It's been months since I've been here in my home land, and hey, I've had some improvements (I think). I can now chop onions and garlic. I'm doing my own grocery and I'm the one paying the bills. But what I'm really proud of myself is that I'm actually learning how to travel on my own! I know now how to commute!
And being a self-proclaimed maarte and only child who's just used to being a passenger in her Daddy's car, I made some tips on how to make yourself comfortable when traveling or taking PUVs.
Tips on how to commute
from a Sosyalera-wanna-be :)
1. Wear comfortable footwear.
There are a lot of footwear nowadays and the prices vary from the cheapest, which you can buy from sidewalk vendors or public markets, or the expensive ones with the same price as genuine leather shoes! What's the difference? Of course, the comfort! I bought a jelly-like slippers in Divisoria last summer. It actually looks like those of Grendha but it only cost me 49 Php. It was nice and comfortable, but during rainy days, expect that your feet will also be wet even though you still have it on. It's like a sponge. The more you walk in a wet pavement, the more it absorbs the water, and later on you'll find the insole of your slippers to be soaking wet! That's why I only wear those slippers whenever I'm sure there'll be no rain throughout the day.
I bought another pair of slippers at a popular clothing store. It's not expensive but it's not that cheap considering it's only rubber slippers. But I bought it anyway so I can use it during these rainy days. It's also a wedge slippers so I'm very sure my feet won't get wet. I was right. My feet don't get wet anymore, but it's very much painful to wear. I actually have callouses right now and it hurts like hell!
So now, I'm planning to buy something from Grendha (the real one) or Ipanema. Yes, it is expensive, but maybe, it will be worth it.
2. Know how much your exact fare is.
Most of the time, I will just give a 20- or a 50-peso bill because I don't know how much my exact fare is. Sometimes, the driver will give me an extra change, or sometimes he will ask me to give another peso or two. So be sure to ask and keep in mind how much your exact fare is. Most drivers are dishonest and will do anything just to earn a little more than their income (C'mon, 1 peso?).
3. Give the exact amount.
I gave a 500-peso bill to the bus conductor one time. I know, it's my fault that I don't have a smaller bill. He told me to wait for my change. I'm about to get off the bus already but I haven't received my change yet. So I asked the conductor about it. He then answered me arrogantly, "Magkano nga ulet pera mo?" Yeah, rrrrright!
4. Don't be afraid to ask.
There are still good samaritans out there that you can ask for directions in case you get lost (which I normally do! Haha). But be sure to ask those who you think are the most trustworthy among the people you will encounter. I always ask security guards and lady vendors for directions.
And of course, don't forget to thank them. Without them, I won't be able to go home and write this.. hehe
5. Familiarize yourself with places.
I don't have a sense of direction. I'm the type of person who easily forgets places. Most of the time, I forget the entrance of a place from which I entered from. But since I only have myself now to depend on, I learned how to become aware of my surroundings. I have to memorize places which can be my landmark in case I got lost. I'm still not good at it but at least I'm learning.
6. Be aware.
One of the main reasons why I didn't learn how to commute on my own before was because I got PUV-phobia (obviously, it's a made up word). Back in college, I always encounter hold-uppers especially in FX. That's why whenever I'm in a PUV, I'm always paranoid. But since I have no choice, I must desensitize* myself. I usually keep my watch, my cellphone (sometimes my digicam), large amount of money in secret pockets that hold-uppers won't usually look at. I keep smaller bills in my coin purse.
*Systematic desensitization - (psychology) A behavior therapy technique that is used to modify phobic behaviors by constructing a hierarchy of anxiety-producing stimuli and gradually presenting them to the individual until they no longer produce anxiety.
And lucky me I don't sleep in PUVs (even in airplanes). I just can't sleep sitting.
7. Walk with the crowd.
It's much safer to walk with other people than to walk alone along the busy streets and overpass, especially at night. If you're alone someone might just attack you without anybody noticing it. That's why I usually walk a bit faster when I'm alone because I want to cope up with other commuters.
8. Enjoy your trip.
No matter how hectic your day was, how long you've been waiting for the bus, either you have to stand or sit in MRT, just enjoy your trip and treat it as an everyday-adventure. I love riding airconditioned buses nowadays. It's comfortable and the fare is just fine. And every once in a while I listen to other people's gossips, read my seatmate's text messages secretly (haha), watch free movie, and a lot more things to do!
Trust me. You'll forget that you're tired once you treat your day light.
HAPPY TRIP!
