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MARINDUQUENOS OF THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF AMERICA ANDREW PLACE EAST BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY |
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| October 8, 1999 It was such a beautiful morning when our group left Colonia for a long trip to the first meeting called for by the newly elected President of MI, Inc., Dr. Rudy Jao. THE EXPEDITION It was 3pm when MESA members: - Steve & Alma Sosa, Thelma Munoz Santos, Al Molato & Rey Muhi.left Colonia, New Jersey in Steve and Alma's gargantuan '99 Ford Expedition with "cautioned seat" so you don't scratch it, a panoramic rear and side view mirrors - you can see the kissing love birds on your blindspots. I said to myself - I can relax and sleep tight on this baby with no problemo. What a comfortable truck. Alma turned on the CD music of Julio Iglesias as soon as we got out of their driveway. INSIDE EXPERIENCE Steve took Route 27 to Metuchen, NJ to Route 287 with a little bit of traffic because of road construction. We found out later that this will be the first of a series of road constructions all along the way. We kinda started the trip positively - joking, laughing, telling stories from World War II up to the Baltic conflict. With Julio's music on the background, it was a good start. With us, were a "siopao handler", whose arms extends approximately 6 feet long; a "food supplier", whose sandwiches were much bigger than that of Burger Kings'; a "real Thor", the God of Thunder, who dared the pouring rain and thunderous weather, so brave that those delivery truck drivers look like sissies with this lady. |
| It was very confortable inside the truck with impressive well lit dashboard, not to mention that it has a "balcony bed" at the back, a "pilot's rocking chair"; a "co-pilot bakit? seat"; a penny pack for tolls; and most amazing, a push button that can fry your eggs. Steve asked Alma for Pilipino songs. Celeste Legaspi's CD at isang magandang tinig na mang-aawit na di-hins ko kilala. FALL SCENERY We passed by some beautiful sceneries. The trees lined up along the highway had its leaves already red and gold. Excited as we were, we have to fill up our stomach around this time. The "food supplier" and the "siopao handler" were at work for some time. Steve took us somewhere in Pennsylvania (I don't remember exactly what city) and refilled the gas tank, stretched out and rested for some 20 minutes and took off. REY'S TURN Rey took over and Steve hit the deck at the back while Al sat at the front as co-pilot. Thelma and Alma were comfortable at the back enjoying the music. It's getting dark and started to drizzle. Not much happening or conversations at this point of time because we were busy eating, pangal dito, supal-pal doon, hirin dito, tigok doon. Steve was asking how fast we were moving. He thought we were not moving that fast. We are running at 75-80 mph Pare, Rey retorted. Hmm, it doesn't seem that fast, Steve said with disbelief. |
| At 9pm, we were very much awake but mellowed out. It was dark and misty. The road construction that I mentioned before, it's all over here too. RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY The rain stopped so we decided to fill up the gas tank and relieve ourselves. I felt like I'd shrunk as a result of bending forward to have a better view of the road and controlling myself of - you know what. AL's TIME TO DRIVE Al took over the wheel and Rey was the navigator. An experienced driver as he is, Al was cautious with the wet road for a little while until he's got the "feel" of the steering wheel. I was looking for "raindeers" along the way, since we were in Ohio, the Buckeye State, but nothing - I guess they were asleep already. Al took us up to Toledo. Everybody was asleep except Rey and of course the driver. We stopped for another gas and rested for a while. THELMA'S RUN Thelma volunteered to drive. Al went at the back seat and rested flat on his back. I was still very much awake. I really can't sleep. I felt tired and snoozy but can't put myself to a deep sleep. Well, I always kept the driver awake also anyway. For a while, a complete silence. Any-body who were awake at this time stopped talking. Steve was awaken with the "deafening silence". He didn't asked why or what's happening. He saw Thelma in the "cockpit" and pretty much in control. Steve at this point was coughing lightly. "Just take it easy Emma and stay on the right lane" he said. |
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| continued on next page |
| A long trip to a sojourn in Chicago |
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| Sojourn |
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