Today I went through an unprecedented episode in my life. I jumped over a train. Let's get down to the details.
I came to Kansas City for some meetings regarding one of the projects the company I work is involved with. Rush trip. I drove yesterday for about 8 hours and got immediately to a meeting that lasted another 5. Today I woke up early and went to the client's office to get started on what I had started the day before. All morning on interactions, projects, details, etc. Another “normal” day.
Since I would not return driving, my return flight was scheduled for 7:20 pm. I took a look at Google Maps to see how long it would take to get to the airport and started mentally scheduling the rest of the afternoon. I still wanted to visit the construction site, and everything would have to be in the right sequence.
My plan was to spend about an hour there, go back to the office, get a Uber and get to the airport around 1:45hr. before the flight. Enough time, since I had already checked in. Well, when leaving the job site, walking through the parking lot, I hear someone whistling and calling my name. Some folks I had not seen yet called me to get some questions answered.
It was still in my plans to do a 15-minute drone flight around the site. I knew that would not happen any more. The conversation went on, and when we got to my tolerance minute, I said that I had to leave so I would not to miss the flight. So far, everything under control.
Driving back to the office find the a train stopped on the rails. Immediately I maneuvered the car to turn around. I lost 10min, but still everything is fine. I went in, got my stuff, took some water and called Uber. "Your ride will get there in approximately 6 min." I took another sip of water, waved to the staff, and walked out.
Hot day in the region, about 100 F. I'm waiting there, looking the car moving on my cell phone when suddenly it stops in the same place where I had made the maneuver. I thought, "It's not possible that the train is still there".
Another 5 minutes pass, and another 5. I see the car moving, as if taking the same route as me to make the turn. But to my surprise, the driver cancels the trip. Adding to that, my cell reaches 5% battery and the screen goes dark, while I start to walk towards the train.
I call another Uber, and it looks like the same thing will happen again. I accelerate the pace, balancing the three bags I had were with me, all on one shoulder, because the other side of the body was dedicated to handle the cell phone and solve the ride.
Like any bald man who does not have hair to serve as a barrier to perspiration, soon, sweat begins to enter the eye. Awesome. The other car, starts to drive to a no mans land, while I keep walking along the road that leads to the train line. Phone 4%. I see the train there, in the same way, without the slightest sign that it will move.
"Well… I can’t believe I will need to jump over it… That is just what I needed". I started laughing at myself and I jumped over the train. As I call the third Uber, the battery drops to 3%. "Your ride will get there in approximately 8 mins".
Now is the time to look at the phone to see the car's course, hoping the battery not to end. That’s when while my wife sends a message in WhatsApp: "Hey! Answer me!. That silence. Then I think to myself.
There I am in brown trousers, black shirt, and three black bags, climbing and jumping over a train. I get unbalanced and desperately look I'm looking for a flap for my left hand at all costs, but where is that? Where is it?
Adding to what was already very strange, a guy dressed in what looks like a militiaman contractor, with three black bags, getting over a train, it gets even better when the black bags hang to one side, and that same guy falls off the train. The drivers watching, circling (I do not know if they wanted to go around, or thought the whole thing to be very strange). I kept my purpose firm.
I arranged the bags the right way, put the phone in my pocket, wiped the sweat from my forehead, climbed the train again, and jumped to the other side. I was outraged, but the scene was so comical that I started to laugh while the people across just stared at me.
I walked to the corner and waited for another 6min. Battery 1%. I thought: "You'll see ... Close to 2min the battery will run off and then I am screwed up. Nice. I will miss the flight.
1% of battery. Resist!!! Please!!! 1min for the Uber to arrive. The car gets there: a minivan with a sliding door. The girl opens it, I literally jump inside: "I am in! Let's go! " The girl: "Well, it's not every day when it is 100 F that someone is waiting in a corner like that.
I am curious ... Are you from here? Do you live in the area? " "No ... (breath, I need air) I live in Texas ... air) I arrived yesterday, and I am returning today ... (I take a deep breath)".
"And you came here to do what?" "I came here to jump the bastard of that train over there!"
I arrived at the airport exactly 1 hour before the flight, and ran off to the counter to dispatch the bag with the drone. "Destination?" "DFW" "Sir, your flight is delayed by 30min. I am sorry. "
I stood there silently for thirty seconds looking at the attendant. Then slowly, I began to smile.
"What is funny, sir?"
"I just jumped over a train to get here on time. Literally. "
"Well done!"
"Thanks."
