| Re: Car-free since 11/1/2006!
In article <p3fca4-c5q.ln1@curare.zuvembi.homelinux.org>,
Dane Buson <dane@unseen.edu> writes:
> Gooserider <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> The only hassle thus far has been grocery shopping. Between my messenger bag
>> and my panniers I've been able to do it, but it takes a few trips over a
>> weekend sometimes. Maybe an Xtracycle? :-)
>
> I'm rather fond of mine. Last Thursday it even got used to haul a
> stranded cyclist.
That reminds me of my favourite inter-cyclist experience.
I was returning home from New Westminster, passing by
the Patterson SkyTrain station and heading into the
shortcut through Central Park. I heard a ~bang~ behind
me; the sound was familiar enough to be identifiable
as a bike tire blowout from curb-hopping. I stopped in
my tracks, looked back, and sure enough, there was the
despondent, flat-tired victim of his own fate. I doubled
back and offered to help. But he was pretty much
uni-lingually Chinese. Nevertheless we were able to
communicate by gesticulations and body language. I had a
spare tube, and the tools with which to install it. I
showed him that I had all that, and we were off 'n runnin'.
The remarkable thing is how well we were able to communicate
without a common verbal language. And that's what makes it
my favourite inter-cyclist experience. Without a common
language, we set to the task of repairing the flat, in such
a co-operative and efficient manner that a pit-stop crew
would have been impressed.
We didn't exchange our names or anything like that.
We did shake grubbied hands after fixing his flat.
He indicated he wanted to pay me for my trouble but
couldn't, by showing me the emptiness of his wallet.
I smiled and tried to convey to him that it's okay,
and I was glad just to be able to help. He insisted
I at least keep his old, punctured tube.
It's still hanging on the wall here in my basement shop.
It's amazing, how easy it is to converse and connect
with people, without being able to yack in a common
verbal language.
The best part was when I met him again in the park.
He was gleefully riding around the park trails, and
he gave me a cheery ding-ding with his bell, and a
smile and a wave.
I gave him a ding-ding with my bell, and a smile and a
wave back, and then returned to the task of riding home.
Verbal language is overrated.
Connecting with people is good. Maybe that's what
we're here to do -- connect with each other, all
around the world. What a wonderful thought!
Maybe I should get one of those XtraCycle thingies too.
But I'm still working on my cargo trailer.
cheers,
Tom
--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca
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