It's refreshing to do something "normal"

My "normal" days over the last 3 months have consisted of going to school, teaching my 3rd graders, and doing other various things that almost always revolve around traveling in our car or someone elses car. The fact is there has been something in my life that I didn't realize that I missed.

Before we moved to the condo we now live in, I used something called public transportation. Coming from Alabama, this was a new concept to me, but one that I totally grew to enjoy. I enjoyed taking a jeepney to the market and riding the rail system that runs throughout Manila to get places. Since June all that has changed, it is now out of the ordinary for me to use public to go anywhere.

Last week our car was hit by a trike (motorcycle with a side car), so it needed to go in to be fixed. After dropping it off, Dan and I did something that is normal for 95% of Filipinos and something that used to be normal for us. We took public transportation home. After a trip on the light rail system, a ride in an FX (large taxi), 2 jeepney rides, a trike ride and then being picked up by some friends for the last kilometer, we were home.

On most days this may have seemed annoying because it did take us a long time to get home, but for me, I enjoyed it. I felt "normal." It helped me to remember the types of experiences I especially enjoy living here in the Philippines. I need to remember not to get caught up in riding in my car everywhere instead of public transporation, and going to the grocery stores instead of the local markets.

All this to say, it was refreshing to do something "normal" today!