Bên trong ba trạm thu phí bỏ hoang trên Quốc lộ 51 (TP.HCM – Đồng Nai): dải phân cách hư hỏng, bục soát vé cũ án ngữ giữa đường, vạch sơn mờ gây mất an toàn giao thông. #TPHCM #DongNai #QuocLo51 #tollbooth #vietnam #giao-thong #saigon #dotan #VTCNews

https://vtcnews.vn/can-canh-tram-thu-phi-bo-hoang-o-tp-hcm-va-dong-nai-ar984594.html

Aug 1, 2017:

Meanwhile, at the #tollbooth...

A banged-up dirty pickup truck pulls forward. Inside are two men, looking just as worn and filthy, covered in a hard work day's sweat and grime. They could be White or Latino, the dirt and evening shadow making it difficult to tell which, and probably in their 30s, though labor has aged them beyond that.

"Hey man," says the driver in a gruff and tired voice, "I'm a dime short, is that okay?"

...

Tales from the #tollbooth...
July 27, 2013.

Driver: (with an accent I can't immediately place) "Excuse me, am I going the right way to detwah?"

Me: I'm sorry, to where?

Driver: "Detwah."

Me: Do you mean, Ottawa?

Driver: "No, no, detwah."

Me: *fumbling through list of nearby towns*

*lightbulb moment*

Me: Are you talking about Michigan?

Driver: *consults map*
Yes! Michigan!

Me: *trying not to laugh*
Ahhhh, DETROIT.

June 22, 2015 (Monday after Father's Day):

Yesterday, at the #tollbooth...
An older gent, average build with a scruffy face, pulled up in an old pickup.
"What do I owe ya, Daddy?"
One-fifty.
"You are a daddy, aren't ya?"
... On a good day.

6/6/13: At the #tollbooth...

A large black pick-up truck rolled into my lane. A white, sleeveless arm hung out the driver's window, bearing a bicep as thick as my head & a brawny fist to match. His jawline: clean-shaven & square. I'm sure his shaved head led to some thick folds at his neck. He took off his sunglasses, exposing deep brown eyes. "Hey buddy," a low Southern drawl emerged. "I don't have any cash... What can I do?"

I had to pick myself up from the floor before I could answer.