I knew it was going to be a challenge; I simply refused to even consider it when I first got here. But, eventually the wander lust took over and I had to do it; I had to drive on the left side of the road. We found an old car in decent condition and, though Steve wanted to buy me something nicer to drive, I liked the idea of an older car to bump around Perth in. Besides, if I crashed, it's not such a big loss, right? That reason loomed large in my mind. I've always been a reasonably good driver, though I've been told I have a lead foot. Never mind that. The main thing I kept thinking was; I'M GOING TO BE DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!
Well.
A brain trained since the tender age of 16 to drive as we do in America, on the right hand side, does NOT make an easy transition to doing all the driving in "opposite" mode. Sheesh. Serious concentration is necessary for a simple run to the grocery store; hands tighten on the steering wheel as I approach one of the 8 million rotary's that are in place to keep traffic moving; everything is coming from the right....yikes! Hold on for dear life, kids! So, I squeeze my eyes shut and make a go for it. So far so good, but I can't talk and drive at the same time anymore. Ha.
And last night it happened. A short ride to the church where I dropped Lucas and a friend off for the youth group gathering. I wasn't concentrating enough as I left the parking lot and drove down the street toward an intersection ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET! I got to the intersection just in time to meet a car head on, turning onto the street in my lane. Yup, a not-so-gentle reminder; every day is opposite day in Australia.
Well.
A brain trained since the tender age of 16 to drive as we do in America, on the right hand side, does NOT make an easy transition to doing all the driving in "opposite" mode. Sheesh. Serious concentration is necessary for a simple run to the grocery store; hands tighten on the steering wheel as I approach one of the 8 million rotary's that are in place to keep traffic moving; everything is coming from the right....yikes! Hold on for dear life, kids! So, I squeeze my eyes shut and make a go for it. So far so good, but I can't talk and drive at the same time anymore. Ha.
And last night it happened. A short ride to the church where I dropped Lucas and a friend off for the youth group gathering. I wasn't concentrating enough as I left the parking lot and drove down the street toward an intersection ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET! I got to the intersection just in time to meet a car head on, turning onto the street in my lane. Yup, a not-so-gentle reminder; every day is opposite day in Australia.
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