So I had a bike accident. This is how it happened. I was riding home and there is this part of the sidewalk where it is lined with trees on the right hand side. It was very dark because Japan gets dark around 5 and this was around 6:30 or so. So I see all of these Obaachan (grandmothers) out for their evening walk and it didn't look like they were getting off the sidewalk so I moved to go around them but, in the dark, I could not see that there was a tree. Well, I hit the tree head on and went flying off to the left, which was a blessing considering that the street was to the right.
The next thing that I did was lie on my back for a few seconds and try to figure out what happened. The obaachan all helped to pick me up off of the sidewalk, picked my bike up, dusted me off, knocked my bike basket back into shape, and picked up my bag. They all asked me if I was ok and I felt fine so I told them I was daizyoboo. I rode the rest of the way home but when I got home and walked into the family room my Mom freaked out! She was like "Kyaa! Besu chan!" and she told me that my blood was leaving me so I looked down and my knees, the left side of my face, and my ear. I had my earphones in so one of them scratched my left ear when I fell. They sat me down, cleaned me up, put disinfectant on me, some kind of neosporin type thing, and bandades. Then they made me lie down in the tatami room. The next day I got a headache which persisted for a few days and my Okaasan brought one of her friends over, Murata San, who is a nurse. Murata san fixed me up and made sure that none of my scrapes had gotten infected.
Everyone decided that it was probably a good idea if I go to the hospital just to make sure that there is no internal bleeding. So, this morning Nakashima San, who is one of the women in charge of the international program at YPU, took me to the byoin. They did X-rays and a CT scan. It went really well and quickly then they told me that I probably had a minor concussion but it was almost gone. They asked if I wanted medicine for the headache but it was already almost gone so I said that I was pretty sure I would be fine without it. It was all only 4,970 yen, which is a little less than 45 dollars. After that I came back to school and went to class. I am only worried about whether or not I caused any trouble to my host family. They were pretty worried about me and my Mom came up and tucked me in last night. She brought me a glass of water too with saran wrap over the top so that no dust would get in it, such a Japanese thing to do.
My dad said he was worried because I "Lost my genke (peppiness). But, he thought I would be ok."
6 comments:
Soundas like you and your bike had a run in with a tree. Gland that you are ok. Please stay safe. Love Grandma and Grampa
Boy Beth! You Neal kids are accident prone lately! Glad it was nothing more than a bump on the noggin. Please get back home to us safely!!!! Love Aunt Robin
Bethany, Honey, you scare me. Should I send you a light for your bike for Xmas? Maybe you should take the train on those days when you will be coming home in the dark. I know I'll send you a horn so those Grandmas will jump out of your way. Are you sending notes to Father & the staff at the Basilica? Bet you could get them praying for you. We'll miss you tomorrow on Thanksgiving. Be careful. We love you Gran Nan&Papa
Hey Granan, I have a bike light. It is illegal to ride your bike in Japan without one. Also, it gets dark here at four so I hardly ever ride my bike when it is daylight. I'll be ok. It was just a stupid accident.
Beth we are trying to get an accout to call you.
Hi Beth, hope all is going well, glad to see you're okay from your bike accident, we missed you at thanksgiving! Can't wait to here what comes next from you!
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