February 24 Sunday
The heavy traffic started in Santa Rosa. We should have left an hour earlier or would it even matter? Going to Tagaytay on a long weekend has proven time and again a bad idea.
After almost four hours of sitting in the traffic, we decided to take the side streets in our desire to save some 30 minutes of travel time. We thought we got away from the heavy traffic. The feeling of relief was only short-lived.
Waze led us to a barangay road. Instead of getting to our destination faster, we got stuck. We also embarrassingly created a gridlock. We made the mistake of bringing the huge Ford E150 van. And oh, what a challenge.
I decided to take matters in my own hands. With no training in traffic management, I got off the van and started bossing the other drivers around. I knocked on their windows and ordered them to either move, back-off, whatever. MOVE! MOVE! I also used my arms to signal those who were 5 cars and up down the road. I felt like a real traffic aide. I even found the time to ask the owner/driver of a Ford Everest ‘Hi, nice car, where did you buy this?”. He answered “Ford EDSA”. I said “Oh thank you”.
They were very cooperative naman. Some looked le tou (confused in French). We just had to do it otherwise all of us would spend our weekend on that narrow road.
We were able to get out of that gridlock but after some 20 meters, came a bigger challenge. There’s no way our van could fit in here.
Nakakapagod parang obstacle course.
It was Oyen’s turn to be the traffic enforcer.
What a challenge
Just as when we thought we’ve conquered the obstacles, someone parked his tricycle unmindful that it was blocking the street. Whew!!
Oyen got off our van again to look for the driver. Taoo poooo, sa inyo ho ba itong tricycle? Paki alis at hindi kami makadaan. Actually, paki alis kasi nakaharang sa daan.
Four hours and forty five minutes to Tagaytay from our house. Hayy sakit bewang.
Moral lessons:
1. Avoid going up to Tagaytay on a long weekend or holiday.
2. If you must, leave your house very early, like 5 or 6 am.
3. Avoid using huge vehicles.
4. If you must, use the main roads, never take the side streets. They are too narrow.
