Shit. Natasha Richardson.  Those were the first two thoughts in my head Tuesday morning at 7:52AM.  My body tensed and I struggled for a few moments to raise my arm and pick myself up.  I also struggled for breath.  My first words were mouthed like an old man, in a raspy voice I said, ‘do-wah chuseyo’, help me.  My initial physical reaction had been shock, which after a few seconds was subsiding.  I was sore, but  I could move.   I took stock of my situation.  Right leg, bruised.  Left knee, scraped.  I spit, just a little blood, probably cut my tongue.  Adrenalin seemed to make me hyper-aware of everything.  Although I had taken a knock to the head, the helmet had worked beautifully.

I dug out my phone, there wouldn’t be any going to work today.  Time to call my teaching partner and advise her of my situation.   No answer, I’ll try again in a bit.  Call K.  No answer.  Try the co-worker again.  No answer.  By this time a man had seen me sitting next to the bike.  He came over and called an ambulance for me.   I tried to stand up.  He told me to sit down.  ‘oh-too-by oom-jig-gi-ha-go-ship-poy-yo’.  I want to move the bike.  So I got up and together we stood the bike up and pushed it out of the way.  Only cosmetic damage upon first glance, I’ll need to get it picked up later and have the mechanics take a closer look though.  I took the keys out of the ignition and he re-iterated: ‘Sit down’.  I acquiesced.

I tried the phone again.  Still no answer with the co-worker, but K picked up.  I was dreading this.  ‘I took a spill on the bike, and slid into a post.  But nothing seems broken, listen to me, I’m not out of it or anything, I’m OK. They’re gonna take me to the hospital.  I don’t know where yet but I promise I’ll call you again as soon as I find out.  Don’t tell anyone.  The last thing I need is for the folks to see this on facebook before they hear it from me.’

I try my co-workers again.  This time I try a different teacher.  Luckily he picks up.  I get right to the point.  ‘Hi, I’ve tried to call Mrs C but she isn’t answering her phone, can you tell her I’ve had an accident on my bike and I have to go to the hospital.  I won’t be able to go to  such-and-such  school today.  Please get her to call the school for me and explain.  Please let everyone know I’m sorry.’

Nothing to do now but sit and wait.  The man who called the ambulance is talking to me now.  We exchanged names, and I thanked him for his assistance.  We engage in some more small talk and the ambulance arrives.  He explains everything to the paramedics for me.  I thank him for everything and he leaves me to the paramedics.  There first question, Can you … Korean?  Yes, a little.  The rest follows in Korean, where does it hurt? Here, here, here, and here.   Into the ambulance I go.  I find out where I’m going and I call K to let her know, she’s coming to the hospital.  After a few minutes, Mrs. C calls, the schools are all fine.  She’s asks where they’re taking me, she’s also coming to the hospital.

In the hospital I’m greeted by florescent lights,  Then there are 4 people standing over me.  ‘Alien card’.  I tell them a friend is coming with my documents.   They take me over to the Emergency area where a nurse explains today’s festivities.  ‘CT. X-ray.  20 minutes waiting results.’  K arrives, sweet and teary-eyed, I’m whisked off for the tests.  Finally I’m allowed off the stretcher.  However the adrenaline has worn off now, and I can feel every little move.  The leg throbs, head aches, back aches, neck aches.  a little while later Mrs C arrives, she has my documents.    Now it’s down to waiting.  After a while K goes back to work.  For some reason they did the x-rays twice.  After about 2 hours a doctor comes to see us.  He explains all to Mrs C who tells me the doctor said my spine was ok and that the CT scan was fine.  I paid my bill and my partner teacher took me home.  It was time to rest and recover.