I was waiting for a ride when this guy caught my attention. He was in the middle of the busy highway with vehicles coming from both sides. He was struggling with his slippers and suddenly ran, leaving a slipper behind. I was focused on his struggling feet and slippers so I was shocked when he suddenly ran without putting both slippers on. I looked up and realized he was chasing a car that was pulling up the sidewalk on the other side of the highway. He went straight to the driver of the car he chased and they had a conversation.
The guy was selling rugs to drivers and he chose to do it dangerously. I have seen many of this selling type in Metro Manila. They sell different stuff like rugs, candies, cigarettes, bottled water. This was my first time seeing vendor doing it in the middle of the highway here in the province.
This guy does not seem to be a local. That is not a surprise. In an urbanized place (we are in a province but the municipality is vying for city-hood) many people would convene trying their fate, and luck maybe.
It was almost eleven in the morning. I was just waiting for a ride and the heat is taking its toll on me. How much more with this guy running here and there? I can only imagine.
The last price I knew for the rugs was two pesos (US $0.03) each but they bundle it by five pieces. A vendor needs to be able to sell 40 bundles to earn the daily minimum wage. Just sitting somewhere to sell those items may be a very slim chance of earning well. So this vendor just took the chances.
In Metro Manila,I know this is not allowed. I believe that is the same case here. However, it was obvious that was not being observed even with law enforcers around. Either they emphatize with the vendors or they don't care, I don't know. It was just sad seeing these vendors dancing with danger to make a living.
Sometimes these vendors can become annoying when they cause more traffic jam. Some times when I was getting late I badly wished that the law enforcers would shove them all away. On the other hand, I think that is better than those who are doing nothing and just asking for alms. Also, I wonder how the society can help them off the highway, most especially, what the government is doing to help them.
So if you think your day is not going well, try to imagine chasing vehicles in the middle of the highway and in the middle of the day just for pennies.