Ah, the days of my pre-car life in Rotterdam. No driver’s license, no car, and not a worry in the world. Just efficient, punctual, and downright delightful public transportation. Let me tell you, the Dutch have mastered the art of making buses and subways a luxurious affair. Imagine, if you will, buses and subways arriving every 11 minutes like clockwork. It was so wonderfully reliable that even my coffee machine at home couldn’t compete!
Ah, the days of my pre-car life in the Netherlands.
No driver’s license, no car, and not a worry in the world. Just efficient, punctual, and downright delightful public transportation. Let me tell you, the Dutch have mastered the art of making buses and subways a luxurious affair. Imagine, if you will, buses and subways arriving every 11 minutes like clockwork. It was so wonderfully reliable that even my coffee machine at home couldn’t compete!
City centers like Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam? Practically car-free utopias where pedestrians reign supreme. Trying to drive into the center was like attempting to park an elephant in a matchbox. Parking spots? A mythical quest. When I needed to venture somewhere that required more than the power of my own two legs, I’d call a trusty Uber or taxi. Easy, breezy, and a whole lot cheaper than owning a car.
Then, there was the notorious Dutch driving license ordeal. A labyrinth of learning that even required some knowledge about the mechanics! A $3000 test of patience with waiting lists that felt like forever. It’s almost as if they were making sure only the worthy could wield the power of driving.
Fast forward to my life in the U.S. The land of the free (and relatively cheap gas). Here, getting my driver’s license was an experience straight out of a sitcom. Answering 35 hilariously simple questions on a computer, with 25 correct answers needed. Imagine my surprise when, without any preparation, I nailed 33 of them. Two weeks later, my grand driving test consisted of driving around the block and parking. Voilà! I was a licensed driver. No photoshoots required, everything was included. No fees, no fuss, no tears. Just a swift and straightforward transition from pedestrian to driver.
Now, my new hometown is a different beast. Having a car is nothing short of essential for survival unless you live in the bustling heart of a big city like NYC. Grocery store two miles away? That’s practically next door here. While I do enjoy the thrill of driving, I find myself yearning for the serene back roads over the highway madness. Seriously, there are more road rules being ignored than laws in a pirate code.
Despite the lifestyle change, I’ve come to embrace my American driver persona. I’m officially part of the car culture now, with just one wish: that my fellow drivers would occasionally remember those basic road rules. Until then, you’ll find me navigating the roads with a mix of Dutch pragmatism and American spontaneity, hoping for smoother (and rule-abiding) drives ahead.
I hope you enjoyed this take on my driving adventures. Drive safely out there! 🚗✨
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You forgot to mention how frustrated you get one fellow drivers don't use the blinker! 😆
So true!!