A Race Against Time

Mr Ghaz on Jul 3, 2009

Five to eight and they had only moved a few meters from their last position. Obviously they were not going to reach Kuala Lumpur International Airport by eight p.m. James’ father thumped the wheel impatiently, muttering curses under his breath. His mother said that there was nothing that they could do except wait and hope that the traffic cleared soon.

Image via Wikipedia

James sat at the back seat of the family car with his mother and baby sister. In the front passenger seat was his older brother John. His father was driving the car. They were all on the way to Kuala Lumpur International Airport to send John off to Australia for further studies.

It was dark at 7.30 p.m., but the powerful headlights of the car lit up the road clearly. They were making good time for they had half an hour to travel the twenty two kilometers to the airport. John was to check in at 8.00 p.m.

Image via Wikipedia

The Weather Visibility

Suddenly without warning, raindrops splattered down onto the windscreen. Soon it rained cats and dogs. James’ father switched on the windscreen wiper to full speed but the rain was so heavy that visibility was reduced to only a few meters. They had to slow down and could only plod along carefully at 50 km/h. It was quite a strain to travel in such adverse conditions. James could see the consternation in his father’s face as he glanced at his watch ever so often while driving. James realized that they might be late to the airport.

Image via Wikipedia

As they passed by Putrajaya it was already 7.45 p.m. The traffic stopped completely as they neared the Sepang Circuit. Frustration mounted. James’ father swore softly. James could see that John was restless. Everybody looked at his or her watch, except Joanie. The little baby did not know how to read a watch yet. She was obliviously to the tension in the car and was happily looking at the lights of Sepang through the misty veil of the pouring rain.

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Comments (33)

Inna Tysoe on Jul 3, 2009
Quite a race. Great use of photos.

Inna
Yovita Siswati on Jul 3, 2009
what a race. Nice article Mr. Ghaz.
George W Whitehead on Jul 3, 2009
Great story, Mr Ghaz. This reminds me of the time when my daughter used to live in K.L. She came home for a visit to the U.K. and when it was time to return I took her to Heathrow Airport, usually a 50-60 minute drive away. Because of an accident on the notorious M25 motorway, the journey took eight hours, and she was pregnant at the time! Obviously she missed her flight. Luckily, Singapore Airlines put her on the next flight out, with no penalty charge.
Jamie Myles on Jul 3, 2009
I’ve had similar experiences many times trying to catch a flight.
Well written and great pictures.
California Dreamer on Jul 3, 2009
Wow, nice little story. Traffic can be a pain in the butt sometimes, and it is the cause of many accidents. I remember going from Northern Ca to Southern Ca one night about 8pm, then when got to 3 hours of driving about 11pm, was a dead stop, as a bad accident, big rig flipped over. We sat there for almost 3hrs to clean in, was in a mountain type area, so no turning around, was warm night, people getting out of their cars, it was something. And traffic seems to have no sympathy when someone needs to be somewhere on time…
hollynoel001 on Jul 3, 2009
there always seems to “be something” getting in the way when you have to do something quite a race against time but fortune and fate was on his side!! great story
Phill Senters on Jul 3, 2009
Nice story Mr G. It just shows there’s hardly ever any use getting in a rush.
Debra. on Jul 3, 2009
MrGhaz, you are quite the story teller! There are a number of things that can slow you down and make you late. Just remember, to always be prepared for the unexpected because somethings are just out of your reach!
Debra. on Jul 3, 2009
MrGhaz, you are quite the story teller! There are a number of things that can slow you down and make you late. Just remember, to always be prepared for the unexpected because somethings are just out of your reach!
JoseI on Jul 3, 2009
Nice job
Deep Blue on Jul 3, 2009
Great story. Reminds me of my job as an aircraft mechanic breezing through places in minutes when I’m aboard a helicopter at work then figured at tight situations with a drive to urinate while I’m aboard a passenger jeep caught in Philippine traffic on my way home after work.
Idazalee on Jul 3, 2009
Very interesting story..I really enjoyed reading your stuff..Keep it up and thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful work.
Tanya Wallace on Jul 3, 2009
You did a great job on this story.I think the pictures added to it and it was very creative for you to add them.Great write and enjoyable story to read.Thanks for sharing Mr.Ghaz, as always excellent work!
Darla Cooke on Jul 3, 2009
Very nice story!
Susan on Jul 3, 2009
I love it! You have made an every day annoying incident into a hold-your-breath adventure.
Alina Beck on Jul 3, 2009
This reminds me of one of those awful dreams where you know you have to be somewhere important and yet somehow everything conspires to stop you getting there!
clay hurtubise on Jul 3, 2009
Nice story: feels like an episode of ‘The Amazing Race’!
Thanks,
Clay
DA Cournean on Jul 3, 2009
Very good reading. Glad John made it!
Sheila M on Jul 3, 2009
talk about anxiety! Nice=)
Walter Holstad on Jul 3, 2009
Taking off in a storm! Glad it went okay!
ladybaby on Jul 3, 2009
A nice suspenseful read. I’ve never been on a plane, but I’ve missed a few buses.
irishpen on Jul 3, 2009
Nice story. ~peace~
Poetic Enigma on Jul 3, 2009
This is a nice read, very suspensful, race definitely.
Thanks for sharing!
Juancav on Jul 3, 2009
A race of nerves,well done.
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Unofre Pili on Jul 4, 2009
I’m glad he was able to to catch up the plane. Very nice story.
Momma Tells on Jul 4, 2009
That was some race against time!
CHAN LEE PENG on Jul 4, 2009
Traffic can sometimes cause many unexpected problems. Great write, and give you liked it.
iamrulan on Jul 5, 2009
Impressive! You have a wonderful knack for coordinating the visual with the eye of the imagination. Thanks.
Judy Sheldon on Jul 5, 2009
Mr. Ghaz, this is such a well written article about the frustration of traffic jams and trying to meet deadlines. I was on the edge of my seat throughout wondering if he would make it.

Take care & God bless!
sandie on Jul 5, 2009
keep up the good work.all the best.
fragile18 on Jul 14, 2009
nice photos!
Brian Daniel Stankich on Jul 17, 2009
What traveler hasn’t experienced this misery? Your story telling skills are really good. Keep storying….Brian

A Race Against Time

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