Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
I had the intention of leaving early, but I did not make plans on where to return the
keys to my room. I waited for a while until I heard someone in the kitchen. I met another
priest, gave him the keys and asked him to lock up where I slept. As I was saying my
farewells, Father Jean opened his window and shouted, “Au revoir David, bonne route!”
Iwasontheroadby7:00toMarrakechandwhatagreatfeelingitwastobecycling:
tohavethewindonmyface,tobehealthyandtobealive.Bylunchtimethewindhaddied
down and I picked up a great rhythm- I felt as if I was flying.
Later that morning, I came upon an accident scene involving two cars and a pedes-
trian. One vehicle had its windshield cracked and the pedestrian laying on the side of the
highway with blood streaming from his forehead. There was a crowd of people standing
around him and nothing was being done. I dismounted my bike and rummaged through the
front pannier for my first-aid kit. Even though I lacked the medical and language skills, I
stepped forward to help. With my kit in hand, I ran to the police officer on the scene and
told him that I was not a doctor but had supplies with me. He told me that an ambulance
was on its way and not to worry. He abruptly ended the conversation by saying “Bonne
route' and then turned away.
As I left the accident scene I was in tears and prayed for that pedestrian's quick re-
covery. Five minutes down the road, an ambulance approached me and slowed down with
the driver asking where the accident was. I motioned in hysteria and yelled that it was up
the road on his left. He quickly sped off and just a few moments later, the ambulance re-
turnedatfullspeedenroutetothehospital.Tearsofjoyflowedastheambulance spedpast
me.
AsIcycled,Ispentthenexthourorsoreflectedonwhatjusthappened. Thatcould
have easily been me on the side of the road. How long would it be until I was found and
treated? My thoughts dwelled on the fragility of life. Carpe Diem (seize the day). I had
to live day to day and not assume that I'd make it to South Africa or even Marrakech for
that matter. Oddly enough, it was then that I decided to wear my cycling helmet. Until that
point, it just sat tied to the gear on the back of my bike.
Istoppedforlunchalongaroadsideparkandtomydismaymybananaswererotten
and my bread was a little moldy. I cut the mold away and was about to eat the bread when
two boys came up to me and asked for some bread. I gave them all of it and just ate the
bananas.
Acrossthehighwaytherewasabenchsittingintheshadeofatree.Iquicklycycled
over, and when I sat down, I noticed a couple of men and a young boy cooking their lunch
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