October 27, 2000

TWO STRANGE STREET SIGHTS

Yesterday.
I was on a jeep along Pasong Tamo, waiting for the green light to cross Buendia. And out of the main thoroughfare we were about to cross: a horse-drawn karitela, straight out of the 19th century.
___ The rickety old thing looked like it was about 15 years old-- paint peeling, both wooden wheels brittle, festive gewgaws faded beyond its prime. Compared to the automobiles surrounding it, the karitela took its time. It was drawn by a gaunt horse after all, as compared to horse-powered engines.

An anachronism.
___ But also a refreshing one. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one in the jeepney smiling at the sight of a karitela in the cosmopolitan (and therefore congested) Makati streets.

* *

Two days ago. In a car, coming back to the office from a meeting. A man in his mid-thirties was walking on the sidewalk, seemed like he missed a step. He fell into the street and started convulsing. Epilepsy perhaps.
___ Someone nearby rushed to his aid. The car we were in was going too fast to stop. But not fast enough for us to ignore him.
___ As we zoomed past, I caught a glimpse of his pained grimace. Only the whites of his eyes present.

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