Over the last few days I have been in the Philippines. I went to visit my team. But the last 48-72 hours have been the wildest, as you’ll soon find out.
- island hopped
- snorkeled
- held a snake
- met an indigenous tribe
- boated through the “Underground River” cave
- and soooo much more…
Most importantly, met some of my international team. Many have worked with me for 5 years, but some as long as 10 and this was our first face-to-face meeting.
They even surprised me by all coordinating SEO National shirts. Attached is James, my data analyst, wearing one and with a butterfly on his head.
There is even my beard on the front, somewhat of a running joke. 😆
I have a looooot of great that I’ll be sharing over the upcoming weeks, but one is more timely given the global hysteria.
When the US announced a travel ban on Europe, I figured the writing was on the wall. I wasn’t flying back home through Europe, but I was through Japan and there’s a reasonable chance that could be among the next countries banned.
I booked a flight and flew back from Palawan island to Manila within 2 hours of hearing about the ban and cut my trip three days short.
In addition to more countries potentially being banned, the Philippines may enact bans themselves. Sure enough, when I landed, their President announced that this weekend they would enact a 30 day travel ban.
Fortunately, I was proactive and am already back in the US. But here’s the real story that I wanted to share.
While waiting in the Philippines airport before coming home I was waiting at the terminal to be assigned a seat. My ticket was already paid for, but because of the last minute change, the airline didn’t have my seat number assigned yet. They advised to wait in the terminal and they’d call my name. Eventually, they did.
As I waited in line, another gentleman came up, his name called too. I motioned as he walked by that there was a line. He angrily said, “they just called my name!” Politey I replied, “me too.”
“But the guy just motioned for me! Dumbass.” He said loudly “under his breath.”
I said, “Excuse me?” He then said, “Go!” and motioned at me.
The single airline agent, seeing the frustration in the other gentleman, called another agent to help. There we both stood at the ticket counter. He finished before me. As he walked away, I said, “I hope you have a better day.”
He stopped, turned around and walked quickly towards me. I just stood there assuming he wouldn’t raise a scene in an airport terminal that was already hectic, but I could have been close to having a bad day.
He stopped in my face and… apologized.
“I’m sorry man. I shouldn’t have… they just…” and the water started to build in his eyes. I told him it was okay and that the ticket agent probably didn’t see me behind the monitor post.
“They just rushed my mom to the hospital and…” he started.
I cut him off. “I get it. With the pandemic, we’re all in the same boat right now.” I didn’t let him finish telling me what was going on with his mom, because it wouldn’t have mattered and, frankly, was none of my business. I just kept saying “I get it. I get it.” and comforting him as he teared up.
He eventually gathered composure and apologized again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. And I’m embarrassed. I’m really embarrassed.”
I hugged him. And he hugged me back.
Whether you think the pandemic is legit or a joke, or isn’t directly effecting you, it 100% is indirectly effecting you and everyone around you. Be kind.
Was up 38 hours straight after flying four planes across two continents and an ocean. Zero complaints. I’m one of the lucky ones.
Nothing beats coming home to this sign.
Barely beat a 30 day lockdown in the Philippines.
Came back to the US via Washington, also now considering a travel ban.
Cut my team building experience with my international employees short three days. My team barely missed their own local, more strict lockdowns. Can’t even go from one city to the next.
Thousands of dollars in unused/rescheduled hotels and flights.
100% worth my team’s safety and peace of mind.
The days I did have overseas were filled with some of the most unique, beautiful, and amazing scenery of my life. And the team bonding is unbeatable.
Likewise, coming home three days early and getting wife and kiddo hugs is equally unbeatable.
In the last 48 hours I went from exiting an underground river cave in 90 degree beach weather where I was flooded with text messages about lockdowns, to cutting the trip short and being on plane one of four just two hours later.
Much greater appreciation for the simpler things in life.
