The eagle has landed. Well, more like the maya. 
It was a relief to finally get out of the airport unscathed- except for a nagging headache. I was holding my breath while appearing to look slightly annoyed as the customs official inspected my ‘nothing to declare’ disembarkation card.
“But Manong, I do have something to declare but I’m never telling you that even if you subject me to water torture.”
My fears were unfounded though, the customs official barely looked at my card before waving me off. Hah. If you’ve got something to hide, dress smartly. hehehe. They say that’s how the New York Yankees won all those world series championships, their opponents couldn’t help but stare at their striped uniform.
This tale is not exactly awe inspiring, and the righteous would most definitely be raising their eyebrows should they chance upon this entry. But messieurs et madames, this is a third world country, if those rich guys living in those fancy subdivisions can get away with importing their Ferrari’s and their Maserati’s into this country free of charge except for some foreign sounding spirit given to the right customs officials, why shouldn’t I have my own fun as well? Besides, I’m not profiting from it, and the same item that’s being sold here is priced like they don’t want to sell it. So boohoo.
Anyway, I think an acquiantance already paid in my behalf. She’s not supposed to pay any customs duties because the purchase she made is still covered by the exemption (less than 10K) and yet she foolishly gave herself up with just one question from the customs guy.
Customs Official: “What’s inside your bag?”
Colleague: Big gulp. “Err, PSP.”
Oh Lord, she had the biggest bag full of her dirty laundry, and all she could say was PSP. If I had been so cruel, and the entire situation not so sad, I would have laughed in her face. Well alright, I did laugh in her face. Teehehehe.
But then again, how could that customs guy tax her? That PSP was bought for less than P9K. Oh well.
Later, I was teasing her for her misfortune. I told her not to dress like a (oops, baka ma-Malu Fernandez ako nito) err, shabbily next time.
But I’m glad to be back. Finally had a haircut after almost 3 months. Not looking so much like a bandido now, more like a kontrabida in a B movie.
And just look at this place. I left it in a sunshiny mood, and all Manila can show me this time are her tears.
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