Expat recalls motorcycle accident
BY ALAIN CHARTRAND
Every Christmas Eve, kids are so excited because they know that Santa will be there later at night to deliver the goods. I, however, got a motorcycle accident in my stocking.
I had to work like any other day. I educated my kindergarten class in the morning and my intermediate kids in the afternoon. In the evening, I went to my girlfriend’s house. Ellen and I ate dinner together and exchanged gifts. Outside, it began to rain. A few hours passed and the weather worsened. Out of concern she suggested I go home early.
On my way home, I approached an intersection where a young man named Koma drove ahead of me, losing control of his motorcycle. Although I was slowing down, I was unable to stop. I slammed my brakes, my tires screeched as they attempted to cling to the asphalt. Despite my efforts to avoid him, we collided.
I was a little scraped up and in shock, but I picked up my bike and began taking pictures with my ever-so-handy camera, even in my state of bewilderment. I had to protect myself in case he took off and left me holding the bag.
I learned he was a nice guy as we exchanged numbers and arranged to settle the matter with civility.
A city worker was picking up the pieces of wine bottles that had flown from my saddlebag in the crash. I would later use him as a pseudo witness to lure Koma into paying up his end of the deal. My Chinese chess game also got scattered in the collision, with only a few pieces salvaged.
After seeing the mechanic, the steering wheel was bent; drivable but in need of repair. The cost was $4000NT ($150 CAN). Koma was a student with no money, but he agreed to pay 2000NT for the damages.
In hindsight, I lost out. Not only did he bust up my bike, my Chinese chess set was ruined, my pants were blood-stained and torn. Also, my saddle bag box wouldn’t close properly. It would probably cost a bundle to repair it all, but I hey, what can I do?
My intimidation tactics with the photos and the witness worked well enough, but in reality he could probably get away with not paying at all and I would be helpless. All in all I made it home to my roommate on time to enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve.
When Koma paid me back, I did some shopping. I also bought some racing motorcycle gloves with lots of protection when I saw that my normal gloves had a hole in the palm of the right hand. For the record, New Year’s came and went without accident or injury. So with that, I say, Happy Holidays to all. IT!
Copyright © 2010 · Open Reel Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved ·
For the chistmas accident story…
Can you update this…
Alain Chartrand has been an English Teacher for five years. He taught English in Taiwan for two years then relocating to Mainland China for two yeras. He currently teaches English in Taipei county, where he lives happily with his wife Jasmine.
Thanks Dude
Al