This isn't my favorite photo from my trip, but it is one of the ones that I'm most proud of, simply because I didn't not take it. I pulled my motorcycle off to the side of the road to take a photo, but when I pushed it up onto its center stand, the side of the road broke off underneath me, launching me into the field below. The bike then fell on top of me, pinning me underneath while leaking gasoline and oil all over me. I quickly turned off the ignition and (with some difficulty) managed to wriggle my way out from under my bike. I was a bit hurt, but nothing seemed broken. . . . (click below to read more) There was absolutely no one around, but I decided that I should do what I could before the shock wore off. The bike was lying awkwardly, but by using a large tree branch as a lever, I was able to stand the bike back up and stop the flow of gas and oil into the field. Unfortunately, the brake lever had snapped and the handlebars were bent, so even though the engine would start, it didn't look like I'd be riding it back to town.
While I was trying to figure out what to do, I decided that I had pulled off to take a picture, and I was going to take a damn picture. So here it is. Fortunately, before too long, a pair of friendly, patient and helpful German tourists drove down the road and gave me a lift back to the nearest town. I arranged a truck to pick up me and the bike. The driver, myself and a villager we recruited had to lift the bike about 4 feet above the ground to get it into the back of the truck. I was hurting, but I figured it was a good sign that I could still do this. As it turns out, I was lucky and got away with nothing but some badly pulled shoulder muscles and a slightly damaged iPad screen. Though I was exhausted and sore, the next day I decided to hire a taxi and resume the trip that I had begun (and had spent considerable effort arranging permits be able to undertake). The taxi was much more expensive than I had thought, and the driver was an annoying 19-year-old with Bollywood shades and a death wish, but I'm so glad that I went. Without Katrina's encouragement, I might not have persevered, and would have missed out on one of the best parts of my trip! *Thank you again, Deachen, for letting me stay with your lovely family! Meeting them and staying in your beautiful, peaceful village made it all worthwhile!* -TT
1 Comment
|
Details
Tadashi & KatrinaAdventurers, Teachers, Photographers Archives
April 2016
Categories |