Another drive down south, this will be Take 2. It’s a half-way length from Philadelphia to New Orleans. I wanted to stay overnight in Virginia Beach, but there was a storm forecast. I was afraid to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I’ve experienced crossing that bridge in the past, under heavy rains, winds, and waves literally splashing on your car. I figured, I’ll just catch some sleep at some of the rest areas along the highway. So, I left Philadelphia around 4:00 pm and it was hot! I was afraid to catch the I-95 afternoon traffic in Philadelphia where it could really get bumper to bumper.
Bad idea. I would ran into heavy traffic from Chester, right outside Philadelphia all the way to Delaware. Worse, there were construction right around the Baltimore tunnel. It looked like this will not be a 12-hour drive after all.
I was headed I-95 South to Richmond, Virginia but right before the entrance to the Beltway, the navigator told me to go 495-West to Silver Springs. I’ve taken that route many times in the past. I was confused why the navigator is telling me to head towards Washington DC. So, I took I-95 South to Richmond which is where I was headed anyway. It started to rain. Before I knew it, I was already on 295 then to 395 and at the height of this mini-storm, I was on Pennsylvania Avenue headed towards the White House. Grrr!
I was lost inside that DC neighborhood. By the time I got out of that neighborhood, I was back on the parkway. Was it a joke? Or was that coincidence so I’d have the chance to see this rainbow?
I know. I’m being a kid. I have not seen a rainbow in such a long time. Could there be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Will I be lucky in South Carolina?
It was getting dark and the downpour started. I was now deep in Washington DC, back to 95 headed to Virginia. Weather is not cooperating. I passed by the Pentagon but I was afraid to take pictures. Who knows, once I clicked, I’d be met by a battalion of helicopters chasing me. Wag na lang.
I was so hungry that the steering wheel looked like pepper jack to me – it’s one of those monterey jack cheese with jalapeno peppers. And there is not a single rest area from the Maryland House, a rest area in Maryland, all the way to the Richmond area. Nobody sent me a reminder to bring food.
It was already dark when I passed Richmond and by the time I reached Rocky Mountains, I was alone on the road. It was pitch black. Not a single soul. It was just me and my car. I thought it was surreal. There were so many things going in my head. What will this South Carolina experience going to be this time? How’s my boss going to be? What about the people there? You never know. Weird, and I am not being dramatic here, but I was up there in Rocky Mountains, alone, pitch black, then this music started playing on the radio. It must be my Sunday sermon. I have not been to church for awhile. Chuva and I used to go to church on Sundays in New Jersey.
I was in North Carolina midnight I guess. I’d catch some sleep at every rest area. Unlike in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, none of the rest areas here have food. Nothing. Only vending machines. Ugh! And this was my 1st time driving at night. It’s not fun.
It’s 70mph down the mountains, up the mountains, but these tractor trailers? they’re flying! like you don’t have any right on the road. I stuck my cruise control at 70mph. I get blasted by some of my friends for driving this way. Especially in Boston where they drive 125 miles I guess. It’s insane. My reason? I am not in a hurry. And that is why I have a very clean driving record. I pray it stays that way.
Until I reached South Carolina, right around Myrtle Beach when I was stopped by a paratrooper. Ever experienced being stopped on a highway and you’re the only one there? It was an unmarked car. And all the lights were blinking like insane on the paratropper’s car. Let me tell you, it’s not a pleasant experience.
I pulled over to the side. He was by my passenger’s window at the back, talking to me and I could see his hand was positioned on his revolver! Shit! “Ok, fine! I’ll send money to my boylets, ok?!” but I was actually shaking! Grr! Damn it! Don’t do it! I still have to taste luto nang dyos in South Carolina noh?! Grr!
“Do you know why I pulled you over?” he said.
“Ahh… I’m cute?!”
Shit! He didn’t smile. ~!@#$%^&*(! It didn’t work. Waaa! Ok. The hell was he asking me that question. I was right on the dot: 70 mph and he could see my cruise control lit up! And he’s cute! Hehehe! My powers are not working. I could hear my evil twin, “Work it Reynz! Work it!“
“You didn’t make a signal when you passed my car.”
I didn’t?! Oh, I don’t know. Everything’s kind of automatic to me. I knew I did. But why fight. It’s a losing game. And paratroopers here in South Carolina must be looking to fill up some quota, they just stop anyone for no reason. Or maybe they have nothing else to do.
“Looks like you are moving.” he said.
“Yes, in Charleston – for work.” I responded.
“Who are you going to work for?” he asked.
“I’ll be working for the state agency replacing the director.” I said.
“Ah, Ok. That’s where I live.” he said.
He asked for my driver’s license and insurance information and he went back to his car. I took a gamble. I did not tell him what agency. Hahaha! Recruitment agency? PADPAO agency? Nah. Bahala sya. Then, I saw him walk back to my car.
“I’m only giving you a warning ticket. No penalty. Just be careful the next time and when you feel tired driving, just pull over ok?
Ambait nya. He said something more, but my mind was already somewhere! You know, picket fences?! Hahaha! Ano nga kaya noh?! He’s got blue eyes, pro’lly 30′sh, and I could see he’s good-looking. I was thinking if I’d pull another joke. Hmm… ba’t ako na-tameme?!
“Well, thank you so much Officer. I guess, I’ll be seeing you around since I’m gonna be a Charleston resident now.
He smiled. Then I left.
I remember when I arrived in New Orleans, the very 1st call I received was from the CSI. It scared the hell out of me! In South Carolina, a warning ticket.
I arrived at my Charleston apartment at about 9:30 am, about 17 hours on the road, driving miss daisy style. It was 100 degrees outside!
On an empty apartment.
Except for this…
And this…
And this…
It’s a nice apartment, and tomorrow’s my 1st day.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Naku pow ang layo ng binyahe mo. No wonder you were so pagod na pagod. At yan din yata ang dahilan kong bakit ka na tameme nung kausap mo ang poging polis
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I am wishing you goodluck Reynz. Don’t forget to send me your new phone number kapag may linya ka na.
[Reply]
reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:15 am
text kita beng. salamat. oo, kapuy. grabe!
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hey reynz…glad you made it in SC safely. have great time there. and good luck sa first day of work. kick some a**es!
he he.
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reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 am
ei glo! many thanks! eto na naman tau sa 2nd coming hehe! sana maging successful na para maging consultant na ako neks time hehe
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Glo Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 am
i wish you all the best reynz! yakang-yaka mo yan, uragon baga.
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reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
thank you. sana ngani dai nang mga kaimpatukhan arog kan sa new orleans na pahingurag si mang-hahabas.
good luck! I think you’ll be ok this time…from your story, expected mo will be a big storm (but the big storm did’nt happen). And instead of loosing your way, nakita mo ang tamang daan tungo sa tamang lugar, and theres the rainbow showing you that……there will be something special thats going to happen in your life….the pot of gold!enjoy the blessings! we really wish you the very best! use your very best charm sa iyung first day, para magayuma mo silang lahat hehehe
[Reply]
reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:26 pm
naman! i had dinner with the boss, pinakilala family, kalokah. mga milyonaryo ata to dito sa charleston, nasa gated community pa ha, as in.
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glad you made it safe!!! parang scene sa COPS ah. Papahintuin ng patrol car ang kotse, hihingin ang driver’s license tapos may interrogation. Tapos minsan sa sobrang guilty ng iba, they’ll speed away or biglang tatakbo. But I can imagine, kahit di ka guilty, matatakot ka talaga.
[Reply]
reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:27 pm
kalokah pag na-stop ka nang paratrooper, as in iba ang feelings hehe or maybe because that was my 1st time ever.
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at least di ba sa US, kung stop ka nila, ask questions lang or ticket kung may violation. Hahabulin ka lang kung suspicious person. Eh sa pinas, pag ganyang pinahinto ka sa highway, wag ka hihinto, malamang car jacker yon
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reynz Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
me mga gago ring ganyan dito sa america, esp. na unmarked car yong nag-stop saken, kaya kinilabutan ako. besides, talagang this was my 1st time. imagine hahaha
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Whoa, nice apartment Reynz. Best of luck sa iyong new job! I’m so happy for you. ^_^
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wow!! nice apartment nga..enjoy the living!!!
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reynz Reply:
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:18 am
mas maganda yong apartment ko sa New Orleans Snow n melody hehe at Studio lang kamo yon, kaya lang double the price nyahaha
eto ang link: http://reynaelena.com/2009/02/21/my-10-states-driving-journey-in-the-united-states3/
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