It’s early afternoon, but it’s already been a long day. We’re on our way from Madrid, Spain, to St. Jean de Luz, just across the border in France. Everything was easy until we arrived at San Sebastián airport. It was there where we hit our first snags in San Sebastián.
The flight this morning from Madrid to San Sebastián was no problem. Our difficulties started at San Sebastián airport. I had planned to pick up a rental car at the airport, but that wasn’t going to happen. All of the rental car offices at the airport were closed.
Stranded
We found ourselves stranded at San Sebastián airport with one other couple. No taxis in sight. They have Uber in Spain, right? Before we could find out, one lone taxi showed up. As described last time, we shared it with the other couple.
The four of us had a near-impossible time communicating with the taxi driver. I can manage some spanish or french, but I had never heard anything like the sounds this guy made when he spoke.
It didn’t help that patience was not our driver’s strong suit. Maybe he’d already been having a bad day. His day certainly didn’t get any better after he ran into the four of us.
After several difficult discussion sessions about destinations and prices, our driver dropped us off across the street from a large nondescript building. He said we’d find a rental car office inside. I think.
Stranded Again?
It would have been reassuring if there had been some kind of sign on this huge building. Maybe even a rental car company sign somewhere? Would that have been too much to ask for?
We crossed the street and went inside, rolling our luggage along with us. It’s no fun carting luggage around in a public place. People look at you with pity. “Look at that poor couple. They are obviously so lost.” That was us, alright.
The building turned out to be a convention center. After asking around, we found out that there wasn’t a rental car office inside, but there was one outside at the far end of the building. We found it. Ahhh.
By this time, we were ready to take any car and get on the road to St. Jean de Luz. But according to the way-too-perky sales girl at the rental car office, not just any car would do.
We must have looked to her the same way a lost baby duck looks to a hungry alligator. She was going to give us her lengthy spiel, and that was that. We were too frazzled to put up much resistance.
It’s Our Lucky Day?
We provided her with the details of our trip. Two countries. Quite a few miles. “You’ll want a comfortable car for that trip.” She said, “comfortable,” but she meant “expensive.”
It was our lucky day. They had some special deals going on. She started by offering up a nice roomy car that we could have for a special price. The car did sound very nice indeed, but it was too big. A big car isn’t practical for driving in the narrow streets of some European cities.
No problem. She could offer us a huge savings on another very nice model. This one might be OK. And we really wanted to get on the road. How much would this one cost?
She’d have to consult with her manager to ensure she could get us the deal she had in mind. She disappeared behind a closed door.
Really?
Consult with her manager? Really? We didn’t want to BUY a car. We just wanted to rent one for a while! I felt like we were in the jaws of a well-seasoned used-car salesman. Were we going to have to meet with the Finance guy next?
Out she comes, beaming from ear to ear. The manager approved the price! “Great. How much?”
She showed us a number that was WAY more than we had planned to spend. Clearly we had to have a little heart-to-heart.
Finally she offered us another car that was still more car than I wanted, and still more than I wanted to pay, but she had worn me down. “OK. We’ll take it.”
That would prove to be a poor decision.
To be continued…
Note: I’m not identifying the rental car company for two reasons. 1). This company has always served me well in the past. 2). They’re probably all like this now.
Photo of Airport Rental Car Offices. Credit: Tunatura/istockphoto
