We ease the bikes to a stop and hop off onto the wide sidewalk. I attempt to catch my breath.
Sorry buddy, just need to go easy today
Stop apologizing, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just been great for us to get out and ride.
We’re about 5k into our spin and I needed to pause. It’s the first exercise I’ve gotten in weeks and it shows. And feels.
It’s been a spell since we’ve had a chance to catch up and there’s been a lot to tell. So we ride, and chat, and ride, and chat. It’s our usual routine but for some reason (I know the reason) it’s been a bit harder today.
He’s patient, though, and humours me as we sit on the river’s edge.
The sludge-toting barges are out in full force today. This waterway is a main through-fare and we spot at least ten fully laden ships making their way in either direction. Lean, long, flat. They cruise just above water level, playing the part of crocs, skimming the surface in search of prey.
This city is so cool
Yeah, just gotta turn where it makes the least sense
He points down a side street
Let’s go that way next
Cool.
I pause to sip some water when the man on the motorbike pulls up, black coat unbuttoned, glasses slightly askew, phone in hand.
He is already started into his question before he looks up. I catch maybe a word or two of his cavalcade of ideas, something about directions to…?
I hold my hands up in capitulation as if to say
I give up
Can’t help you, sorry.
That’s when he finally, really looks over at these fish clearly out of water, and realizes he’s barking up the wrong kickstand.
He gives a sneer, a derisive nod, and with what I imagine is a
well, that was a waste of my time
continues on his way.
Get Up Eight 
This is a perfect example of a slice – a small moment, a scene form a day painted with words. .
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You really captured this moment in time and hinted at the richness of so many stories underlying it. Great slice!
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Love the descriptiveness, the vulnerability, and just being outside riding a bike for a few moments (we have snow in my hometown again).
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A true small moment, and yet you capture how you feel, the place, a friendship, and an encounter with a stranger. Oh, yes, and living in a different country and language. I especially like your description of the waterfront and the boats acting as crocodiles. And how the stranger started asking then took a good look at the two fish out of water.
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The communication (gestures) with the stranger was so well captured. He got the message!
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“The sludge-toting barges are out in full force today. This waterway is a main through-fare and we spot at least ten fully laden ships making their way in either direction. Lean, long, flat. They cruise just above water level, playing the part of crocs, skimming the surface in search of prey.” I really, really love this paragraph, especially the comparison to crocs. The visual is so vivid. I like the suspense you create here regarding why it’s a bit harder to ride today. I felt a bit worried at the end, wondering what the stranger wanted from you! Happy it was just directions. Great slice!
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I enjoyed reading this right from the first sentence. Great descriptive writing – love the comparison of the barges to crocodiles in search of prey.
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