In addition to learning the Italian language, learning to work in a new culture and new company and in vaccines… I have also learned how to drive a manual car in Italy during my six-month LGO Internship.
I considered getting a manual car before we arrived in Italy, but ended up with an automatic when we arrived. After a few weeks, I found out I could get a slightly larger car for our weekend road trips within the same cost bracket by getting a manual.
Then, I took the plunge and upgraded to the Ford C-MAX. Or in Italian, the letter C is pronounced ‘chi’ so we call it the Chi-MAX.
The C-MAX on the streets of Basel, Switzerland during a trip to visit our classmates
The internship has been a good time to learn a manual car - I had a week or two where I could help get rides to work from my classmates or a work shuttle while I learned, and its a situation where I will have a manual car long enough to learn sufficiently without buying a manual car myself.
The rolling hills of Tuscany are NOT the easiest place to learn.. and might be the most difficult place! There was definitely a period of time where I took easier routes to avoid hills as I learned. I think the roundabouts make driving much easier and better without the frequent stopping.
The C-MAX might be coming to America, so what do we think? Its a good size, not too big (particularly in Europe), gets good mileage on diesel, roomy and lots of leg room for the backseat. In American terms I compare it to a small SUV.
Also coming to the US is the car in which Dannielle learned to drive manual in Italy also, the Fiat 500. Its super cute but gets awful gas mileage (for her model) compared to our much, much larger diesel C-MAX.
Nolan also LOVES her car. He will call out ‘Dia car, Dia car’ at any small, white car we see anywhere in Europe. There is also a pricey children’s version that Nolan has seen in stores.
In summary…I am very glad I’ve learned how to drive a manual car as part of my experience in Italy, however I have an increased appreciation for the invention of the automatic!
