Have Jeepney, Will Travel
Posted by Everywhere and Here. on Wednesday, February 21st, 2007 @ 12:13 pm in Personal - Philippines.
I live in a country where only a little over half a million have vehicles. Considering that the population is roughly 88.7
(But fast-forward two years and I find myself in need of cash and my only quick and legal solution is to sell the one thing with the highest yield - my beloved car.)
Being car-less in Manila isn't actually that bad. Since so many people can't afford to own vehicles, creative means of public transportation have sprung up and evolved in the country - the motorcycle with an attached carriage we call the "tricycle", its non-motorized version of bicycle with carriage known as the "pedicab", the FX shuttle - alongside the ubiquitous jeepney, bus, and cab. Nowadays, I actually get more reading and thinking done since I've been freed from the burden of driving and navigating through our infamous traffic.
If my neighbor brings his car, I hitch with him to work and my daily commute is easy. But more often than not, I hit the roads with the rest of the 88 million Philippine inhabitants and chase after the slowly inching jeepneys as they leave the curb, line up for seats on shuttles or tricycles, or crowd and fight our way onto buses for seats that we barely fit. Cabs are a luxury or only a salvation for when running late.
One recent Monday, with the morning rush more rushed and crowded than normal, I had to squeeze my way through five people fighting to get through the bus's door. Once on, I found a seat near the back. Thankful for the spot despite its location near the noisy rear where the engine's located, I settled down and welcomed the lull of zoning out and getting to my next ride twenty minutes away.
What a luxury it would have been. Guy diagonally behind me decides to listen to the music on his mobile phone sans headset and for all to hear. I look at him. I face forward and sigh - at least he's listening to Nirvana. Guy and girl in seat in front of me start having a lurid conversation for all to hear. Too much information. I tune out by opening up my Reader's Digest.
Aaahh. The sweet refuge of the easy read. Two pages later and I'm off the bus and on my way to a jeep. No music. No talk. Thank God.
But the best part is that it only cost me $.50 to get from home to work. Much cheaper than maintaining a car - gas plus maintenance plus parking.
Who am I kidding? I miss driving. *Sigh*