The Road Not Driven

Today I was officially informed that I should not be driving in Germany.
This morning: woke up, drove to the licensing office (got lost and was 15 minutes late-of course!), sat down and watched a 40 minute video on the ins and outs of driving in Europe...and failed the test! (But I did manage to obtain a library card afterwards! Anyone surprised?)

Honestly, I was flabbergasted. Anguished. Disoriented, and a little angry. I thought I had done so well! (Even though I guessed through multiple series of questions; hmmm...I knew there couldn't possibly be so many 'A' answers in a row!) It was hard to watch as they graded my test sheet- one incorrect bubble mark after another. And when they gave me the tiny slip of paper with the re-test date of next Friday, it was a struggle to take it calmly and just slip out of the room unnoticed.

*Upon arriving, I was told that laws are quite different here, and as a result, very few Americans pass the German driving exam on their first try. When I first heard this remark, I scoffed. Now I am inclined to agree.*

As I drove back to my hotel (illegally, according to the driving officials; my employer's response was, 'Eh, who gives a shit?'), I began to contemplate the possibility of never claiming ownership of the coveted European driver's license. My thoughts began to wander, and I saw, in my mind, the following scene:



That's right: a parking spot. With no car. Because I wouldn't be allowed to drive one. Already, I've been dreading the inevitable separation of myself from my beloved Luisa, but to be denied the privilege of traveling with her - against her heated seats and wooden-paneled interior - prematurely, would be devastating.
Just in case, though, I have my back-up plan(s):



Not as good as my Luisa, of course, but they'll do!