At times, I am surprised that there are so few accidents with vehicles and pedestrians. There are crosswalks painted on the roads and in some places, the lane markers have blinking lights in them at crosswalks. Unfortunately, drivers do not follow the laws or the signs posted.

The only place I ever see any manned traffic control for pedestrians is at a school crossing. A uniformed person will stand in the middle of road and stop traffic to let children cross. Most of the time this person’s authority is respected.

There are some pedestrian “flyovers” which is a bridge over traffic for people to climb the steps and cross above traffic. Because these are covered, you will find many beggars and peddlers crowded on the stairs and raised walkway.

The way most of the people cross the street except at intersections with traffic lights is just to cross. They look for a possible gap in the traffic and just cross. At times, you see people crowded in the middle of a four-lane road waiting to scoot between cars to get across.

In some ways, it reminds me of crossing the street in New York City. I used to joke, with the Right on Red and others jumping the lights, it is safer to cross the street in the middle of the block then at intersections.

Best advice is, be careful, be quick and look both ways. Caution is the safest way to live in most cases here.

I have written many times how I have been well treated by clerks in the Palengke, or at someone’s home. You will be offered part of their meal if you greet them while they are eating. If you stop by someone’s home, the first thing they will do is offer you a seat and then no matter how poor they are, they start preparing something to eat, or one member of the family will run out to bring back a cold beverage or something to eat. At times, the will spend money they cannot afford just to show how you are a welcomed guest in their home.

But this is not always the case. When you’re on the move, driving a car or walking in a store or mall, watch out. If someone sees a space, they will take it before you do. Driving is a game of “I am here first” or “you waited too long.” There are many times if there is no oncoming vehicles and someone is a few cars back from an intersection they want to turn left, they pull out into the oncoming lanes, drive down the road and make their turn. If the road is four lanes, two each way, and someone needs to make a left, a drive will nose in and stop the left oncoming lane and stopping traffic wait until they can nose into the right lane to stop them and make their turn. At times this will cause a total gridlock. There will be so many cars blocking cars in every direction and the matrix continues to build up as more cars pull in to take a space it will take a guard or traffic enforcer to break it up. Then, because of the lack of officers that can enforce a traffic problem and issue a citation, many drivers just ignore them.

In America, we do something we call a weaving. If there are cars entering a road, and the cars going straight are creeping along, we alternate letting someone in. Or if two lanes have to merge into one lane, again we most alternate allowing a car to merge into your lane. Not here in the Philippines. If there are a lot of cars making the turn or merging, as the first one goes, everyone behind follows, no matter how many cars.

This is not only a problem while driving. Elena and I go do our marketing together. At times, while pushing the cart, if I pause a moment and there is a space in front of me, someone will just walk in front of you or nose their cart in. Then if there is someone in front of them, they cannot move forward, and I cannot move because they now blocked me.

In the States you give people space as they are transacting business. Once I was in the donut shop. There was only one clerk behind the counter and a lady was giving her order. I stood back with about a one body space to let them transact their business. While waiting for my turn, a woman walks in front of me and then presses up to the counter and starts calling out her order even though the clerk was still taking the other ladies order.

Even at banks there is this system. To me, banking is personal and I do not want someone else listening to my transaction. Well here, if you need to conduct business at the area where you need to sit with the bank employee, there are usually two chairs facing each other in front of each of the bank personnel.  If you’re at the bank alone and conducting your business, someone will sit in the chair facing you and either just listens to your transaction, or at times will interrupt and try to get the clerk to take their transaction. It is not just because I am a foreigner; I see it happen all the time. I try not to upset people and show anger, but at times I will just look at them and turn to the clerk to keep her attention towards me.

Even in stores, you might be being helped by a salesclerk, someone will walk up and start asking a question or for help finding something. You do not hear an “excuse me” or an apology. They just do not want to wait and do not care if you were there first. Again, it is not just to foreigners, it is a common practice.

Now, you can get upset, raise your voice and say you were there first, but why get people upset. Most of the time I am not rushed and do not want to make a scene. If I am in a bad mood, or rushed, I will calmly look over and explain I was there first and please wait their turn.

At times I am pleased and happy when someone ahead of me on line has a cart full of items, and I have only one will be offered to get ahead of them instead of having to wait. Also, a few times I have asked the person in front of me and they usually smile and let me.

Now, these are things different in our culture and common in theirs. Are we right and they are wrong. From our perspective yes, and it is common courtesy. But, it is not in their culture so they are right because that is the way life exists here.

At times, I have heard or I have thought we foreigners can teach businesses better customer service and efficiency in their operations. But just like many other differences here, it is their

Most drivers drive very aggressively. They will force a 3rd lane in 2 lanes going in one direction. They will drive up on parking lot entries to pass vehicles on the right. IF their 2 lanes of a 4 lane road are stopped, and they are in a hurry, they will go into incoming traffic lanes to pass the stopped vehicles in their own lanes. Also consideration and courtesy is practically nonexistent here.

Also you will see jeepneys change lanes with no signals and taxi drivers making U-turns in the middle of the road to get a possible passenger.

Besides that you have many motorcycles passing on the left, the right and weaving across traffic with no regard for anyone.

I had commented to someone, with all the craziness, I am surprised there are not more accidents. A friend pointed out that traffic drives slower than in the States, which is true. You rarely see high speed driving.  I do notice, as in the States, drivers with big, full size SUV’s and pickup trucks driving with a higher speed and an “I am bigger than you” and “King of the Road” attitudes.

I would best describe that you need a defensive aggressive attitude when driving. Especially when you want to cross traffic to make a turn or trying to enter a main road from a side street. At these times you need to inch your way into traffic and hope they will be courteous and let you in. Or you inch enough that oncoming drivers will let you in because there is not enough room for them.

I have also noticed most of the times directionals are not noticed but if you use a hand signal when you want to move over to the left lane most drivers will let you over.

Another situation is at intersections with a traffic light and a turning lane with a left turn light. Many drivers going straight will go into the left turning lane to get a jump on the traffic but at times get stopped with someone waiting to turn left.

A problem I have heard over and over is at an intersection with a “Yield on Green” sign and being stopped by a traffic official for making the turn. They do not understand and probably never taught what “Yield” means. This will be less of a problem now since the TMC (Traffic Management Office) personnel, who direct traffic at intersections no longer, have the ability to give traffic violations.

Some things to know that are different in the States is that it is illegal to move into an intersection to wait to make a left turn from a turning lane. Here you must wait before the intersection for traffic to open up.

My best advice is to take it easy at first, observe how others drive, but remember, if you’re a foreigner, you are considered wrong in most cases, even if you’re right.

Motorcycles have been used and modified in many ways. Motorcycles have added to them sidecars for cargo, commuting, and also as power for larger vehicles. There is also an extended platform on the rear of the seat to accommodate extra passengers.

For passenger uses, it is not uncommon to see 3, 4, or even 5. Ladies will sit sideways if wearing a skirt. I have seen passengers holding dogs, small cchildren and babies. In the provinces they even have a modification called Skylab. That is where they put a board across the seat or a platform around the bike to hold more passengers. Many will ride without helmets and in shorts and flip-flops.

There is was a new law from LTO (Land Transportation Office) that there can be no more than 2 persons on a bike, no flip-flops, no young children but the law is not enforced.  For helmets you will see many wearing some so flimsy, they look like baseball batters helmets with chin straps.

Besides the lack of safe helmets and too many passengers, many drivers are insane. They will pass you on the left, the right and weave from one side to the other. There have been times, crossing the street with stopped traffic, you almost get hit by a motorcycle zooming alone the right side of the traffic. They will come up and swerve in front of you as a light turns green and you’re hitting the gas to get going. They will also pass traffic on the left by moving into incoming traffic lanes. There are many driving with no license, but getting a drivers license in the Philippines is another interesting topic.

Unmodified motorcycles are used for delivery. Tanks of propane, sheets of glass, even pizza or McDonald’s burgers.  Then there are the modified. There are bikes with welded sidecars. You will see them loaded with cases of soda, beer, cases of product going down the roads.

Then there are the ones for public transportation. The smallest has a side car that seats 2 facing forward. Then there are some with a rear bench seat to accommodate 2 more. These are not enclosed and have a canvas roof.

Then there are the metal enclosed ones. Some the motorcycle is on the side and some the cycle is in the middle looking like a van body over the bike. You can hear the strain of the little 125cc engine whining as it tries to get up a hill with 10 passengers. These units have an open door in the rear, open window openings on the sides and little side door openings for passengers to squeeze in on each side of the driver. Some have clear vinyl window and door coverings to roll down if it rains.

For us taller foreigners, you need to sit with your back bent and head down so it does not bounce off the roof. Sometimes you’re lucky if they have a canvas top.

All day long, no matter where you are you hear the buzzing whining engines, unless you’re in an upscale gated subdivision and they are not allowed.

I personally enjoy a game of Poker. In my life I have played as a kid with my friends, as I older gone to a friend’s house for a poker game. For a while we even had a monthly poker game. In those games it was dealers choice, 5 card draw, 7 card stud, even stranger games like Hi-Low, 7 Card No Peek

Well now the big thing is Texas Hold-Um. This is a game where you get 2 down (hole)cards and 5 community cards are dealt up in the middle of the table and the players bet based on a 5 card hand using one or both of their hole cards. You can see this on TV where they have televised poker tournaments. While still in America I used to also watch “Celebrity Poker” where famous actors, singers, TV stars would compete for their favorite Charity.

There are a few Casinos here in Davao. Most are connected to a Hotel. I know of Casino Filipino at the Grand Regal hotel in Lanang and a Casino at the Mt. Apo Hotel. There might be more, but I do not know of them. They have Slot Machines, Texas Hold-um Poker and a lot of Baccarat tables. There might me more that I do not know since I was only in a Casino once and that was just to listen to the entertainment.

Recently a poker club opened, Metro Card Club. They have a schedule of events, open “cash” games and tournaments.  I do not know all the tournaments or the names, but they have a Free tourney for women where they can win free entry to a money tournament and some days a tournament where the buy in is only 250 Php ( approx $5 USD) and first place pays 8,000 Php (approx $170 USD)

Well, some of the members of the Expat group I belong to, Davao Area Expats go to Metro Card Club. They have offered all Expats with their companions to a Free Tournament. They are offering complimentary food, beverages and a no buy-in tournament on February 27^th at 6 PM. There will be a prize pool of approximately 20,000 Php ($425.00 USD). One half of the prize fund will be donated to Field of Dreams Boys Home, which is a charity DAEA supports.

Last Evening, one of the members offered a training evening for the wives/girlfriends and members who had not experience with poker or Texas Hold-um to learn the game, the betting and the strategies of the game.

It was a fun and informative evening. I will report back how Elena and I do at the Tournament and if a gambling addition hits our house

Well there is something new to comment about and that is Motorcycle Drivers here. I think they feel they are immortal. They drive any place they think they can fit even if at high speeds. They weave around traffic, drive between moving cars, on the right side, the left side and if there is no place, they move over to the incoming traffic lanes.

My house is on a main road with a lot of traffic. Also the house is just past a curve. A little over a month ago, I was coming home and at the house. Elena had opened the gate. As I waited for oncoming traffic to let me in there were cars backed up behind me. Finally an opening in the traffic and I started my turn. As I was almost at the gate when I feel a shock and hear a crash. Some guy on a motorcycle from around the blind curve moved over to the oncoming lane, gunned his gas and crashed into the driver’s door of my car.
I looked out and see a motorcycle and driver spread out on the ground. I jumped out and asked if he was ok. I got no response so I called out to Elena to call 911. The driver then got up and said “No 911 please”.

We moved his motorcycle into our yard and then I moved my car out of traffic. The driver luckily just banged up a finger and scraped one foot a little. Even though he was very shaken up. We gave him some water to drink and ice for his finger.

It turned out he has a “Professional” drivers license and drives for a family here in Davao. He did not want 911 called because he could loose his license and then would be out of a job.

I told him how he is going to pay for my damages. He told me he would leave his motorcycle and registration at my house for collateral. The next day we went to the dealership to get an estimate of the repairs. When I bought the car, there was a promo that I got one year’s insurance with the purchase. I thought it would just be liability insurance, not full coverage. I was wrong, I had total coverage. The service writer said that all would be covered and there was a 10,000 peso deductible. She also said she could not order the parts, one being a new door, until the deductible was paid. I was in a dilemma if I should pay it and wait for the driver to reimburse me. Well, 2 days later, a Saturday, he called to tell us he would have the money by Monday.

Monday, after we got the call that the deductible was paid, we went back to write up all the damages and what was needed. The service writer noticed other scratches and dings around the car and would have it all taken car of and it will be covered by the insurance.

Then the wait started. I was told to take care home and use it since it could take about 3 weeks for the parts to come from Manila. I was thankful that even though the door was badly dented the window still worked.
Well last week we got the call that the parts were in and to get the car washed first before bringing it is so they can note all the places that need to be fixed. While we were looking at the car, I asked the service writer if she could trim the tinting on the front windshield and partway on the front side windows. This is because when I first got the car I was advised it would be a good idea to have the windows tinted. This is because being a “Foreigner” it is better if people cannot see in. Well I had dark tinting on the rear and sides and a medium tint on the windshield. Even with the medium tint, at night it is hard to see people or vehicles without lights on. Also at night I usually drove with the side windows open to see the mirrors.

The service writer showed me a tint that is like a mirror to the outside and clear from the inside both day and night. I asked her how much that would cost me and she said she would have it covered with the insurance.

Well, now it is taxis to and from work. It isn’t too bad except I do not come home for lunch. It is also good since the cost of gasoline here keeps going up. Regular Unleaded is now at 49.53 pesos per liter which is $4.44 per gallon.

To save money for lunch I also go to one of the Carendaria’s with some of my coworkers. A Carendaria is a little open air restaurant. There are many along most main roads. The one we go to has about 5 tables, plastic stools to sit on and they have about 8 different items to choose from. There are 2 vegetable dishes, some pork, chicken and beef. With it you get a plate of rice and a bowl of soup broth. The quantity is not large but it is enough for me. A vegetable dish is 16 pesos ( 16 cents) and a meat dish is 21 pesos (50 cents). A few of us usually share a liter of coke for 5 pesos each.

So, I am now saving money on gas and food. The bad part is not seeing Elena until the evening, but that is how life would have been in the states.