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Trouble in travel

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As much as I would love to hop on a plane, I’m hesitant due to the multiplication of health protocols that seem to change daily.

From change of departure dates to flight schedule, the length of time since your last PCR test and the excessive charges on overweight luggage is enough for me to just call it quits. After all, I’m not complaining to be living in the world’s most beautiful city that is Paris.

Forgive me for sounding so arrogant, but after going around the world since the age of 11 years old, I still have to give it to this City of Lights and Romance. There’s just something about Paris that makes one fall in love so easily! 

But let’s go back to the subject of travel nowadays. A dear friend is going back home to the Philippines after a 3 months sojourn in a dream flat overlooking the river Seine, just directly below the roof with windows straight out of Netflix’s “Emily in Paris”.

Recent photos of Queen Margrethe II*
First official photos of the Danish queen in 1972*

Being an organized top executive, his return trip had been booked way ahead. All of a sudden, his flight was cancelled to a later date. We clapped in delight as it meant more days spent together.

Then, just 3 days before his flight home, the 72 hours PCR test became 48 hours! Thank God, my lawyer friend was able to book him an appointment with a private clinic that would do the test on time.

Well, he’s leaving tomorrow and he still has to receive the result of his test with just barely 6 more hours to go.

Thank God, he has a competent travel agent who informed him that since it’s a special flight, the plane will land at Clark and he will have to quarantine in Pampangga instead of his preferred hotel in Makati which was already booked before he left for Europe. And if he misses this flight tomorrow, he would have broken the 3 month visa maximum stay given to him which might complicate his future trips to the Continent.

No matter what tourist visa you get, you can only stay a maximum of 90 days for every trip. You will have to stay out of the European Union for another 90 days before you can come back. That’s the rule. Believe it or not, I’m not even taking a train ride to nearby Belgium now. 

Wearing my favorite dowager pearls; middle, best dressed Queen in my books; right, signature fur trim makes a regal accent*
Queen Margrethe II and her signature hairstyle; middle, with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark; right, the Queen and her husband Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark*
Marking her 50 year reign last Jan. 14, 2022 with the entire Danish royal family, impeccable in black and prune colored gown*

Which brings us to Denmark where my favorite royale, Queen Margrethe II recently celebrated 50 years of her colorful reign. I consider her a most fashionable OLDE GUARD because she doesn’t hide the fact that she loves to recycle her fabulous gowns. This beloved monarch even designs them with “retasos” from her wardrobe.

And she’s one who made her signature look by having fur trimmings on her sleeves and neckline down to the hem. I love her look especially the dowager pearls that goes way below her hips. So, I’m filling this column with pictures of la Reine Margrethe II and wishing some of you might be inspired by her. It must be my two teenage crushes who were all named Margaret.

MY PRAYER. But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Isaiah 63:16.*

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