Of Earthquakes and Transport

Two seemingly unrelated topics came into my consciousness one rainy Friday evening.

Suffice it to say, it was really raining hard. I was ready to call it a night by taking my nightly shower. Then, I experienced a scary-funny moment.  This Googley Gooeys’ illustration may have slightly expressed what I felt that moment.

I wish it was only a phone call. No, it wasn’t.   I was in my birthday suit ready to shower when I felt the EARTHQUAKE! I hurriedly scampered to find my clothes. My thought process at that moment was, “Whatever happens I want my clothes on!”  While heavy shaking was happening, the power went out and I was not yet done putting my clothes on.  I could hear my aunt calling my name while I struggled into my clothes in the dark. When the shaking stopped, we checked the house and the damage was only a broken wine glass and figurine.  Thank you, God.

This is the report from USGS website. I marked where I was by a purple star. So close.

There was a tsunami warning but we were not asked to evacuate because (as you can see) we do not live near the Pacific coastline. Still, it was a scary experience. It was the strongest earthquake I have experienced so far.

As we were huddled together in my aunt’s living room, somebody was calling us outside. My uncle’s friend was looking for him.  He was driving in the rain when the earthquake struck. Oh my, that was scarier than not having clothes on during an earthquake (HA!).  I don’t think that driving during an earthquake is part of the driving lessons when applying for a driver’s license. Most earthquake preparedness kits tell you to stop the car when there is a earthquake while on the road. I wondered what my uncle’s friend did. I never asked.

Earlier in the day, I read a friend’s status update on Facebook about how efficient her driver’s license renewal was. I don’t drive so I do not own one but my father did and I have seen some markings. In his license, it indicated “NON-PROFESSIONAL”. Apparently, if you drive for a living, you should get a “PROFESSIONAL” driver’s license. At the back of the license, the type of vehicle you are allowed to drive is also indicated.

Driving is a skill. And it occurred to me to Google how vehicles get transported. There is a service in the United States called auto transport. Cars, as many as 8 vehicles, are hauled across the US at the back of very large truck in two levels like a two-decker bus. This is proof that driving is indeed a skill.  Driving a truck that is like a huge car shipping machine is a challenge.  Road safety is the primary concern. Plus, driving also requires strength to maneuver a huge truck.

I guess there are people with innate skills in driving, strong muscles to steer a very large vehicle and stamina to withstand long drives. Driving is not one of my skills.  I am a backseat driver who commands whoever is on the wheel, usually my cousin. I could not wait to get off a vehicle primarily because I have motion sickness.

And this would be me if I am stuck in Metro Manila traffic. 😀

36 Responses

  1. San

    Wow… I didn’t know the difference in a “professional” and “non-professional” license either! Yikes – and what a way to experience an earthquake!

  4. Aileen

    Double panic attack yan sis…earthquake and the prospect of running to safety with nothing on. You’ll recover from the shock but from embarrassment, probably a longer time hehe. Good thing you’re safe.

  7. Farida

    Oh, you were also affected! Glad to know that all in your family were safe and only those a figurine and a wine glass got broken. It was a strong one though… I still remembered when Pinatubo erupted and the tremors we felt in Manila. Take care!

  8. verna

    I didn’t feel the earthquake, but that sure was scary. In fact, the non-stop earthquakes nowadays are somehow freaking me out.

  12. Vera

    Hah, having clothes on is definitely an important concern that would also come to my mind if I feel an earthquake while bathing. I remember, while experiencing turbulence on board an airplane, I thought about how I wouldn’t want to be caught with my pants down inside the lavatory. hehe 🙂

    I love driving, I don’t mind driving around for hours or shuttling people. As long as I’m not sleepy and the airconditioning works well. 🙂

  15. Olga

    Glad to know everyone is safe there. Earthquakes are really scary. I remember the experiencing a high intensity earthquake back in the 90s. We were in school then and I even ran back to get the ballpen that I dropped. Silly me! Anyway, better get yourself a bathrobe in case you’d need to get out of the shower fast. Praying though that you won’t be needing it for emergencies at all.

    • KatAuthor

      I’ve conditioned myself not to turn back to get “material things” in case of emergencies. Well, except for clothes on during earthquakes and other emergency situations- I must have clothes on.

  21. Lady Spring

    I’m from Manila and I felt it all the way here. I thought I was just dizzy then I checked my twitter timeline if it happened to others too. We’re getting some scary storms and earthquakes lately 🙁 I’m glad it didn’t do any damage to your place.

  23. Gerilen

    mine is still a student driver license.. i think i CAN drive IF the road is wide, no bumper to bumper traffic, no pedestrian *i dont know where would that be in the jungle of manila! Hehe and oh it must be at day NOT at night, because my head hurts on the flashing lights of the vehicles on the other side and i feel i wanna vomit!

  28. Daddy Allan

    I haven’t experienced 2-hours traffic in manila. 15minutes traffic lang inis na ako yun pa kayang 2 hours. hehehe..I really hate driving in manila especially during rush hours which really take you hours before reaching your destination. haaay, kailan kaya maaayos ang traffic sa manila?
    -daddy allan (visit from BCB)

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