Snow Snafu

Here is a picture after it snowed. I passed dozen of nice picturesque houses when the snow was fresh while I was in bliss. This will be a summarize of a ton of colorful events. I had to wait forty minute for my rental car due to none being cleaned. While I was paying a lengthy amount of insurance, premiums and whatnot; I mentioned I would be driving through Canada on the east coast. Mind you, it had just snowed that same day.

Skip a few days ahead and after some other shenanigans I have written about, it began to snow. A smile easily crept on my face and joy spread through my body. This is when I noticed the snow failing faster and harder. I had to alert someone, so I called my brother who I knew was home. He warned I was endangering myself and others by not being prepared when I noticed the car skid to the right. I was venturing off road with no control or way to prevent a accident from occurring.

I pulled off the freeway and began to look for a gas station. During my search, I saw a motel and was going to rent a room for the night. On the way to the motel, I noticed a parked police vehicle and asked for assistance. He directed me to a tired place a few miles down the road. I drove slowly to prevent further sliding off the road.

Less than ten minutes later, I arrived. While pulling into the parking lot, the car almost went off road again. My heart rate increased and I needed this problem fixed immediately. At first, Mike (the mechanic) was busy. So I waited in line to be courtesy. After helping a local would avoided the line, he turned to me. It must have been the confused look hidden partially by my mask. No, he could not personally install the chains needed for the car, but would see if another co-worker could.

Five minutes pass. No one is "available". I say this loosely. A mechanic gives the keys to a waiting couple, they leave. He turns to me and sees I am waiting for Mike. So he kindly intervenes and informs me in the providence of Ontario - they could not install chains to vehicles. Which is a load of shit if you ask me, since it is a tire shop and this is their BUSINESS. Did you notice the all caps?

After 4 minutes of them explaining they can't install chains only Canadian officers. Wait, didn't I pass a officer? Yep! Now I am fuming and time is ticking by with no solution in sight. Mike suggested I call the rental car company. What the fuck Mike?!?!??! I got the car in New York and was currently in mid stop to Montreal. I don't give a flying fuck about the rental company. They will be facing my furry soon enough. I need this car worked on NOW.

Mike walks off. I guess the angry black man doesn't need his help. The other mechanic suggests I get the tire size so I can purchase snow tires which they can install. This is when I go to get the car manual for a rental car that a mechanic should be able to look up, but I digress. A new young man enters the scene when I return to the store with the manual, Connor.

Connor was cute, kind and everything I like about Canadians. Willing to go far and above to be helpful. The manual was useless. He went out to the vehicle to get the tire size as Mike peeped through the window as Connor assisted me. I wanted to flip off Mike, but I had to wait into my tires were installed for this gem of payback. It never came, but it would have if needed.

As a paying customer, Mike was all the more helpful mid-tire installation. Connor from the moment he came out and helped. There was a difference and I remember both who HELPED and who told me facts about my situation that did not provide solutions to a stranded person. Maybe, it was the fact I was from the United States. As a minority, I am not entitled nor do I act as such but let me return to the main point.

The rental company did not provide snow tires. Let's not forgot the parked officer who knew I needed chains but did not help. Oh, I got his name and will wait for a reply to my emails to name NAMES. Mike, once the bill was paid was all so helpful and chatty. At the point, I wanted to say fuck off and thanks Connor loudly, but I did not. Paying an additional $978 was annoying, but the danger I was put in (unnecessarily) is the main purpose of this current blog.

This was only my second time with a rental car. Next time, I will be asking questions. I guess expecting common sense is no longer good advice. Be safe. Ask questions and question everything is my main lesson learned.