عجلة (eijlatan); Wheel

Berlin, Germany

"There are many spokes on the wheel of life. First, we're here to explore new possibilities." ~ Ray Charles

At the end of a long week of searching, I've let go of my ideal van. Deep breath__

Day 1: Jojo and Charli welcome me into their home in Berlin. It is the best neighborhood, because my friends are there, dealerships are plentiful, & there is cheap Turkish food. I visit 4 dealerships, 2 of which were fake addresses. Auto Leo is my first stop, and although they don't have any vans, they tell me they will search for me. My phone gets loaded with data, so navigating is easier by the end of the day. At night, I scroll through endless options on apps, Facebook Marketplace and Ebay. No van today, but what did I expect?

Day 2: Waifted to South Berlin, with a transit card loaned to me by Charli. A charming converted Renault Kangoo is the best option so far, from a couple that traveled to Spain in it. However, friends discourage me from getting it because it is small and unreliable. I trudge to half a dozen "dealerships" afterwards, all wrapped in chain link fences with small garden shed offices. They speak German, Arabic, Turkish or Russian. I speak in mimes or using Google Translate. I return to the home base empty handed, & exhausted.

Day 3: In North Berlin for a change of pace. I've started to isolate only those dealerships with multiple options which fit my needs. I finally know what those are:

-Diesel Van or Combi

-T ü V (valid mechanical attestation in Germany)

-Enough horse power to go uphill, but not so much that I burn fuel like a space shuttle

-Less than 200 000miles

I finally come across a space-age VW Westfalia, ready for camping and adventures. It is even my favorite color, TEAL. It is not my favorite price though, at double my budget. The end of the day has me feeling blue.

Day 4: It is Friday the 13, and I hope my luck changes soon. I've collected so many business cards & car fact sheets that I feel I can open up my own dealership. I've seen more cars than a Nascar racetrack, more than I thought existed. I've lost myself in the whirlwind I've created. Learning about cars, translating my English into German, exploring most of Berlin's car lots... and feeling overwhelmed.

In short, I am fed up. So I will just get the Kangoo and drive with my fingers crossed. And suddenly... Auto Leo calls, and they have found a car for me!

I rush over, and it has everything I need, at the right price (under 3000 euros). It is a Ford Torneo Connect, and it is in the next town over (Magdeburg). It is a mix between an SUV & a van, yet fuel efficient. It even has auxiliary heating, so the heater can be on when the engine is off. It is the first option I see where I feel excited, with all the boxes ticked. It feels like MY car.

Leo calls the dealership to schedule pick up.... but it is reserved 24 hours for a customer who has priority viewing. All we can do is wait to see if they will buy it.

Deep Breath.

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Exhale.