Monday, July 11th, 2016
Hastings, UK / Bexhill, UK
It’s 7am BST and I am waking up extra early to return my
rental car before taking a taxi to work in Battle. I use Apple maps to find a
gas station next to Enterprise and set the address on my GPS.
My temporary flat is on a hill and the streets to get down
to the main road are very narrow. I hold my breath as I navigate down to the
main road. I am somehow successful.
The drive to Bexhill is pretty easy compared to the last 2
days. When I pull into the gas station I attempt to pay at the pump, but there
is no credit card reader. I go inside to tell the attendant that I want
to pay for gas but he does not seem to understand me. We both speak English but
neither of us understand each other. Eventually I figure out that he wants me
to pay after I pump. I find this very strange, but I am happy to have instructions on how to purchase gas here.
I pump the gas and the total ends up around £50 (which is almost $80). I feel this is a little steep, but I really have no say in the matter. I return inside to pay and we both laugh at our misunderstanding.
I pump the gas and the total ends up around £50 (which is almost $80). I feel this is a little steep, but I really have no say in the matter. I return inside to pay and we both laugh at our misunderstanding.
Before I leave the gas station I take one more look at my
passenger’s side mirror. The glue is holding and it looks almost as good as
new. I make the short drive to Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
I have a quick conversation with the attendant while I
return the car and request a cab. I wait patiently inside, while I watch my car
go through inspection outside. The crew is just starting to wash it when my cab
arrives. I bolt into the cab and make my escape with the rental fully intact.
I feel kind of bad about returning a damaged car but on the
other hand, it was pretty overpriced. I sigh one last time and am off to start
my work week.
