The concept of time

by Dorothy Falzon (Malta)

I didn't expect to find Philippines

I have only been in the Philippines for two days, but I can already notice that the concept of time is very different here than that I am used to. So I was waiting on a bus for a long time yesterday. No real schedule, found out to realise that the time of departure is determined on when the bus is full or close to full. On the way a 3 hour ride took definitely close to 4 and a half. What happened was we had an incident during the ride where someone threw a rock at the bus. The bus driver stopped driving to confront this person. Bus still full nobody budged, then when he did not manage to he drove to the cloaest police station to file a report. Bus still full and no one budged again. I absolutely love how chill people are about time here. Especially because I feel I have a big problem with it at home.