Mudstickers on SUVs

In the country where I spent most of my life, there is quite a gap between the rich and the poor and only the former can afford to buy SUVs. Getting out of the parked vehicle wealth by the stretch of the arm will sound, WEET-WEET, to activate the alarm.

SUVs and Jeeps have another gig – they are issued with mud stickers - yes fake splashes and stripes for the less adventured.  True or false this makes the playing field more even and the poor can cease-fire: the vehicle is to the owner of such an expense that outdoor-trips over dunes and through dungeons are in overdraft and placed on the dream list. Mudstickers must do the trick.

In Canada all cars WEET-WEET, every car get splashed and salted and car-wash services are offered at almost every gas station. 

My children drive nice cars and by paying the monthly installments, they know a car wash is a healthy alternative for a rusty, weathered car.

So here I am in the passenger seat in front of the black hole. The driver follows the directions and skillfully tracks the wheels, neutrals the gearstick and sits back. Mighty streams of water power down and foamy sponges from behind, front and sideways make an awkward noise. Next are huge blue rubber arms swinging to and fro. I fear the charcoal car is to be stripped from all paint, like in the Namib Desert where I heard cars can get metal silver sandblasted in minutes.

Rollers out of the the dark, rise, pluck and scrub the vehicle slowly-slowly moving towards the front. I think I can add one more thing to my growing list of pains – I’m claustrophobic. “Now is not a good idea to get out of the car,” says the experienced driver.

From nowhere comes a northern wind and pushes every drop of water from the windows into the deserving sky.

The driver turns the engine on, pays the attendant and drives to the parking lot where most of the cars, SUVs and Jeeps are in desperate need of the next power wash. Needless to say the shiny charcoal Mazda stands out in the crowd.

Snow-splash-stickers or mud-blob wannabees do not have a market over here for winter gives every Canadian driver a daily one for free.

WEET-WEET my story is out.