The Wild Ones

The Arrival

First day or March.

It was ten minutes ahead of scheduled time since the plane landed in this airport. Seems too busy, indeed, than NAIA. I had two stop overs, the first one is in Guangzhou(Baiyun International Airport), and waited there for almost four hours. Then next one is in Paris(Charles de Gaulle Airport) and stayed there for another four hours. The flight only took forty minutes from Paris to Luxembourg (Findel Airport). I've learned from dad that this is the 5th busiest airport all around Europe. But my luggages seems to arrived pretty fast, or maybe it was not placed on cargo plane. Lucky me.

Now I'm in a landlocked country in western Europe-Luxembourg. It was a small country bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. Having almost 500,000 population. Well, as of now it's all I know about this place. 

Someone'scalling me. It's a private number.

Hello?

"Ah. You arrived already." So it was my dad and cousin checking me out if I'm doing good. Since I promised them that I'll call them right after i arrived here. I had a talk with my cousin, Andrew, and seem to me that he's less emotional than the last night I talked to him. Now I'm starting to miss them. But I have to keep myself still and head to what I'm about to experience in this country.

It's 10:30 am and I was waiting for Louis, the hotel staff who supposed to pick me up. I waited at the curb and a Black Chevrolet car stopped in front of me. The guy inside waved through a light tinted window. An asian-looking guy, at about 50 years of age, stepped outside the car and waved at me as if a sign of greeting.

"Mr. Lopez? I am Louis, and I am here to take you to Legere Hotel."

He's got a weird English accent. I nodded. "I am."

Right before that, he opened the back door and let me stepped in. Followed by placing my luggages in the trunk of the car. The moment he started driving, I had a thought of breaking the silence. I roamed my eyes around the car's interior, it was remarkably sleek. 

"Is this a company car?" I looked at him through the rear view mirror and he glances back to answer. "Yes, sir. I've been handling this for two years now."

I suddenly became curious about the trip when I noticed that we entered the main highway. "How long should we travel?" 

"About 8-15 minutes, sir. It depends on the traffic. But it is still quite early, so we can get there in less than 10 minutes." he answered.

"It's quite near. I thought it was about 30 mins away from the airport."

"No, sir." As he glanced each time I'm talking and when he answers.

I examine him more from the rear view mirror, he looks like an Asian. Olive-skinned, his eyes are brown, his hair is even black and some white hair visible. Out of my curiosity, I suddenly voiced out a question.

"Pardon me, but I was wondering..."

"Sir?"  Waiting for what I'm about to say.

"What is... Um. Is there any chance you're from an asian country- or something of asian descent?" Trying not to sound like a racist.

He smiled. "I'm a Luxembourger of Filipino descent, sir."

Alas! "Really? I'm from the Philippines, do you speak Filipino?" I asked him politely with a little hint of delightment.

"Yes, sir. I was actually hesitant to greet you in our language."

"For how long you've been here?" I asked him right away. I was kind of interested in his citizenship.

"About 25 years now, sir."

"And how long you've been a citizen here?" Still asking him politely.

"15 years. Actually, I have no intention of living here this long. I just fell in love with the place, reserved people, the climate. Everything. So I tried learning their language to pass the exam for their citizenship. You have to live here for at least 7 consecutive years. They allow dual-citizenship, so it's quite nice. Do you have plan of staying?"

Before saying anything, he stopped and stepped out the car to open the door for me. We arrived at the hotel already.

"Welcome to Legere Hotel, sir. Please proceed to the reception area to check in. Your luggages will be delivered to your room shortly. May you enjoy your stay." He winked at me.

"Ah. Thanks." I turned my back on him and walked myself to the reception area.

Reception Area

"Willkommen bei Légère Hotel. Hoe kan ik u helpen, sir?" The hotel rerceptionist greeted me. Obviously not in french, could be Dutch.

"Oh. I-um, I don't speak dutch."

"Oh, my apologies, sir. How may I help you?" I think she just translated her greetings just awhile back.

"It's okay." I smiled at her. "My father made a reservation for me." I handed her the card that the hotel sent us.

"Please wait for awhile, sir."  The receptionist took the card and validate it on the computer. There are three personnel at the front desk. One is on the phone, and the other is sorting out some pile of folders.

"Mr. Lopez?"

I answered by nodding.

"Residence suite is ready for you, sir. I'll lead you to the room." She walks right to the elevator. I hop in.

"Residence suite, huh? How many days should I stay here?"

"Mr. Fedric Lopez booked a residence suite for 7 days."

"7 days, I see. And how much for a night in that room?"

"The cost per room varies each night. Depending on the day. It is more expensive during Saturdays and Sundays. The total bill for your booking is 996 €."

"996 eh? As in 900? As in N-I-N-E?" I asked the crew.

"Yes, sir." We stepped out of the elevator, turned left and after 2 units. The lady stopped in front of room # 312. Opened the door for me with the electronic card key.

"May you enjoy your first night here, sir. Press 0 on the phone to contact the front desk if ever you will be needing something."

"Alright, thank you." I said, and she closed the door.

A king-size bed, a rainfall shower, vanity mirror, and a mini bar.

996 € for 7 days stay in this room. 996 €, in peso, it worth appox. 50 thousand. 50 thousand for a stay in this room? Just for 7 days?

"Dad. This is not a vacation." I stared blank through the window.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!