BETWEEN RIM AND ROAD

So, before leaving, I picked the most convenient petrol station in Lindi to fill up the tank, but they didn't have an air pump. Opposite, in a side street, I noticed some lorry tyres in front of a house.
"He who has tyres has also got air," I concluded and drove the car around the corner.

I found the fundi ^*) in the courtyard. He was welding some steel bars, crouching over his work. Behind him stood a huge, old-fashioned air compressor. I was at the right place.
"Hujambo," I greeted him. "Tafadhali, angalie upepo wa matairi. - Please check the pressure of my tyres." ^*)
He looked up and smiled when he saw me.
"Sijambo," he answered and stood up. "Gari hii? - The car over here?"
He pointed at my Land Cruiser, which was probably as old as his compressor. I nodded my head.

He grabbed his inflator gun, pulling after him a long rubber hose that was patched in a lot of places. He knelt down by the first tyre, unscrewed the plastic cap of the valve, carefully placed his air pistol on it and pulled the lever, checked the air pressure and topped up air. Before he screwed the cap back on, he spat on his finger and touched the valve with it. No bubbles - the valve was airtight. He was meticulously repeating his work with the other tyres.

I made it a habit driving to him whenever I needed a "wind check". I was impressed that he did this simple work with great care. Besides, he was always in a good mood and open for a little chat. He never felt disturbed by my coming, whether he was "burning iron", patching a tyre or dozing in the shade - he stood up with a smile and reached for the hose. He not only looked after "the wind in the tyres", but his quiet cheerfulness always left some "fresh wind" in my own sails, as I set off on my way. It was this which made the difference between rim and road.

^*) "Tafadhali, angalie upepo wa matairi." literally means, "Please, have a look at the wind in the tyres."
"fundi" = mechanic

Alexander Breitenbach