First Day Back in the City

July 6, 2009

I broke my foot a week ago today. Not a big deal, it might seem, for people often brake bones much larger and in more painful ways than my right foot. It is true that in the grand scheme of things, this broken foot is not catastrophic or even terrible or even sad. It is merely an inconvenience, but inconvenient enough to change the possessor’s entirely too short New England summer. You see, I had planned a trip to Guatemala and then after to spend the rest of the summer cycling around Somerville and Cambridge, MA, enjoying the freedom afforded me by my profession (I am a teacher). Instead, the only wheels I will be riding on are that of the grocery store scooter, feeling like a little old lady instead of the energetic, hip, (and green, mind you) young person I hope others perceive me as.

As for Guatemala, after an extended visit to the city of Antigua last summer, I now see those cobblestone streets as my enemy instead of a lovely and romantic site to my eyes. Could you imagine trying to find level holes between each stone for the end of the crutches or dodging the bars on windows while hobbling along on the sidewalk? Getting on the buses takes some getting used to with two good feet… you have to be fast, find your balance quickly and occasionally wade through the knees of other passengers seated as the third in a school bus seat. Getting off requires the same speed and agility, but this time (at least where I got off to do my work) there is a sweeping curve near a ravine and then boom, there is your bus stop. You must be ready, and the task of wading through knees with shiny silver crutches and a large black cloth moon-boot does not seem something I wish to make possible. But then again, adventure calls…

I’m not ruling out a trip… just not right away. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll enjoy a February vacation in Guatemala to escape the cold (Massachusetts) and the rain (Guatemala in August). I’m waiting for my doctor’s appointment tomorrow to decided what to do with my ticket… August or February it looks like now.

I wanted to journal this experience partly because I felt it would be interesting to record all the instances when other people helped me. It will become tedious and boring after a while, but I have it in me now so I might as well begin. I will only begin with today, my first full day back in Somerville. Here are the folks that helped me in a list:

Man opening door at Starbucks

Other man opening bathroom door for me at Starbucks

At the bus stop, woman headed to the beach offering (and giving) me a ride to Porter Square when she saw my sorry state, no doubt!

Woman opening both doors for me at dentist office.

3 Shaw’s employees getting me my grocery scooter.

A friend (shopping at Shaws at the same time) taking me around the fruits and veggies, loading and unloading me and my groceries, bringing my groceries into the apartment.

That’s it, and it is only 3:09pm. See, people are not as cold-hearted as one would think here. But I must admit, the South still wins!