Detour

The sanctuary known as Mr. Byun Kwang-soo's home in Rosario was introduced to me by Mr. Kang of Joong Ang Daily, whom I met in Buenos Aires before my departure. Perusing through the guestbook, the countless entries from wanderers like myself hinted at the myriad souls that had found solace here. Mr. Byun, a seasoned backpacker, had once been in our shoes, receiving the kindness of strangers. Now, his house served as a passageway of goodwill, offering weary travelers nourishment for both body and soul.

As dawn painted the sky, Gyeol, Mr. Byun Kwang-soo's son, directed me to another bicycle shop, said to be the best in Rosario. The pressing issue of my malfunctioning tire weighed on my mind, urging me to seek immediate attention. Walking into the spacious store, I sensed the proficiency in how the shopkeeper evaluated my bicycle with hands that told tales of years of mechanical expertise. Although he initially recommended a mere patch-up, I was insistent on a more lasting solution, drawing from my past encounters with the persistent tire issue. He seemed to think about it momentarily before eventually accepting, promising a comprehensive tire replacement in an hour.

However, when I returned after an hour, anticipation turned to shock. The lively hum of the workshop had given way to an unsettling silence. The store's facade was locked, its insides dark and void of human presence. My bicycle, which I had left in their care, was nowhere in sight. The sign indicating their working hours blatantly contradicted the present reality. A realization hit me - the Easter holidays might have prompted an early closure. A wave of anxiety surged through me, realizing that my trusted bicycle was locked within, potentially delaying my journey even further. Back at Mr. Byun's residence, I shared my plight. Mrs. Byun chuckled, "Trusting that 'one hour' means precisely sixty minutes is a beginner's mistake here." Her words were a balm to my frazzled nerves. "Take it easy. Sometimes the universe has plans of its own," she mused.

This sudden pause in my journey, while unexpected, offered an opportunity for reflection. Was there something more that Rosario had yet to reveal to me? I began to dive into my philosophical reserves, contemplating the essence of my expedition. Then, I stumbled upon a book in Gyeol's collection, 'Longue Marche' by Bernard Olivier. One of its line struck me: "It was never about embarking on a grand voyage for the sake of success."

It was as if the universe was sending me a message through an orchestrated disarray. "Traveling wasn't just about reaching a destination; it was about embracing the journey, however unpredictable." As dusk settled over Rosario, I felt a newfound peace.