Jeepneys in PI

My search through my old photos has brought me to a picture that I haven't looked at in years. It shows my daily commute to Clark Air Force Base, when I lived off base in the Philippines. In the Philippines the favorite - and also one of the least expensive - modes of transportation, is the Jeepney. It's the PI's version of what many other countries, with similar type vehicles, call a "jitney". As you can tell from the picture on the right, and a larger version at the bottom of the blog page, they are very colorful - and very plentiful. They're everywhere! There are apparently no rules of the road for Jeepneys. If there were, I never figured out exactly what they might be. I drove my Rambler along side of them, constantly watching the drivers dart around my car and everything else in their path as well. You needed to be sure to watch the driver's left hand, when he it hangs out the side of the Jeepney. His hand will give you some hint of what moves he might be going to make - but not always. Jeepney drivers often change their mind in a heart beat. The only thing more unpredictable than being in traffic with Jeepneys is riding in one. Hold on tight - along with the dozen other people who are also riding along with you. How do you think they keep the cost of riding so low? Great country, the Philippines. I enjoyed the people - and the Jeepneys. Can't say that I've seen any in the US, though. Too bad - they really are a neat way to get around. Some GI's wanted to ship them back stateside, to have when they mustered out of the service. Probably, not a bad idea! You think?