Volkswagon Dreams (Deferred)

So I mentioned on Monday that we were getting our "permanent" car here. John's company takes care of all the details and some guy just sort of showed up, dropped off our new car, drove off in our (4th) rental, and that was that. I think we keep this one for at least a year, but maybe longer.
So let me introduce you to Speedy, our new little VW Touran.

I've always wanted a Volkswagon. They are happy, smiley cars. Look at Speedy's face. He's so happy.


And VWs are very fit and trim ("neat" or "tidy" as they would say here) cars. Look at this profile--no love handles, that's for sure.
And what a cute little tooshie! Speedy is happy both coming and going, and fortunately for Speedy's future, he's equipped with motion sensors that indicate when you. are. abouT. TO. HIT. SOMETHING!

I love our new little car. It's one of a whole class of vehicles that are popular here with yuppies who have kids and loads of money (um, not us, but those who are actually purchasing these cars). These cars--we'll call them the "sporty mini-minivans" are all about the size of a Toyota Matrix, maybe a bit bigger. They are not quite SUVs, but they are people-movers. There's nothing really comparable in the States. More reason for you to come out and visit so we can give you a ride in our car.

Did I mention that Speedy also has 3rd-row seating? Only comfortable if you are under the age of 10.
And while I don't have a pic of it, I LOVE the little snarky VW key. So daring and concealed. I'll have to post that later. Anyway, it gives me another post to love on Speedy.

But this morning as I was trying to get out of my foggy cold head mindedness, I started thinking about why and when my "obsession" with VWs started. It happened at an early age.

I remember this girl (Gina) who I went to school with from elementary on up who's mom had a white VW Cabriolet. They went to our church and I remember seeing her mom driving around town with the top down and awesome hounds tooth cloth seats. I thought this was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Of course, the girl I grew up with was a total popular, cheerleader type and while I'm sure she was a very nice person, she never said two words to me in the 12 or so years we were in school together. Did I mention that I'm from a graduating high school class of 270 kids?

Yeah, I was a total nerd.

So, anyway. . .I LOVED this car and vowed that one day I, too, would have an awesome, sporty Cabriolet.

Until the day in college that I rode in the back seat of a Cabrio. Uncomfortable, to say the least.

So I decided that it was the Jetta for me! Yesiree, buddy! When it came time that I actually had an income, I would get a Jetta. Sporty, fun, young, eco-conscious (not so sure about that one, but that was what my mind thought). I was going to zip all around Austin in my sporty Jetta with cool dashboard lighting and the nifty key.

Except that once I finally had an income, I was no longer living in Austin.

And I was more interested in a vehicle that I could shove my bicycle in without removing both wheels and gunking up the trunk or back seat.

So my VW dreams were put aside as I purchased the largest SUV I could afford: a Nissan Pathfinder. Now, Jules was an absolute jewel, and I loved her despite her congenital belt defect, and we had over five great years together. (Jillian, do you miss your "alarm" in the mornings?)Jules and I got muddy and nasty and smeared with bike chain gunk, fish guts, and camping funk more times than I can count. She was more than just a car; she was a friend. I mean, who else will let you sleep on top of them with your funky body out in Big Bend with weird critters running around and sniffing at your feet. (Probably even mountain lions?). Jules was a true BFF.

Not that there were not interludes of VW-ness while I had Jules. I had a friend with the perfect sporty Jetta my first year teaching. Wow, what a fun little car! And the New Year's Eve that I went out with the bike shop crew in the TREK Vanagan--whoah, we were the coolest group in Houston that night. Seriously!!! We were in the TREK vanagan--how cool is that! (Much cooler than the actual New Year's party at Little Woodrow's, that's for sure)

But another VW hiatus took place when we put Jules out to pasture and I got my first Toyota. The Tacoma and I really did not drive enough miles together for me to give him (or her? who knows?) a name, but I really do miss. . .it. ??

And now we have Speedy, and our family is almost complete. Speedy looks to be good at handling muddy paws, lots of luggage, and a car seat or two, so I am thrilled. There's lots of travel and fun to be had in our new VW. We have a big test run up to Dublin in April (with the dogs). I'll give you the full review.

After all these years, that latent VW dream has come to fruition. We like it so much with all it's convenient storage and thoughtful options that we've considered getting a VW when we go back home. But that's years off, so we'll see if this dream is again a dream deferred. . .

PS: You gotta love yourself some Langston Hughes, ya dig?