(no subject)
I rarely go to Makati or Manila or in cities outside Quezon City because I hate the traffic and the pollution. Besides, I always end up taking the taxi which costs me a lot. Though I learned how to take the train (MRT), I avoid it like the plague during rush hours, because I don't like to be pinned between the bodies of the male population, thus transferring their odors on me. When I decide to take the train, I usually go to the restricted area where the sign says, "for women and children only" cuz women and children smell better than men even in a sardine-packed MRT. Riiight.
From Pasay, I didn't have a choice this weekend but to take the MRT because the traffic was worse. It would take me more an hour by taxi, compared to the 15 minutes by train. I couldn't even find the restricted area (I wonder why they don't have that there). I have to endure the 15-minute ride with one man trying to brush his body against mine from time to time, and another was breathing down my back, I think smelling my hair. And on the other side of me, another man who at one time, almost brushed his face on my underarm (cuz we were standing, my right arm raised holding the belt handle) upon the sudden jolt of the train as it stopped at another station.
This is my second time riding the MRT upon my return from Japan almost 2 months ago. Some of our exchange students say, it also happens in Japan, though I haven't experienced that at that time even in the busiest and largest train station of Shinjuku in Tokyo. Probably because it was summer break that time thus, passengers were lessened a bit.
Reminds me of my bullet train experience. I'll spare the details on the bloopers I've made when I purchased the ticket, and finding where the train is (I don't know until now of the south, west, north, east locations). People I asked with were telling me, it's at the south entrance, but darn, where's the south?! Naturally, I've missed my train. The ticket that the Japanese lady I've requested to purchase for me was a reserved one. Therefore, the seat number am holding won't be available for me anymore at the next train. I stood there inside the next train wondering where I would sit. Everybody's seated like in an airplane set-up, and I almost cried at that instant. So, I've used my brain, and thought of an idea, silly or crazy or what, I need to save myself from any embarrassment.
I pretended I was looking for my seat, and tried to look as confused by looking at my ticket and the seat number, and to the person who's rightfully the owner of that seat. Seeing that am a foreigner, some of the Japanese men seated nearby, sprung to their seats to ask what's happening. There was a slight commotion as one man who tried to rescue me appear to have questioned the teenager who was seated at the same seat number that am holding (poor boy!). The teen showed them his ticket, and the men talked rapidly in Japanese, while checking my ticket, as well. By that time, the whole "car" that we're in were already involved in their quest for answers to my seat dilemma. They must have been thinking that the bullet train has committed a first time blunder on ticket issuance, until the conductor arrived, and they all discussed. Finally, they realized that I've missed my train!
I gasped and asked them what I should do. The reserved ticket is more expensive than the regular one, so the conductor tried to find me a seat at the other car, almost in a hurry. When he came back, he motioned for me to follow him. I've made a little speech though. I told everyone, "I'm sorry for all the trouble. This is my first time in Japan, and my first time to ride the Shinkansen!" There was a collective ahhhhhhs, and they all smiled.
I enjoyed the rest of the journey (Nagoya to Kyoto) literally in a blur cuz when you look out the window, the speed of the train is overwhelming. I almost panicked again cuz the announcement at every station is in Japanese, and the screen just above us were all written in Japanese too, except for some English. There was a stop at a station and I was wondering if it's already Kyoto. Fortunately, I can still remember my rusty Japanese, that even though I can read sloooowly like a first-grade pupil, I was able to decipher by reading the characters on the screen like this: K-ka-ka-ya-ya-yo-ka-yo-to. Kya-ka-yo-to. Kyo-to!
I jumped from my seat and rushed to get out.
Trains... Oh, I've experienced so much action.
From Pasay, I didn't have a choice this weekend but to take the MRT because the traffic was worse. It would take me more an hour by taxi, compared to the 15 minutes by train. I couldn't even find the restricted area (I wonder why they don't have that there). I have to endure the 15-minute ride with one man trying to brush his body against mine from time to time, and another was breathing down my back, I think smelling my hair. And on the other side of me, another man who at one time, almost brushed his face on my underarm (cuz we were standing, my right arm raised holding the belt handle) upon the sudden jolt of the train as it stopped at another station.
This is my second time riding the MRT upon my return from Japan almost 2 months ago. Some of our exchange students say, it also happens in Japan, though I haven't experienced that at that time even in the busiest and largest train station of Shinjuku in Tokyo. Probably because it was summer break that time thus, passengers were lessened a bit.
Reminds me of my bullet train experience. I'll spare the details on the bloopers I've made when I purchased the ticket, and finding where the train is (I don't know until now of the south, west, north, east locations). People I asked with were telling me, it's at the south entrance, but darn, where's the south?! Naturally, I've missed my train. The ticket that the Japanese lady I've requested to purchase for me was a reserved one. Therefore, the seat number am holding won't be available for me anymore at the next train. I stood there inside the next train wondering where I would sit. Everybody's seated like in an airplane set-up, and I almost cried at that instant. So, I've used my brain, and thought of an idea, silly or crazy or what, I need to save myself from any embarrassment.
I pretended I was looking for my seat, and tried to look as confused by looking at my ticket and the seat number, and to the person who's rightfully the owner of that seat. Seeing that am a foreigner, some of the Japanese men seated nearby, sprung to their seats to ask what's happening. There was a slight commotion as one man who tried to rescue me appear to have questioned the teenager who was seated at the same seat number that am holding (poor boy!). The teen showed them his ticket, and the men talked rapidly in Japanese, while checking my ticket, as well. By that time, the whole "car" that we're in were already involved in their quest for answers to my seat dilemma. They must have been thinking that the bullet train has committed a first time blunder on ticket issuance, until the conductor arrived, and they all discussed. Finally, they realized that I've missed my train!
I gasped and asked them what I should do. The reserved ticket is more expensive than the regular one, so the conductor tried to find me a seat at the other car, almost in a hurry. When he came back, he motioned for me to follow him. I've made a little speech though. I told everyone, "I'm sorry for all the trouble. This is my first time in Japan, and my first time to ride the Shinkansen!" There was a collective ahhhhhhs, and they all smiled.
I enjoyed the rest of the journey (Nagoya to Kyoto) literally in a blur cuz when you look out the window, the speed of the train is overwhelming. I almost panicked again cuz the announcement at every station is in Japanese, and the screen just above us were all written in Japanese too, except for some English. There was a stop at a station and I was wondering if it's already Kyoto. Fortunately, I can still remember my rusty Japanese, that even though I can read sloooowly like a first-grade pupil, I was able to decipher by reading the characters on the screen like this: K-ka-ka-ya-ya-yo-ka-yo-to. Kya-ka-yo-to. Kyo-to!
I jumped from my seat and rushed to get out.
Trains... Oh, I've experienced so much action.