Just when we thought nothing else could go wrong, our rickshaw decided that it didn’t want to go up hills or over 30kph. We had to go back to the camera store and get a new lens, but first, the rickshaw needed to be diagnosed and treated. Driving down the highway we see a mechanic shop, we stop and ask for help, they say that they can’t help us but someone down the road can. The people down the road said that they can’t help us but someone else down the road can. And so forth. It wasn’t until the 8th or 9th shop where we finally found a rickshaw specialist. Even then, we had to wait an hour before the mechanic was done with his previous patient. We sat around for an hour, examining the passing dogs and cows, as the passing Indians examine us. Once the mechanic finally arrived he figured out our issue, which was that the engine wasn’t getting enough to fuel as we had a faulty fuel switch, so he just bypassed it by changing the tube and chucking the old switch, who needs that anyway! We then got him to do a complete check-up of the rickshaw to make sure everything was okay and he changed the oil as well as checked the engine and brakes. We sped off to the camera store as soon as he finished.
On our way north, after the camera store, we passed by a mall with a food court. Antoine sent me in to buy some McDonald’s with a request for a double cheeseburger. This was a mistake as Indians don’t eat their precious cows. Not only was that an issue, but I also couldn’t find the McDonald’s, it was on the top floor with the rest of the food court tucked away in a corner. Lunch was 18 chicken nuggets, a mcchicken burger, a large fries, a large Fanta, and a medium Sprite. We parked at the edge of a small road and ate in peace.
Driving up a hill and through the forest, it was bumpy and hilly. At one point Antoine had to get out and help push as I drove because the hill was too steep. It also rained so hard that we had to use our tarp covers, which did wonders. As I made a turn, I saw a monkey, and another one, and another one. There was a whole family of them just hanging around. We gave them some food, took some pictures, and left when we were starting to be surrounded by monkeys and the rain started coming down again. We switched drivers and we sped off. In the front seat, Antoine attempted to drive straight, while bringing down the tarp and telling me what to film and to put away his backpack.
We didn’t make it through the forest in time to make it to our goal city, so we had to stop in a small village and stay in a hotel that has no toilet paper or any proper bed sheets. Luckily we brought sleeping bags.
We are both exhausted and counting down the days we reach the finish line, but this is the life we chose, with no regrets.
-Jamie (and a bit of Antoine for the rickshaw repair bits)