VRRROOM VRRRRROOM

Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. It would be better for you to attempt this at home then in Berlin. This is only for idiots such as ourselves who clearly have wonderful gurdian angels watching over us.

We got this crazy idea. We saw this sign, CITY SCOOTERS! DRIVE AROUND IN STYLE! ONLY 40 EUROS FOR THE DAY!! We thought to ourselves....those must be easy to drive around, why not!
We went to the place all excited and ready for a lovely drive around Berlin. Once there, the scooter guy was disbelieved that we were actually over 18. We were used to that by now. All we showed was our drivers license and paid for the bike and insurance. Then we went to the bikes.

Scooter guy asks us if we've ever riden a scooter before.

No...but we have riden a quad!

Scooter guy looks up at the three of us, then says....do you need an introduction then?

Um....ya! That would be nice.

Well that 5 min introduction turned into an hour lesson. Complete with him running behind the scooter holding onto the back of our bikes. They are alot heavier then we thought, and alot more difficult then we thought. At the end of our lesson, Stef was scarly driving around....to fast in my opnion. Christie had the permant "Terrified Look" on her face. And Scooter guy was quickly regretting his desicion to rent us the scooters. Scooter guy kept repeating " No accidents, No accidents, Do not get into Accidents...I will charge you money if you get in an accident"

After an hour, Scooter guy was looking for an out. Christie was clinging to him for emotional support and someone to hold onto her bike while she drove. She even kindly asked him to come along. He just told her, "Before picture...you have legs, After picture....you have no legs". When Christie was taking a spin down the sidewalk (yes the sidewalk was our pratice route) he made his exit....quickly saying to me" Call this if bike is destoryed...if you break your limbs and bike is fine, dont call." Then, we were on our own.

Now, remeber. We dont know anything about Berlin traffic laws or speed limits. We also do not know our way around Berlin. But for some reason we decided to just go for it. We started down some side streets going slow and getting honks left right and centre. Then all of a sudden we were on a huge busy road. But, after white knuckles, repeating Our Fathers, and on the verge of throwing up.......we got the hang of it. It was FUN!

Here we were. So europeans....crusing along with the other Germans. It was fabulous!! Once we got the hang of it, there was no stopping us. We went everywhere. And, with a map...we were able to find things quickly and easily. This is WAY better then walking.

However, once night hit it was dark. We were having trouble seeing where we were going. Then a gust of wind came up....it caught my jacket and I stumbled to catch my balance. I almost tipped the bike. Behind me, Christie and Stef were having the same issues. Wind and scooters do not mix. By that point, we were kinda lost and trying to find the scooter place to drop off the bikes. It was scary. The gust of winds were getting stronger...but we knew we had to get the bikes back. It was a long ride, terrifying. We finally found the place. All of us were ok and so where the bikes....however only by the grace of God.

Once there, the Scotter guy comes up to us.

Me:Look! Were alive and we didnt crash the bikes!

Scooter guy: I can't believe it.

Me: You thought we were going to crash the bikes, didnt you?

Scooter guy: Yes. I did. Im surpirsed. Its hard to surprise German man.

He loved us...especially because we brought the bikes back in one piece. Renting the bikes, was foolish...but we got away with it. However, after all the excitement of the day...we had a quiet evening. Still, putting Scooter on my Christmas wish list.