We have guests. Kane's friend's sister, Angelica, got here today, and Carissa and EJ arrive tomorrow morning. Whoo hoo! Angelica only stays for a couple nights then comes back for another couple later in the week while Carissa and Elijah stay for 10 days. Should be fun!
In related news, we rented a car today, which I picked up and drove around solo while Kane waited for Angelica to arrive. Yes, me, gigantic Toyota sedan, navigating the streets of central Melbourne alone. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected - the left side of the road thing isn't actually the hard part. It's easy in urban areas since you just sort of follow everyone else. The thing that's quite the doozy is that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. This means that everything is backward and that the bulk of the car is to my left rather than my right. So when I try to deftly swing around the car in front of me who is waiting for a parallel parking space, I need a significantly larger berth than my car-brain is allowing. I didn't hit anyone, but the first time I passed someone like that I proceeded to make a mental, if not verbal, actually, note to not get so god damn close on the left side.
The other thing that's funny is when I'm on a street turning onto another street with no light or stop sign. I look for cars both ways like normal, but I realize that I have no idea which way I'm supposed to turn or which way the cars are supposed to come from. It's funny what's ingrained in you and what can adapt easily. I also actually laughed out loud when I looked up to see the rear view perched on the "windscreen" (windshield) facing the wrong way! It's obviously angled such that the person in the driver's seat can see, but it looks backward to me, as thought it's facing the passenger.
Anyway, no casualties so far and I managed to pick up the car, get to Marc and Alana's, go to work, go to the grocery store, and come back home. All without getting lost, confused, or denting the car. Excellent. Carissa and Elijah arrive tomorrow at 9:30 am, bless their hearts for arriving at a reasonable time of day, and then the week of Aussie tourism begins. I'll try to post some pics next time of all of us. Until then, wish me luck on the left side of the road!
3 comments:
OK....I'm first....back ta normal. That driving sounds a bit challanging, mate. But, now you can drive round the CBD, go get some avo for brekky, go to the milk bar and pick up some Colgate or some piss, go see some cricket or footy. Should be nice for you to have a car for a change. Good job not getting lost. Be super careful and alert. Have lotsa fun with C and E. G'day! :)
Angie..just caught myself up on the last four entries. It is the end of the school year...that should be a sufficient explanation why my responses so sporadic. Company must be fun. Folks you have history with and common interests are greatly missed when it is not available. I actually like the dental process they have established there...at least the one you had... Someone digging around in my mouth has never been an experience I look to. I like the ultra-sonic device even though it sounded like an alien assault. Are you guys considering a car? Sounds like you might be ready for one? I guess driving with the company and taking excursions will cement the deal or not? My brain feels pocketed with holes right now.. More to come. Love Rhonda
So how many times did you turn the wipers on instead of your turn signals? Once you've done it, you start to notice other cars on the road that are doing the same thing. I learned in NZ not to cross the street in front of these cars as they're tourists who are too preoccupied with learning how to drive on the opposite side of the road rather than look out for pedestrians. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you'll get the hang of it. Remember, driver is always next to the road divider, and the hard turn (lefts here, rights there) are also on the drivers side.
I'll be visiting soon enough. Or rather, when I have more than -4 days of vacation. Stupid road trip.
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