March 30, 2010
What would you have done?
Aside from the motorized tricycle, another way of going short distances in Metro Manila is the pedicab, a bicycle with a customized side car for passengers. I was going to a place where I've never been to before and the barangay tanod (village law enforcer) I asked directions from told me that it was quite far and suggested that I take a pedicab. Aside from the fact that the place turned out to be only about 300 meters away, I felt sorry for the poor man who was huffing and puffing by the time we got there (the road was on an incline and I am heavier than a sack of rice). Needless to say, I walked on my way back, but the thought that I deprived someone of the fare I would have paid does not sit well with me either.
Well, you paid the fare for one direction.
ReplyDelete«Louis» says "Don't beat yourself up over it. It wasn't as if you intentionally deprived someone of the fare. Ride both ways next time you visit, or walk in and ride out. We know you well enough across the blogosphere to know that you are a thoughtful and caring person, so give yourself a break!"
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet to worry about his welfare, Hilda. I does sound like a great way to get around.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo...very expressive of the labor involved. Just shows you can't always trust those village law enforcers!
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful entry of yours.
ReplyDeleteWalking the streets of "my town" many times leaves one with emtpy pockets, as there are so many people begging, asking for money, sometimes even food; feeding their children sometimes still with a bottle, in one case with her breast. A scenery for sure heavy to carry around.
Yet as I return home with a still emtpy stomach and pocket, am sure that we did as much as we could on that day.
Please have a nice Tuesday.
Yes, you may weigh slightly more than a sack of rice but it's not just ANY pedicab driver who gets his leg featured on the world famous CDP blog of Hilda from Manila!
ReplyDeleteIf I felt like walking I would have walked and if I felt like getting a ride I would have taken it and paid the fare. I wouldn't feel obligated to use a service that I don't need or want. Unless I felt like being charitable and I usually do that in other ways.
ReplyDeleteWell you did ask. :)
j'aime beaucoup l'angle choisi pour cette photo, j'adore...
ReplyDeletenice thoughts...
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by in my photo blogg...
happy photo blogging
Greetings from Sweden
I wish all our walks were downhill and not up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a thoughtful picture you give, in words and photo.
i don't think you necessarily deprived anyone of a fare. besides, if you felt like it was better to walk, then that's fine. its really up to what you want to do anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteleethroughthelens.blogspot.com
I'm sure there are plenty of customers to keep him occupied! Me being a foot fetish, I think this photo is fantastic!
ReplyDeletesuperbe photo
ReplyDeleteun cadrage qui nous montre tout
That is a wonderful shot Hilda! I think it would be fun to take a ride like that.
ReplyDeleteI smiled when I read your analysis of yourself, heavier than a bag of rice. I suppose these fellows are used to moving heavy loads around. I saw on TV the other day, the man was pulling two adult males. His seat for them was behind him on the seat peddling.
ReplyDeletewhen i end up jobless... i might drive a trisikad. i hope ill survive a week doing that.
ReplyDeleteI probably would have walked, but I'm considerably heavier than you are. I wonder if the village law enforcer gets a kickback from the pedicab fares he helps generate? I like your picture of one of the 'engines' on the cab!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to walk. But I understand how you feel about the pedicab drivers. I'm sure he found another fare back though.
ReplyDeleteI could copy and paste George's comment, 'heavier' part included!
ReplyDeleteI love the story that goes with this photo. I think your decision was just fine.
ReplyDeleteI imagine they know how much they can carry and they wouldn't offer if they think you'd brake their back :)
ReplyDeletedon't be guilt-tripped - I'd get a ride uphill and walk downhill myself.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the pedicab is an environmentally sound way to travel
ReplyDelete