Smoothies and city grit

I'd like to tell you a little story about my normal day here. I know mom has been a bit worried due to my lack of contact lately, but it's simply that I have gotten into a regular routine. I wake up around 8am and depending on how lazy I feel, I either get dressed and make lunch or run out the door with a slice of wheat bread and peanut butter.

Today was particularly lazy because I had been watching National Treasure last night. I also had this interesting dream about treasure hunting. go figure. So, I got dressed and packed up my leftover pasta for lunch and computer. Since I didn't wake up early enough, I didn't have time for breakfast so I dropped by the Fruit Magic down the street. It reeks somewhat of those Jamba Juice corporate places that are everywhere in the states but hey I can't complain. It's a bit healthier and quicker than the usual rice longganisa fare that's close by. Also, it's easier to drink on the go. There's something about mango smoothies that just make the day better. I usually walk to the jeepney station under the Katipunan overpass. Sometimes it's a death defying event and sometimes it's just a matter of crossing the street, depending on how fast the traffic is going. And then there is the occassional wind gust that makes the morning humidity bearable until you realize that along with it is handful of street dust. More than once I've been caught in that temporary swirl with my mouth open. Today it just managed to coat the smoothie container and straw in my hand.

I boarded the jeepney and was the last person before it departed for University of the Philippines campus. Now the positive to that is I don't have to wait too long to go home. The negative is that we're packed in like sardines. Filipinos don't really understand that not everyone is stick thin here and they pack an exact number of people on each side of the jeep regardless of how many larger people get on board. I was sitting on a couple inches of bench for the first mile before somebody got off. Oh, did I forget to mention that on your so very lucky days you'll be stalled in traffic next to a mac truck that belches fumes from an exhaust pipe directly pointed at your window?

I get dropped off at a UP jeep station to wait for the IKOT (that goes around campus) to a park that's near my work. This is an annoying stretch of street because it's usually filled with scattered trash, stray dogs and the two or three guys standing by the local carinderia who make catcalls at me. The situation is made even worse on those sticky hot days that have my shirt soaked in sweat in the less than quarter mile walk to my office building. Man I love the tropics.

Sorry folks, no pretty pictures for you. Perhaps I'll take some today for your future viewing pleasure