HONG KONG PROTESTS MAY AFFECT ANA'S TRIP AS SHE PACKS HER BAG WITH SPICES

Ana Adiong

Ana messaged me yesterday to say she was worried about the first leg of her flight, Cebu to Hong Kong, mentioning some sort of mandate from China.

I checked into it and, indeed, there was a problem.  Hong Kong citizens had been "rioting" and some employees of Cathay Pacific Airlines who'd noticeably supported the protesters had been banned by the Chinese government.  China issued a mandate calling for Cathay Pacific to terminate any employees supporting the protests.

Two Check-In Bags, One Carryon

Cathay Pacific and American Airlines both assured me that, if a cancellation of flights was initiated on their end because of the turmoil, they would be responsible for providing an alternate flight at their cost since we'd booked before the mandate.

I could also cancel as I bought the so-called travel insurance, but the cancellation would cost me $300, so Ana and I are sitting tight for now, hoping for a relaxation of tensions by September 5, when Ana is booked to leave Cebu.

Ana is bringing some spices so she can prepare familiar dishes when she gets here.  I would say "good luck" in finding the same vegetables she gets in the Philippines at H.E.B., but maybe she can find substitutes.  

She's still looking for Spanish sardines, something she says are expensive here, and Monk's Coffee, an item she wants to get for me.