opinios

Driving Me Crazy

Living in Tokyo means owning a car is pretty much an impossibility. And to be honest, I don't miss it too much. Sure, when we go home I will enjoy a good drive on the open road. But I definitely don't miss all the stress that comes with owning a car. Loans, registration, insurance, repairs, traffic jams.

Accidents.

I am a pretty safe driver. I mean, I was when I was driving regularly a few years ago in Australia. But I did have a few run-ins. Especially early in my driving career, as a young uni student driving mum or dad's car.

One time I drove into the city to go to the movies with my buddy Paul. I pulled up outside his house in my Dad's beloved Holden Kingswood, parking right in front of a shiny maroon-coloured 4WD, and dashed in to grab him. He had been expecting me and was ready to go.

But when we came out the car was gone.

I couldn't believe it. I had been away from the car for three, maybe four minutes. I couldn't remember seeing anyone lurking around when I left the car. I raced ahead and looked desperately down the next street, both ways, but it was definitely gone. I trudged back into Paul's house and called Dad.

We also telephoned the police and notified them to be on the alert for a cream-coloured Kingswood in the area. I was kicking myself for being so careless.

Little did I know.

About 100 metres back down the street was a white deli. You know, a milk bar that sells meat pies and crisps and lollies. But not just any old deli - this was THE deli that they used to film the famous "Balfours" TV commercial with the little kid lining up to get a pie from the Balfours shop, and "What about me?" singing in the background. Paul told me about the time it was filmed across from his house, and how his mum had made sandwiches for the film crew.

Backed into one of the poles of the verandah for this Adelaide landmark was Dad's car. Because I had parked with the steering wheel slightly turned, it had rolled backwards, narrowly missed the 4WD, and crossed to the other side of the road before ploughing into it. The pole had cushioned the impact, preventing the car from going through the front window of the deli.

Kids, always put your handbrake on.