First drive out of Brussels

Though I have to drive out of Brussels everyday to office, I had some plans in my mind. I wanted to drive the first weekend to Radhadesh - ISCKON temple close to Durbuy.

Unfortunately we could not make it as our friends could not join.
Still we drove to our friend's place - antwerp in Belgium.
Antwerp from our home in Brussels is abt 50km distance.

I was confident about driving and the route. Still wanted some experienced person to sit next to me so that I can ward off all my fear and tension.

Initially as I started driving and if the car got switched off or if there was a car behind when I am parking, I used to get so tensed. I would start sweating out of fear and whole of my body became warm. But now after 10 days of drive, I am little more confident and relaxed driver.

Thanks to the drive to Radhadesh on the second weekend. I drove about 400km over the weekend.
It was an amazing drive across the highway and the country side with beautiful scenary and the cow herd or horses feeding themselves in the grasslands.
Some part of the drive included curves like the western ghats. It was indeed a great drive.
Lets see how better off I would be in the days to come :)

My drive in Belgium

As I had my theory cleared and I had some training also from a free way instructor in Belgium, I was always wanting for a car and drive in and around Belgium.
Unfortunately, I did not clear my practical exam in the first attempt :(
But when I visited India, I got my international driving license done. Producing this at office, I could get my company car.
Yes it was a temporary car; was not sure what car would be given to me. Though I tried to get this piece of information from my HR, I was told that the leasing company can give any car that is available at its disposal :(

I was waiting anxiously for the temporary car. In the morning of 5th November, I received my temporary car key from my admin staff Janny.

I was very anxious to see what car I would get. I saw the company's symbol on the key and was very delighted.



Yes! It was Mercedes. Ohh my God! There was no end to my happiness.. I could not imagine that I would get such a good car as a temporary car.

The Mercedes key was a bit strange in its look. Plastic key with no metal outlet. The car number was written over the bunch tag. I had not driven Mercedes till then.
I had driven Volkswagen at driving school and Audi A3 of my colleague to practise parking. So these cars had metal keys. I was no sure how I could drive with this plastic key.

Having seen the key, I wanted to see which model of the car it was in Mercedes. I waited for 5 min for my anxiety to settle down; wore the overcoat and went outside.
I went to the parking lot and pressed the unlock button on this plastic key. I saw that it was a black Mercedes Benz A160. I was more than happy. I opened the door and saw the car. It was spacious enough and a small car to fit the city requirement.

Later I got to know from my colleagues that I was the first person to have got Mercedes as temporary car. Mercedes being the most expensive car was not ordered as well.
Most of my colleagues had got Nissan or Opel Corsa or Opel Astra or Seat Leon or low end cars as temporary cars.

Later in the noon I could not stop myself. I wanted to test drive the car. I went again to the parking space; sat inside the car and tried to find the slot for the key to be put in.
I searched all around the steering. I could not find a slot. Next to the steering, there was a hole sort of slot. I just pushed it with my finger. I thought that could be the slot and tried putting in the plastic key. It went in. Then I knew how it works :)
I just looked at the gear and saw that it was similar to the cars in India. But the cars I drove here before had Reverses in a different direction. I put the gear to reverse and released the clutch. wow!! amazing smooth drive it was. huh! could not control my happiness. I had to share this with someone. I immediately called up my husband and shared this with him.

From then on.. Have been haapily driving Mercedes :)