Riding the Jeepney

Twenty minutes had passed. My patience was starting to wear thin.

I was stuck outside of Baguio City at Tam-awan Village.

The rain poured down in a torrent. I waved for taxis flying by. No one stopped.

Finally, I turned to a local and asked where I could find the jeepneys to town (The Philippines' unofficial public transportation system).

A five minute walk up the road toward town was the answer.

I hiked up in the rain. Although I was surrounded by poorly built houses on the muddy hills, I found the view beautiful. Dark and white clouds were in the distance. I could just make out the South China Sea.

I heard a diesel engine coming from behind. I turned. Nope. Just a truck full of garbage.

I kept trudging on. The rain lightened. I began to enjoy the view more and more.

I crossed the road to look at a hill full of colorful slum houses. I reached for my camera. Suddenly, I heard a rumble from behind. A jeepney was trudging up the hill.

I ran out into the road. It couldn't miss me. The driver came to a stop and I hopped into the back next to an old man.

I passed up the $7.50 piso fare and sighed with my camera still in hand. I never did get to snap that photo.