I envy those who own a car. They can go to any place
they want anytime. Since we don’t own a car, my mother
taught me some few tricks on how to go to new places.
Specially in Manila.
• Ask persons who has been to the place.
Ask the jeepney drivers and barkers. Don’t be shy.
• Remember the buildings(banks, schools, gas stations ,
government buildings, etc) you passed by.
• Read jeepney signs that you encounter. That way you
will know which jeep to take when you go back.
• The internet has helped a lot. Google map can only show
you the road and familiar landmarks. So you need to research.
My first time to commute alone to Manila was to visit Quiapo church.
I was so nervous. I took the wrong bus. I was supposed to take
the Lawton Bus but took the Pasay bus instead. There was a kind
mother with her child who told me to get the jeep to Baclaran
and get down at Taft Avenue. From there I took the Cubao jeep
and got down in Quiapo.
From that experience I told myself to learn other routes of my
destination besides the usual way. Always have a plan B if possible.
My work has given me the opportunity to travel to Manila weekly.
But we used the company car to pick up computer supplies from
different distributors. I ask the guards from these warehouses but
they can only tell me so much. I befriended delivery drivers and
couriers. From them I learned some shortcuts to these places.
They tell me where there are heavy traffic and sometimes they
are kind enough to give us their parking space.
I wanted to share my experience so others will not have difficulty
in commuting.
