Lost in Transmission: Guest Blogger Alex Martin

I concluded my French foreign exchange a few weeks ago and returned to Portland just in time for Bloomington Gold. After living for almost a year in a country full of Citroëns and Renaults, walking into Bloomington was my first major experience of culture shock. You would have to combine two European cars to even approach the size of a C2.

Besides readjusting to the “Supersize Me” cars, I had to be reacquainted with the simple notion of just being proud of your car. The people I met while abroad regarded their cars as nothing more than transportation, or they just drove scooters without licenses. So it was strange to be in the middle of this mass group of people, who seemed to be in a silent competition of who could wear the most Corvette symbols.

But my culture shock just lasted a total of 15 minutes. It was quickly replaced with the excitement of finally being back around people who had unconditional love for their cars. This of course lead to an almost-purchase of a C4 to drive the 2,000 miles home. “Another time,” my father said—which of course I’ll hold him to.