“Connie, Santi has been in an accident.”

No one, especially an administrator, likes that kind of text message early in the morning from her office manager.

Even more disturbing was the picture that followed.

Oh, my gosh!

Santi, my primary school translator, my go-to Center guy who rakes leaves, runs errands, helps sell our unwanted stuff from the storage room, and double-duties as the Community Health and Agricultural Development (CHAD) assistant, was in an accident!!

“Is he OK?!” I texted back in a panic.

Picture 2 followed.

“Yes, thank God.”

My next message was to Santi.

“How are you?! I saw the accident picture. I am so sorry. ”

“I’m in the hospital now,” he replied. “Swollen shin, pain in my side and my shoulder has a small wound. Not serious but I think I will not come to work today.”

“Of course not. You will be sore tomorrow and for a few days. You need to rest. Just let me know if you need anything.”

I then added, “Were you wearing your helmet?”

“Of course!”

Whew. Sigh of relief on that one. While helmets are required, there are quite a few who don’t bother. The roadside traffic officers are allowed to fine people for such offenses but usually just ignore it. Hard to stop a person who is zipping by at semi-high speeds, weaving in and out of cars, even gunning through stoplights. And since a majority of motorbikes don’t even have attached rear license plates, there is no way to follow up on missing-headgear individuals.

Several hours later, Santi reported he was finally at home, taking it easy. I recommended an ice pack or cold towels on the shin to keep the swelling down. He took me up on the suggestion and it seemed to have helped ease the pain, including his nighttime sleep.

Santi is now back in the office after a 3-day absence but moving slowly, with small aches and pains.

Taking Adequate Note of This Incident

As for myself, who quite readily and easily zips about town on my beloved midnight blue Honda Scoopy, this is a cautionary tale. Of course, I pay attention when I drive. There are trucks, cars, parked vehicles whose doors unexpectedly pop open into oncoming traffic (so far my swerve-and-miss reflexes have served me well), pedestrians crossing in the middle of the street, the hundreds of stray dogs that aimlessly meander into or flop directly onto the road, and all the other motorcycles that join with me on their own travels throughout the city.

We all pay attention to one another.

But there are times when I’m in a hurry. I’m late to the office. I want to get to the bank before it closes. I’m meeting a friend and running behind schedule. I need a quick 20-minute run to the D-mart (grocery store similar to Walmart) for my Diet Coke. Or I have an after-work 7:30 p.m. dash to the open air market for purchasing fresh produce.

In such instances, my mind is often racing in advance to the task ahead, with little or no concentration in getting there in one piece.

Do I dare mention the days when my vanity wins out? Sometimes, if I’m going a couple of blocks up the road and back again, the helmet stays off. I don’t want to mess up my hair before class.

Santi’s recent accident has reminded me that I must be more careful. In a car, we are somewhat protected from injury due to seatbelts and the metal that surrounds us. On a motorbike, it’s a different story, as seen with Santi’s injuries. (How fortunate they were not life-threatening. It could have been so much worse.)

I certainly am not rejoicing in Santi’s accident but I will say it has given me pause when it comes to my own motoring skills. No more carefree, absent-minded whizzing about the city or journeying on the long route leading to the church on Sunday. And absolutely no more helmet-less jogs up the road and back for lunchtime meals or snack runs. I got it. Time to be 100% more vigilant.

A Parting Note

Transportation for me sure has come a long way from China, those many years ago, on my Red Lion bicycle. I was so proud of that $35 purchase.

No helmets present then, fewer cars and trucks, slow (snail-like) progression of traffic, sudden stops at shops or markets never causing panic from behind, and smiles or waves galore given in abundance.

Ah, the good-ole days of bicycling around Nanchang city, 1991!

Reminiscing about those many years ago in China, I did wonder a bit. If I could, would I exchange the safe, calming, leisure ride of my Red Lion bike for the hectic dashing, darting and fast arrival time of my Honda Scoopy?

Hmmmm. What do you think?

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