Always a silver lining. A thick silver lining.

Monday morning. June 11. It was a day unlike any other I've ever had.

It was only 6AM and it seemed like Murphy's Law was really starting to kick into gear. We (me, Char, and Rach) had to make a 5-minute walk to the tricycle stop from our hotel (in Boracay). As it rained the night before, the alley was flooded. Our feet got soaked in mud (and grime and oil, obviously!) and the walk took a lot longer than necessary.

Anyway, our adventure really started during the van ride from the Caticlan Port to the Kalibo Airport. Sometime in between my zzzs and Lee Ryan's songs, our van got hit. It wasn't even one of those teeny bumps. Char and I bumped our heads on the glass (because we sat at the back row), and I got thrown forward. It really isn't as bad as it sounds, but it really shook me up. I'm still really grateful that the collission wasn't stronger than that, or else, I really don't even want to think of the prospect. The abrupt stop of the van that hit us (and btw had an oil leak too) caused the car behind him to stop as well, hitting him in the process.

So there we were. Stuck in the middle of nowhere. And just as we step out of the van, the rain started to pour.

Oh no.

The van driver so misleading told us that we were only 10 minutes away from the airport and we could go by trike. So we rode the first trike that could accommodate us. He said that he could take us. He knew that we were going to the airport and he did not refuse us a ride.

So I was finally enjoying the view of the countryside when I suddenly saw a roadsign that said, "Kalibo: 9kms". How in the world can anyone travel 9kms by tricycle? It just didn't make any sense. On any level. The driver so calmly said that we were still about an hour away from the airport, and by this time, it was also one hour before our plane was scheduled to leave (9:55AM). Did my heart start palpitating? Oh YEAH! I could've had an anxiety attack right there. I was trying to look for cabs along the way so we could travel at a faster speed, but there was nada. Nothing. I did think that I was overreacting because my companions were so calm.

At this point, I really had nothing else to do but pray. Pray that God was in control of the situation, whatever happened. And He really, really was.

When we got out of that van, my thoughts got clouded with thoughts of panic. PANIC. It was 8:30 and I had no idea what time the counter closes. But in that one single second when my brain registered a flat line, I heard it: you're going to laugh about this when you get home.

We finally arrived in Kalibo after about 20 minutes, where we were greeted by another roadsign that said, "Kalibo Airport: 9.8 kms". WHAT??? Wasn't it already 9 kms a good 20 minutes ago?

As if that weren't enough to fuel my anxiety (I had to get back to Alabang before noon for a medical appointment), a local policeman stopped our trike. Yes. He really did.

I've only had one encounter with the MMDA, but being asked to move on the side of the road, really? 50 minutes before our plane left? Are you kidding me???

This, however, turned out to be another blessing (strangely enough). Across the street, there were vans that were headed to the airport. Yay Char for noticing! I had Rach ask if one of the vans can take us, while Char and I watched the interaction between the policeman and the driver. I finally decided to interrupt and inquire about our fate. Well, as it turned out, the tricycle was not allowed to go on the airport. Illegal route. We rode an illegal trike! Will wonders ever cease! The policeman wouldn't give us any closure, did not bother informing us right away of the problem, and did not offer an alternative form of transportation. Afraid that he would detain us for an interview, we fleed the scene as quickly as possible. Luckily enough, one of the vans ended up taking us.

We arrived in the airport in less than 3 minutes.

Whew. Close call.

I just hate to think what could've happened if we weren't stopped by the policeman. The van really pumped up the volume that I do think we might've broken the speed limit there. But I will never forget that lone red van.

After this, everything else that happened this week just seems so bland.

It is true. I did end up having a good laugh about this. Makes for a good story too. :)