Last night, I heard a loud noise in front of our shop. A motorcycle skidded off the road. There were three of them on the motorcycle and were already got up when I ask if they were all right. “No problem” says one as the other tried to start the motor. They left the area like nothing happened. Judging from the length of the skid marks left on the road, you can visualize how fast they were traveling before the accident. Probably they were drunk. Perhaps, because there are no incoming vehicles or obstructions along the way. I don’t know, there are no witnesses. As I get back in front of my computer, I recalled a similar event I had experienced last year. I never had the chance to post that event on my blog since time hasn’t permitted me. The incident was my first accident involving a motorcycle and from then on taught me a valuable lesson for the rest of my life.

Let me share to you my fellow readers what happened to me last October 10,2008 around 7:00 pm. This is supposed to be a long post but I decided to divide it in two. First part below:

Arrival
3:00 pm of that day, I arrived in Looc together with my aunt and my cousin from San Agustin port. I was carrying some cooked foods stuffed inside a tupper-ware container wrapped in a large plastic bag. Most are left-overs from the birthday celebration which my uncle insisted we should bring. (We attended my uncle priest’s birthday in Romblon, Romblon a day before). We went straight to my aunt’s house where her brother Joey and his wife live there at that time. I planned to get back in Odiongan as soon as I arrive in Looc but there are no jeepneys left in the terminal. So, I decided to take a rest there and took off the next morning.

Trip to Balatucan
4:30 or 5:00 pm, Uncle Joey along with his wife will be going to his in-law’s house in Barangay Balatucan, still a part of Looc for a visit. He told me to get along with them by driving the motorcycle which at that time still belongs to my mom. Dhodge, my cousin, tagged along with me as well. Uncle Joey together with his wife and son will be on their STX motorcycle. I already learned how to drive a motorcycle with the help of uncle Dong. The pier of Looc was one of my training grounds back then every time I visit on weekends. I took a picture of myself that time when we stopped over at the shop.

The photo was distorted as you can see. I don’t know why. We traveled the road leading to our destination. The terrain was mountainous and most of the journey was alternately uphill and downhill with a little zigzag along the way.

Tipsy
There was a small gathering, mostly some friends of Uncle Joey’s in-laws. Typical scenario you will find when dusk falls in Looc where not so young and middle-aged men gather around the table with a bottle of wine, rum or gin, an optional chaser and a shot or individual glass. Whatever the trip may be. I took a seat, introduced myself followed by some chit chat story stuff and so on. Took on some shots later but never really got drunk, just a little tipsy.

I can’t recall what time we decided to go back since its already dark at that moment. I was told by my aunt before we left that if I can handle myself to drive. I said I can and that I have my cousin on my back to alert me in case something pops out on the driveway from nowhere. My decision also was influenced by a hearsay that driving while under the influence of alcohol is an ego-booster. That if you made it through and able to get back safe will make you look macho in some sense. Yep! That was silly, I know! Silly me!

I maneuvered the motorcycle to traverse the uphill climb. I managed to get it on the road without any assistance. Then the journey back home started not knowing the impending accident I might get into. to be continued on my next post entitled “Don’t Drink and Drive!“…