“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!”
– Matt
Pedaling for your dinner
How long could you live without a car? After having our van totaled in a collision with a bus overseas, insurance companies squabbled for weeks over our payout, which drug out to months. By the time there were funds to replace our vehicle, there was a slowdown in production and ports to get us a vehicle. In the end, we were without a vehicle for over 6 months. To many Americans it would be unfathomable for a family of five to live without a car for half a year. My Amish friends would laugh and say, “Big deal!” We discovered in some ways, it wasn’t a big deal to live without a vehicle.
First, we had our feet. Despite living in an overpopulated urban area, it is very similar to living in some small towns in Indiana – you can get to many things you need on foot. We would carry heavy groceries in what is commonly called a “Granny cart.” In the photo, you can see one of these commonly used carts that can carry bushels of groceries. A quick lesson learned was to buy your groceries at a store uphill, so you just had to brake with the heavy load to get it back home.
Second, we had public transportation. We have a bus system, but the metro train near our apartment is much more reliable. It runs all day long and all year. Except for annual powerful flash floods, it never stops. Taxis are another affordable option to get around overseas. It is a normal practice for the driver to show off how fast he can (unsafely) get you to your destination, with the hopes of a tip. Taxis also work as EMS vehicles as the real responders are very slow and it is best to call a taxi in an emergency.
Lastly, we have two-wheeled vehicles. Our little 11hp motor scooter can transport two people and many bags of supplies to the roar of what sounds like a supercharged lawn mower engine. We also have bicycles which work great in flatter parts of town, but not where there are serious mountains. Once, we had been invited to dinner and fellowship with friends who lived up hill from our place. I didn’t want to bother them for a ride. Underestimating the steepness of the hill, I told our sons that they could ride the bikes and Mom & I’d take the motor scooter. We encouraged and coached them along the way over the buzz of the motor scooter. They weren’t fooled, they knew full well who had the better deal. We did make it eventually to that dinner with the boys drenched in sweat.
I guess transportation is a big deal. How you travel is what gives spice to life, but pedaling uphill is often too much spice. It is like the top falling off the spice jar when you’re adding ingredients into the mixing bowl of life.
Something similar ever happen to you? Contact me and let me hear your story!
mattsmishaps@gmail.com Matt’s Mishaps, PO BOX 114, Grabill, IN 46741
