TRAFFIC, in the dictionary is, to move.
Quite the opposite as Juan would assume. For one, the best excuse Juan will give and especially when late for a schedule or an appointment is to blame it on traffic. And to think that, it is not the case, supposedly.
One of the worst traffic experiences I have encountered was last weekend heading down to Manila. It extended from Balintawak to EDSA. Even Waze which I used did not help. And to think that I even anticipated it being a Friday leading to a long weekend from a Monday holiday.
I also failed to heed a digital board that said heavy traffic is expected in Balintawak and that motorists should take the Mindanao Exit. We felt that it was ok since we were traveling at 80 kph. But just as we passed the exit, we started crawling in traffic.
Just the Friday before and fortunately while heading out of the Metro, I already witnessed the 5 o clock build-up towards the Metro along Balintawak and it was horrendous. Crazy why I didn't pick up from it when coming towards the Metro with an appointment. I will surely be late or miss it entirely.
The lead time of two hours which I mentioned didn't even come close. I spent two hours alone in a short stretch getting out of Rockwell in Kalayaan Avenue just less than 500 meters to Makati Avenue in that time already.
It was a good thing that like every Juan, I was not the last, almost though. I arrived at past 8 for the 6 o clock scheduled appointment. That was not the real issue. I traveled out of Baguio by noon time. A planned shower was to be made by me before I head out to Makati when I reach QC.
I thought I would be there too early. Not even close.
Just a short distance away from my meeting venue in Pacific Star Building and after dinner was Strumms where we were to have some music and dancing. Again from there it will also take some time from traffic being a Friday night. Parking was worse, finding one was next to impossible. Glad to now use my spare driver for all these.
We were the last customers, by 2 in the early morning, I am invited by a friend to visit his club. Of course I go. I somehow regret having to say yes. I was to ride with him and my car to follow through traffic behind us. Especially when I wouldn't know where we were going. For the driver and the car following it was also a problem.
We rode on a Bentley a big beautiful car. Traffic was nothing for this car, it seems every car or police made sure that it went through. By the club of his, security and valet were all up and about as soon as he came over. It seems some weren't sure if it was him because of his new car. I will just think of what his other cars could be.
He signals for the men to take care of my car and driver. Although he wasn't allowed to park alongside the Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and some other exotics. He was made to park by the Porsche's, the Benz's and the BMW's only.
There was a long line into the club, still traffic. I was whisked away by some security without going thru the line. But again while inside I couldn't believe my eyes as we had to snake through the whole place. It was jam packed. Since he wanted to show me the place we just had to walk slowly. In almost each table I was offered a drink of sort. One after the other all lined up. Traffic too. Some would ask for me to speed it up a bit. I am slow.
I would later excuse myself, a meeting is to be had in Manila at 10. It is now 5 and I will still be going home to get some rest and be up at 8.
I leave at 9 anticipating some traffic from Alabang to Manila. There was some traffic along the Skyway. It was light but heavy southbound.
I sleep all the way. A little past 10, I get to my meeting still drowsy and groggy I take my seat. I ask for coffee. It took some time. Seemingly I am the only one who is asking for one. A sip and it is not even hot anymore. I just drank it. Food was served but I hardly touched it.
By noon time I realized that I spent almost 24 hours just inside the confines of my car in traffic. This doesn't end here.
The 25th to the 39th hour I will still be back in the car. How? After my meeting I head back to Alabang to pick up my son. We get his bags and head for Baguio. Skyway, SLEx, EDSA and worse were the toll gates along NLEx and TPLEx. A long weekend I said it would be. It was soon dark and traffic everywhere. I didn't mind this much as I was sleeping most of the time. My day still not over and still inside the car.
Getting to Baguio came even worse. It seems many wanted to go up to dark, stormy and rainy Baguio. Rains were so strong along the way. By this time I was back to driving after some rest. Upon exit from the tollways and in the main highway we experience a blowout for our tires, the bad roads from flooding and rain at fault. We crawl to a lighted area. I parked alongside a gas station and a 24 hour restaurant.
We have no spare tire, cars of today have none. Yes! I sent my driver back to Baguio by bus. He arrives back with the spare and it is now 1 in the morning of Sunday. He had to get to my home and take another car. He says it was traffic going up to Baguio. The fog must be the culprit and so is the uphill stretch leading to the city along Marcos Highway where trucks are always stalled. Going back down was traffic too since it was so foggy and he couldn't see much of the road. I advised him to not speed up and just be safe.
Despite the strong rain, we changed tires. We convoy heading back, we are wet and cold. By now my Joy and girls were a joy to see. Again I get to bed at 5. Being a Sunday our family day, I drive for Dads in Itogon. To my disbelief from my house to the next corner it was traffic until South Drive and Mansion. So many tourists even when it was raining heavy. I reach my Dads place at 2. Traffic was it.