Rickshaw Trauma!

So, here's something you don't get to write home about very often.  However, before I get into the details, I have to preface the story with some background.   

I was enjoying a day to myself in Thamel this past Sunday.  My first afternoon to myself since I got here.  It was a mixture of errand day and indulgence day for me. After dropping off my laundry in town (1 kilo = 40 rupees, or about 50 cents, special volunteer rate!) I had a delightful massage and rather interesting haircutting experience at one of the local (more upscale) spas.   I say it was an interesting haircut, as my Nepali is still fairly limited, as was her English.  I thought I'd said aliali (meaning a little!), but maybe she thought I said a lot....anyway, it is only hair!  But, the wonderful part of it all, there was indoor heating in this place!   I was bathed in heat the entire time, and while my haircut wasn't probably one of my best ever, I was just enjoying hot water on my head and heat around me!  I may even go back for another haircut there, just to indulge myself in the heat again.   

So anyway, I'd had my blissful spa experience and was wandering around Thamel in my zen like state, about to search out a rooftop patio in the sunshine for a late lunch.  Then along came this rickshaw, out of no where, and he crashed into me!  Now, a moment to describe a rickshaw, or at least this one, well, it is like an adult size tricycle, with a wooden flat platform on the back, designed to carry loads around short distances.  Normally, they have loud squeely horns which they honk to warn you to move out of the way.  Well, either this guy thought he had the clearance, as I was well off the side of the road, or perhaps didn't concern himself with that detail (more likely the case), he crashed into my right hand.  I think he did notice, as he glanced back at me and kept on peddling like a madman.  I thought I'd broken it entirely, but as the searing pain finally settled down, and when I actually didn't pass out right there in the street, a day later, I'm lucky to find it only bruised and swollen.  Well, this is Nepal, and it could have been worse!  And when the heck else in your life can you seek pity from those around you, due to an unfortunate collision with a rickshaw!  I did find my rooftop patio afterward, enjoyed my lunch of chiya (tea), a baguette sandwich, and a tasty pastry.  The tea alone makes everything better.  Then off I went for the rest of the afternoon to shop around the markets of the city.