A Learner's Experience

I did it! I topped up the car fuel at the petrol station all by myself! Some of you might have thought; "Big deal, grow up!" Yes, yes, I agree it's chicken feet. I was confiding in my friends yesterday about how embarrassed I was when I could not open the fuel box at the back, and had to drive down to my dealer where they showed me how to do it with amazing ease. I felt like a real idiot then. I drove to the petrol station today with trepidation, slowly opened the fuel box, plonked the "gun" into the tank and squeezed the nozzle. As I saw the metre jumping, I heaved a sigh of relief followed by a feeling of triumph. I managed another major task here again. Back at home, I have always relied on the petrol attendants to fill up my tank. I didn't even wash my car, not once. I left it to the stations as well. My colleague was not wrong when he called me a spoilt brat. He was simply aghast when he heard that I had never done all these before.

With a half-filled tank, I drove my way to my friend's abode which was some distance away from where I stayed. As I had left my street directory in my colleague's car box, I had to rely solely on the street signs to get around. Along the way, I passed by the beach, a long stretch spanning the eastern side of the town. It's 35 degree Celcius today, and the sea was simply inviting. I made a brief stop at the lookout, admiring the scene with awe and inhaling the fresh air. I am beginning to like this place.

I managed to reach my Sri Lankan friend's abode after a few lost directions and roundabouts, and spent the rest of the day there, enjoying the delicious home-cooked food and sharing our thoughts and experiences. It was indeed cosy and heartwarming.

And now I am back home, not lost in the midst of some wilderness out there. No regrets with parting $15500 for the car; it was all worth it since it allowed me to explore the corners of this place with greater freedom and convenience. I looked forward with eager anticipation for my next venture on the roads. And of course not before I topped up the fuel myself.