Wanting to learn driving, I enrolled myself in a driving school. Well the month long class was great, and I felt confident of driving around on my own. Next couple of times, I drove around for short distances with husband by my side, guiding me and giving me the much required support and confidence. Well finally the day arrived when I had to take the car out all by myself.
With my heartbeat racing, nervous but telling myself that I could do it, I set out. The drive was pretty decent for a first timer after an initial jerky start. By the time I arrived at my destination, I was feeling really happy about how I drove.
After completing my work, I got back into the car and started off. I had just got onto a flyover and saw that there was a massive line-up of vehicles, literally bumper to bumper. The traffic was moving at snail’s pace. Now the panic mode set in. All my confidence and feel good factor vanished into thin air! I could only inch forward, constantly oscillating between the clutch and break. When I tried to go ahead the car would move back as I was on an incline. I don’t know how many times I chanted a prayer to the Lord, pleading him to get me out of the traffic snarl. Maybe He did hear my prayer. I somehow did manage to come out of the mayhem unscathed but sweating profusely because of the tension. The drive on that flyover which normally takes a couple of minutes, took almost 45 minutes. You could imagine my ordeal. What a relief it was reach back home without a mishap. I offered a heartfelt thank you to God for bailing me out of the mess.
This was many years ago. Have been driving ever since. Now when I look back at it, I smile at my nervous yet successful first time solo driving expedition!
In response to the daily prompt : Nervous
I will never forget my first time driving a manual in traffic. I was also sweating and extremely nervous about that time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess first time is always a nervous drive for all 😉
Thanks Megan for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a motivating read R. Thanks so much for sharing 😊🙌very much appreciate that. I really hope I make up my mind to change gears soon ..
LikeLike
what an experience! It’s worth sharing. It is going to give all other women that are afraid to drive on their own – and equally some men, courage to do so. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Peter! Yes, this is one experience I will remember always 🙂🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chanting a prayer! Could relate to it very much. Remembered my initial driving experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to know that there are more like me Sandhya 😊
LikeLike
I am able to remember my first drive. Fully drown in sweat 😄😄 Nice post 😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😁
It’s reassuring to know there are more like me 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha 😄😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got through my first solo drive thanks to the swift reaction and skills of other drivers , pedestrians, hand carts, and cycle rikshwas.and not to mention the convoy of Military trucks . That of course was in jorhat in 1963 when cars were a status symbol , and had the right of way..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Everybody has a unique experience associated with their first solo driving jaunt. I am enjoying reading all about it 😊
LikeLike
that’s so real and common….even if you look back and try to remember the pose while we sat….it must be funny….so conscious and erect…..and a horn from the back just disturbs us too much….as if we did some mistake….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! When my car went back on the incline, immediately a loud horn would blow to make me even more nervous.😌😓
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha…and you may ponder….if that fellow had horn on the car….or on his head…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seriously 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, I was in the same boat when I began driving too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome to the club😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Driving around is fun for me until and unless i come to a point where i have to drive the car up a climb or get out of a messy traffic jam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto! And I had this experience in my very first time 😁
LikeLike
Its a given that Driving around for the 1st time makes anyone nervous…and continuing driving in city traffic perhaps make most irritated?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, true that specially driving in Indian cities. 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your first driving experience
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome Daneel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taking out the car all by yourself in real traffic generally turns out to be stressful. Enjoyed reading about your experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but with the poor public transport facilities in our country, we don’t have much choice I guess 😥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good that despite that stressful experience you didn’t give up driving… my first experience sacred me so much, i vowed never ever to drive !!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is best to be independent with the poor transport facilities in the city. So no choice but to continue to drive 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah ! You are right…Many a time I’ve wished, i could muster enough courage to actually drive…So far, no success in that 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Give it another try! It’s never too late🙂
LikeLike
I remember accompanying my mum to her driving class!! Was fun 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁👍
LikeLike
Congratulations Radhika! This is for you👏👏👏👏👏 and a standing ovation in all sincerity. I have a driving license and used to drive too but with my heart in my mouth. The whole point of having my children’s life literally in my hand freaked me out. I took a brake from driving after my little one kept screaming but will start refresher classes soon. Please do give me tips on how u went about it🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks dear for the standing ovation. You make me feel on top of the world 😍😊. Initially it was the same for me too. Would get so tense whenever I had to drive. No music, no talking. Full focus only on the road 😁. But taking the car out every day is the only way to gain confidence. Then it becomes natural. Pranitha, do take it up again. I am sure you will get over the initial apprehension. Good luck dear👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that little push of encouragement, Radhika! Now as I sit beside the husband I mentally picture myself at the wheel and I know I must soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍✌
LikeLike
I enjoyed it. It reminds me of my first such expedition on a ascending road and getting trapped in the traffic. I got out of that truly in a ‘rustic’ way. About that I may blog soon. I really forgot about that. Your small but beautiful write up has rekindled that memories.
. Thanks a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad my post took you down the memory lane. It can be quite an experience getting stuck in traffic during the initial driving days. Thanks a lot for stopping by!
LikeLike
Take it to the next level with some tips of mine
https://bigcitydriving.blog/
LikeLike
Sure. Will check it out!
LikeLike