An accident
We had barely left Strathfield station in Sydney when we witnessed the van in front of us slowly reversing into our car. Loud screams didn’t seem to be enough to stop the driver. Due to inexperience, we drove out of the accident scene and pulled over at the close-by road. The driver got out of the van to talk to us. When we just entered the roundabout, the long van which was turning right suddenly stopped. Surprised at what he was doing, we stopped
accordingly. He was so bold and blind that he started reversing, we shouted at him together, but BANG. sound and safe, He finally felt it. We explained the situation to him angrily, he admitted he wasn’t paying attention, but said the Australia’s practice was that it’s always the fault of the back car. If we proceeded to lodge a claim , his insurance company would charge us for his car’s damage, which he said, was about 1500 dollars. Ok, we met some bad ass. At least ,not very candid one. We contacted a friend and he instructed us to take photo of his driving license and got his contact. We did that and argued with that driver but he had this half-sorry but not-truly-responsible attitude, we got no outcome and left, trying to sort out solutions.
While everyone was celebrating the international women’s day, drowned in gifts, we got our “gift” of getting into an accident with a badass. Cool, getting mature on this very Day!
After checking information and talking to friends ,we realized the better way was to take photos of the accident scene and have the car driver behind us as a witness and keep his contact. The best would be a video recording that driver’s reversing , otherwise, a recording of his admitting his mistake would help. What we did then was basic. Unfortunately, the most important evidence proving that we didn’t run into his car was missing.
We went to a closest smash repair to have a check of the car and we got a quote of 1500 dollars for a minor dent at the right front side. 1500 dollars! That’s 7500 RMB for a dent. What quick money is that? We decided to wait until more quotes in other repairs would be given. We kept the mechanic's contact and continued our journey.
Tables
Entrance was our next stop, which was at the tip of the C-shaped lake. One bridge was crossing the lake and ocean wasn’t far away. You have all the interesting combination of different waterscapes. Lots to explore, but I didn’t move, just stayed at the picnic table to bask in the sun and write blogs. Wind kept blowing, a mom and her daughter were minding their own business at the next table. Two Aussie guys were barbecuing fish. Life was so simple. Coke and roast chicken could fly me to the moon.
Lots of driving took us to Nelson Bay. Our airbnb stay this night was still a house, but this time, more tourists were present since the hostess had switched the whole house into a hostel. I recommend going to spend some time there when you are young and dumb，better than old and dumb.
The magic of a youth hostel was that a random hi and a question could lead to a conversation. Joy started greeting some guests at the common room table. One German mom and two teenage daughters were having evening snacks. We talked and talked about stereotypes of Germans and women’s situation there. These were the moments when you sensed that the world was expanded little by little. The very first talk with Germans and you joked about paying a visit to some festival in Munich. One day in your magical life, you do make the grand trip. The jokes are like a magical seed. Wait and see how karma works.
In a second hostel, we had another table, one blue square table outside our dorm. We devoured plenty of food at it. Nearby, a hammock was hanging on two towering palm trees. Tropical flavor. An evening breeze cooled us and brought a feeling of traveling in Southeastern Asia. What I need was so little, a chair, cool breeze and bright moon. I was still a young backpacker at heart who enjoyed sitting cross-legged on a chair. Travelling was floating while working was grounding. Later ,one evening online class was scheduled from 9 to 11, I was happy that my student pulled me back onto the ground.
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