My walk.

I don’t know what it is about boats, but I love harbors. I love the lines of the boats I like the colors and names and all the varieties ships parked in the slips. Cebu Harbor is 3 miles from the city center which seemed like a doable walk.

Not so much. First off the sidewalks are very skinny in most places, and often trail off into nothingness. The entrance ways to storefronts and houses are right off the sidewalk, so at times it feels like walking through someone’s living space. And there are street dogs taking up residence in any patch of sunshine or shade. The first time I came across the dogs, I didn’ t know if they were alive or dead. When I pass them, I am careful. It doesn’t seem like they are all warm and fuzzy about greeting people. I’ve also seen some cats that were bone thin with the energy of rabid tigers. The roosters on the other hand are huge, majestic and seem well-cared for. Anyway, it’s not a great place for cat and dog lovers. I even looked up how to adopt a street dog and take it back home with me. It can be done. I wonder what my cats would think of a street dog that speaks Tagalog. I wonder how a dog who has adapted to life on the street would adjust to having a collar and a leash life.

Anyway, another dangerous thing about walking is that traffic is like a speedway of people who have learned to drive in a bumper car arena. Motorcycles zoom in and out of cars and cars just go. People walk in the street because the sidewalks are so bad and it is terrifying and dangerous. Being in the car passing pedestrians inches away is equally terrifying. I completely understand why my niece doesn’t have her driver’s license. Although, she could get one, no test is necessarily required.

I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, I learned about a photographer, Vivian Maier, who took photos of thousands of people during the early, mid 20th century in New York and Chicago. Her photos were close range of people she saw on her walks through the cities. I wish I could be that brave because the tenacity and fortitude of these people trying to earn a living under the shadows of big corporate call centers by selling food, and watches, and cell phone covers, is both stark and beautiful. To me taking photos seems disrespectful. Who am I to comment on this way of life? I have never felt more privileged or spoiled.

I didn’t quite make it to the harbor. My brother came and picked me up and told me that I would get to see the boats, I didn’t need to be walking around the city like that. So, I guess I am waiting on my ships for now.