Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
two weeks and involved family and friends. Employees were permitted time off to attend
the funeral and to grieve but he admitted that the AIDS epidemic was crippling the mine's
operation (and much of Africa, I chimed in.)
Back at the house, as I was listening to some Luciano Pavarotti, Keith came in to
tell me that I had a flat tire. So much for the “heavy-duty puncture-resistant tube”! I de-
cided to make the repair in the morning before I left.
After a simple breakfast, I began to work on the bike. I changed the tube quickly
but it was my free-wheel that was worrying me now more than ever for the metal teeth
were not engaging at all. Just as I finished packing my bike, Helen suggested that I could
usetheirphonetocallmymother,whichIdid.Keiththengaveme10,000kwachaand$24
Zimbabwe dollars to spend en route. After they took my photo, I gave them a hug and said
good-bye. I must admit that I was really moved by their kindness throughout my stay.
AsIleft the top oftheir driveway,the free-wheel did not engage at all. Inessence, I
couldnotcyclebutpretendedeverythingwasnormal.Ijustcoasteddownthedrivewayun-
tilIwasoutofview.Then,Ihoppedoffthebikeandstartedtowalk.IwenttotheSalesians'
house to see if I could spend the night to give me the day to search for a bike store.
Father Walter welcomed me and offered me some soup. I asked if there was a bike
shop in town or if he knew of anyone who could fix bicycles. He said that there was a Pol-
ish Salesian who could help and thus we made plans to meet him the next day.
The next morning my dilemma was solved. First, we drove to the sisters' place for
mass and then returned for breakfast. I placed my 'No-Gear' bicycle in the back of the
truck and we drove to the Catholic mission where I met two Polish priests, Brother Walde-
mar and a British lady, Mary, who taught them English. When we arrived, I hopped out of
the truck and leaned my bicycle against one of the buildings. I took off the rear wheel and
removed the free-wheel. Then Brother Waldemar walked over to have a look and quickly
tookcharge.Onceheremovedthebearings,heshowedmeinstantlywhattheproblemwas.
The ends of the metal teeth were worn down (rounded not pointed) and for that reason,
they were not locking into position when I cycled forward but were simply slipping over
the top. He cleaned out the casing and put in a new spring. In an hour, he put the wheel
back together. I reassembled the bike and went for a quick cycle on the property. It seemed
to work really well.
After a great lunch with the community, I watched the movie 'Mary Poppins' with
Mary and before leaving, I gave some priceless Canadian pins to Brother Waldemar and
the priests. I cycled back to the parish but promised them that I would make a visit as I
passed by the next morning.
All I could say was that cycling back to Chingola was like a dream. The bike re-
sponded perfectly. When I arrived in my room, I loaded all my gear and prepared the bike
for departure. After dinner, the Fathers went back to the Polish mission but I stayed back
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