Okay.
I was just in the worst traffic jam ever.
I just got home. A bus ride from Alabang to Batangas which usually takes 1 1/2 hours on a good day stretched to what seemed like infinity. I left Alabang at a little before 3 PM yesterday and arrived at Batangas at 2:40 AM today. My butt is numb from sitting in the bus for 11 hours and 43 minutes.
Contrary to what most people might think, the bus was not filled with impatient and grumbling passengers. I surprised even myself by not complaining. We were at a standstill most of the time, what use was complaining going to do anyway. It was just going to be a waste of energy.
I got some sleep on the bus. Most passengers did. Some ate their dinner and snacks on board. We listened to 80's music (mostly classic rock and pop), watched the news about PGMA's SONA, watched Pirates of the Caribbean (the first movie followed by the sequel) and was already half-way through the Curse of the Black Pearl when the DVD player just stalled. We then watched another film version of Tomb Raider 1 and 1/2 times (not the one with Angelina Jolie and with really bad acting). In between all these I was reading Haruki Murakami's Dance Dance Dance and would've finished the book if the bus lights weren't switched off late in the night.
I'm not feeling too tired right now, which is quite unfortunate as I can't get myself to fall asleep. I keep thinking about alternate travel experiences. If I was going the opposite direction I would've reached Ilocos Norte by then. On a different day I would've reached Bicol already. If I was on a boat instead I would've already reached Romblon. If I was in Cebu, I would've been in Camiguin already. If I was going to work, I would've already gone back and forth to Mindoro twice.
For most part of the bus ride, this was my view out the window. Not exactly a view to die for, but I'm really not complaining.
In truth, I will probably remember this as the shortest 12-hour trip I've ever had. In truth, this will probably be the best "worst traffic jam" I'll ever be in.
Going down the bus at the end of Diversion Road in Batangas I couldn't help but smile when the passengers thanked the driver and the conductor for a safe trip. We all laughed when one passenger quipped "sulit ang bayad". Truly, the bus fare we paid was all worth it.
I was just in the worst traffic jam ever.
I just got home. A bus ride from Alabang to Batangas which usually takes 1 1/2 hours on a good day stretched to what seemed like infinity. I left Alabang at a little before 3 PM yesterday and arrived at Batangas at 2:40 AM today. My butt is numb from sitting in the bus for 11 hours and 43 minutes.
Contrary to what most people might think, the bus was not filled with impatient and grumbling passengers. I surprised even myself by not complaining. We were at a standstill most of the time, what use was complaining going to do anyway. It was just going to be a waste of energy.
I got some sleep on the bus. Most passengers did. Some ate their dinner and snacks on board. We listened to 80's music (mostly classic rock and pop), watched the news about PGMA's SONA, watched Pirates of the Caribbean (the first movie followed by the sequel) and was already half-way through the Curse of the Black Pearl when the DVD player just stalled. We then watched another film version of Tomb Raider 1 and 1/2 times (not the one with Angelina Jolie and with really bad acting). In between all these I was reading Haruki Murakami's Dance Dance Dance and would've finished the book if the bus lights weren't switched off late in the night.
I'm not feeling too tired right now, which is quite unfortunate as I can't get myself to fall asleep. I keep thinking about alternate travel experiences. If I was going the opposite direction I would've reached Ilocos Norte by then. On a different day I would've reached Bicol already. If I was on a boat instead I would've already reached Romblon. If I was in Cebu, I would've been in Camiguin already. If I was going to work, I would've already gone back and forth to Mindoro twice.
For most part of the bus ride, this was my view out the window. Not exactly a view to die for, but I'm really not complaining.
In truth, I will probably remember this as the shortest 12-hour trip I've ever had. In truth, this will probably be the best "worst traffic jam" I'll ever be in.
Going down the bus at the end of Diversion Road in Batangas I couldn't help but smile when the passengers thanked the driver and the conductor for a safe trip. We all laughed when one passenger quipped "sulit ang bayad". Truly, the bus fare we paid was all worth it.
