A LAND TOUR OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA - (Part 6)

By Rene Calalang
Scarborough-Canada
February 24, 2016



YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK is a United States National Park located in the Sierra Nevada of California, managed by the National Park Service, has an elevation from 2,127 to 13,114 ft. and was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

It is known for four geographic areas: High Sierra , where for hikers, it offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails; Granite Cliffs, which a big challenge for mountain climbers around the world, popular among them are the Half Dome and El Capitan; Sequoia Groves, the massive trees whose trunk could be as big as twenty five feet, could live for over two thousand years and the valley where water from Merced River flows freely to the valley and whose cliffs, waterfalls, and where wildlife like deer and bear finds a home.

It is also internationally known, among others, for its waterfalls and biological diversity, as 50% of California’s plant species are found here.

Our visit was confined, just like to the approximately 3.7 million people, who visit the park each year, to the area of seven square miles (18 square kilometers) of nature.

While inside the park, I can’t help but think of National Parks in the Philippines. I don’t know how many we have because most of our forests are denuded, and what are left, continue to be denuded.

But there is one I know in the Province of Davao –The Mt. Apo National Park, home of the monkey eating Philippine Eagle, which I hope, our class will be able to visit in the near future as one of our classmate, Cecilia G, whose husband’s family has roots in Davao, will be able to lead us.

Yosemite National Parks was the end of the tour; and from there, we headed back to San Gabriel, where most of those living outside of California would spend another night at Hilton San Gabriel, obviously to rest, prior to going in separate ways to head home.
We arrived in San Gabriel on time. We then picked our luggage and loaded them to the shuttle that would drop us to the hotel.

This time, the driver was different. He was rather the complete opposite of the driver that picked us up four days ago. He was rude and without respect to the paying customers, who probably because of his ignorance did not even know that we, the paying customers, were the one paying for his salary. He probably did not even realize, that if he was only respectful and polite; I, and am sure, others in our group too, should had given him a generous tip.

To make matters worse, without explaining to us, he parked the shuttle on the street opposite the hotel and begun unloading our luggage. Of course, there was a big commotion among us. When we asked him why he was unloading our luggage when the hotel is on the other side, he answered in a loud, angry voice that we have to pick up our luggage. Basically, what could have happened if we follow him was: on our way to the hotel, we have to cross the street where there is a traffic light on it, carrying or pulling our luggage.

Of course, this did not sit well with us. One of our leaders, Connie Y, called the office, who in turn, spoke to the driver, who most likely was forced to load again the dozens of luggage.

This was no easy task, as he was no big fellow. But in my opinion, he deserved what he got.

Finally, he drove us to the adjacent parking lot of the hotel, where, he again unloaded our suitcases.

We then proceeded to our respective room in the hotel to rest; for in the next day, we would go on separate ways heading home.

BUT THIS was not the end of it, for in the next days, our leader, Connie Y, fearless as usual and always fighting for her right, contacted the management of the tour bus company and explained the whole situation.

The management agreed with us; and in return, sent Connie Y a written apology.

Case closed. So, you see Virginia, it’s always worth to fight for your right.

LOOKING BACK, it was a wonderful reunion of most of the members of MHPHS CLASS ’64 LIVING ABROAD.

Our next reunion would be in Hawaii next year (2017) and preparation is already underway.

God willing, there is no way I will miss it.
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