Jeepney - The Philippines' King of the Road
There are many ways to travel in the Philippines, though some might not be for the more sensitive type. You have your usual light rail trains, cars, tricycles, taxis, Uber and Grab but you also have other ways to take you either long distances or short.
Manila, is where we find one of my favorite vehicles, the Jeepney. It's a uniquely Philippine invention that resembles a hummer, but larger, with open windows along the whole side, an open back where you enter, and bench seats along each side. They have a certain passenger capacity which varies with size, but the Pinoy are a daring people, and you will often find them over filled, with people hanging off the sides and the back. If you do manage to score a seat inside, be prepared to be crammed in.
When traveling there is no concept of personal space, and once I even had a girl who was a complete stranger fall asleep with her head on my shoulder. From how she was dressed she was apparently a nursing student, and obviously tired. That in itself is not unusual, since my wife caught me sleeping on a Jeepney once, despite the blaring music that is always playing inside.
From all appearances, there is no such thing as major road rage amongst the Jeepney drivers in the Philippines. Patience is a virtue they have mastered on their long daily commutes.
Driving through Metro Manila and the surrounding cities, you come to realize that the rules of the road are more of a suggestion than an actual law.
Take any two way street in a busy area and what you end up with is at least four lanes on each side, and those are fluid.
Every vehicle weaves back and forth trying to find the quickest way to move forward. Walking on the sidewalk is more dangerous than the actual street. You never know when a tricycle will ride up onto the sidewalk to pass a stalled line. And don't expect any fender benders to stall the traffic further.
On one trip, our Jeepney got hit in the back corner by another Jeepney. Neither driver seemed particularly upset. They just continued to move and weave through the traffic.
If you're in a hurry you might consider walking, but if entertainment is what you are after, just hold on and enjoy the ride!
A Jeepney experience by Roger.
Follow his Journey of a Wandering Mind at https://innerroad.weebly.com/.
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| King of the road |
Manila, is where we find one of my favorite vehicles, the Jeepney. It's a uniquely Philippine invention that resembles a hummer, but larger, with open windows along the whole side, an open back where you enter, and bench seats along each side. They have a certain passenger capacity which varies with size, but the Pinoy are a daring people, and you will often find them over filled, with people hanging off the sides and the back. If you do manage to score a seat inside, be prepared to be crammed in.
When traveling there is no concept of personal space, and once I even had a girl who was a complete stranger fall asleep with her head on my shoulder. From how she was dressed she was apparently a nursing student, and obviously tired. That in itself is not unusual, since my wife caught me sleeping on a Jeepney once, despite the blaring music that is always playing inside.
 |
Driving through Metro Manila and the surrounding cities, you come to realize that the rules of the road are more of a suggestion than an actual law.
Take any two way street in a busy area and what you end up with is at least four lanes on each side, and those are fluid.
Every vehicle weaves back and forth trying to find the quickest way to move forward. Walking on the sidewalk is more dangerous than the actual street. You never know when a tricycle will ride up onto the sidewalk to pass a stalled line. And don't expect any fender benders to stall the traffic further.
On one trip, our Jeepney got hit in the back corner by another Jeepney. Neither driver seemed particularly upset. They just continued to move and weave through the traffic.
 |
A Jeepney experience by Roger.
Follow his Journey of a Wandering Mind at https://innerroad.weebly.com/.
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