When I came back to Europe after a four-month winter break in Canada, my friend Charlie the Bikemonger posted something on his wall to let his friends in Belgium know that I would soon be coming their way. Unfortunately, the bike had been crushed by a drunk driver while it was parked in the center of town, and there was no way the frame could be repaired.
Her bond with the bike grew over time, and eventually her boyfriend conceded that it should be hers. One night at pub quiz, one of the questions was about who had won a certain hotdog eating competition, the answer to which was Joey Chestnut. A tattoo done in the style of a botanical drawing. Chestnuts to pay homage to her beloved bicycle. It was a subtle and elegant allusion to the special bicycle.
There was also a section of a doll house sitting somewhat conspicuously on the windowsill. Tesla sitting in her own miniature living room. And in the last decade, a lot of people have done something similar with their own inanimate companions; stuffed animals, figurines, puppets or whatever else they felt inclined to bring along in their carry-ons.
Gloria, on the right, with an old friend, October. When she was a child, her favourite doll was a gymnastics Barbie that was a delight to play with because she was so flexible.
Instead, the doll was given a new name to go with her new look; this was the birth of Gloria, and she was all punk with her dark eye makeup and her short, spiky green hair. She brought the doll along with her and Tesla, of course to China, Indonesia, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and all the way to Berlin on their long cycling trip. She will be sending news to his former owner soon, however, despite the fact that it seems like he may have moved on.
