Another First: Jeepney Ride

It was nothing spectacular, really, but this one goes on my toddlers’ long list of firsts – their very first jeepney ride.

A few days ago, I took my toddlers out sans my husband.  I have no idea how to start a car much less to drive one so we had no other option but to take public transportation.   I have taken the kids out several times already but we always took a cab.  This time, I asked my husband if  we could take the jeepney since we would only be traveling a very short distance.   After reminding us to be careful and vigilant, he said yes.

Being paranoid about the world outside the realm of our home, I dared not venture out with the toddlers without giving our helper a good briefing.  Here are what I reminded her of:

1. Always keep your eyes on the children.
2. Never talk to anybody even if it may seem rude to ignore them.  Focus on the children.
3. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.  But always keep an eye on the children.
4. Don’t stray away from me.  You always have to be within arm’s length of me.
5. I know you may be curious of the new place we will be going to so it’s fine to glance here and there, but always keep an eye on the children.
6. Finally, never ever take your eyes off the children even for a second.

After repeating those reminders for a hundred times it seemed, we finally left the house and patiently waited for a jeep.   Good thing there was only a couple of passengers in the one we hailed so I was able to whip out my camera and take some pictures to chronicle my toddlers very first jeepney ride.

For the first time also, my tots behaved like angels during the commute.  They did not dare stand or walk on the jeepney.  There was nary a wiggle!  I’m not sure if they were just so curious of the people who were also on the jeep or if they were wondering why the vehicle did not have any glass windows or airconditioning.  My daughter though could not be restrained from talking.  She kept saying “Mama, we’re on the jeepney!”, “Mama!  Look we’re in the jeepney.”, “Mama, are we on a jeepney?” and she kept this on until we reached our stop.  And up until we reached our home, she was still exclaiming, “Mama, we rode the jeepney!”