MANILA, Philippines - Ahh, Holy Week. A very long weekend sanctioned by the Church and the State for the purpose of commemorating the eternal victory of Jesus Christ, but used by many poor souls as an opportunity to visit the countryside. To bond with the family. To see what has never been seen before. To enjoy life to the fullest with one’s most loved, appreciating all that God and Man has created along thousands of kilometers of road.
Right.
Along with millions of other people sharing the road with you, you have as big a chance of fully enjoying a Holy Week road trip free of trouble, traffic, or excessively high tourist rates as winning the lottery.
Really, why would any sane person willingly subject himself or herself to hours and hours of torture on the road with an increasingly cranky spouse and the ever-restless brood? Oh yes, because the rest of the year you have to work, which makes Holy Week the only time you can get on the road for an extended period of time, which means you are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Well then, since you are resigned to your fate here are several tips to make you enjoy the ordeal nonetheless. Oh, and quit whining about the traffic already; it’s not like you’re being nailed to the cross or something.
Acknowledge the extra passenger. No, I am not talking about God who can be argued is everywhere and therefore doesn’t need the extra seat. I am talking about the scoundrel called Mr. Murphy, and his law is binding. He’s not exactly very harsh, but when he cracks the whip, unplanned events can happen from the annoying (like losing your wallet) to the horrific (like a busted radiator). Therefore, best to just take things in stride and do everything in your power to make sure he keeps quiet. His most immutable law? You will get stuck in traffic. Deal with it.
Prepare your vehicle. Ensure that your vehicle is in basic running condition: radiator and the rest of the cooling system has no leaks, the fans are running, your steering and suspension feel tight, your tires are not worn down, and your brake system is in order (squealing pads need to be replaced, heavy pumping of the pedal means there’s something wrong like a leak). Have the A/C checked as well. Those things have a way of breaking down at the worst moments. Have your tire pressure set to manufacturer’s recommended for heavy loads (if you’re traveling with the clan). And practice “combat loading”; put the heaviest luggage nearest to the floor to lower your center of gravity, and put the most in-demand items on top so you can get to them quickly.
Prepare your gear. It’s always good to have a First-Aid kit handy, along with any special medication you or your companions may need on the road. You should also have the following kit: flashlight, cellphone charger, cross wrench, Early Warning Device, tire jack, and any specialized adapters for removing the lug nuts of a flat tire, jumper cables, and several meters of thick tow rope.
Bring a map and compass. EZ-Maps and Accu-Maps can be found at the larger fuel stations and, being GPS-calibrated, are very accurate. Aside from the obvious benefit of visualizing your route, a map can mentally reassure you that, yes, there is an endpoint to your epic road trip. The compass will help you get your bearings after you have taken one too many turns.
Wear your seatbelt. No Ifs or Buts about this.
Avoid creative but risky detours. Stick to main roads when traveling at night. Detours through farm roads may save you some time off the congested highway, but I don’t recommend them. With few street lights and intermittent cellphone signals, anything could go wrong.
Bring cash. Lots of it. The farther you go from the city, the fewer the establishments that take plastic. Worse, a working ATM can be just as hard to find.
Bring entertainment. Lots of it. Boredom won’t kill you, but it will make your passengers insufferable.
High-speed blowout? Relax. With great roads like the NLEX and SCTEX, it’s really tempting to overspeed, and worn tires have a high risk of blowing out, especially when the heat of the day causes tire temperatures to rise. If a tire blows, DO NOT SLAM ON THE BRAKES. A vehicle is still reasonably balanced on just three working tires, but sudden brake pressure will ruin the center of gravity, overload the front tires, and may very well cause a spectacular flip-and-roll. Instead, when you hear the “BOOM!”, gently let off the throttle, feather the brakes to gently decelerate, signal to the right side of the road, and coast to a stop.
Drive at a reasonable and prudent pace. Even if your surname is “Button”, save the racing for the PSP. There is an ebb and flow to traffic everywhere. Rushing about, weaving in and out of lanes, and counterflowing may save you a few minutes, but it also dramatically increases your risk of getting yourself and your companions in an accident. That said, don’t go so slow as to hold up traffic for miles.