The French make cars?
April 29, 2006
I hate to drive. I absolutely detest getting in a ton of metal and putting my life, and the lives of many other innocent people, on the line. I have even been known to go "the long way around" to avoid left turns. I have no qualms at all about riding in cars, travelling in any type of transportation, and I adore roller coasters. It is just the idea that I am in control that freaks me outWhy in the world then, when in a foreign country that has completely different driving rules, did I decide to get a car? Because my company is paying for it, of course. I really wanted to live near the center (centre) of Glasgow, but this means I would need to take 3 trains and a bus to work every day. This is totally unreasonable, so I got the car.I have been provided with a Renault Megane in bright blue, it is a hatchback with kind of an interesting trunk (boot). Unfortunately, the French have no idea how to make an automatic car, and I am in no place to learn how to drive stick and be expected to follow UK road rules. The car has all the great bells and whistles. The key is actually like a credit card that you insert in a slot and press the "start" button and the wipers automatically adjust to your speed, but all this doesn't matter if when you go into reverse you roll forward first. I did expect a somewhat small engine, but this has absolutely no get up and go. (There will be pictures posted on Flickr very shortly)
Directly after I got off the plane, Bob, the man helping me relocate, picked me up from the airport and drove me to work. There we picked up my car, after 3 minutes of trying to find how to turn it on (I was not provided with a manual for the car) I was driving us both to my flat. None of the roads in Scotland follow the cardinal directions. There are no straight roads and there are these things called round-abouts that I am just not that keen on. I gripped the wheel with all my might and managed to make it all the way to my flat without hitting anything and only annoying a few other drivers by my "American" style of driving. He said that I did very well, but I don't know if I completely believe him. Then we drove back to work and Bob got it his car and I followed him back to my flat. Making me drive a car for an hour and a half in a foreign country directly after getting off a transcontinental flight, especially considering the details described in my previous post, is cruel and unusual punishment. But I did it.
Bob and his wife, Sheila, were kind enough to have stocked my kitchen with a weeks worth of food. So I had a quick meal and fell asleep at 4 in the afternoon. I slept to 6 the next morning and then had to get ready for work. Bob, in his infinite kindness, let me follow him to and from work again, so I wouldn't get lost. (Work will be covered in another post so I will just get on with the driving) But the next day I was all on my own.
In my two days of "lessons" I haven't gotten any theory whatsoever. I don't even know what all the signs and road markings mean. Needless to say I was completely freaked out of my wits. So I said a prayer once I got in the car and I started out. Somehow I managed to get on the motorway with no problem and I started to get more comfortable. However, there are two exits marked for Paisley (the city my work is in) and I am supposed to take the second. I guess I got so comfortable that I wasn't paying enough attention and I thought the second exit was the first, missed it, and started heading for the countryside. I have no map and no phone and no clue where I am going. My stress level rises (only to a 7) but I am able to keep myself together and find the signs for Glasgow, which I hope and pray will take me back to the area of my flat so that I can find my way back to work. Only by the grace of God I manage to pull it off and the motorway I take eventually feeds back to the Clyde Tunnel and the M8, which take me back to work. Amazingly enough, by the time I get to work (40 minutes later than planned) my confidence in driving has grown 10-fold. I had no idea this is how God would answer my prayers when I got in the car that morning, but the Lord does work in mysterious ways.
So far I have primarily driven from home to work and back, but I did make one foray into the busy City Centre (at least this time I had a map). I am happy to report that I have not hit anything and probably only piss off 2-4 other drivers a day. Luckily, most everything I need on a daily basis is in walking distance, so I should do fine. Eventually, if I stay for more than 12 months, I will need to get a UK license. Which means taking an extremely hard driver's test that most people fail the first time (natives included). Right now I am on a library computer and am eyeing up the "Driving Test Success" CD-ROMs. I think I will start with "Road Signs".
The Scottish Vocabulary Word of the Post: daft = stupid, incapable
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1.
kelly | April 29, 2006 at 2:51 pm
I feel the need to comment so you know that someone is actually reading the blog (checking for it every 2-3 days) and perhaps that will inspire you to keep going. Went to the Hatters concert last night- one last hurrah before Allie is no longer my excuse…. when did I get to be 25?
2.
Molli | April 30, 2006 at 1:41 am
Only 2-4 people a day, eh? Not bad, not bad. Maybe Bob will let you drive slow on the driveway. On Sundays.
Did you get my MySpace post? No more Foie Gras for Chicago. *sigh*
I sent the link for your blog to your dad tonight. Hope that’s ok. Your mom was curious but said she doesn’t have an email address. Call her!
Oh, and Kelly: You got to be 25 when I got to be 24, remember? If you wouldn’t have turned 25, then we cuold have stayed 23 and 24 indefinitely. I blame you.
Anyway, I an extremely proud of you for all the crazy things you’ve had to go through lately. You’re stretching and learning all these amazing new skillz.. I’m a wee bit jealous, but I’ll be ok I think. I rearranged the living room today. Pedro and Maria say hello. Whelp, see ya later dude!
3.
Kelly | May 1, 2006 at 12:06 am
So I am a little miffed that my first comment does not even “rank” as a comment– I will not be ignored! I think the power of blogging has gone to my head a little, as I know “millions” could be reading this at any one time.
Molli- If you would have stayed 23, I would never have turned 25, as the one year age difference must be continually mantained, therefore, obviously your fault. As is the fact that now that the parents are invited in I can no longer talk about scientific research into the kilt issue. Data, data!
I just fed myself if you can’t tell. Leah- -what is the most wonderful/beautiful thing you have seen thus far?
4.
katey viergutz | May 7, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Hi Leah,
it’s your cousin’s in NE Katey and Jason. Uncle Rocky is here and we’re looking at your blog. Looks cool. I hope you enjoy your stay in Scotland.
5.
Amanda | May 9, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Hi Leah! Just wanted to say thanks for starting this up! It’s very fun to hear how you’re doing and all the crazy stuff you’re experiencing. Your stories as well as the words of the day are SO reminding me of my time in Scotland! You’re making me miss it and want to go back.
Also, just as an update from this end, Kev and I are now safely hitched! We’re home from the honeymoon, and are diving into that whole “domestic” thing. I’ll let you know how it goes.
6.
Michelle | May 11, 2006 at 4:59 am
Hey, Renault makes great cars! I sympathize with your lack of shower curtain issue. I could never figure those things out…ridiculous. Anyways, I just wanted to say hello and that I hope all is going well. You’re missing nothing in Madison…trust me…well, maybe just one of Jonathan’s phallic art shows is all…
As those bad-car-making French say, bon courage!
7.
Chris | July 27, 2006 at 3:54 am
Well i actually made it to your site by accident,but it is pretty interesting. I thought your screen name was of a girl i met on some dating site. Anyways, your writting is interesting and i just may keep myself posted on your adventures. They seem quite eventful. Good luck! If you feel like saying hi, my screen name is madsicilian1.
8.
Maximus | December 20, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I would like to see a continuation of the topic