I found myself in Dortmund, Germany as a new economic immigrant. Until I get a work permit, I'm taking a menial job in an undocumented oil painting workshop 12 kilometers outside Dortmund.
Every day I cycle from my house to there, both in good weather and rain! Tough, and even tougher was when I got to work soaking wet from the rain and had to have my clothes dry on me during work.
I made my decision!
With my first little money, I buy my first car. An old rusted out VW Beetle.
Nagging, shouts and annoyance from my wife when she saw it for the first time. I was smiling and calm. Biggest whining when we passed a puddle of water and her feet got wet from the water coming in through the holes in the bottom. I stayed calm! I got my first car!!! ... But I also have my plans.
My hands are used from all that kind of work. I put it back in the uncovered building area and got to work! Rust removal, sanding, priming and finally with an electric gun I painted it a nice lemony color. The miracle happened! "Well done John" from everyone! Then with black paint I let my hand take out on it, the artistic things I had in me! The result was excellent!  "Well-done Yannis! Well done Johan!" I took it out on the city streets. It stands out! I see out of the corner of my eye at the traffic lights that it catches the eye of other drivers and passers-by! I’m proud as a peacock!!!
In the following period, everything changed for me and our friends! Our life has changed! No more coffee shop smoke! We started excursions during the weekends and visits to all these beautiful and unknown to us -until then- places outside our city! Rivers, lakes, many tourist attractions…!
Unforgettable beautiful moments! Thanks to this little car, we learned how to live!!!