When Road Trips Go Wrong:Can any of these happen to us in 2015?
Traveling is fun, but it’s also risky. Leaving your comfort zone increases the likelihood that something might go awry, especially when it comes to driving in countries other than your own. In some cases, like the one above, horribly awry. But while such stories might be mortifying in the moment, they give us plenty to laugh about afterwards. Never forget that the root of comedy is tragedy e.g. me slipping on a banana peel is tragic, you slipping on a banana peel is hilarious. With that in mind, we’re proud to present: When Road Trips Go Wrong.
Since it’s still winter for now, we’ll start with some photos of drivers failing to navigate icy roads properly. This driver sure caught a break.
This one didn’t.
Kind of gives a new meaning to the phrase “scared straight.”
At the very least, that guy doing the balancing act above was able to get into his car. Not sure what the procedure is for when your car is completely encased in ice (we live in California.) Can any snowbound readers enlighten us?
Not that driving in the rain is fool-proof either, especially when combined with, you know, a giant log flying off the back of a truck and straight at your head.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that driving behind a produce truck is any safer; you might end up being attacked by potatoes.
When driving abroad, make sure you understand the terrain. Even the most heavy duty of vehicles can fall victim to an unfortunately located swamp.
But all Hummer drivers can take comfort in their ability to mercilessly (and literally) crush their parking competition.
Speaking of parking, always be sure to choose a spot that’s not under a giant volleyball.
Or on an airport runway.
Or directly under the path of a falling tree.
If you hire your own limo driver, make sure he understands how to drive in the city. We can still hear the San Franciscans laughing about this one.
Hah, we hear you say, I’m going to avoid all of this by taking the bus. Sorry to say it, but even buses get into tight spots.
Everyone makes mistakes, such as hitting the accelerator when you mean to reverse.
Or hitting reverse when you mean to go forward.
Trying to squeeze your car, no matter how small, onto a pedestrian walkway is never advisable.
Ultimately, traveling is a lot like life. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. The important thing is to keep moving forward.
But not into the pool or local Chinese restaurant.
culled from boutique home dispatches
HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE.YOU LOST AN ELECTION,THEN YOU ASK THE WINNER TO BACK DOWN!
Jang asks Amaechi to back down as NGF’s leader
Jos: Factional Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State returned home Sunday admitting that he never bargained to lead the group but has accepted it as God’s handiwork.
Jang who spoke to journalists on arrival at the Yakubu Gowon Airport on arrival pleaded with Governor Rotimi Amaechi to back down and accept him as the new leader of the forum.
Amaechi had been declared winner of the election but the Jang group revolted against his declaration citing Jang’s purported endorsement by 19 governors in a pre-election agreement.
He said he would do his best to get Amaechi to work with him as the new leader of the forum.
The brief interview went thus:
Did you actually bargain for what you got now?
Jang: Well, I never bargained for it, but that is the way God Work. So this is God’s will.
What was your impression of the election sir?
Jang: As far as Iam concerned, I have been given an assignment and by the grace of God I will do my best to unite the forum and make sure the forum provides the right leadership for the people of Nigeria because we are governors that are governing our respective states. And so we are bound together to work with one another. The NGF election or selection as you call it, should not divide the governors. We have one purpose and were elected by the people to work for them. We have worked with Governor Amaechi the former Chairman of NGF before and I am appealing to him to calm down and also work with me so that together we will continue to give Nigerians the right leadership for electing us as their governors.
Are you ready to work with him if he agrees to support you?
Jang: I mean I am going to really try to get him to work with me; I have once worked with him before; he too should work with me so that we can be able to give this country the right leadership that she is yearning for.
Meanwhile, a body known as the Plateau Merger Group has faulted Jang’s declaration as the new chairman of the forum based on a pre-election endorsement.
The group in communique at the end of a meeting on Saturday jointly signed by the Plateau ANPP Chairman, Hon. Nazifi Ahmed and State Secretary of the CPC, Pastor Dabit Joseph hailed the re-election of Amaechi by the governors.
“As democrats we wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate all Nigerian governors for demonstrating exemplary democratic practice for returning His Excellency, Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). We applaud their decision, and believe that our democracy will flow without any hic-ups.
“It is sad to note that at this level of our democracy, pre-election commitments (so called endorsement) before the said NGF election are being paraded as election results by the losers”, the communique stated.
It commended the leadership of the merging political parties for successfully conducting their congresses and dissolving into the All Progressive Congress (APC and commended the electorate and political office holders for working for the survival of democracy in the past 15 years.
“We remind all public office holders on the need to appreciate the fact that the positions they currently occupy are held in trust on behalf of the greater majority. Thus the need to ensure that the dividends of democracy trickle down to the Nigerian people”, it added.
By Taye Obateru
