You are currently browsing the Travel Light blog archives for April, 2007


Taxi!

At 2pm, the temperature outside the office registered at 36 degrees, one point more and the result would prove to be catastrophic – I could have been heat wave victim number 3. Our office is situated right beside the Manila Bay but it does not offer much consolation. But when I think about other people whose access to available body of water is limited to the ever-stinking Pasig River or a murky dengue-infested water canal, I consider myself lucky. I have one pictureque Manila Bay sunset to end each sweltering day.

I had been outside my airconditioned cell with C no more than 5 minutes when I felt every drop of liquid in my body had been zapped out. All I could think about was an ice-cold water and halo-halo.

After spending quite a time avoiding Kia taxis known for their oven-like ventillation, we settled for a Nissan unit. A taxi driver once told me that Nissan cars have good cooling units that do not set your temper (or your hair) on fire. But an honest taxi meter was not included in the good positioning. This particular driver was one mean individual who charged us P35 more than our regular fare. (The normal taxi fare from Baywalk to SM Mall of Asia is between P60 to P70. I should know.)

I called the driver’s attention to his overcharging taxi meter. He insisted that it was the correct rate. I paid P105 in full. C got the operator’s contact numbers and called up the office to lodge the complaint. The driver’s boss was apologetic. He explained that there are indeed drivers who would manipulate taxi meters with sticks but he never expected someone from his turf would do such. While we’re enjoying our free halo-halo, Mister Driver will go home with a suspension notice in exchange for P35 he stole from us.

It is a shame that drivers like him would trade a decent living for few bucks he receives from fooling passengers.

Holy Meow

cat.jpg

It didn’t cross my mind that Tito Red would one day grow wiser and cuter. For an orphaned cat, he is quite a genius. He is toilet-trained (he still has to learn how to use the flush and turn the faucet), conscious over his diet, watches American Idol and never puts his trust in strangers. Over the past months, he has develop that kind of sensitivity towards anything creepy, including my brother’s friend, Ryan.

Meet Tito Red

Tito Red was around 4 months old when I took this photo in our former home in Pasig. He basically has no recollection of his past except for the fact that mom’s friend, Ate Linda, picked him up from the streets and brought him to our place to be fed. And he has been with us up to the time we transferred to our new place. Last month, he just turned one and has been watching his diet since then.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Tags

american idol backpacking in europe beauty birthday party blogging Booked Brother Eddie Cebu Christ's Commission Fellowship Christmas Cory Aquino creative writing David Archuleta David Cook drawings earn dollars earthquake exhibit Face painting Filipinos Gibo Halloween harry potter movie holidays Jejemons life in london London make money Manila Manny Pacquiao Maribago Beach Resort marikina valley fault line Marketing warzone movies Music & lyrics New York shuttle service Noynoy Aquino Philippines pinoywriters summer Twilight vacation vacations vampire movie wordpress upgrade