Traveling is all about luck. Yesterday we may have used up our allotment.
We'd just slowed down to go over a speed bump when something in the car gave way and the wheel threatened to come off. As it dawned on us that this was more than a flat and we were on an island, Savaii, without a tow service things began to look a little bleak.
But then our luck, which had made the wheel come loose at 5 mph and not at 60 kicked in again. Our misfortune had occured right outside a resort and not in the middle of the jungle. There were also three young men sitting outside a restaurant. Just as I got out of the car, a taxi pulled up and we were able to deposit our passenger, who had a two o'clock ferry to catch. Smooth as clockwork.
But what happened next was more amazing than the blessings we were still counting. These three young men, led by Sessi, came over and asked us if we needed a hand. Considering that changing a light bulb stretches my abilities, I'd say that was a bit of an understatement. Yes, we needed some help.
So the young men went to work, under a Banyan tree in the heat of the day. They used a log to keep the car up. Within 15 minutes they were covered in oil but still working to get us back on the road. Pretty soon a few more people joined in and someone was despatched to find a mechanic. There was much laughter, drinking of sodas and, as always seems to happen when men get together to do mechanical things, talk of women.
After an hour the job was done. Our three samaritans didn't even want to take the money we gave them.
Instead of all the disasterous alternatives we were back on the road with thanks in our hearts.
1 comment:
That's a great story. People really are awesome!
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