'Have A Flamboyant Ride'

Have A Flamboyant Ride

By Lens Flare at 07/27/08 16:23

Jeepneys are the most common form of public transportation in the Philippines. It is by far the most abundant vehicle running on Philippine roads. It has become a significant sign of Philippine culture over the years.

Jeepneys first begun to appear after the World War II when American soldiers left their military vehicles behind, or some gave their vehicles to Filipino families. From then on, creative Filipinos put these cars to evolution. They rebuilt it with a new look that is now known to many of my countrymen as Jeep.

If you have ever been to the Philippines, it will be impossible for you not to see any jeepney roaming the highways. 7 of every 10 vehicles in public routes of the Philippines are jeepneys, although jeepneys are banned from taking private roads and some business districts. Jeepneys are found anywhere especially in places where there are a lot of people or establishment that needs to transport people from time to time.

Jeepneys are usually built with flamboyant colors and designs. You can see them having colorful paints and images, with different decorations in the hood like a group of running horse in different colors, swans, small statues of flying birds and others.

Most of the time, jeepneys are crowded inside. So if you are afraid of being physically close to another person or have a phobia for a crowd, well riding jeepneys is not for you. Jeepneys have 2 line of seat, where you will sit next to another person and face another line of passengers. There are also 2 front seats in line with the driver.

The best thing about riding jeepneys is that Filipinos are able to show they way of being cooperative to one another. A common scenario in a jeepney shows a person sitting farthest from the driver will ask his seatmate to hand his fare. And that fare will be handed to another person until it reach to the driver.

If you are a first time jeepney passenger, you will really enjoy it. And I say try it if you haven't!

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