Remember when I swore I would never, NEVER drive a minivan? I didn’t care if I had 12 kids – you were never going to find me behind the wheel of a minivan. I repeat: Never.
And then I moved to Japan.
Where on base, minivans are so prolific, I often can’t distinguish my car from the next. (Yes, I have tried to get into the wrong car before.) Where on base, minivans cost about half a month’s rent. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
Before moving here, we sold Damon’s faithful Camry. We were not allowed to transport a car to Japan, and we could only store one car in the states. Damon has a pick-up truck that he loves more than me, so that we stored. In the meantime, we planned on buying a small, cheap beater from someone leaving base around when we arrived. We’d get our 30 months out of it, and sell it cheap to the next fellow when that time came. With people constantly moving to and from Atsugi, that’s just how things go.
And what do you know, that’s just how things went. The family leaving Damon’s squadron as we arrived were looking to sell their car, and we were looking to buy. Their car happened to be a minivan. Damon jumped on the opportunity. “It’s perfect timing! It’s so cheap! And look how much room there is! It’ll be great for road trips! And if we have another kid while we’re here, we’ll need the space!”
HOLD UP. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
“But it’s a MINIVAN. Driving a minivan goes against my religious beliefs. I can’t do it.”
“Diana. It’s only for a couple of years.”
“You’re telling me there are no other non-minivans we can buy right now?”
“Yes, that is what I am telling you.”
“How am I supposed to be the cool, young mom if I’m driving a minivan? Answer me that!”
He couldn’t answer me that, but it didn’t matter. For once, my powers of persuasion were rendered useless. Given the timing and the price and the car’s capacity for ski trips, Damon was convinced we needed to buy it.
“Fine,” I relented, “But this stays in Japan – We can’t tell ANYONE.”
“Except you’ll blog about it.”
“Well of course I’m going to blog about it!”
So we bought the minivan. I died a little that day. What’s next: a fanny pack? Culottes?! Every time I sit behind that wheel, I feel Soccer Momhood’s rapid approach. I am defenseless against it. Oh please, make it stop!
There is some good news: Given that I’m a total spaz when it comes to driving in Japan, there is little hope for this minivan actually surviving these next two + years. But that’s another blog for another day.
I think we need a picture!
Picture definitely
One of my most golden memories is driving our minivan, Japanese to be sure, around Manhattan with eight passengers aboard, all of whom had long outgrown their car seats, during New York Marathon weekend!!!!! You will find, Diana, that the size of a minivan, which is larger than the macro-car you used to drive, gives you a certain ability to throw your automotive wieght around! As for driving on the other side of the road, just remember that as the driver, you should be near the middle of the road and not next to the side of the road. You’ll be fine. Love, Your Wise Old Aunt Snow
Very funny, but I am struck that Damon still has his man card this long into marriage. He got to keep his truck. Virtual fist bump.
I thought these were the “minivans” of Japan… (i have one, i LOVE it, scored at a thrift store). http://www.japancycling.org/v2/info/bikesj/mamachari.shtml.