The bike crash

USA.SC.North Myrtle Beach.Work and Travel Program. 20 y.o. girl.Great experience.(The beginning)

photo by: dsmcommutercomer.wordpress.com 

The only Internet connection we had was in the Library. Unfortunately it was not close to our home but it was for free and we had bikes! So one day on our way back ( I was with Stanimir - one of my roommates) we were driving along the highway and suddenly I felt something hit my bike and I found myself lying on the highway. Yeah, it sounds terrible and it was! The only thing I thought about was: "I have to go back to the sidewalk". I was so lucky there were no cars on the road! Then I saw 5-6 people coming toward me asking me how I felt and if I needed to go to a hospital. I heard myself telling that I was OK. And I thought I was but I was scared.
What have happened? - While we were riding our bikes we have been about to cross a little street where 2 cars have been waiting to include in the highway. But exactly at the moment I have stepped with my bike on the street, the driver has driven off and has hit my front wheel. Those people were probably more scared than me, they were begging me to drive me to the hospital but I refused, I really didn't feel hurt.

They finally left and we stood there for 10 more minutes, I just needed to stop shaking. Then I realised that my bike was broken( luckily they repaired it later). We went to the nearest supermarket to buy some food and at the exit I felt my arm was hurting me a lot. I couldn't go home by pushing my bike. I decided to ask somebody to give me a ride( I was surprised how giving a ride to somebody you don't know was so normal there). There was a little truck at the parking, I simply waited to the driver and asked him to take me home explaining him what have happened to me. Stanimir went home alone as there was no place for his bike and I got on the truck with mine. During the ride my arm started to hurt me more and more and the man offered me to take me to the hospital. This time I agreed, I just wanted to take my insurance and also to take somebody with me. The first guy I saw at home was Jacek. I told him what had happened and he came with us. 

On the way to the hospital we officially met with our driver, his name was Darnell. He was so surprised to know that we were from Eastern Europe, that we were students on work and travel program (what is that???). On the other side he told us he was working in a telephone company, had a family and 2 kids. We had a nice conversation and I was feeling better. In the hospital we had to wait for maybe 2 hours until I was examined by a doctor. Happily there was nothing to worry about except that I had a big bruise on my bottom and I couldn't go to the beach in the next 10 days.

Garden party with Darnell and some of my roommates

When we left the hospital I finally could think and realise the whole situation. I was amazed of what that guy did for me. Darnell spent 4 hours in the evening to help to an unknown girl! I had to thank him somehow so I invited him with his family to the restaurant I worked for dinner. This was the least I could do for him. I'm glad we became friends and although we parted not very well at the end of the summer(it is another story) I will always appreciate what he did for me.

Thanks Darnell and I'm sorry.

To be continued