It was a beautiful morning in Manila. I was still going through the "Am I really here?" phase, but getting quite a kick out of how animated Gerlie was. What a personality!
She was really starting to warm up around me. She would talk to her aunt, but she would never stay away from me for too long. She would initiate conversation and giggle if she found her reply to difficult to say. She understood every word I said. If she didn't, she was good at reading body language 
Auntie Bebing was going out.
"She's trying to meet a boyfriend" Gerlie informed me.
And Analyn was coming to check out this big, hairy American that Gerlie was making such a fuss about
Auntie Bebing was off to make some more phone calls, Gerlie said she was trying to hook up with a guy she liked, and I decided that I should shave and get ready to go to the airport.
We were just repacking our bags, making jokes and enjoying each other's company when there came a knock at the door.
Gerlie sprung toward the door, while I continued what I was doing.
Analyn is one of Gerlie's two closet friends. They met while in Nursing School in Davao. Analyn is in her mid twenties, pretty and has a personality quite close to Gerlie's. Gerlie definitely seems to be the instigator, but Analyn is quite witty herself.
We said a quick "Hello" which consisted of me saying "Hello" and Analyn smiling while quickly covering her mouth and Gerlie and Analyn began to catch up on things. After a while Gerlie was obviously trying to goad Analyn into doing something she didn't want to--talk to me Hahahahaa--and eventually Gerlie got her way. Gerlie usually gets her way 
She brought her friend over to the bed next to the chair I was sitting in, stood between us, grabbed my hand and hers, raised our arms and said "Okay, you talk now" and headed for the CR giggling. It was very cute. Guess you had to be there
Analyn and I had some nervous conversation for a moment. Mostly we asked each other questions. Analyn's answers were nods, "Yes" and "I don't speak good Engrish" She certainly seemed to understand what I was saying, but once she warmed up, she would have Gerlie translate from Visayan. It certainly seemed like she wanted to talk, but like many Filipinos I met, was too unsure of her pronounciation and afraid to look silly.
After a while Auntie Bebing came back and it was time to go to the airport for the mid-day flight to Davao.
We checked out and the guard got us a taxi. The night before it cost us P500 from the Airport to the Hotel. I know that's too much, but I wasn't in a mood to haggle when I got off the plane.
"How much to Domestic?" I ask the smiling guard
"Taxi, Sir"
"Yes, please, how much to Domstic"
"Ooohhhhh... I get you berry good Taxi"
"Great, how much???"
"I'll be right back, okay?"
"Make sure it has AC" I say as he's heading out across the parking lot
"Huh?" he stops to ask
"Blah, blah, blah blah, Aircon, blah blah" Gerlie helps
" Ahhhhh yes..." and he was off.
There were new taxis by the dozen right on front of the hotel. Of course, he had to run to the last taxi in the parking lot, wake up the driver, who was napping in a chase lounge under a palm tree and urge him to take the fare with the fat guy and the three lovely ladies.
I have seen this car before. I think it was in an episode of Sanford and Son, where Lamont buys it for a dollar and Fred calls him a "Big Dummy". This thing was a work of art. Head lights duct taped in. Not an inch without a dent. Priceless.
"How much to Domestic?" I ask the driver, while the guard is loading our bags
"It's Okay... I will take you dare"
"Yeah, great... how much?
"Domestic, kinda far"
"They moved it since last night?"
"Huh? No, it's not moved"
"Cool, how much?"
"Okay, let's go..."
The ladies were already in the back seat and the driver basicly turned his back on me and proceeded to go back around to his side of the car. I just kinda rolled my eyes and got in myself.
After three near collisions, constant horn honking and what I'm sure were sware words in Tagalog, he decides to speak to me.
"You want Domestic?"
"You're quick.... can't get anything over on you!"
"I'm sorry, I don't understand..."
"Yes, Domestic."
"Arribal or Departure?"
"PAL Ticket office"
"You don't hab Teeeekit?"
"Nope, gotta get 'em there"
"Ohhhh, I seee... I will take you, P550."
"It was only 500 last night"
"Yeah, 550..."
Gerlie was leaning into the front seat, partly to be close to me and partly to see what was going on. She sat back and said something to her Aunt, which prompted her to start talking to the driver in Visayan. After a while Gerlie jumped in. A few more minutes and Analyn piled on. The driver looked a little like he was getting beat up, but the conversation seemed friendly enough. Every now and then there would be a lull in the action, then BAM one of the ladies would start talk and the other two would join right in. This went on the entire way to the Domestic Airport.
When we got to the ticket office, we got out to collect our bags from the truck. The driver was unloading the contents on to the curb. Gerlie was helping and when I pulled my wallet and took out P550, Gerlie put her hand on mine to stop me.
"Just pay him P200"
"Huh?"
"200 will be fine?"
I was dumbfounded. I was looking to the driver for approval, but he just had that same "upset stomach" look on his face. Analyn said something to him again and then Gerlie looked back to me.
"Give him 250 hon, that will be fine"
"He said 550 hon..."
"It show-k honey, just give him 250"
Basicly the entire ride they were beating the crap out of him for taking advantage of a tourist and made him take just slightly more than the fare, rather than the customary triple that tourists pay. I knew I liked these ladies
One thing you can be sure of is that if your girl has a cell phone, it will ring. Constantly! Analyn had one. It was working overtime
"Hey..." I say in Analyn's direction. "Who keeps calling you?"
"Just friends"
"Are you planning my abduction?" I crack.
Gerlie starts laughing very hard, while the other two smile, but don't quite seem to get the joke until Gerlie whispers it in Analyn's ear and Analyn leans and shares the joke with Auntie Bebing.
"Yeah honey... she's Abu Sayyaf" laughs Gerlie. "She gonna ransom you"
"Tell her to ransom me by the pound honey, she'll never have to work again"
"Standby... Standby..." Analyn starts saying into the phone, while making radio static noises.
We went to the counter got our tickets and decided to head for the gate. Analyn walked as far as she was allowed to with us and said her goobyes.
"Nice meeting you..."
"Yeah... I'll see you later." as she grabs for her cell. "Standby... Standby"
The trip to Davao was uneventlful. To the airport anyway 
The Chronicles will continue
Keep the Faith
H
