The Office | Stress and Joy of Commuting

​Using public transportation is like going on a little adventure to get to work specially when rain pours. You walk, run, have a little bit a battle, a stroll by the water or in the water, and in case of emergencies, get in a boat or swim.

So here's list of things you're missing, but might not want to miss, if you're a commuter:
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1. Being early.

You don't just wake up early, get up early. I don't live in the metro but I'm still working in the city. Jeepneys are scarce during peak hours and traffic will be heavy so I have to leave the house an hour and a half before if I want to get to work on time. 

I can still remember choosing between sleeping in for another thirty minutes, having breakfast and getting my makeup done and until now, I'm still choosing the first.

I prefer to clock in thirty minutes before work starts. That way I can eat breakfast with a fresh face on without worrying about being late.
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2. Gear up for the weather.

Instagrammable OOTD's take time to prepare and easily ruined with a sudden change in weather specially if you're a commuter.

I'm soaking wet yesterday because of the heavy rain fall. Even my shoes were squishy on the inside because I had to walk through a flooded street to get to work. By mid-day, it was scorching hot. Now, the overcoat that saved me from getting wet in the morning is a burden resting at the back of my office seat or in my arm on the way home.
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3. Fare and change.

Welcome to the country where fare is being paid and change is being asked in good faith. 

I have experienced asking for a change I've already received (unintentional) and there were times I paid fare twice because I couldn't remember clearly if I had paid.
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4. Watch out for other passengers and their carry on.

It's public transport. People are carrying their purchases from the groceries and wet market and when it's raining, the last thing they worry about is accidentally touching your expensive white top with a bag of fresh fish or hitting you with a wet umbrella. So move over and be on guard.
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5. Don't have watch? You can still do a time check without asking.

I live in a small town near the city so when I was younger, I can tell if I'm gonna be late for school by simply looking at familiar faces of the passengers I'm with. You can actually make friends that way too if you get to be seated with an overly friendly person; or an enemy who would just hit you in the leg with a cane because you weren't listening to them.

That fact hasn't changed until now. Although it will not be the same in big cities and faces change, it's still true in a small town in a short run.

6. Squeezing in.

You know you're running late so there will be times when you want to squeeze in in a seat that's half your butt size. Can't say the same for the bus but definitely true for jeepneys.

Worse come to worse, you can stand and hold on on the jeepney's estribo.  ^_^
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7. Jeeps gone missing during peark hours going home.

Nothing new specially when it's raining. It takes me almost an hour standing in queue while waiting for the jeepneys to arrive. Their number seem to be lacking everytime when you need them the most.

I don't like waiting in line for that long so sometimes I take the bus to Manila since my home is on the way. I do have to pay extra and make sure I don't fall asleep throughout the short journey.
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Note to the readers: I'm not complaining. I'm simply  making fun of a horrible day. ;-)

So, what do you like or hate about your commute?


-Aisiah Ezekyel