ll come up with but we sort of gave the family a reality check. Imelda received her siblings’ blessings on their European trip and told her that they’ll take care of everything in case something happen. Nido suggested for them to proceed to Rome and turn their trip into a pilgrimage, visit as many churches as they can and pray for her Mom. In spite of the astronomical cost of new tickets for the whole family and cutting their European vacation short, Imelda was adamant in going home adding she will no longer enjoy the rest of the trip if she stays.

After dinner we said the Rosary praying for the repose of the soul of her Mom.

Thursday, August 9
Robert woke up really early to take Emy, Nido and family along with Stacy and Daniel to the Sevilla airport on their way to France. The trip takes about an hour and a half. We were awake when he came back and Mary was ready to go to work. Imelda and family got ready and when Robert came back from dropping Mary off to work, they went ahead to Jerez for their trip to Frankfurt along with Lilibeth and Lyan. Donna and I straightened out a bit in the house, washed a bunch of towels and hung them on the clothes lines in the back.

When Robert came back, we drove the two vans to the base to return them to the rental place. He gave me the keys to their BMW to drive it from Mary’s work. So Donna and I left him at the rental place and we walked towards Mary’s work. I cranked it, and the car won’t start. We walked back and told Robert. He took the keys, started the car and it purred! I guess it was waiting for its owner!

Robert dropped me and Donna off at Expeditions and Champions respectively. I immediately went on line and checked my eMail, read some on line news and posted on my blog. I got a chance to chat with Mike and Ed on Yahoo IM, sent several eMails back and forth with Alice, Mary, Angel and Lita. I also sent an eMail to everyone informing them of Imelda’s Mom’s passing away.

After dinner tonight, we prayed the Rosary one more time.

August in Spain 2 - The 1st Flamenco Show

Monday, August 6
Robert packed every one (Emy, Nido and family, Imelda, Dan and family) into the 1 van and he drove them to Gibraltar while Donna stayed to wait for Emy’s friend and classmate Lilibeth coming from Germany. Lilibeth is coming with another friend, Lyan, visiting from the Philippines. They wanted to go with the group to Gibraltar but Lyan’s Philippine passport doesn’t have a visa for the UK. So they weren’t in a hurry to get to Jerez.

Below is Lyan in front of the altar of the Fatima Cathedral.


We were also expecting Stacy and Daniel to arrive anytime from Madrid.

Mary and I went on base early enough so we’ll have time to pick up the 2nd van promised to us by the car rental outfit. We headed straight to them. Unfortunately we were told it won’t be available till about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I can’t go home so I had to stay at Expeditions and wait. Expeditions is a little building here on base where people go on line.

I checked my eMail and found out that Stacy sent me one saying she and Daniel already have a flight booked for Jerez to Paris, another thing we don’t have to worry about. And now if they’ll get here to Jerez, the group will be complete. The only consequence of Daniel not getting his passport on time is their missing the Gibraltar trip.

Mary picked me up around noon and we had lunch, then she dropped me back off at Expeditions. She said the rental place told her it’s now 5 pm that the van will be available. Later on she sends me an eMail saying she’ll get off work at 4:30 and that I should just wait outside.

When we got to the rental place, the van's still not there. The lady at the front desk was apologetic and said the van’s on its way. We wait some more while Mary was talking with some friends waiting for a flight to the States. The rental place is in the terminal building. Finally a little after 5, the van arrives. Once the paperwork got straightened out, they gave us the keys and we went outside to check it out. It’s exactly the same as the other, with almost the same dents and scratches. I had a hard time closing the sliding door but finally figured it out. I had to push on it from the outside. Mary leaves her BMW at her work parking lot and we headed on home. She said she got a call from Donna and that Lilibeth and Lyan are at the house. They took the bus from the airport. Robert got a call from Stacy from Madrid and said they missed their flight to Jerez and are on a space available status at the moment.

On our way home, Mary and I were talking about how there were so many glitches experienced by almost everyone on this trip. Hopefully, when Stacy and Daniel arrives, everything will be ok.


We got home and Donna tells me Lilibeth’s friend Lyan is a daughter of our neighbor in Greenfields, Dr. Carlos. What a small world it is indeed! She’s a lawyer in the Philippines and she went to Germany (or is it Luxembourg?) to attend a seminar on human rights. Apparently Donna have been talking their ears off as soon as they arrive. A few minutes later Robert arrives with his ‘tour group’ from Gibraltar. Emy and Lilibeth let out a piercing scream once they saw each other! It was pandemonium from then on! So this is how it is to have such a big group under one roof! We were scheduled to attend a Flamenco dinner show at 9:30 in Jerez so we just kicked back, talking some more while the kids went to the beach. In the morning before they left, Robert reminded everyone to make sure and take their passports due to the immigration check point before entering Gibraltar. When they got there, he was leading the pack when he realized he forgot his passport! He had to wait for them to finish the Gibraltar on the Spanish side! A little while later we get a call from Stacy saying she and Daniel just arrived and will be waiting at the Jerez airport. We have our two vans, Stacy and Daniel are here – life is sweet!

We hurriedly drove to the airport to pick the two up. We met them at the curb, they looked worn out and they couldn’t wait to tell us their horror stories for the last few weeks, waiting for Daniel’s passport, etc.

When we got home, we had to wait for the kids to get back from the beach and then it was time to go to the Flamenco show. Robert drove one van and I drove the other. I followed him to Jerez and we finally got to the place. It’s a small restaurant with a little stage on one end. We ordered our food but a little before 11 the waiter started collecting our plates as a signal that the show was about to start. The lights were suddenly turned off and the lights for the stage were turned on. Four women and a couple of guys (one with a guitar) went up and proceeded to sit on chairs provided at the back of the stage. The guitarist started playing, then the other guy sang along. A bit later, one of the women stood up slowly, eyebrows creased with a really intense expression on her face and started dancing while the rest are clapping in a staccato way that’s always in beat with the music and the dance. And it was like that all through the show, sometimes two women dancing at the same time, etc. So far, this is my most enjoyable part of our trip. I just love Flamenco!

August in Spain 1 - Danganans & Mejias Arrive

For those of you who’re interested to know, El Juli the bullfighter, survived. He got gored on the upper thigh but survived. Incidentally, his father, also a matador, died sometime ago when a bull gored him on the groin.

Saturday, Aug 4
The four of us went on base to pick up our van rentals from the terminal. Robert didn’t think it a good sign when he noticed only 1 van sitting in the car rental parking lot. We were told the other one that was reserved for us was ‘out of order’, whatever that means and one will be available Monday. Since we’ll need one to pick up Emy and family tomorrow, Robert called his buddy to help us pick them up since he drives a BMW SUV.

Donna stayed home and cooked while the three of us went to the airport. I drove the Renault van (with manual transmission – most cars over here are so equipped) so I can familiarize myself with the directions when it’s my turn to pick up Emy and family tomorrow. On the way, Robert got a call from a friend of his asking if we have some company coming. It turned out this guy picked his wife up from the airport and they saw Dan, Imelda and kids and started a conversation with them. Robert told him to tell them we’re about 10 minutes away.

Robert’s friends kept them company till we arrived. It’s good to see Imelda, Dan and their kids; John-John, DJ, Crystal and Andrew. Imelda kept on saying, “Pinch me, pinch me! Are we really in Spain?”

After a few pictures taken and a bunch of kissing and hugging, we loaded their luggage up and headed home.

Like every one else before them, Dan and Imelda were pretty impressed with Robert and Mary’s house’s size and location. Dan unpacked a small Balikbayan box full of various goodies that they brought from California; espasol, suman, bagoong, dried mango, etc.

Mary and Robert took them around Rota real quick and they took a glimpse of the beach over there. When they got back, we went to Puerto Sherry so the kids can take a dip in the beach. We left Dan and Robert to prepare some sisig. When we got to the beach, the kids started running and playing around in the water. Then we noticed DJ come out of the water to wear his glasses. Have I mentioned that some people go topless here? Yup, people, as in girls and women from age 6 to 66! There were even three young women who had Donna take their picture! I wanted to volunteer but they might think I may have some bad intentions!

We had dinner when we got back home. This was almost 10 pm. It was a fairly warm night so sleeping outside was a welcome idea to DJ and Andrew. Robert put up a tent and some netting over the porch swing.

Sunday, Aug 5
They all woke up early except for me, Donna and Mary. Every one else will go to Sevilla today. It was our first day here that we woke up with the sky overcast. On our way to go to the base to go to church there was even enough rainfall to warrant a couple of swipes of the car’s windshield wipers.
We got on base a little early so I had the time to check my eMail pretty quick while Donna and Mary went to the commissary. Stacy sent an eMail saying Daniel finally got his passport at the last minute but they still got delayed one day so they won’t get here till Monday. But tomorrow is when Robert and I will take everyone to Gibraltar. After church we dropped Donna to cook some more while Mary and I went to the airport to pick up Emy and them. Robert’s friend Rey (yup same name!) was already there so he met Emy and Nido right off. Of course, hugs and kisses, pictures, load luggage, etc. Then we’re off to home to have lunch. I followed Rey’s SUV at a breakneck speed of 150 km/hr, about 30 km per hour over the speed limit!

It’s Nido’s turn to unload his goodies for us; empanada, ensaymada, a bunch of guitar strings for Robert, extra T-shirts for me and quite a lot of leftover euros for us from Rose and Jun, bless their hearts. We had to call Stacy to tell her that no one’s available to pick her and Daniel up from the airport but I got her voice mail so I called her dad Nestor instead. It was about 6:30 am in Phoenix and he said he took them to the airport a couple of hours ago. I gave him Robert’s address and telephone number here to tell Stacy to get a cab when they get to Jerez airport. Donna will stay home for Stacy and Daniel who’ll just have to miss Gibraltar tomorrow.

An hour so later, Robert and everyone came back from Sevilla. They lucked out because it wasn’t as hot as when we went. After a late lunch, they went to the beach for about an hour or so. Then Robert took all of them to watch the bullfight while Donna and I stayed with me singing Karaoke and Donna coloring her hair.

I booked us a flight and accommodations to Frankfurt so we can go with Nido and Emy. To get the cheaper flight however, we have to stop by London for a couple of days. I sent Alice and Sister Lita an eMail letting them know we’re coming.

Tomorrow, Robert will drop off Mary to work and we’ll pick up the 2nd van so we can take everyone to Gibraltar.