Yesterday,our little Nate turned two and we celebrated it quietly at home with a birthday lunch. Today, Josef and I visited their place to share another celebration with my son-in-law’s family. He finally got to blow a candle on his cake and mingle with other kids and his cousins. I think he enjoyed himself blowing the #2 candle several times while Nissa took pictures. We’re teaching him how to answer “I am two years old” with matching index and middle fingers raised like a letter V.
Did I tell you that I am afraid to take a commute alone when going to far places? Most of the time, when Josef is free, we go together. After attending the early morning mass, we met at the EDSA Shrine. He came straight from a night shift and it would save time than for me to wait for him to come home. Going to Manila even on a Sunday is quite a challenge to one’s patience. I thought, people were out of the streets since for every scheduled Manny Pacquiao fight there is no traffic. It was the exact opposite though so we took the train (MRT) from Ortigas to Taft Avenue, another connecting train ride (LRT 1) to Tayuman where we took a 10-minute jeepney commute to go to Tondo. On our way home, we did the same, taking LRT 1 to Doroteo Jose station then transferred to LRT 2 until we reached Santolan, the end station on the eastern side of Manila. Josef laughingly told me that finally, I have experienced going around all the stations of the metro rail and light rail transits. Hooray! Honestly, it is a bit hard to climb stairs to get to the next connecting ride. Oh, my poor knees! Why are all the escalators not functioning? I can imagine the hardship of everyday ride for our public commuters but I guess, it is the best option than taking a bus which also takes forever because of the traffic. Metro Manila is so congested.
So what’s new? Every year the government thinks of expanding the roads (and they do causing more traffic) but every year there are new cars too, truck bans are out of this world, smoke belching is an accepted norm and yes, sometimes traffic enforcers are not doing their jobs well. If I can help it, I don’t like being in a crowd of commuters, bumping elbows, jostling one another although at times it is more practical to commute than to bring a car where you’ll be stuck in traffic. The Metro Manila Development Authority and the big shopping malls in Metro Manila have agreed to adjust their opening time from 10am to 11am and they close at 11pm. I guess that is only for the Christmas season. The big question is, will it change the traffic situation?
By the way, congratulations Manny! I wonder what Mayweather is thinking now.
Reading your commuting story takes me back to some difficult journeys across London years ago. I also hated the rush-hour commute on public transport, though it got easier once widespread use of bus lanes was introduced to the capital.
Julie’s daughter is due to have her baby tomorrow, if they got the dates right. So she will soon be experiencing the joy you get from being a grandmother. I am glad that you had a nice party for little Nate. It sounds just right.
Best wishes from England, Pete.
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Wow, Julie must be in 7th heaven. Tell her to take it easy. Praying her daughter will have an easy delivery. It’s fun to be a granny. There is that feeling of being just happy and carefree, enjoying precious moments.
I am listening to Johnny Mathis’ Christmas album as I write this. In a week, we’ll be celebrating the first Sunday of Advent, officially the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic calendar.
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Your little boy is getting bigger and great looking. I am afraid to take public transportation there too esp. if I am by myself. It’s been a long time so I always have my sister with me or nephews/nieces pick me up. So many things don’t work in Manila so it is pain. I would not want to live there.
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Thanks Lou! Time flies. Sobrang likot 🙂 Hahaha, when you think of it, you’d much prefer to stay in the province, right? Sometimes though, even cities in the provinces are also congested. What I can’t tolerate are the fumes and smog I get when commuting so I don’t go out much especially when I need to commute for more than an hour. Good thing there are nearby malls and supermarkets in our place.
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Yes why travel very far. It takes forever to get from Point A to B in Manila.
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the joys of grandma! 🙂 traffic in manila is a nighmare. even in dagupan with all the tricycles, commute is no fun.
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Sometimes, we long for a place where the only sound you here is that of nature.
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Thank you for visiting my blog, your’s is so interesting. Enjoy your time with your grandchild, I have three, but I live too far away for frequent visits. Thank goodness for Skype.
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Thank you so much Jean! I enjoy reading your posts. Would love to explore and read more. I am one of your followers!
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