The Road - El Camino

The English translation of El Camino, is "The Road," something at this point, I have become all too familiar. I've been out on the Highway, at night now for five days now, with no end in sight.

My stay at the El Camino Motel, will always remind me of a time that I will want to never have to revisit. Room 15 was by far, the most disgusting place I've ever stayed. I opened the door, and the overpowering odor of countless old cigarettes, filled my nose. The dark green carpet is full of wear marks, large black stains. I can feel my feet sticking to it as I walk across the floor. The walls are painted institutional green, a single mirror is mounted to the wall, a ripped office chair leans back, underneath. The headboard of the bed is bolted to the wall, in the upper left hand corner, a large brown stain, is that blood? Peering into the tiny bathroom, a pink tiled bath has a shower head encrusted in ages old mineral salts. I've stayed in better places in third world countries, by far.

By midnight, I am convinced that my chances would have been better out on the road. The constant traffic to the two rooms next door is prostitution or drug trafficking,  or all I can figure. Every car that pulls in, soon leaves, never to return. Somewhere around 3:30am, there are screams outside in the parking lot, a bang against the wall, then silence.  Twenty minutes later, red and blue flashing lights play across the ceiling, I roll over and at first cover my head with the pillow, toss it aside in disgust, one can only wonder where it has been. I cant breath, allergies run rampant.

The Sun is up; I thank God. Before I hit the floor and go shower, I put on my flip flops, I'm wearing them as long as I touch this floor as well as in the shower and will put on shoes, once I'm in the car.

In Church, I thank God for keeping me safe last night in El Camino, another night on, "The Road".