Interlude: Train Tracks
by otaking on Sep.25, 2009, under Interlude
Ginza Tracks, originally uploaded by demosthenesofathens. I took this picture from the window of my room at the Teikoku Hotel in Ginza.
I’ve been to a few island nations besides my own: Japan, Hong Kong before the turnover, the United Kingdom. All three places have something that the Philippines doesn’t — an efficient, wide-ranging, affordable railway system.
I’m a big fan of riding trains and walking. Both modes of transportation allow you to mentally disengage, a luxury car drivers in gridlocked city streets do not have. Both give you space to think.
The construction and planning involved in laying out a railway network requires forbearance and adjustment by a city’s resident population, and foresight by the authorities, none of which being qualities people from Manila are known for. Everyone here seems plagued by a persistent myopia, eyes glued to the same robotic drives, the same selfish desires. No one is willing to put up with more than their perceived share of inconvenience. No one picks up litter right in front of them because it is seen as someone else’s problem.
In Japan, it is considered adult behavior to accept responsibility for one’s own life, to accept blame, because shifting blame leads to a culture of victims.
Railways used to crisscross the cityscape of Manila, the countryside of the Philippines, but the rails have long since been picked clean by people who believe themselves justified in taking them because of the way life has treated them.
Trains may never catch on here as they have elsewhere. In both their construction and their use, they appeal more to people who can look past their present circumstances, their little fragile selves.
Like
September 26th, 2009 on 12:03 am
Tsk! Sometimes I wonder why I want to go back to Manila. When it comes to discipline and cleanliness, we’re waaaay behind. Illinois may not be as exciting as Manila but at least it’s very comfortable to walk the clean, clutter-free streets.
September 26th, 2009 on 6:55 am
Because you miss home.
September 26th, 2009 on 7:23 am
Because as clean and comfortable as that is, that’s not home. Home’s where it’s dirty, it’s grimy and where the air is so thick from car exhaust, sweaty bodies, street food scents and cigarette smoke that you could cut it with a coffee stirrer. You want it to be better, but you can still remember how horrible it is with fondness and nostalgia.
Okay, maybe that’s me. :p
September 26th, 2009 on 10:37 am
There come times when we must not be led by sentimentality.
September 26th, 2009 on 12:26 pm
Excuse me, but are you telling me how to feel homesick?
September 27th, 2009 on 7:57 am
Totally the opposite, actually. Sentimentality is that longing for going back.
September 26th, 2009 on 4:14 am
I’m surprised how you’ve jumped to the conclusion of people snatching train track bits to be sold for scrap. Where the hell did you pull that from?
September 26th, 2009 on 6:53 am
From living near the tracks, in my province, and seeing it happen. And seeing the same thing happen to guard rails on flyovers all over the city.
Ever see a group of three men haul off a piece of the Ayala-EDSA flyover at three in the morning for scrap? I have.
But thanks for dropping by.
September 26th, 2009 on 10:36 am
Woah, woah woah. The flyover?
That’s just begging for a catastrophe in an earthquake.
September 27th, 2009 on 9:06 pm
It was just the steel guard rails, which aren’t structurally important, but if you hear of another armored van falling off and hitting a passing car, it’ll be their fault.
September 26th, 2009 on 9:03 am
/sigh true our railway system here sucks big time. I dont even like the idea riding the MRT even if it’s the fastest way to commute. Especially on rush hour oTL
September 26th, 2009 on 10:07 am
I wouldn’t actually say that it’s the railway system that sucks. People in this country have forgotten about courtesy and respect, thinking only about themselves when riding the MRT. They can’t wait for the next train. They must get on this one to get wherever as soon as they can because they’re running late. They would step in the train and try to fit their whole body in space that can only fit their foot.
Another thing is when there is a LOT of space but people are too slow getting on the train that the door closes on you… and there’s still room for, say, an adult tiger in the train.
I think that the MRT should be treated like elevators, that they have overload sensors. If the people can’t police themselves, at least the machines would.
… no, not Skynet.
September 26th, 2009 on 11:34 am
Such is the power of unplugging and appreciating the joy of the open air. Though you can only get those in the provinces in our country.