First drive in EDSA

I have been longing to drive to work. The daily commute is dragging me down and thinking about the comfort of having my personal space, sans the crowd, paints a nice picture in my head. Never mind the gas and traffic - this beats having someone's armpit near your face or standing face to face, side to side, back to back with a stranger.

So after driving twice to Trinoma, on my own, this was THE SUNDAY to venture out and try EDSA.

From Kamuning, I had to do an errand first, I took on EDSA. I had to drive fast (in my book, 70 is fast) because there were quite a few cars, sans traffic jam and everyone was going at my speed or faster. I was quite tense during the duration of the drive, but I convinced myself that if I think I couldn't handle it anymore, my brother will willingly take over the task. BUT, I managed to drive until Greenbelt 5, parking included, and headed to the mall with a smile on my face.

What I learned:

1. If you are driving from North to South via EDSA, keep left. That way, you only have to watch out for the cars in front, behind and beside you. Take note of Santolan and Buendia wherein the left lane should take a left or have to U-turn.

2. Be up to speed. You have to step on the gas if you drive in EDSA, else, you will be left behind or worse, honked at.

3. Beep like you mean it. Buses are bullies and if you don't warn them LOUDLY or PERSISTENTLY, they will bully you.

4. Steer clear of motorcycles. Motorcycles have to stop acting like cars and occupy a wide lane. Steer clear of them - they come up suddenly. Some feel like they own the road, zooming back and forth.

5. Look twice. Approaching Ayala from EDSA, I was getting ready to move right when out of nowhere, this red car surprised me. Had I not taken a second look, the back of my car would have been bumped.

Lastly, enjoy the ride - if you're driving on Sundays that is. On weekdays, expect traffic jams in Cubao, Shaw and Guandalupe - or worse, the whole stretch from Kamuning to Buendia.

My brother tried to take my picture but he took it when I was removing my hairband. Fantastic timing? Grrrrr.