I woke up refreshed after my stay in the Cursonian Spit. I had the wonder crepe with honey and ham omelet. Afterward, I walked along the beach in Lesnoy. People were coming out in numbers with it being a national holiday. Men in bikinis and women in swimsuits. All of us wanted to soak in the wonderful sun’s rays.

Before I knew it, I had to check out. I drove to my favorite spot on the beach to take in the wonderful atmosphere. Walking…walking…walking. I didn’t want to leave but pulled myself away for the trip to the airport. Talk about cars coming into the park on this Russian holiday! Cars after cars after cars.

I made it to the park entrance to then drive slower due to the cars parked on the left side of the road, the long line of cars trying to come in, and other disturbances. All of a sudden, a group of bicyclists showed up moving quickly towards me and other cars in my lane. They were in the middle of the road and on the left side of the road. I slowed down but that wasn’t enough.

The next thing I know, my right side mirror flung towards me. A bicyclist hit it with her handle bars. I looked behind me to see her on the dirt next to the road. I stopped the car to see how she was doing. LUCKILY, SHE SPOKE ENGLISH. She said she was fine. She was. She took full responsibility. I said I was on my way to the airport in a rental car. A police officer came to us within minutes because he had been directly traffic to ask what happened. She told him she was fine and took responsibility. He stated it would be up to us to coordinate. We said fine. I had to pull teeth to obtain his name though. He didn’t really want to give it to me but I nudged him along nicely.

With that, she provided her contact information. She only wanted to give me her email. NO. Her phone number, her address, and her email made me a bit more comfortable. All the while, her group of friends were a little up the road to watch what was happening. One of them came up to assist but she and I already had it worked out. Then, when we calmed down a bit I told her to be careful. The road is very very congested. She acknowledged she would be more careful. I told her I took her photo “for memories sake” to her but really evidence for me.

With the clock ticking down to my flight’s departure I had to leave. I was sooo very lucky she wasn’t hurt…the police officer didn’t want to take a report…my car was not damaged extensively. I was sooo very lucky! I almost challenged that luck once again when I went to the gas station. Not reading the signs, I pulled up to island 4 and pre-paid for my gas. For some reason, my instincts told me to calm down and read the words to see if it was gas or diesel. I twirled around the station looking at the signage with people looking at me in wonderment. Oh my goodness! I was about to put diesel into my gas tank! I stopped it just in time. I rushed into the gas station to explain in very very very rough Russian plus my hand signals let them know I was at the wrong station. I quickly reversed my car, ordered the right gas, and pumped. The lady came out when I finished signaling I needed to receive some money back. They were soooo nice!

Off I went looking at my clock the whole time. It was clicking fast. I arrived at the airport with 1 ½ hours to check in. Luckily, I did so online but needed to check a bag. The long line through security made my heart beat a bit faster. Fine. I checked in quicker than ever before to then tell the Hertz rep. to follow me.

On the way, I told her what happened. I needed to let it out. She said it was not good. I know that. Then she asked me if I took money from the cyclist after the cyclist took responsibility. I said no. She sighed and told me Russians state they will take responsibility to then ignore the problem. The rep. said I should have gotten money from the cyclist before I left. I told her the cyclist didn’t look like she was ready to pay me for damages incurred. Plus, I didn’t know how much to ask for. Then I countered to the rep. to ask how am I supposed to trust Russians. She shook her head. Her gaze said I should have shaken money from the person. I told her to call the cyclist. She did. They cyclist took responsibility to pay. I left Hertz hoping the cyclist would pay knowing I am at stake for it. At least it is only a side mirror. The story continues………………………