Episode 148 : Hyde in America, Part V

So I got myself a car.

I was supposed to take it last evening, but at 5.30pm I was told that they wouldn't deliver the car at my office because I am not a Gold Club member.

So I went today morning to the Hertz office.

'What would you like, sir?' he asked.

'A compact car like a Ford Focus' I said, thinking I should stick to something small till I get used to driving here.

'We don't have a Focus right now, but we could give you a Hyundai Elantra' he replied.

Oh boy, an Elantra? That's a big car where I come from!

He began filling the details and then exclaimed, 'The registration on the Elantra we have will expire before you return it to us. I don't want you to get any tickets, so... would you like to take a Taurus instead?'

Eh? That's a bigger car. And having sat in it when I was in Massachusetts for a week, I knew what was coming.

'Err... you don't have any other car?'

'No sir, but I could call you no later than Monday and let you know if we can get you another car.'

Oh well.

A few minutes later, he showed me the car.

A silver Ford Taurus.

I like it.

But it doesn't have GPS, and I knew I had a very good chance of getting lost. Might as well drive around and see the place.

And that's exactly what I did.

Ten miles later, I found myself on the road that led to my hotel. Another mile later, I spotted the amusement park located opposite to it.

I could have whooped for joy, but the seat belt restrained me.

I drove eleven miles when I should have done it in four. That includes taking left turns, right turns and a U-turn. I also parked the car in a slot that neighboured an SUV van.

I am driving a car after ages. The last time I drove some distance in any car was during my driving test. In 1997.

I like, I like.

Now, where do I go?