By this time, we’d probably be checking in for our flight to Tiruchirappalli at Kuala Lumpur’s Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) already. For sure it will take some time before I get to write about my “Incredible India” experience, so for the moment, here’s something from the Voyaging Visayas series which I assume has a resemblance to a typical Tamil Nadu street scene: A maniacal bus driver and cheap food.
Shervin and I had been backpacking for a week. From Manila we flew to Cebu, then took a bus and roro to Dumaguete, then a ferry to Siquijor, then another ferry back to Dumaguete.
Our last destination, Bacolod. To get there, we were to take the Ceres bus. From our accommodation, Vintage Inn, we paid a mere P16 to get to the terminal. We arrived just in time for the trip, a little over noon.
It was a non-aircon bus. Cheap, but such long ride because of the many stops to load and unload passengers. Less than an hour into the trip, we were zooming across small towns. You know that feeling when you think the vehicle runs well over the speed limit just because the windows are down and the wind’s causing everything to fly all over the place? We were under that stress, except, the bus was really beyond the speed limit.
I kinda feared for my life. I was two and a half months pregnant, and we had no other choice but to sit through it. As if the driver would slow down if I asked him to do so.
There was one stopover for meals. It took us a long time to find my sandals which oddly reached the last row (we were running that fast!) before we got off the bus to stretch a bit. Although I wasn’t feeling too hungry, I felt like eating the moment I saw a canteen selling pancit (sauteed noodles).
We sat on a bench, and was served a small plate of it. We ordered beans on the side. Both dishes were equally yummy. More so, the pancit was only ten pesos. I think the beans too.
They made my day. I momentarily felt better… until the waitress told us the bus was about to leave! When we turned around, we saw the bus almost on the road. Conductors are supposed to check on their passengers right? And to think, Shervin was the only “white” person on board. He could have easily remembered us. Lastly, we left our bags on our seats, so surely that means we’re coming back.
Shervin sprinted and I brisk walked. When we boarded, I was flushed with anger. But I kept my cool. I didn’t want to make a scene again like I did at Hagnaya Port. Besides, I didn’t want him to drive any more faster out of rage.
nice experience! buti pasensyosa ka sa mga bus driver hehe.
non-travel related, i spent only 10php yesterday, and that was for a pedicab fare to work. (i walk home + i’ve got baon)
oh wait, another 5 pesos pla for squidball bago umuwi ng house because i was really starving na.
make that 15php that literally made my day. =D
Haha! Not always. I sometime throw a fit. Hahaha!
I love squidball! Mas mahal nga lang kesa fishbol ;p
Unang tingin ko sa picture nung hawkers kala ko sa India, ganda din ng blocking nila 🙂
I experienced the same when I was in Ozamis. Good thing, I brought all my things with me when the bus left without checking if all the passengers are in. Bad thing, I have to wait for hours just to get another bus ride (talking about adventures and being part of the trip spins).
Speeding bus is one of my fears. I love pancit. Natakam ako.
Very cool experience. More often, pregnant women got easily mad especially on this occasion. Buti na lang you keep your patience. That’s the virtue of silence. I admire that carla. Kasi sa driver ang karma. Hopefully he learned a lesson on that incident.:-). Keep it up.
Claire, natawa ako sa “ganda ng blocking”… parang posed na candid na ewan ;p
Lito, oh my! Imagine how horrible it would be if the bus leaves and all of your stuff are on board. Shucks, how stressful it would be to track that bus down.
Bonzenti, it’s Gay. Haha! You got confused na. Anyhoo, took a looot of patience not to bark at that driver.
Wow! I’m surprised there is still such viand in Philippines thats worth 10 pesos.. Honestly, by reading your posts about Philippines guys, you really bring “home” to me… Thank you so much for sharing as always..xoxo
hahaha. soooorrryyy Gay. Got confused na talaga. Truly, I admired your patience on that day, lalong lalo ng pagod at gutom ang tao, tsk,tsk,tsk.:-).
Yeah Jorie, meron pa naman in some provinces. So awesome! Come to Pinas soon 🙂
Haha, no prob Bonzenti 🙂
minsan nakakalungkot isipin na itong skill na to ang meron lang ang mga tao na to. hope they can learn something else para di kakarampot ang kitain nila.syempre nahook ako nung 1st pic.:D
Wow, ang lalim ng insight Anton. Ikaw na ang bago kong idol!
wow. how enjoyable ng adventure mo. and the pancit, paborito ko yan, at mura pa. sa Cebu yan ang lagi kong kinakain. 10 pesos lang talaga. Sarap nyan. nagutom na ako. hehe;-)
Haha! I’m a pancit fan, Nonoy. Kaya I was so happy when I found out P10 lang! Wala sa Maynila ganung price…
Baka limang ikot lang sa tinidor yung P10 na pancit dito sa Manila. 😀
Nakakatuwa yung watermark sa unang litrato. Parang pangalan ng politiko na nakapinta sa bubong ng bus stop o basketbol kort. 😀
Pasensya na po, nagutom lang ng pancit picture. 😀
i don’t love long bus rides and i hate being left by the bus. grabe, this post shows na magkadikit ang good luck and bad luck. at least umabot! Gay, i can’t wait to read your India series. I am so excited!
Nel, natawa ako sa limang ikot. Hahaha! Yeah, hirap na makahanap ng mura sa Manila.
Jerik, will try to write about it very soon. Got some articles that I need to publish first 🙂
totoo yan, maraming ten pesos na ulam sa provinces. meron ngang mga five pesos lang hehehe…
Sarap sa probinsya!