One thing you need to know about me, I look “kidnap-able”; I only look the part but can’t pay the part! Haha I was raised during the height of kidnap for ransom schemes (locals, foreigners, you name it) so my parents were very cautious. That’s the reason why I’m not normally friendly off the bat. I don’t like talking to strangers especially when in the country. Also it doesn’t help that without doing anything, I get called names or encounter people that are uneducated who end up disrespecting me (sa wika natin, pambabastos!). I’ve even had an experience when this person was over zealous about his town (in Mindanao where tourism isn’t popular yet), that he repeatedly said he wanted to take me there. Not in a stalker way, a friendlier but still creepy kinda way.

That’s why I don’t get chatty. Cab drivers have a tendency to be talkative. Luckily, I’ve had more pleasant than unpleasant experiences with cab drivers.

Today was an interesting day. I thought, "I have to blog about this!" The taxi driver has 2 jobs - driving around town and selling peanut butter! Peanut butter! I just found it adorable and admirable. I love seeing people work hard in a clean and honest way. Even if they’re constantly ridden with challenges and lured by vicious ways, they choose to do good. I believe that it’s harder to do good and choose the right path.

So to you Kuya, thank you for brightening my day! I hope your passengers buy more peanut butter from you!