Doctor Diaries at the Olympics by Dr. Rhoel James Dejano
I finally arrived just before dusk in Sao Paolo, Brazil after a 12-hour flight from Amsterdam.
Breezed through immigration and customs and rushed to the domestic terminal where I have to catch a flight to Rio de Janeiro set to leave in about an hour.
There was a special lane for check-in for Olympic Athletes but I had to queue in the regular lane.
I was already nervous because I saw in the monitor that my flight was already boarding.
I then approached one of the agents and told her that my flight was already boarding upon which she facilitated my check-in and I had to rush to the boarding gate where passengers were already getting inside the plane.
Once inside, I saw different nationalities in their respective uniforms. On the same plane were athletes from Kazakhstan, Singapore, Austria, Malaysia and UAE.
I have never been a nationalistic person but when I walked to my seat and heard somebody say, “Ahhh Pilipinas, Duterte,” I’ve never been more proud to be Filipino until then. The print on my jacket only said Pilipinas, but then someone inside said Pilipinas…. Duterte!!!
Before, whenever I’m abroad and I say I’m a Filipino, they always say, “Aahmmm, Imelda” or “Ahhh, Pacquiao.” This time it was Duterte.
The flight to Rio from Sao Paolo took about an hour.
The mood in the arrivals hall was festive with volunteers assisting athletes and visitors alike. I myself was excited to be here at last. It’s a mixed feeling of excitement and apprehension .
I then saw the person who was going to fetch me. She was a Canadian living in Rio for quite sometime now. She then drove me to my hotel where I grabbed a late dinner.
Finally, it’s almost midnight and I’m now resting. Looking forward to the day ahead!
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