The way we move

Over here in the Philippines, gettin' there is half the fun of being there. On Monday we had several villages to visit and on the way we experienced FOUR types of Filipino transportation. First, Jeepneys. Let me explain. Jeepneys are recovered World War II vehicles, and very VERY roughly resemble small school buses. The ceilings are low and there is a bench on either side with just enough room to get by in the middle. The outsides are every color of the rainbow, each decorated in a completely different theme and design. Inside...well, it's squishy. You are sandwiched together, half on top of each other, and always wishing you hadn't had that extra serving of rice last time you ate. But at least it's cozy! Our record was 25 people....squishy squishy. I honestly thought that was the limit...until I experienced a 34-person squish. How is it done? Don't ask me. I guess it would help that there were 5 or 6 people hanging off the back. Boys, that is. Girls are strictly prohibited from riding the back of Jeepneys. We tried to find out from Rhonda why this is. She could only tell us it is a part of the culture, that men and women have very distinct roles here. Skeptical, Amber Rae decided to test this hypothesis. No sooner was she on the back of the Jeepney, the driver slowed down, turned around with a horrified expression on his face and cried out "no! iss not good! iss not proper!" So Amber Rae got back inside. And Rhonda just laughed at us. When you want the driver to stop, all you do is bang on the roof, or smack a coin against the rods you hang onto. The first thing I learned about jeepneys is if you want to do the banging method, make sure the roof isn't padded. =)

Next along our route, we took a tricycle. Let me clarify. A tricycle is actually a motorbike with a sort of covered cart on the side which ideally probably 2 people could sit in. Like Jeepneys, I discovered you can always fit more, and we piled in 9 of us, including the driver, and two behind him on the motorbike. There are also manual versions, and I have a great deal of respect/pity for the poor men struggling along the busy streets.

Third, we took a ferry. We went to an island close by Cebu, and the ride was only about 20 minutes. In fact, there is a bridge connecting our two islands, but by sea is a little faster. It's about 25cents American per person. It was at night so we got to see all the lights of Cebu and the hill above the city on Lapu-Lapu. Beautiful!

Lastly, here is my very favorite mode of transportation...(please don't tell our mothers!)... Motorcycles! My first EVER experience of a motorbike was after we had climbed to the top of a mountain just outside Cebu city. We thought we had to walk all the way down so we were doubly excited to learn we could ride! Amberlea and I rode together behind the driver. For a few seconds we were completely horrified and terrified, and as we took off, I vaguely remember Amberlea screaming "we're going to diiieeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" However, we soon realized that if we did, we'd just go to heaven, so we might as well enjoy it. And we did. It really was breakneck speed, but the cool mountain air was blowing in our faces, and it was utterly thrilling. A bike in the city might be a little more nerve-wracking, as they skirt in and out amid the jeepney's and never have a lane to themselves. But that's another story. All I can say is Albertan traffic is going to seem pretty tame after this!

love,

Amberkay.