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Street Level Living Philippines

Written by admin

Topics: Stories from the Philippines!

 
 

Streeet Level Living “Jeepney”

 

Reality is something we Westerners dodge.  We fight reality for the illusion that is comfort, that is distraction.  We are addicted to comfort and distraction to the point that we are shocked when reality comes up to rear it’s “ugly” head. 

You may wonder what I am talking about when I mention illusion and distraction but we are sorrounded by it and have been so accustomed to it that we don’t even realize we are blind to the reality of life. 

I go back into the magic screen in my mind and re-live some memories of “street level” living in the Philippines. 

I find myself on the side of a crowded highway having just stepped off the Jeepney.  Waiting with countless poor and yet smiling faces that I have bonded with in this short stream of consciousness that is, and will ever be a part of my life.  I travel with the locals on their most popular mode of transportation.  The Jeepney is a Filipino Icon in that it efficiently transports people day in and day out to their desired destinations for such a small amount of Pesos. 

You see in most parts of the Philippines it is unnecessary to even have a car.  To the American it is a forein concept indeed to be without one!  The excitement of being on literally the “other side of the world”  in a strange land riding in this tin can on wheels with people you don’t know is a thrill and gritty slice of realness that can only be experienced first hand. We waited on the dirty shoulder of the road near a clumsily put together Jeepney stand.  Small thin brown skinned people will stare at you, when you catch their glance they will smile sweetly and acknowledge you as if you were “somebody” just because you are a westerner.  

The Filipino people are so accepting and accommodating that you never feel like you are away from home.   You might actually, like me, feel like you are truly home for the very first time.  

It is a beautiful contrast (the Philippine experience).  Waiting at the side of the road amidst a sea of traffic that is seemingly reckless but somehow perfectly in harmony at the same time.   The smell of diesel smoke and the noise of the street will assault you while the grace and peacefulness of the Filipino people make you feel totally at ease.  

We waited for a little while for another Jeepney to safely take us to the other side of the six lanes of traffic so we could do some shopping in one of the most modern malls that you will ever see! 

We finally boarded hunched over entering through the back, ever clinging to the small handrail that is firmly bolted to the roof of the vehicle.  Walking gently so as to not step on the feet of fellow travellers as we endeavor to find a seat on the narrow benches on either side.  

When seated it is a nice visual to behold.  Mothers and daughters going to the store.  Young women donning immaculately kept nurses’s uniforms going home from training for the day.  Smiling children on their Father’s laps and those who can sleep sitting up are all along for the ride.  Happy teenagers riding with their friends having an innocent good time.  

When we arrive at the Mall (SM) as they call it.  We get off the Jeepney and hurry to the comfort of the Mall.  

I don’t know why I wrote this.  Sometimes I just sit down at my laptop and want to translate memory to page.  I want to convey the experience, the color, sites sounds and smells that are all a part of the experience. 

I love the Philippines and miss it so much.  There are so many stories, so many experiences and memories that always make me drift back.  They always make me homesick for the Philippines. 

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Posted on 22 June 2010

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About the Author

  • http://timmeek tim

    this is great……

  • http://www.sarthak4you.wordpress.com Sarthak Agarwal

    No doubt, your emotions can be spotted in each and every word of dis memoir. Nicely written.

  • http://www.sarthak4you.wordpress.com Sarthak Agarwal

    No doubt, your emotions can be spotted in each and every word of dis memoir. Nicely written.

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com admin

    Thanks for your comment and compliment! I always love visiting the Philippines. I have a feeling that the experience would be similar in your country. I have read some of your blog and I would like to go to India some day. I find it important to really connect with the local people in a country when you visit, not just go to the resort. The Philippines is a beautiful place and I long for it more everyday!

    Thanks again for the comment!

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com admin

    Thanks for your comment and compliment! I always love visiting the Philippines. I have a feeling that the experience would be similar in your country. I have read some of your blog and I would like to go to India some day. I find it important to really connect with the local people in a country when you visit, not just go to the resort. The Philippines is a beautiful place and I long for it more everyday!

    Thanks again for the comment!

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  • jordan

    galing! we’ll said.

    that thing that you can’t put in one word is what i don’t find anywhere else of my years away from philippines.

    and an expat who is looking for good and the real thing, which only an instinct from God can discern, is the one to find this difference. not your literal eyes can see this but the eyes of your heart – that you would only find if you have the heart that cleave for what is good.

    filipinos are compassionate, a character i hardly can see from others out in the world.

    jordan
    esoriano.wordpress.com

  • Randall

    Glad you liked the post and thanks for the comment! It is true there is something intangeble about the Philippines. There is “that something” that cannot be explained and has to be experienced!!

    It is that something that keeps drawing me back!! Thanks

  • Pingback: Philippine Travel Through The Eye Of A White Guy! « Dreaming Philippines

  • http://philippinesplus.com Davedewall

    I love riding the jeepneys, Randall. Always a great experience and cheap transportation.

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com Randall

    Yeah, I need to lose a little around the middle and it will be a better ride!

    Thanks for stopping by!

  • Rich

    Good article. Love the color scheme of the site :)

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com Randall

    Thanks for the comment! Yeah it is easy on the eyes (as far as glare is concerned). I wish it had a little bolder type or stood out a little more.

    Thanks for the e-mail in my inbox!!

  • Ed

    I definitely without doubt can relate!….I too have a genuine passion for Philippine Culture and all that it encompasses. I’m quite surprised that I came across your blog only to conjure up all those memories of my previous visits. I can’t seem to find your Facebook link. I look forward to more relevant ventures you encounter and convey so well thru your blog!……

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com Randall

    Hey! I think you really get it. There is no way to convey all that the Philippines means to me. It absolutely must be experienced. How did you come across my blog anyway? I need to create a new facebook page for my blog. Right now it is calle “Bloggers Central” Just something I created on the spur of the moment.

    So glad you checked in.. Thanks

  • Ed

    I merely googled something as to myself having a passion for Philippine Culture and I came across your blog……

  • http://philippinesplus.com DaveDeWall

    Just wanted to add another note, Randall. Completely agree with you about not needing to own a vehicle in the Philippines. Been here for over a year, and my wife and I go traveling in nearby Iloilo City, and it only costs seven pesos each for a ride anywhere in the city proper. We used to use cabs but now know the different routes the jeepneys take. It’s more fun (and lots cheaper) riding the jeepney.

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com Randall

    Yeah, I’m with you Dave. Transportation is so cheap. A few pesos and you can go anywhere? Can you imagine trying to get someone to work on your vehicle?

    Transportation in the Philippines is like Greyhound in America, “leave the driving to us”.

    The thrill of being with the local people outweighs any “convenience” you may get from a taxi ride.

  • krom

    I’m a filipino and I was really moved by your blog. It’s just sad that even though the people in the philippines are amazing and genuinely friendly, the local government does minimal efforts to improve the country’s economy. Those “poor yet smiling faces” in your blog, they don’t have to be “poor” you know, it’s just that wrong leaders are being elected from time to time. I just know that the Philippines can do so much (with a lot of inventors, engineers and professionals up its sleeves). If only there’s a leader who’s up to the challenge AND IS OF COURSE, MORE IMPORTANTLY, not corrupt. hehe sorry for the sentiments cant help but comment. thanks for writing this! i’ll let my friends read! you said that you love the philippines, i’m sure the feeling is mutual!

  • http://www.thephilippinesproject.com Randall

    Hey, thanks for commenting!

    I have not been posting very much for a while now. I need to get back into it. I do appreciate the comment. I am married to a Filipina and have traveled to the Philippines and love every minute of it. I love the people, the places and the general attitude of Filipinos.

    I would agree that there is corruption there. I also would temper that with the fact that there is corruption everywhere you go. In the U.S. there is corruption but we just make it look a little more legal.

    I would not blame it all on the leaders in the Philippines (the being poor part). There is opportunity there for people to grow and develop. If you are looking for a traditional job in the Philippines it is very hard and I dare say almost impossible to make a really good living. I also think that there are great opportunities in business there. The very small business’s I see almost have no restrictions (taxes,workmans comp, etc).

    I would like to see a little more entreprenourial spirit there and I believe it would serve them well. This is not a slam on the average Filipino at all. I love the people with all my heart. I just see a hopeless attitude most of the time. Maybe and quite possibly I would have the very same attitude if I grew up there as well.

    Filipinos have many fine qualities that I admire very much. I love it there and long for the day when I can live there at least half of the year.

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  • http://www.addvalue.com.au/ executive gifts

    I hope that you will visit the Philippines again and please bring a friend with you so that others can also experience the beauty of the Philippines. I suggest you visit Sagada and enjoy the water falls, caves and the rice terraces.  It is more fun in the Philippines!

  • Randall

     Thanks for the comment and I will have to look up Sagada.  The water falls sound great.  I am thinking of going back in the next couple of months..

    Thanks again for the comment.