My first driving lesson. No cash disaster. Paxino.

July 12, 2024. Got up at 7:30. The weather is gray and drizzly. Today at 9:30, I have my first driving lesson. The meeting point is in Hildesheim at a closed construction site.

At 8 o'clock, I will receive a call from my driving instructor.

“Where are you? I’m waiting at the bus stop,” my driving instructor asks me.

“What? Oh, I have the appointment at 9:30 marked in my calendar and was just about to leave by bus,” I replied, feeling a slight panic rising in me.

Fortunately, it wasn't that serious. I only lost about half an hour of driving instruction. He picked me up from Borsum.

“Do you have any experience driving?” he asks as we drive from Borsum to Hildesheim.

“When I was 12 or 13, I was allowed to drive a straight road with my grandpa's car,” I told him.

We stopped at a scarcely traveled road. Stefan explained to me how to operate the automatic vehicle as well as the seat and mirror adjustments. Of course, he also shared stories from his life. Apparently, he once said that Hitler was a cool guy. He received a warning for that. However, he claims he never said such a thing. And when I told him that I come from Russia, he said that he couldn't care less which country I came from or what my skin color is.

After many bits of information that I couldn't remember all at once, we switched places. I got to take the wheel.

I adjusted the seat, then the outside and inside mirrors, and of course, I fastened my seatbelt. I pressed the brake pedal to prevent the car from moving when the automatic vehicle is set to R (Ride). I started the car, released the brake, and pressed the gas.

Going straight at a speed of 30 due to a construction site, I drove ahead. In the curve, I braked quite well, but the brake was so sensitive that I ended up performing some sort of emergency stop. After the curve, I was allowed to go 50, and I gradually started braking more smoothly.

During the drive, he talked to me the whole time, which distracted me from some traffic signs. Nevertheless, I managed to drive and talk to him at the same time.

At the end of the driving lesson, he said that I have a talent for driving. Apparently, I was very focused, followed all his instructions correctly, and unlike some of his students, I remembered to breathe while driving. Some sit behind the wheel and even forget to breathe, he says.

On my way to the train station after the driving lesson, I ran into Mascha and Tobi, who were out for a walk in the city. They asked me what I was doing in town. I actually didn't want to reveal that to them, but I did anyway. I told them that I had my first driving lesson today. They were very surprised that I am now getting my driver's license. And I asked them not to tell my mother yet. It's supposed to be a surprise.

I sat down outside at the city café Beste under the awning (to protect myself from the rain) and ordered a decaffeinated cappuccino. I had to wait for the bus anyway.

The woman brought me the coffee and asked for €2.90 for it.

“I'll pay with card,” I said and pulled out my phone.

“We only accept cash,” she replied.

“Oh, darn, I don't have any cash with me,” I responded slightly unsettled. “That was stupid of me not to ask beforehand,” I added.

She stood there motionless, waiting for me to pay. The elderly women next to me looked at me, as if they were willing to sponsor the three euros. But I didn’t want to beg.

“One moment, my sister is here in the city; I’ll give her a call.”

When I called her, the waitress went back inside, seemingly trusting that I wasn't planning to drink the cappuccino for free and run off.

My sister and Tobi came back and lent me the three euros. Phew… So I should always carry some cash with me or at least ask first whether I can pay with card.

On the bus back to Borsum, I called the TÜV to ask if I needed to consider anything special due to my move on August 1. As long as I don't change driving schools, there's no problem. I just need to inform the licensing authority and TÜV of my new address.

After lunch, I went back to Hildesheim later in the day to attend the next theory class. Since I arrived too early in Hildesheim, I sat down at Paxino and had a decaffeinated frappé cappuccino.

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