We figured Tuesday would be a good day to take mom to get her blood test at Kaiser. We figured that since we don't live in Waikiki, we'd be safe. Besides APEC is over, right?
We headed out at 7:45 in the morning. We skipped breakfast since mom needed to fast before her test. We were planning to all have breakfast together after her blood drawing.
We were shocked to encounter traffic before we got near the on ramp to Interstate H1. I know. I know. It's funny to think we have an Interstate Highway in Hawaii.
Art decided to take an alternate route by going on Kamehameha Highway. It was OK for a while, but then that came to a complete halt too. When we looked into the distance we saw that the highway going toward town was empty.
Uh oh... Was today the day that President Obama was leaving? Was he in Ko'Olina on the other side of the island and not in Waikiki? Yikes!
Sure enough! The highway was closed off for the presidential motorcade to make its way to Hickam Air Force Base. We were stuck in traffic for an hour.
On the plus side, the hospital lab was empty when we got there. We got done in a jiffy and didn't have to pay a parking fee. When we got to the restaurant there was an empty table waiting for us. It filled up quickly right after that when motorcycle police officers came in for their breakfast. I imagine they were probably part of the security contingent.
We stayed away from Waikiki and Honolulu this past week to avoid the congestion and headache. We almost did, but we didn't mind. Everybody we ran into just laughed it all off. There was a feeling of camaraderie knowing we'd all been part of something big together.
APEC was big and grand. However, I'm glad we're back to normal again.
We headed out at 7:45 in the morning. We skipped breakfast since mom needed to fast before her test. We were planning to all have breakfast together after her blood drawing.
Art decided to take an alternate route by going on Kamehameha Highway. It was OK for a while, but then that came to a complete halt too. When we looked into the distance we saw that the highway going toward town was empty.
Uh oh... Was today the day that President Obama was leaving? Was he in Ko'Olina on the other side of the island and not in Waikiki? Yikes!
Sure enough! The highway was closed off for the presidential motorcade to make its way to Hickam Air Force Base. We were stuck in traffic for an hour.
On the plus side, the hospital lab was empty when we got there. We got done in a jiffy and didn't have to pay a parking fee. When we got to the restaurant there was an empty table waiting for us. It filled up quickly right after that when motorcycle police officers came in for their breakfast. I imagine they were probably part of the security contingent.
We stayed away from Waikiki and Honolulu this past week to avoid the congestion and headache. We almost did, but we didn't mind. Everybody we ran into just laughed it all off. There was a feeling of camaraderie knowing we'd all been part of something big together.
APEC was big and grand. However, I'm glad we're back to normal again.
I like your attitude, Kay.
ReplyDeleteThe online news reports that some people grumbled about Obama's rude disregard of rush hour traffic. People did have to get to work or to school, you know. On the other hand, the media did forewarn people about the time of Obama's departure, which is why security was so tight. When his departure is not announced, security is lighter. My family and I were not affected by the APEC traffic, thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteThe fernleaf buckthorn I planted is the domesticated variety sold only as potted trees or potted bushes. I got a tree.
ReplyDeleteYou could have sold those wild ones if you had taken the time and trouble to dig them up and plant them in tubs. Imagine the money you could have made.
I can imagine that when Obama and family come home, like he just did, that it would stop all kinds of traffic. Not only the "interstate" variety but also the traffic to the drugstore and to the restaurants.
Sounds like it stopped all that and probably more.
I have to stick myself and test because I take Coumadin. My wife just started on it and is also testing. We bought our own test machine thingy. It works at home, and we phone in the reading and they tell us to continue on or change the dosage of Coumadin we are taking.
My brother who lives in the burbs of Chicago says their traffic is always backed up by construction. I suppose Hawaii has as many traffic problems as the rest of the country, just different causes. Every time prez comes to the Philly area, there are so many choppers buzzing around. Our surface traffic is not as affected. The exception was the day of the funeral of the vice-prez's mother. No one went to work or school--tied up the whole county. Hawaii must be a beautiful place to be stuck in traffic! I have to move that state to the top of my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised to know it Kay that we experience this almost on daily basis as our state (Assam) is a terrorist sensitive area.
ReplyDeleteI remember the traffic jams when we were there...lol!
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny that Hawaii has an "interstate" highway. Always thinking ahead, our government. Glad it all turned out well in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYou were smart not to get too frustrated with the traffic tie-ups since there was nothing to be done about it. It sounds like to all turned out okay and that is the important thing.
ReplyDeleteBeing stuck in traffic is the pits. One time coming back from picking my grand-daughter up from school we were stuck in traffic for almost two hours. The reason was the only bridge over the river got stuck and could not come down. Thank you for all your concern and I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteWe have not experienced any traffic delays on this side of the island. On Sunday, which was also a closed off freeway day (entourage moving from Waikiki to KoOlina), traffic was very light. The streets and stores were pretty empty in Kapolei. Because we knew beforehand, that helped tremendously. Yesterday, we stayed at home over an hour longer, then headed out, so we did not encounter any traffic delays. But for those of you who couldn't wait, yup the three of you in fasting before mom's blood test, that just really sucks. Not to be mean or anything but your situation sometimes ends up so funny...
ReplyDeleteL.
I'm so sorry about that traffic. Looks like LA at it's worst. You balance that with the wonderful images of the gardens in Chicago. What a great city that it.
ReplyDeleteI belive I have mentioned elsewhere that we had these disruptions almost daily when I was commuting. The Washington traffic is supposedly the worst in the world. Partly that is owing to VIPs rushing around in their limos or movies with car chases filmed here ad nauseum. Dianne
ReplyDeletePS Yes H-1 is silly but I see the traffic expanded to fill the highway.
these Chicago people keep running into each other, lol.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a successful outing, whew!
ReplyDeleteglad it worked out.
ReplyDeleteYes, it feels like we were part of something. . . .
Your point about Makana is a good one too.
Thanks, Kay
Aloha from Honolulu
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I'll bet breakfast tasted real good after that prolonged wait!
ReplyDeleteThe President have been here in Seattle several times for fund raisers. Whether you are patient or not with the traffic mess that causes around here seems to depend on your political bent.
Even on days that are not disrupted by presidential visits, the traffic in most cities is awful and is really bringing down the quality of life. I can't stand it, it's such a stupid waste of time to be tied up in traffic: a huge problem, but not such a huge problem that people will give up their cars to help improve the situation. I'm glad I live in Hilo, where there isn't a lot of traffic. Even Kona is pretty bad these days. And I don't think I could deal with Honolulu at all!
ReplyDelete