Accidents Happen...

Here's the most interesting that ever happened to me since I've arrived in Melbourne...

Being the 'soft cushion' for a cyclist whose bike chain came off ...

(Note: If you consider getting lost most of the time every time I head off to some place normal.. well I guess that's your point of view and I don't consider it interesting... I look like a bloody tourist walking around with my Melbourne Mini Street Directory or the 2007 Melbourne and Surrounds Street Directory the size of a gigantic roach killer!!! Yes.. yes... I know I'm still new to the area so shaddup right??)

Well, here's the story....

The placement agency I currently am registered with had arranged for me to take the FWH exam (Food Workplace Hygiene) that is a must for those who want and are working in the Hospitality industry. So off I went to catch a train to Oakleigh where the exam was to take place.

After getting off, I headed out of the station to find Portman St as well as the school required. Came to a 'T' junction under the station and decided on the left first as the Melbourne Mini maps didn't have the street in their pages - limit of maps it said at the page. Walked for a good 5 minutes until I found the street sign that showed I was on the wrong street (of course - what else!!)

Turned around and headed back to the station... and walked to the other side. As I was walking there were these two aussie blokes (australian slang) on their bikes wanting to get either to the other side of the station or to catch the train to the city or another stop. The all natural thing to do was to stop and give way right? And that I did, stopping at the corner for them to pass before I can continue my search for the 'lost' school.

As the first one took the corner to pass me, he slowed down as it was a slight downhill pathway and HE FELL!!!!!!! YES HE FELL!!

I thought he had missed his balance and just wavered and fell but he couldn't move and get up. Moreover the other bloke was just dumbfounded I think as he just sat upright on his bike and didn't come down to help his friend. And boy did my right hand upper arm hurt (of course the pain hit later than earlier) as the helmet and bike handle hit me along with the guy's body weight.

Luckily another passer-by helped by picking up the fallen (note that the other friend is still on his bike watching the whole drama go by...), offered to provide some plasters if he had any cuts or scratches but he declined. Finally discovered it was the bike chain that had caused this whole incident...

The finale to this before we went our separate ways was - "Thank you very much for being my soft landing...."