Southbound

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After the extended weekend, I find myself driving back to Manila, ready to begin another routine work week. Typically, Sundays have lighter traffic. However, since many people returned from their provinces after All Saint's Day, it's likely that all those individuals, like me, are making their way back today. Consequently, the traffic is incredibly heavy. If you find yourself averaging only 20 kilometers per hour on the North Luzon Expressway, you know it's going to be a long and sluggish drive.

Traffic is an ever-present reality, much like the sun. It will eventually fade away permanently, but by then, we will all be gone. There's nothing we can do about it. We don't have to worsen the traffic situation by acting like jerks on the road. If you're in a hurry, leave home early. If you find yourself stuck in traffic on your way home from work, utilize the time to reflect on why you're in that situation in the first place.

Personally, being caught in traffic has a calming effect on me. It allows me to observe the fast-paced world in slow motion. The experience becomes even more enjoyable when accompanied by great music. The stereo is tuned to Jam 88.3. They have this Republic program every weekend where they exclusively play Filipino alternative music. Everything feels just right.

As I passed the Tabang exit, I noticed a series of car accidents lining up along the fast lane. There must have been a sudden downpour, causing extremely low visibility. I counted approximately 10 separate accidents, each involving 2 to 3 cars. An ambulance had arrived at one scene, indicating that someone must have been injured.




These are just some of the photos I was able to take of the accidents. I didn't take any more because I don't want to be one of them. Imagine the irony: someone taking a picture of an accident gets into an accident.


I feel incredibly fortunate. The car accidents seemed to have occurred only moments ago. If I had left home just a few minutes earlier, I could have been involved in one of those accidents. I might have been the person inside the ambulance. Would that qualify as a near-death experience?

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