Good news, the bike is fixed! I just had to be shown how to start it!

Finding a motorcycle repairman to fix my motorbike was an experience, but not as much of an experience as finding out what was wrong with it! First, I asked my ayi to help me start it. When she came down, the key wouldn’t even go into the ignition when 5 minutes before it did. My neighbor Sherry said “Maybe the wheel needs to be turned some?” Turns out Sherry was right. So ayi asks a driver standing out there to try to help. Then another ayi. They both thought the handle that gives the juice to the motor is out. So I ask my driver if we can get the motorbike into the back of the minivan. We assembled a group of drivers to help us, about 4 big towels. Pushed all the seats down and out that we can and tried to get the motorbike into the van. Too big. No way. Impossible. So then I asked them how far is the repairman? Could I push it? A bit too far. So then I ask: Could we go there and see if they have something that could pull us over there. When we got over to the repairman, my driver asked if he could just come over and look at it. The repairman spoke a little English and was impressed I spoke some Chinese. He looked at the bike. Gave a little laugh, and within 1 minute, had it humming. Come to find out, I have to pull in one of the brakes and give only a little itty bitty bit of juice and it will start. So for 10 kuai, I had an expert “repair” my bike. Yes, I paid less than $2 USD for this driving lesson right at my house. How humbling is that? There’s never a dull moment in China. I finished the day off with going to the very Chinese market and buying fruits, vegetables, and one fish. Yes, I was a little shocked when I picked out the fish I was to purchase and they SLAMMED it on the ground to kill it and then skinned it right there for me. However, I must say it was a delicious lunch for my very Chinese day that day!