Even head-in-the clouds people like me sometimes have to deal with the boring rigmarole that is reality. Last Friday, my car's front tyre burst whilst on the road back home from work. It was quite an experience. I was about two kilometres away from a town called Bronkhorstpruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and half an hour away from home. I was happily singing along to some Bon Jovi when I suddenly heard a funny pop sound, and then my car started to list a bit. To me it sounded like one of the back tyres busted, so I got out, looked at both back tyres and saw nothing wrong. I phoned my husband, saying that I will pull in at Bronkhorstpruit and have the wheels checked out. I got back and drove – very, very slowly – to the town. My car really felt funny, and I was a little bit scared. I passed a road block, and I made a panicky face to one of the cops, but he did not seem to react. So I moseyed along at a speed that might look like reverse to some people.
Suddenly, the sound of a siren behind me. Sure enough, the people from the Gauteng Metro Police did notice me, and they followed me. So I stopped, got out of the car, told them that I am on my way to some tyre place because I think that something might be wrong. At that moment, my eye caught the right front tyre. Destroyed!!! I never even thought to check out the front tyres when I first stopped! Well, the members of the Gauteng Metro Police were very helpful. I asked them whether they could maybe just exchange the bust tyre with my spare wheel. Yes, the one guy said, of course we will help you. But we are not supposed to, because we are in uniform, so it will maybe cost you some. I said to him, but I have no cash. No worries, he said, we will take you to the nearest tyre place. There is also an ATM.
So they did exactly that. They changed the tyre, and then I followed them to the nearest tyre place. That is when the Metro Police really took charge. The one guy directed me to the ATM to withdraw some cash, while the other guy explained to the tyre person what needs to be done. The tyre person very helpfully fixed whatever needed to be fixed, and did not charge me a cent, can you believe it?! So the entire adventure cost me just R200.00 (ZAR), R100.00 for each of the helpful Metro Police guys.
So on Monday I had to go and get two new front tyres, as my spare wheel is only a "lollipop" or "doughnut", or whatever you call that, and the other front tyre had a "bubble" in it. A very boring experience, so I took some photos to pass the time.
PASSING TIME
INTERIOR IN VINYL – HUBBY IS THERE TO SUPPORT ME
IT'S A MAN'S WORLD
MY CAR ON STILTS
THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO DRIVE ONTO THAT – HUBBY DID IT FOR ME
ALIGNMENT – AND READY TO GO!
My baby drives like a dream now. I guess the problem was there for a while, but I did not notice before...
Glad you are sorted out @minnaloushe. You do realise that the Metro Police was asking you for a bribe? You should have left them there high and dry after you have arrived at the tyre place.
If you like Bon Jovi you would like some of the music I play on my show Romance on the Air. Sundays at 9pm on mspwaves.com I would love for you to tune in and listen. Especially since you are married. Blessings!
Ha ha, yes, I do realize that it was a bribe! I will tune in on Sunday, I think. Thanks.
One hand washes the other, that is what is looks like @minnaloushe don't blame you paying for services rendered being out on an isolated road, even though service should have come free, Metro Police are paid salaries already.
Being a woman out on the road alone, Hubby would have made a speedy dash to oversee what was happening, not a great experience glad you got home safe and sound.
All was well. It is almost a given to pay for "services rendered" in this country! I was being nice because they were nice.
There is a lot I don't understand about this post; but as you already say: it's a man's world! Why did you have to pay the police? But NOT the actual labourer? Hmmm... South African thing I suppose? Why would anyone, incl. hubby, have to drive their car anywhere inside the garage/workplace?! I drop off my car infront of the garage and the guys drive her wherever they want her. Just imagine, you go one inch off track! Getting on a Channel Tunnel train by car is already off-putting enough for me to cross the Channel at all.
Very much enjoyed reading your very recognisable adventure. I am reminded it is sensible to have a husband in such a man's world. Then again, it may depend on the choice of husband....
@sukhanasister, I think I will have to post an article to explain the way things work in the South Africa of the so-called Rainbow Nation. Put in short: it seems that all public servicemen gets paid a salary to be public servicemen. However, to get them to do something to actually help other people, they need a bribe. People working in the private sector, however, usually do kindnesses when they can without asking for payment. This is a generalisation, but bribery and corruption in South Africa are rife.
Oh, yes, and why do the labourers changing the tyres not drive the car inside the workshop? We do not trust ANYONE else with our car keys. Management does not want to take the chance that somebody might want to drive away...
Hadn't thought of that one yet!