The Travel Piece

I'm suppose to write a travel article coz I wanted to be a travel writer and I should build my portfolio on travel pieces. And since this is my first travel piece, I wanted it to be - for lack of a better word- - special. But then again, I haven't been anywhere lately. I mean anywhere worth writing about. And there's this one thing that have been nagging me for the past few days - weeks, actually. My everyday travel to Makati. And let me tell you, it's a long one...everyday.

You see, I live in the South area and I work in Makati. I've been working in Makati for several years now and I' ve gotten used to the commute going to and from work. But lately, its been more stressful than before. Oh, I didn't say that it was blissful before - I still prefer Alabang if I can have it my way - but not like this. Now, it takes me more than 2 hours to get to the office. Even if it's not a Monday. Before, I always expect Mondays to be a drag -literally - because I know how awful the traffic is but now, it seems, everyday's a Monday.

My sister, who also works in Makati is getting on her nerves end. She has a time-in time-out kinda work and she's always late. Even if she leaves early, she's still late because traffic is so unpredictable. This heavy traffic is making her crazy. Actually, I think, it's making a lot of people crazy.

I really don't know why the traffic is worse now than before. Maybe it's the road construction going on in the South until Alabang. Especially in the Alabang area where they're constructing the continuation of the skyway. But this has been going on for the longest time and it hasn't always been like this. Before, it's the Susana Heights - and they have to do that in time of the Christmas season?! Haven't these people ever heard of the Christmas rush?! They said they're just doing their jobs, but how we do ours if they keep doing this? It's hard enough going to and from Makati everyday but to add this stressful - and not to mention very tiring - situation...it's just down right frustrating. Even if you have a car, you'll wish that you didn't bring one and just took the bus so you can sleep while the traffic stretches on until neverland.

For me, building the skyway is a big mistake. Why not just build an MRT in the south. Wouldn't that be much useful to the south people. Imagine getting to Makati or even Ortigas in less than 30 minutes. That would be h-e-a-v-e-n! I don't know how this things work - I'm not much of a political person - but I know that people would appreciate it more if you build an MRT in the south than the skyway. How many people have cars compare to the number of people who commute everyday? I think 1 out of 10. Not to mention how much the toll would cost if you took the skyway from Alabang! Probably more than your gas price. Not to mention also the kind of bus drivers and conductors that you would encounter whenever you choose to ride the bus. You're always praying for your safety, not just because your bus might be the nest holdup victim but because of these drivers who don't care for your safety at all.

One time, I'm riding on a bus and another bus almost hits us. You know why, because the stupid drivers where racing with each others to get the passengers first. It's a good thing nobody got hurt and we didn't really hit the other bus. And another time, my sister and I where together and she's getting off the bus - I was ahead of her, you see - and before she can get off - her one foot on the floor and the other one still on the bus - the bus started to move! I couldn't help myself and yelled at the driver and the conductor. And you know what...they didn't even said sorry. I wouldn't tell the name of the bus but I would tell you the color - it's green. So, be careful whenever you put your life in the hands of these people who couldn't care less if you end up rolled up in the pavement breathing or not.

As you realize by now, my everyday travel is not very good - to put it mildly. I just hope that my future travel pieces would be less whiny and much cheerful. Traveling is full of discovery, even the most frustrating and dangerous ones.