A Bon Experience

Life in Burkina has been full of new and fun experiences. However, there is the occasionally one we could do without. Last week, the kids were sick so Pam decided to stay home with them. I was going to go on to language institute. However, instead of taking a taxi, I decided I would save the money and borrow Charlie Joyce’s mobylette.

Things turned down hill in a hurry. I made it about a ½ mile away from the house when it died. It ended up being out of gas so I had to push it a little ways to a gas station. I asked the attendant to fill it up. I didn’t realize they try to get all they can in the tank. The goal is accomplished by shaking the moped. As a result, gas started coming out the overflow. I didn’t realize he had shut the fuel switch off. I made it a few more blocks down the road and it died again. I finally figured out the problem.

Things went better for a couple of miles till I blew a tire. The good news is that there’s always someone to help just around the corner. I was able to get a new tire and tub and I made it the rest of the way. One added plus was that I provided a few laughs for all the teachers and students at the language institute.