Ever since we retired here in the Philippines back in March of this year I have observed and often commented to my wife about how Filipinos loved to walk. No matter what time of day (or even night) people walk. From toddlers to octogenarians, I've seen them walking along streets, roads and highways! When we go birding we leave at around 4 am and we would pass by some remote town and we would see people walking! And I would always ask, "What is it with these people that they walk?" I don't think that there is a dearth in public transportation, not with all those tricycles, jeepneys and buses plying every route possible. Lack of transportation money, perhaps? But fares are not that expensive. Seven pesos (about 16 cents) can take a passenger from point A to point B in a jeepney. Why people walk here in this country is still a big mystery to me.
(photo courtesy of balita.ph)
Until this morning when I had to take my car to the shop for its regular maintenance service. The service center agent told me that my car will be done probably around 3 pm so I had no choice but to go back home. It was a little after 8 am and I was considering my options: I don't like taking a taxi since it would be too short a trip and the driver might not like that idea anyway. I looked at the jeepneys plying the route and noticed that they were all full and even had two or more "sabits" (hangers) it being the morning rush hour. I was now left with option number 3 which was..walking! The weather wasn't that hot and I wasn't really in a hurry, so why the heck not? After all, people here in the Philippines do it all the time.
But I cheated. A McDonalds along the way tempted me to stop by and "refresh" myself with some Filipino breakfast of sausage and fried rice. And dark roasted coffee. Fifteen minutes later I was quite invigorated and ready to resume my trek. Surprisingly, it seemed to pass rather quickly, what with all those people walking along the same route with me. Actually the toughest part was after I entered the gates of our subdivision. It was an upward climb for the last 150 meters inasmuch as our home is near the top of an incline. I was already sweating like a hog on a midsummer day when I opened the door. But I was happy. Why? Because I made it! I walked for almost two kilometers and I made it! I am now officially a member of the Walk Walk Country Club.
