9.03.2008

Dream Car

When one turns eighteen here, there is an inevitable question that has to be asked and duly answered.That question is: What is your dream car? (Or some other variation of it)Generally speaking, the Kuwaiti youth would already have prepared an answer to the aforementioned question. A Range Rover Sport was my sister's answer. A pepsi blue Wolks-Vagen Touareg, a Jaguar and a Mercedez-Benz jeep were among my other sister's choices.They don't necessarily get those dream cars, but it seems to be absolutely essential that a decision be made as to what dream car you dream of getting once you're eighteen.But when eighteen hit me, so did the horror of not having an answer to that seemingly divine question. What car do you want to drive? To be honest, I gave the matter some serious thought. I said to myself, let's see...I hadn't come up with anything (I couldn't have, really, I only thought for about a millisecond) when my sister interupted with quite an angry remark: "How difficult can this be? What car have you dreamt about driving all these years?!"And then it dawned on me...I didn't have a dream car. So that's what I said, I said: I...I guess I don't have one...I really haven't ever thought about driving, and dream cars, and other things of that sort."My sister's reaction? Well, what seemed like an angry remark only seconds earlier, was topped by a furious statement: Stop trying to be different all the time! (But that's a whole other different story I'll have to tell you about later.)

I learnt how to drive though. I didn't buy a car (nobody bought me one either) but indeed, I learnt to drive soon after turning eighteen and have been driving ever since. I drive my mother's old car, which isn't really old, but it's not new either. It functions alright, you know, it moves. Some light signals work of their own accord, the A/C has proved to be of a faultering nature and the seat covers are splattered with permenant diet Coke stains, but it gets you to places and back. And that's what cars are supposed to do, right? That should be enough. And it was. It is. And I'm not complaining. Not about the car, that is. Driving and it's pleasures, after two humble years of experience however, have proven to be, at least to me, extremely over-rated. I've met a fair amount of people who have described to me the high they get when they grab the steering wheel, and push their foot on the gas pedal, to the max, and see that highway disappear into the horizon in their rear view mirror. I've heard them talk about how the most relaxing thing they can ever imagine is a slow drive in the rain. Driving seemed to be the best thing ever. Not to me it didn't. And I'll tell you why not.

There are so many things that can go wrong when you're in a car, or on the road. Traffic, for one, would drive anyone insane! You try to deal with it, put up with it, work your way around it, but having to deal with it day after day after day...it's just, too much. Plus, no one (I must not generalize) most drivers ignore all driving rules known to mankind which is plain frustrating. Also, when you are under the mercy of a vehicle, a moving man-made automobile, that might decide to stop moving in the middle of the road, or that might choose not to work the brake pedal...it's plain scary. What about the little things that happen oh-so-often when you drive a car? The thought of the trouble that a flat tire, or a leak might bring along increases stress levels to unprecidented hights. And I haven't mentioned accidents yet.

Today, when the family was discussing the dream car issue again, on my cousin's eighteenth birthday, it couldn't be easier making up my mind as to the answer to the question this time. I would rather walk!

26 comments:

V!Ce... said...

-Ferrari ;D
-Mustang GT <33
-Corvette '08 ^_^
-Hummer H3 (:

sigh*
seriosuly, hw hard is it??

and the "rush" is REAL... but, drivin in the rain.. meh! cliche ;pP~

Anonymous said...

If AnGeL had heard you vice that driving in the rain is a Cliche, she would have KILLED you! :p

"I'd rather walk!" LOL! That's totally what I would picture you saying!!!

This post is definitly one of my favorites. Very well organized and written. You're expressions are simply divine. Love your style. Never change. *hug*

This is Archie btw.. The Archer.. in case you'd forgotten about me :'(

doona said...

you complicate things too much ;)

would you rather walk under the burning kuwaity sun?? would you rather arrive to your destination all sweaty and stinky?? would you rather wait for 15 mins at one street to have someone let you just pass??would you rather be hit by a bus on the way? (esmella 3laich)

my point is, whats meant to be will happen...regardless of whether youre driving or not ;)

so chill out shwaya darling ;)

F. said...

V!ce: None of that interests me I'm afraid...

Archie: Thanks Arch! And of course I haven't forgotten about you!

Dandoon: Quite the contrary my dear. I prefer the simpler things in life.

eshda3wa said...

i dont drive
i drove for a while
then i quit
and dont plan on it ever again

Delicately Realistic said...

I like u didnt really want to drive when i hit 18....i didnt care what car i got or anything....but since i 6afasht 3 drivers my dad said mo ib kaifich...ur getting a car and ur driving to uni everyday ;> i never formed a bond with my car or with driving...

until...

i graduated...and got my dream car..
i never had a dream car until earlier this year...
now driving has become such a treat !! i love it love it love it !

Anonymous said...

I would rather walk too!!! :)

Seattle dude said...

hmm well I guess my favorites change, currently I'm super interested in the S2000, just for being the underdog and impressive technical specs

F. said...

Eshda3wa: If it weren't for having to bother someone else with my schedule, not driving would be a suitable choice.

Delicately Realistic: That's great. Congratulations :)

LikeAir: :)

Seattle Dude: Again, that's all jiberish to me!

do0da said...

old mini fixed up , or 70's VW van aslo fixed up ..

that said im not a fan of driving. I usually prefer having ppl pick me up. We have an extra car in the house which is sorta "my car" i like it, like u said it gets me where i wana go but i only take it when my friends dont have a ride or dont feel like picking me up :P

do0da said...

that said i love singing out loud like a crazy man while driving :P its the ONLY part of driving i like :P and its usually stupid songs i wouldnt listen to when im in the mood for some good music.

Current car craze song " Lollipop by lil wayne " its awesome for car rides :P

F. said...

Classics are something else.
I appreciate those for their beauty.
If I can get my hands on a fixed up classic...then I'm all for it. Owning one would be a pleasure, unlike the horror of driving a same-old-same-old commercial car.
:)
Singing in cars is about as good as it gets...talking too :P

Anonymous said...

Loved the post, i too did not have a dream car. To be honest i wouldn't want a 'dream car' either it only complicates things.

There was no 'rush' either, nor did I enjoy driving in the rain, it only scared me! :P

However, driving did give me a sense of independence, i no longer had to beg for a ride :)

Keep writing.....reading your *yours and rest of the bunch* blogs is practically the highlight of my day :P

Anonymous said...

mmmm how about a Bugatti :D

Eulalia said...

tara ana nafs 7altich! i dont know what i wanna drive oo ana 7adi scared of driving!! but latly ive been thinking of choosing something more environmentally freindly.

k town said...

mercedes g class ;D

V!Ce... said...

Mind you Archie me boy.. There is no "HUGE-ER"* Cliche >pP~

Seattle dude said...

S2000: http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/630/news.jpg

Anyways, there's more to driving a car than just flooring the gas, if your serious about it, you'll pick a car that suits your personality

that might sound odd, but actually it's just like having a favorite pair of shoes that you never want to get rid of, even though they might get old, they are just too damn plain comfortable and look good to ---YOU---


But of course if you have fear of mechanical failures. well any form of high speed travel comes with risks, and typically the faster the more risky it gets :P

so unless ur plannin on donkeying it around .... or walking for that matter then definitely cars arent for u

Oranjina fadidra said...

my dream car is.. helicopter coz traffic is a B***
drivers are idiots.. no I take it by china I offended the idiot society.. yeah helicopter it is

Big Pearls said...

hmmm a horse:)

F. said...

D: Thank you. I will. ;*

Amu: Oh dear, no.

Eulalia: That's great! Good to hear that there are people around that think this way. :)

Seattle Dude: You're right. I agree.


Oranjina: LOL. See. It's not worth the hassle.

Big Pearls: Mmm...I don't really like animals either. But whatever pleases you... :P

KTDP said...

I agree completely. Driving was never one of those things I got into.

Having said that I do see the appeal of owning something that could rent you a private army in West Africa for a year, only to smash it against somebody elses car killing them and their loved *......


* A bit too much I know .... prolly regret posting it in a while....

Oranjina fadidra said...

send me ur email going private

Disturbed Stranger said...

I wanted a motor scooter...

*sigh* ... and never got it..

asameee said...

I dont drive. I'm too scared! I dont even have my license.. mb khayfa 3la roo7y akhaf someone dies with me in the car.. I know i'm not supposed to be like that but thats just how i am!

Anonymous said...

Only read this post but I like your blog already.

And not only because we share initials :)

 
template by suckmylolly.com