It's been sixty something days since class ended and I'm still at a loss with what to do with myself.
Anyway, one very important life lesson I garnered during the experience was tolerating the non-aircon bus.
Before starting class I hated non-aircon buses. I still rode them, but I'd avoid it if I could. The thing about non-aircon buses is that most of them had doors on the side. Because the passenger wouldn't have to walk all the way to the front to get off, most of these buses wouldn't stop that long while you got off- or on. One time, me and my sister was getting on a bus like this and because she was in front of me I couldn't get on the bus fast enough. The bus jerked forward and I nearly lost my balance. So if I was jittery about these buses before, after this experience I was close to boycotting them completely.
But because I wasn't familiar with the area where my classes were held I had to contend with using buses to get to class. Unfortunately, the buses that plied my route were few. One time out of desperation, I boarded a bus that was full. Full as in I was in the doorway. And of course, the door was open. I was scared. I kept thinking that if we were going to be in a slight accident I would be dead because I could easily get bumped off into the road and ran over by other vehicles.
I was clutching the bars as tightly as I could when, at the next bus stop, a guy tries to board. People try to make space for him so now he was at the edge of the doorway instead of me. I was ecstatic! If something happens he's gonna die first before I do! Hahaha! He had one hand on the same bar I was holding on and the other hand palm-down on the side of the bus. On the outside side of the bus.
As if things weren't bad enough the conductor manages to get close enough to our area and ask the new passenger, "Bayad nyo po?"
He's hanging on for dear life and the conductor wanted him to pay NOW? With what hand?
But the guy begs off, "Pare, mamaya na, mahirap e." Understatement of the year.
Fortunately, several minutes later a few people get off and I quickly squirmed my way inside. I'm guessing the other passenger did the same.
Anyway, at least now I've got the hang of riding ordinary buses. If there's a door in the front I try to sit near that door so I can alight there. That way the driver can see me get off. If I'm getting off at the side door then I scream my head off, "Sandali lang! Sandali lang!" until I'm actually off the bus.
You learn something new everyday.
Anyway, one very important life lesson I garnered during the experience was tolerating the non-aircon bus.
Before starting class I hated non-aircon buses. I still rode them, but I'd avoid it if I could. The thing about non-aircon buses is that most of them had doors on the side. Because the passenger wouldn't have to walk all the way to the front to get off, most of these buses wouldn't stop that long while you got off- or on. One time, me and my sister was getting on a bus like this and because she was in front of me I couldn't get on the bus fast enough. The bus jerked forward and I nearly lost my balance. So if I was jittery about these buses before, after this experience I was close to boycotting them completely.
But because I wasn't familiar with the area where my classes were held I had to contend with using buses to get to class. Unfortunately, the buses that plied my route were few. One time out of desperation, I boarded a bus that was full. Full as in I was in the doorway. And of course, the door was open. I was scared. I kept thinking that if we were going to be in a slight accident I would be dead because I could easily get bumped off into the road and ran over by other vehicles.
I was clutching the bars as tightly as I could when, at the next bus stop, a guy tries to board. People try to make space for him so now he was at the edge of the doorway instead of me. I was ecstatic! If something happens he's gonna die first before I do! Hahaha! He had one hand on the same bar I was holding on and the other hand palm-down on the side of the bus. On the outside side of the bus.
As if things weren't bad enough the conductor manages to get close enough to our area and ask the new passenger, "Bayad nyo po?"
He's hanging on for dear life and the conductor wanted him to pay NOW? With what hand?
But the guy begs off, "Pare, mamaya na, mahirap e." Understatement of the year.
Fortunately, several minutes later a few people get off and I quickly squirmed my way inside. I'm guessing the other passenger did the same.
Anyway, at least now I've got the hang of riding ordinary buses. If there's a door in the front I try to sit near that door so I can alight there. That way the driver can see me get off. If I'm getting off at the side door then I scream my head off, "Sandali lang! Sandali lang!" until I'm actually off the bus.
You learn something new everyday.
