rain in the city

Suspended po ang klase sa lahat ng antas sa Metro Manila!

A tropical typhoon won't only flood the streets of the cities but it can also make the distribution of power spotty.

Pauline, my little generalissimo at home is one of the first to complain about this. And she does it with, as her title suggests, authority.

She'd voice out: Patay-sindi! Patay-sindi and ilaw! Ililibing ko na ito!

One time, I overheard her talking to a customer rep of Meralco.

Hello. Ako yung tumawag kanina. Si Pauline. Jua. Di ba ikaw yung kausap ko kanina? (Pauses)
Ahhh. Kay (Cites homeowner info) ito. Kanina pa walang kuryente dito. Ano bang nangyari? Patay-sindi ang ilaw! (Pauses)
Ano? Rosary? Rosary street? (Talks to me.)
Malapit ba tayo sa rosary street? (Pauses.)
Ano? Rosal street? (Pauses)
Ano? Mother Earth Subdivision? Ano ba ung pinagsasabi mo? Di ko alam yung sinasabi mo! Malayo kami dun. Ibang planeta yan! Dito kami sa (Cites barangay, pauses).
O sige. Tanungin mo. (Pauses)
O, hello. Ano daw ang nangyari? (Pauses)
Ano? Imer-- Imerdyinsi layt trobol? Ano yun? (Pauses)
Ah...imerdyinsi layt trobol. Eh kelan ba magkakaron ng kuryente? (Pauses)
Ah. Eh kelan nga magkakaron ng kuryente? Alam mo magpaplantsa pa ako eh. (Pauses, I laugh in the background)
O sige ha. Tatawag ako uli pag wala pa ring kuryente.

* * *

I've never ridden a shuttle in the city (nor the MRT) to take me to work (or anywhere else for that matter) in the morning. So when I finally had the opportunity of observing what happens at a terminal, I found it fascinating that I just had to capture the whole thing on cam.

So there's a man in a blue shirt who is the barker and also the fare collector. Before the van leaves, its driver approaches the barker to remit the money.

A van as large as the one on cam will accomodate 17 people, excluding the driver. Meanwhile, a smaller vehicle (I think it's an L-3) can fit in 14 butts.

This is a ride going to Ayala. A single fare costs forty bucks.

You see? There are still things to learn even when classes have been suspended.

* * *

kids should know that...

The Thames Barrier is a flood control structure on the River Thames, constructed between 1974 and 1984 at Woolwich Reach, London. It is the world's second largest movable flood barrier. All the gates are hollow and made of steel up to 40mm thick. The gates fill with water when submerged and empty as they emerge from the river. The gates are normally left open to allow ships to pass through, but can be rotated and closed to stop water travelling up the Thames through London. (wikipedia)