Pa-Salubong!

LRT

Didn’t taxis get their fare increase already? I couldn’t understand why cab drivers have to ask for extra. Worst, they ask you when you are already inside. I feel I am coerced every time this happens. “Dagdag ka na lang ng bente,” seems to be a standard response for some drivers after a passenger reveals a destination. I don’t have an extensive taxi experience, so I am clueless when this happens. I am certain of my feelings, though. I blame myself for tolerating such act.

LRT

I don’t take taxis unless I really have to. Recently, I picked up baby sister at the airport. At that point, she was the typical provincial lass with a carton box as part of her luggage. Inside her box were fresh Zamboanga fish and other foodstuff to augment my near empty fridge. In an old ice cream plastic box in another bag were garlic, tomatoes and onions. She knew we needed all those here in Manila. So, with those treats and her bag of clothes, we had to take the cab. You see, Manila airports have not been very friendly to the jeepney-riding public because hauling all the luggage to the nearest jeepney stop would require Herculean strength, which is something most people have yet to achieve. Besides, I do not approve of bringing in big bags in jeeps; I have to consider other passengers also.

I had to ignore the taxi ride home. Lamenting on it would just spoil the excitement I had for all the food to keep me happy for the next few days.

Dad is arriving in a few days. I wonder what he will have in his bag.