ENZO VS. RENTAL CAR
Traveling with friends is the greatest way to live. On one such adventure, we found ourselves in the south of France. Having just spent 10 tourist trapped filled days with 50 other Americans, and two Italians, we were ready to venture out on our own. My parents were serving an LDS mission in Geneva Switzerland and we planned a short stop to say hello, give hugs, see some sights and move ahead to the Czech Republic, our final destination.
As a well prepared traveler, I had already reserved a seven passenger van for our road trip through the beautiful French countryside. My mom voiced her uneasiness about us driving to Switzerland and even though I felt totally capable, I prayed for guidance before making the reservations. Everything worked out and I felt good about our decision. We ended each day of our trip with our hilarious quotes for the day, our "by-fars", and "family" prayer.
Seven beautiful, tall (some MUCH more than others), well packed travelers (some MUCH more baggaged than others), said farewell to newly made forever-friends from Chelan and Italy. Enzo, our Italian bus driver, in his farewells (in very broken English) left us with an offer to drive across Switzerland with him if we changed our minds about the van. Ha ha ha! Such a funny Italian, that Enzo!
I learned that Michael Jackson had died as we made our way to the van rental hub and was in no mood to deal with the hassle of communicating in French, so I turned it over to Amber (who also spoke French, though much better than myself). The French man presented us with our "van" which did not look anything like the VW cargo van I had chosen by its picture and space. Imagine a miniature version of the minivan in America. It could hold, maybe 6 people, with limited leg space and absolutely nothing larger than a satchel. The French man didn't seem to understand the problem and offered no solutions either. We tried to rent a second car, if only to carry luggage, but NO CARS/VANS were available at any of the lots. What the...
My mom was right (as per usual)! At this point I know that I could have asked God "why" having prayed beforehand for our safe journey would the van not be right for us, but I know better. Things always work out, so we put our heads together and prayed for guidance. Enzo. Yep, greasy haired, smooth talking, Amanda loving, Italian Enzo was an answer to prayer. Never would have made that connection in the beginning of all this. After sending the rest of our tour group on the train to Paris, Enzo packed our bags back on the tour bus and we headed on our next adventure - 9 hours across France to Switzerland with a non-English speaking Italian driver and seven non-Italian speaking American girls.
We pooled our money together, the money that would have been used on the van rental, and Enzo said it would be fine as payment for the trip (at least we think that is what he said). The journey was easy for us, lounging around a 60 passenger bus, while Enzo did all the work. But we eventually made it to Geneva, where we were united with my parents and their mission president (and their two miniature minivans). We tried to pay Enzo with our Euros but he would only accept hugs as payment. He only wanted one from Amanda we are pretty sure, but he hopped back on the tour bus and disappeared. Leaving us safe and sound and ready for the rest of our adventures.
This story was an answer to many prayers, mine included. There was no delay in our trip nor was there an issues with our funds. I am truly grateful for my Heavenly Father and his love for all of His children and in all aspects of our lives - the good the bad, the happy travelers and their issues or whatever it may be. I know that I am loved and watched over.
Traveling with friends is the greatest way to live. On one such adventure, we found ourselves in the south of France. Having just spent 10 tourist trapped filled days with 50 other Americans, and two Italians, we were ready to venture out on our own. My parents were serving an LDS mission in Geneva Switzerland and we planned a short stop to say hello, give hugs, see some sights and move ahead to the Czech Republic, our final destination.
As a well prepared traveler, I had already reserved a seven passenger van for our road trip through the beautiful French countryside. My mom voiced her uneasiness about us driving to Switzerland and even though I felt totally capable, I prayed for guidance before making the reservations. Everything worked out and I felt good about our decision. We ended each day of our trip with our hilarious quotes for the day, our "by-fars", and "family" prayer.
Seven beautiful, tall (some MUCH more than others), well packed travelers (some MUCH more baggaged than others), said farewell to newly made forever-friends from Chelan and Italy. Enzo, our Italian bus driver, in his farewells (in very broken English) left us with an offer to drive across Switzerland with him if we changed our minds about the van. Ha ha ha! Such a funny Italian, that Enzo!
I learned that Michael Jackson had died as we made our way to the van rental hub and was in no mood to deal with the hassle of communicating in French, so I turned it over to Amber (who also spoke French, though much better than myself). The French man presented us with our "van" which did not look anything like the VW cargo van I had chosen by its picture and space. Imagine a miniature version of the minivan in America. It could hold, maybe 6 people, with limited leg space and absolutely nothing larger than a satchel. The French man didn't seem to understand the problem and offered no solutions either. We tried to rent a second car, if only to carry luggage, but NO CARS/VANS were available at any of the lots. What the...
My mom was right (as per usual)! At this point I know that I could have asked God "why" having prayed beforehand for our safe journey would the van not be right for us, but I know better. Things always work out, so we put our heads together and prayed for guidance. Enzo. Yep, greasy haired, smooth talking, Amanda loving, Italian Enzo was an answer to prayer. Never would have made that connection in the beginning of all this. After sending the rest of our tour group on the train to Paris, Enzo packed our bags back on the tour bus and we headed on our next adventure - 9 hours across France to Switzerland with a non-English speaking Italian driver and seven non-Italian speaking American girls.
We pooled our money together, the money that would have been used on the van rental, and Enzo said it would be fine as payment for the trip (at least we think that is what he said). The journey was easy for us, lounging around a 60 passenger bus, while Enzo did all the work. But we eventually made it to Geneva, where we were united with my parents and their mission president (and their two miniature minivans). We tried to pay Enzo with our Euros but he would only accept hugs as payment. He only wanted one from Amanda we are pretty sure, but he hopped back on the tour bus and disappeared. Leaving us safe and sound and ready for the rest of our adventures.
This story was an answer to many prayers, mine included. There was no delay in our trip nor was there an issues with our funds. I am truly grateful for my Heavenly Father and his love for all of His children and in all aspects of our lives - the good the bad, the happy travelers and their issues or whatever it may be. I know that I am loved and watched over.
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