After
leaving the blissful tranquility of Glenrock Farm, we headed to our next stop
which was an extremely remote lodge on the top of a cliff overlooking the
Indian Ocean. In all fairness, we had been sufficiently warned that the short road
up to the lodge was most likely impassable with a car. We were also instructed
that in that case we would leave our car below and call the lodge so someone
with a four wheeler could come fetch us. Now that might raise a red flag for
some but us, we both said wow how cool!
Unfortunately,
what we weren’t told is that the one hundred plus miles leading up to our next
stop was also an obstacle course that forced navigators to maneuver around
people, animals and yes POT HOLES the size of Rhode Island. That’s on a normal
day… but this day was special so add torrential rain flowing down the mountains
and golf size hail!
But I digress.
If you had read my earlier post you may remember that Roy has an unspoken rule
that he is the only qualified person to drive when were on vacation. Even
though I’m quite sure my license is as valid as his. But okay Mr. Macho who am
I to rain on your testosterone parade. Cindy
Hubler that’s who!! And am I also
so petty that I would point out one little mistake after Roy has driven over
2000 miles across AFRICA without incident?? You
betcha!
Well, the
day started out pretty well with just a few delays here and there but nothing
to stress over. The sun was shining as we chatted and munched on these
fantastic vanilla cookies they sell at the roadside gas stations. We were on
schedule to get to our new place by dark and all was good with the world.
Then it happened.
Roy started swearing and steering the wheel first dramatically to the left then
to the right. I told him to SLOW DOWN as he moved quickly from lane to lane
side to side. All I heard is a loud clunk- clunk – clunk as I prayed our little
foreign tin hut on wheels would not crumble around us. I shouted this time more
firmly SLOW DOWN! But it was too late. We both saw it at the same time… “THE
HOLE” of all mother holes. With a big crunch we were falling in and then moments
later flying out of the hole. The two of us were like rag dolls being bounced
around the car. Had we fallen in and out of the great abyss?? Okay maybe I’m exaggerating
a little but you get the point!
As we
continued on we moved gingerly silently waiting for the sound alerting us of
the damage. Remarkably, we seem to have come through unscathed. We both then
looked at each other in disbelief, gave a huge sigh of relief and decide to forge
ahead.
After that,
the road improved ever so slightly, the skies cleared and the sun came out. All
was good with the world. Even the people on the road seem happy as everyone we
pass waved at us in excitement motioning us with funny gestures. And although
we were traversing narrow curvy roads high up in the mountain the last fifty miles
were uneventful.
Finally, we
reached our destination. As we pulled the car to the side of the road several
men came running towards us yelling… your wheels your wheels! Roy and I got out
of our car and then saw that two of our tire rims are severely damaged and our
wheels were bent and wobbling. We then realize that OMG we have been driving
like this since we hit “THE HOLE”.
After we
thanked our Father and father(s) for preventing our demise over a cliff we were
at a loss what to do. Keep in mind we are two hours from a town, four hours
from a city and six hours from another office of our rental company. So, as
instructed we call the people on top the hill to come get us and sheepishly
left our wounded car parked below.
After a
sleepless night we decide the only thing we could do was call the rental
company explain (our new story) that we
were cut off by a truck and hit a ditch and then see what happens. To our
delight and surprise the rental company responded quickly and said they were
sending someone with two new tires to our rescue. YAH!!!
After
waiting all day nervously, we finally got the call the man was at the bottom of
the mountain waiting for us to meet him and take him to our wounded car. He
surveyed the car and shook his head as I talking a hundred miles an hour telling
him THE STORY. Quickly, he opened our trunk got out the tire iron and began to
remove the bolts. Within minutes the first new tire was on. I was so excited
and impressed! Then he pulled out the second tire that he had brought. It
looked fine until we noticed the rim was bent. Roy said, laughingly “You’re not
going to put that on my car are you”? The guys said,”yep”. Roy said, “Why would
you drive four hours and bring me another bent tire?” The guy shook his head
and said “No problem…hey man do you have a hammer?” Roy said, “No I don’t have
a hammer. If I did I wouldn’t have called you!” Then the guy shook his head
walked a few feet and picked up a rock and began to try and bend the rim of the
tire.
Frustrated,
Roy grabbed the tire and started to walk down the street to find a hammer. Ten
minutes later and $8 dollars poorer Roy returned covered with dirt tire in
hand. The guy then took off our tire with the bent rim and put on another tire
with a bent rim --- huh?
That’s why
people here say…TIA! This is Africa!
So, our car
is fixed for the most part but Roy’s
ego is a little bruised. Maybe next time when I say SLOW DOWN he’ll actually listen
to me.
Until then…I guess I just have to say “I told
you so”!
