Top-load/ABC Wednesday

T is for Top load

The jeepney is one of the Philippines' cultural symbols.  It is found in roads all over the country---in the crowded city streets, sleepy towns, provincial roads and rural back roads.  Jeepneys are symbols of our street life, the workhorse of Philippine transportation.  Through the years, jeepneys have earned a moniker "King of the Road" because jeepney drivers are notorious for doing as they please---unload and pick up passengers whenever and wherever, violate all kinds of traffic laws like stopping at No Stop signs, drive on lanes and streets where they are not allowed, bust people's eardrums with their blaring music.

Jeepneys have made an impression on our visitors.  I haven't met a foreign guest who has not been fascinated by our jeepneys.  Riding a jeepney is definitely one of their must-try when they're in the Philippines, and I bet they have interesting stories of their jeepney rides when they go home.  An American client was fascinated how the driver can manage it all---keeps track of each passenger, makes sure each passenger pays before getting off, receives fares and gives change while snaking through traffic.  Yes, a jeepney driver is great at multi-tasking!  

I enjoy riding jeepneys when I travel to the countryside.  The ride is inexpensive and it allows you to take in as much scenery as you could.  I admit it's not the most comfortable ride, sometimes it feels like you're in a can of sardines.  The fun part is, you get to meet interesting people when you share such small space with them.

Jeepney rides can give you an adrenalin rush especially when you take the top load---that means sitting on the roof of the jeepney.  There are places in far-flung provinces where trips are few and far between, and commuters have to make the best out of these trips, hence the top load sitting arrangement.  Tourists and thrill-seekers love the top load, photographers get the best drive-by shots.

Law enforcers discourage top load as it is dangerous but drivers allow it, and passengers ride the top load at their own risk.  Maybe I should try this one of these days.:p

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Full Stop/Signs

Do you put your foot down to a Full Stop or slow down to a crawl?

Or STOP means Squeal Tires On Pavement?

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Truck signs

Aside from the usual truck safety signs like "keep your distance" and "distancia amigo", I've spotted some interesting and funny truck signs while on the streets of the metro.

Loosely translated:  "No other vice but to love" 

Linking to Signs, Signs

T/ABC Wednesday

T is for Tunnel

Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.

~ Martin Luther King , Jr.

Linking to Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday

Eyesores/Signs

A drive-by shot on a Sunday morning---with the ubiquitous king of the road in the middle of an intersection.  Metro Manila is not Metro Manila without the jeepney.  Unsightly cables, a dilapidated building covered with all kinds of signs are perfect examples of an urban eyesore.  I wonder where the free parking was---I hope not on the roof top.:p

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Street Signs

These signs are a few meters away from each other, taken on the same deserted street near Triboa Bay in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.  Four roads meet at this junction---I hope these signs help prevent accidents at this crossroad.

Automobiles are not ferocious...it is man who is to be feared. ~ Robbins B. Stoeckel

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Mellow Yellow Monday: Tricycle

A tricycle on the street of Culion Island, the usual means of transportation in the island.  It can load up to 6 passengers, sometimes, even more.

Wishing you a great 2012!  Happy New Year!

More splashes of yellow at Mellow Yellow Monday

Signs: Traffic Advisory

It's great that there was a traffic advisory here---motorists couldn't complain about the traffic jam. I took photos to entertain myself.:p

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Signs: Finally, a price rollback!

@ mirandablue

Took a snap at this sign while I was filling up at Shell.  A 1.50-peso rollback in oil prices took effect on Sunday after cost of oil  fell by $7 per barrel last week.  It took oil companies a week to reduce prices whereas price hikes usually take effect immediately.  I believe the rollback should be more than 1.50 pesos per liter. The seemingly slow response of oil firms in reducing prices exasperates the public, especially the transportation sector. But what is more annoying is seeing the government's helplessness in this situation. Unlike in other Asian countries where gas prices are subsidized, the petroleum industry in the Philippines is deregulated, forcing consumers to pay free-market rates for gas.  In this year alone, gas prices here went up 18 times!

More at Signs, Signs

Midweek Blues: Blue truck

@ mirandablue

A blue truck cruising at the SCTEx (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway). SCTEx is a 94-kilometer four-lane expressway north of Manila.  The south end of this expressway is at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a former US naval base; it passes through Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, a former US air force base, and the north end is Tarlac City, the hometown of the current president.

Linked to Midweek Blues

Mellow Yellow Monday #18: Jeepney

@ mirandablue

An air-conditioned jeepney---an evolution of a Philippine icon.

Posted for Mellow Yellow Monday

Signs: The 4-way Test

@ mirandablue

Captured this sign on a red light.  I pass this sign every morning on the way to work.  Great guiding thoughts throughout the day.

Linked to Signs, Signs hosted by Lesley

Edsa billboards [Signs, Signs]

@ mirandablue

A few billboards along Edsa, a major thoroughfare in Metro Manila.  Oops, I forgot to include a translation earlier---loosely translated, it says, "stretched muscles have the energy that never quits". The model is a local action star, Robin Padilla.

This post is linked to Signs, Signs hosted by Lesley

Signs [Everyday Life ATW]

Taken during a red light near the intersection of Julia Vargas and Meralco Avenue 

Posted for Everyday Life ATW