(Un)refreshed

I bathe every morning especially during school days. Of course I always want to feel fresh whenever I face my friends, classmates, and professors. But I never seem to achieve it.

I live not too far from the university. Still, I need to take three rides to get there.

First, I take a tricycle to go to the jeepney terminal near the wet and dry market. The ride takes about 10 minutes. And during these minutes, I would have already been exposed to the black smoke other vehicles, mostly tricycles and jeepneys, exhaust. Add to that the awful smell of the wet market.

From there, I ride a jeepney bound for the terminal next to Quezon City Hall. These jeepneys are known for their reckless driving. In fact, holding on to the railings is a must if you don’t want to fall off your seat. And since terminals along Elliptical Road are one of the busiest, expect many people to cramp inside jeepneys with their sweaty arms brushing against yours.

The last ride I take is a jeepney that will take me inside the university. Although there are many jeepneys going that direction, there are also many commuters, mostly students, fighting for seats. That includes running after jeepneys, waiting under the scorching sun, being exposed to pollution, and getting stressed and worried for chances of being late in their classes.

By the time I get to my class, I don’t feel fresh anymore. It’s as if I never took a shower because I would start feeling sticky, my clothes would smell of smoke, and my hair would be all messed up.

That’s why I would rather ride taxis. But I don’t have the means. So I will just need to endure these three rides even if it means not feeling fresh anymore just 30 minutes after leaving my house.