I lost my bug..

[alsersawi98]

This is one of the hardest things I've ever written, but I need to share Kalamantina's story with people who might understand it best.

When covid hit, my dad and I found ourselves with endless time and restless hands. I'd just finished my engineering degree, itching to prove to him (and maybe myself) that I'd actually learned something. Our project? A 1972 Beetle, a vibrant orange shell we nicknamed "Kalamantina."

Countless hours and days in our small garage. We wrestled with parts, originals were scarce, so improvisation was key, scavenging bits from other cars. That carburetor tortured us relentlessly. My mom did like the orange character but we still settled for the metallic blue, deep and shifting, inspired by the mediterranean sea of Gaza.

Slowly, Kalamantina transformed. All the frustration and countless hours unbonding with my dad melted away the moment we took her out. Kids' faces would light up, laughter all around, pointing and yelling "Mr. Bean's car!!!" That never got old.

She was timeless. I'm grateful for every single second behind the wheel, Grateful for sharing her with friends and family, or during those quiet, lonely nights just sitting inside, radio playing softly, parked beside the very sea that inspired her color. She was my companion through good times and bad, a constant.

This week, I lost her.

Along with my home and far too many loved ones, war took her. Reduced to scrap. I know how that sounds amidst everything else... but believe it or not, losing my beetle cuts deepest of all. She wasn't just metal and rubber she was countless hours with my dad, the laughter of children, the quiet solace by the sea. She was a piece of me..

I'm sharing this here because I know you all get it. You understand the soul these cars have. I needed this car to be known, to be remembered by people who feel that same love.

So, to everyone here: Love your beetle, drive it hard, drive it to death. Don't just park it! use it! Fill it with laughter, adventures, music, maybe even your own sea-side quiet moments. Make as many memories as you possibly can. Because in the end, those memories are the only things that last.

If you'd like to help me and my family as we start over from nothing. Following suggestions, I've set up a Buy Me a Coffee page.

http://buymeacoffee.com/alsersawi98

Absolutely no pressure or expectation. Sharing Kalamantina's story with people who truly understood her was my main goal. Thank you for listening, and for loving these incredible cars. Hold them close.

[Glenn]

Sorry to hear that, war sux, don't know why governments insist on it.

We all need to get a long.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[my3bugs]

i had commented here yesterday but deleted my post after showing it to the wife ......she showed me several VW scams just like it similarly asking for donations . one was a yellow bug ...........my heart goes out to the victims of war , but dont lie to me ??? is this a real story or more propaganda being his first post ? its hard to tell anymore .

if you had shared the journey of your bug here we might know and believe you ?

so i search the internet and i do find info on Sarraj Alsersawi

https://www.dcu.ie/engineeringandcomputing/news/20...-his-class

[alsersawi98]

[my3bugs]

thanks for replying Sarraj . i didn't mean to add to your grief , just making sure this is a real VW/life story . i cant imagine all you have Lost , i ffel bad now for questioning it ........we in this household sure condemn what is happening there in Gaza .


here is the reddit post with a bit more info

https://www.reddit.com/r/beetle/comments/1mjlbnp/i_lost_my_beetle/