issues, issues & more issues...

Posting from Cebu Philippines

...what a can of worms one opens up when one decides to fly (Manila to Cebu) with a mobile workstation - even one as simple as mine pictured here (read: airline issues thanks to Air Philippines failure to understand what a photographer flys with, and what a photographer can NOT place in checked baggage, due to risk of loss)

They originally insisted I check my Pelican 1510 carry-on flight case with my camera/laptop inside, and I said absolutely not. (the monitor goes in checked baggage of course)

They kept me at the counter for 20 minutes while I re-packed my camera & laptop and power supplies, than they decided they didnt want the power bricks on the aircraft, so I re-packed again, and they then decided that my WACOM pen-tablet was a security threat, because it has a USB cord attached to it.

I'd had enough at that point, and politely asked for a Supervisor & an airport security Supervisor to come over to the check in counter, and that's when the airline finally decided to let me onboard WITH all my gear (yes, another re-pack and a terrible waste of time, with very poor service)

Anyway, the image above is the workstation at the hotel in Manila - and the internet there was just terrible - either the cafes were full booked, or the signal was down - but I just got to Cebu yesterday and I've been up since 5am today preparing some new files I'll be posting now & later tonight.

I didn't disappear - I just haven't been able to see the Familes, buy what they need, spend time with their kids, take my images, edit the images at the hotel, AND get to a net cafe to post - so most days it's either going to be one or the other, and I'll be happy to get 3 days a week regular internet when I get to Ste Fe in a few days.

So thanks for being patient and thanks for letting me rant:)
...the swelling has gone down in my hands & feet, and the jet lag's gone - and I finally got a good nights sleep when I visted friends in Pampanga after Manila & slept on the concrete floor of their simple home; best sleep I had since leaving the USA & I really needed it.

Regards,
PJAMES