Crete Is Taking Names!

Georgia and I should be aware, Emma says accidents come in threes and one of us is next. Here is a story to explain.

We woke up to rain and lazed around a bit hoping the showers would pass. I was able to update the blog and the others were able to do research and such. It was another relaxing morning. Around 11 we set off towards one of the other larger cities on the north coast of Crete, the rain still slowly falling. Approximately five km out of the city we hit detour, a bridge was under construction. Often friendly construction workers let us through in such situations; however we soon realized they were not budging. We stopped to snack on some trail mix and decided what our next move would be. Within seconds a car had pulled up beside us and rolled down their window. Georgia was closely and friendly banter (basically professional talking) began. He explained how he was part of a cycle club and we explained what we were doing. We parted ways after a bit of simple conversation. It is always nice meeting people passionate about cycling and supporting our tour. He even invited us to the cycle team’s yearly party.

After making it around the detour we were on our way again peddling through crowded streets. It was near lunch hour and school had clearly just let out. Spotting two bike stores within two city blocks I thought it might be a good idea to stop and see if we could get some repairs and tune ups done. Mostly Gen needed a cable replaced, which was causing her gears to act up. But as we soon found these were as we had found previously false bike shops, unlike a real bicycle shop they cannot repair the expensive fancy and not so fancy bikes they sold. Frustrated and annoyed we moved on. Emma, as always led the way, Gen followed with Georgia next and myself bringing up the rear. We traveled as a well organized pack, calling to each other, bump, or car back weaving in and out of the traffic, pot holes, and the recently released high schoolers.

What happened next was quicker than a lightning strike, but at the same time as slow as an C.O.L (cute old lady) crossing the road. It was like how most athletes explain time and being in the zone, everything is slowed down, until the crack of the bat or the swish of the net, when time again starts moving very quickly. We accelerated downhill around a roundabout and peddled quickly uphill to make it around the roundabout. I looked down slowly; Emma was far ahead, Gen and Georgia in the middle close together. Man Gen is getting close to that parked car. Time slows. CRACK. I caught up. "Holly sh!t how did that just happen?" Georgia and I were pulling our bikes off the road. I raced to Gen, Georgia got to the bike, Emma appeared.

"Stay still don't move, did you hit your head, you can cry it’s okay." Gen lay on the ground next to the car in agony; I could see it in her face. People started gathering, a man asked if we wanted an ambulance. "No it is okay, we are fine." Gen was saying the same thing. A police man showed up, more people, are you sure you don't need an ambulance. "NO, no really it is okay." Moments later a lady with a medical badge and gloves was there, an ambulance is coming. We sub came, Gen cried, I told her it would be okay, then she laughed "Lucy why aren't you filming this?" We prepared for our departure, Georgia and I discussed we wanted to make sure the ambulance wasn't expensive, it was free we were told. Okay we thought who should go. "I will" I told Georgia. "What do I need?" My wallet and Gen's, her journal for insurance purposes our iPods, headphones. The ambulance was there I needed to leave. "You guys stay here, find us at the hospital, I guess?" I hopped into the ambulance and we were off.

"You look great Gen." She laid strapped to the backboard with a neck brace, a small bit of blood leaked from her pointer finger knuckle, which was slowly swelling. Other than the small amount of blood she looked and acted fine. I told her I was there only to make sure they didn't cut any of her clothing. This was a big concern. Once in the ambulance and driving I realized what an epic mission Georgia and Emma were into. They had four fully loaded bikes to deal with and only two bodies. If one rode a bike anywhere it wouldn't be safe to leave. In my mind they were subsequently stuck. Even more they knew where we were, there was only one hospital, but I had no idea where we had just left them and our worldly possessions. There wasn't much I could so I joked with Gen as we bumped along in the back of the ambulance. We arrived at the hospitable the ER guys questioned and tapped Gens shoes; the metal cleats are very fascinating. I stayed close. There was one ER room we entered. I asked politely not to cut any clothes; they were all we had I explained. They agreed, the doctor wasn't so pleased. I was told to wait outside.

I waited and waited. There was lots of commotion and then Gen appeared wrapped in a gold tin foil looking emergency blanket. I couldn't help but laugh. "What's happening?"
"Who knows" Gen replied. She had gotten x-rays. I went to find a bathroom. When I came back Gen told me that there was just a car accident so we might not be first in line anymore. More waiting, I stood next to Gen in her C3PO costume as she lay helpless on her stretcher. I thought about how it was great that many of the doctors and nurses spoke English. We would have been so lost with only Greek. A nice nurse came up to me and told me I should go look for Gen's blood tests, it could be a while she hinted. I went to check the laboratories and the front door, maybe Em and Georgia would show up? When I returned my golden friend was gone. Oh no I lost Gen. I wondered around and soon found her empty bed being wheeled out of a room. I collected her clothing and started to wait. Ten or so minutes later Georgia and Emma appeared around the corner. Looking concerned they asked me what I knew. I knew nothing, well not nothing but very little. Seconds later Gen and my favorite ER tech showed up leading a mysterious man. I was still trying to update Em and Georgia and I was just telling them I didn't really know what was happening. I was more curious how they had faired with their end of the deal.

"Georgia what is going on?" we heard. Huh? I was confused. "That is the guy." Georgia was explaining. What guy huh? "From before the guy, the cyclist." He looked different outside the car and close up. He looked very concerned. He wanted to know what had happened. I explained how (now that I knew the story from Gen herself) Gen was looking down at her gears since they weren't changing and she was about to try and fix it with her foot, so she unclipped and then bam, hit a parked car. The concern was wiped off his face, he was so worried that someone had hit her. He seemed really concerned about bicycle advocacy. We asked him how he knew we were here or how he knew what had happened. He explained how it was a small town and that he had heard while he was out getting something to eat. Since we had met him earlier he wanted to make sure we were okay. "Yeah I think we'll be alright, it doesn't seem that bad." We asked about payment in Greek hospitals, free a couple Euros maybe. "Do you need money" he offered. We shrugged it off, a couple Euros was no big deal. He left giving us his phone number, if we needed anything. We are so thankful for his concern and help. We are sorry that we can't join him and his cycling team for their yearly party, but we are on the move leaving Crete and heading north again.

After he left I wanted to hear how Em and Georgia had dealt. They explained their struggles, finding a hotel and than making their way to the hotel with all the bikes and stuff and next to hospital. We waited. Gen appeared wheeled in a wheel chair all bandaged up. We visited. "What the is going on?" Gen seemed just as lost as we did. It would be three more hours, we had already been there for three. Em and I left so I could change and get dry non biking clothes for Gen. It was still raining. Back and fourth we went, Gen and Georgia were still waiting. Three more hours past before Gen was officially discharged with orders to reappear on Friday. The unclear diagnoses was a broken or torn ligament in the right hand pointer finger (Gen is left handed). We will know more tomorrow. We left the hospital without paying for anything entered the night into pouring rain. We got the medicine and finger brace prescribed and taxi-ed our way back to the hotel. We were all famished and exhausted. We stumbled our way down the rainy streets to a previously spotted Mexican food restaurant. It may have been the worse Mexican food I have ever had, but at the moment it was the most perfect thing.

Gen's doing great, we are all in good spirits. Even though we have been on Crete much longer than we thought we have all agreed we are just 'doing what happens.' We will find out soon Gen's further prognosis, and her riding capabilities. We are planning on showing up at the hospital ready to ride. We are ready to make our way north again.