A non-photo snapshot from the Philippines. (my camera died a few days in)
—
Early on Monday morning, I traveled north with a small group of students. The back of my bus ticket detailed that I had paid an extra 5 pesos (about 12 cents) for my ticket so that in case of “Accidental Death, Dismemberment &/or Disablement, Unprovoked Murder & Assault, Sabotage & Terrorism,” I was covered with the equivalent of $586.65 in insurance. A comfort, for sure.
I wedged into my seat, popped in my ear plugs (they played music over the bus speakers), and tried to snooze. I was looking forward to leaving Manila, for a change in landscape and air quality. When I woke up, we had left the huge expressway that feeds into Manila for a more modest paved road. The bus stopped and started a bit, as swifter vehicles shared their single lane with low-powered tricycles and overloaded tractor trailers. The grey of Manila had melted away into long stretches of green paddies of rice. Along the edge of the highway, small structures with patchwork metal roofing sold soda, packaged snacks, hog feed, welding services. My favorite sign read: “Orchids- Probably Worlds Best.”
