On taxis and mouths.

Had our company's Christmas Party at Greenbelt (On a wednesday, take note) last night. Well, it was fun and the food was good. Enough with that, that was not what I am going to write here. On my way home, at about 1am, I ultimately decided that I should take the taxi instead of riding an FX (which is pretty scarce at that time) and having myself climb our village gate. Well, I can climb that with my eyes closed, now that I have mastered the art of gate-climbing due to too much practice (I always go home late, in other words). SO, I was in Buendia, when a dude told me: "Nako, boy, wala ka na masasakyan ng ganitong oras! Mag taxi ka na lang!" While, he, standing side by side his trusty, white taxi. Well, as if he could fool me, I've been practically living in Makati for four years now. And I always come home late, so I know pretty well that FXs are not that scarce here and I can always take the Jeep to Baclaran and ride another jeep to RFC and ride the tricycle to our village gate, which are closed at 12 onwards so I have to climb it.

I was tired from the party (I don't want to gate climb at this state) so I succumbed to his little plot. He started the taxi-meter, then said: "Ay, wala na pala ako Gas, ewan ko kung baket!" I could have told in his face that: "Ummm... kasi, pumapasada ka buong araw?" (Read with a hint of sarcasm) Too tired to argue, I sat idly and watched the gasoline boy, pump the gas, while the taxi man's meter is running. Oh, a little bit of trivia, I like the smell of gas. Anyways, the taxi guy, was giving me a question (which, by his tone, it stated a suggestion, not a question): "Sa RFC ka, bali sagutin mo na yung toll, chaka dagdagan mo na lang nang bente, kasi wala nang pasahero eh!" So, I was like, "O sige." I could very well see his face with a smirk. I told him that we should take the Macapagal road so we could go on faster. Then, as if on an unexpected twist of fate, he muttered: "Ay, Bossing, mukhang masisira na tong makina ko, sa Sucat road na lang tayo dumaan, tapos sa CAA. Pasensya na ah." I was enjoying this. I know for sure that his engine is pretty fine because it sounds smooth, and to take the Sucat road, means that we will have to go through a series of roads, which will make the trip longer, meaning, bigger fare. So I was contradicting that the engine doesn't sound that bad and we should really take the Coastal road instead. Thinking that he could fool me, a person who also practically lived in Paranaque for four years, said that his engine is pretty busted and he is "nakikiramdam."

So, I was smiling to myself, thinking that this man could fool me. I am as sly as they come. I smiled as for if every Taxi here in this country is like this, well, this country might as well go to the dogs! He can sense my amusement and then I said, go on, do what you must, if it makes you happy to screw people, then go, but I am not the gullible type. So, when he thought his plan was a success, I told him to drop me off at Sucat, in front of the foot bridge in Coastal, he was saying that "Bahala ka, mahirap na sumakay" While all the while, there are like, gazillions of vehicles out there. Hehehe... So I paid my fare and smirked one last time at him.

Feeling triumphant, I went to a group of taxis parked near KFC, I told him my stories about the taxi and they said: "Oo, may ganyan talaga, gago ano? San ka ba uuwi, mahirap na kasi sumakay ngayon..." I thought to myself that this guy is one of the billions of asshole taxi drivers. Anyways, he was telling me that 200 is enough for me to get to Las Pinas and he will pay the Toll. As if I was indebted to him if he pays it or not. Haha.
So, I walked out of him and went to the farthest Taxi guy which was an old man. I told him that I want to go to LP and asked me to give him 150 as fare. I obliged and sat down his taxi. Well, he was pretty cool. He was telling me stories and he is not like the others. So, I had a conversation until I arrived safely at home. I gave him 200 pesos. Although, I must say, that he is still ripping me off, at least he is not "garapal"

Bless the poor souls of taxi drivers. May heaven shine upon your wretched souls.

0000

Yet again, I was pissed off at home. Soon, mother, I will get out of your house, and I will live happily ever after. Without your everyday litany on how hard life is for you.