When is a Pit Stop NOT a Pit Stop?

When you can't do what you want to do? When you can't get what you want? When you spend twice the amount of time you planned to spend, at this pit stop?

I asked myself ALL those questions this morning.  I was traveling between NS and NB.  I was in a relaxed mood, after having spent a wonderful week helping out my sick daughter and precious baby granddaughter.   I planned a pit stop about two hours after my departure, knowing I would need washrooms, and another coffee.

You generally have three choices in the Maritimes, if you want your pit stop to be close to the exit ramp. You want either the company that owns NB, (Irving), the Canadian icon Tim Horton's, or the American corporate fast food behemoth, MacDonalds.

I chose MacDonalds for several reasons. One, I am a frugalista, and I had coupons.  You know what a frugalista is, right?  It's a word denoting an expertise in said field. Don't look for the word in the dictionary.  I made it up.  Like a barista, or fashionista, I am a frugalista.  It's a heck of a lot better word than "cheapo!"

Well, as it turns out my coupons had expired. No big deal.  I parked, ran in and saw that there was a huge line-up to order.  I wasn't going to use that other order choice, the kiosque. I prefer my interactions to be with real people, and NOT plastic and "beeps."  So off I went to the washroom.  MacDonald's washrooms are usually quite clean and in working order, which is more than I can say for many Tim Hortons places I have visited.  I noticed there was still a long line-up to order,  so I decided to go through the drive-thru, something I seldom do, because it is not very, what I like to call in French, "ÉCOLO!"

That being said, I got in the queue. Well, I don't frequent fast food places often, so I was surprised to have to make FOUR stops. One to look at the bakery menu, one to order, one to pay and one to pick-up my order. Geez Louise!  Are all these stops supposed to increase efficiency?

When I ordered, I decided to splurge a whole 89 cents plus tax, on a mini Chocolatine. I was curious as to whether it would be as delicious as the Chocolatines at our cosy Cocooning Café in Petit Rocher.  "Did I want only one?" I was asked. "Yes, just one." I replied. 

When I rolled up to the pick up window, an employee apologized as she informed me that they had run out of "Chocolatines,"  Did I want a strudel? What was this?  Another devious way to "upsize" your order?  I blatantly asked if I had to pay the difference. When told no, I decided to pick the apple strudel, from the three choices I was offered. I was basically getting something I really didn't want.  However, I wasn't going to go through all the hassle of getting my 89 cents (plus tax), back. I am patiently waiting for that apple strudel to be handed over, when ANOTHER employee shows up at the window, and regretfully informs me that they have "run out" of apple strudel. For crying out loud!! I order the blueberry one, which I receive, limp, mushy, and not even slightly warmed up. Yuck!  I ate it anyway... I was hungry.

I am consoled by the fact that I have my coffee, at least. Another reason I had chosen MacDonalds, was because I only needed ONE more of those stickers, to get a free cup. I look at my cup and what do I see?  No sticker!!! They have another silly contest going on, and my cup is festooned with two little play-the-game pieces, similar to their Monopoly game.  Maudit!! I should have gone to Tim's.

MY SECOND PITSTOP  more than made up for the first one, don't you think?