Driving on the left is DANGEROUS!!! Especially when I'm behind the wheel.
They gave me a driver's license. That was their first mistake. Well, their first mistake was creating a test as easy as this one. A test consisting of 30 questions (fifteen multiple choice, fifteen where you match road signs to their meaning) which enables anyone with a valid stateside driver's license to obtain a SOFA driver's license allowing you to drive in Japan.
I prepared for the test. I looked over the test booklet and then my husband, who took the test two days before I did, came home and marked in the booklet the exact information I would need to know for the test. So I took it and passed. They gave us our licenses right away. When I signed for mine I was told that of the 20 or so test takers with me I was the only one who scored a 100%. Typically scoring 100% on a test makes you pretty qualified, or at least knowledgeable, regarding whatever the test was about. In this case I couldn't have been less qualified.
I walked to the car with Will (Marcus' co-worker who drove me to the test) and, once he started driving away, I half-joked that I should drive since I was now street legal. Will responded by pulling over and 
actually letting me take the wheel! I was driving maybe 45 seconds before I almost blew through the stop sign at the corner. Will's yelling was the only thing that stopped me. A side note. When you drive on the left, don't look for road signs on the right. They won't be there. The remainder of the ride was spent with Will doing 1 of 3 things. He was either reminding me which signs were coming up, telling me that I was doing okay, or telling me that I was close to hitting the curb. Another side note. When your steering wheel is on the right, you tend to straddle the line on the left.
actually letting me take the wheel! I was driving maybe 45 seconds before I almost blew through the stop sign at the corner. Will's yelling was the only thing that stopped me. A side note. When you drive on the left, don't look for road signs on the right. They won't be there. The remainder of the ride was spent with Will doing 1 of 3 things. He was either reminding me which signs were coming up, telling me that I was doing okay, or telling me that I was close to hitting the curb. Another side note. When your steering wheel is on the right, you tend to straddle the line on the left. 
We made it back to the temp housing quarters in one piece and Will took a few pictures of me behind the wheel to capture my inaugural trip. He never showed any signs of fear during that drive... Neither did I. Although I suspect we were silently reciting similar prayers.
In the days that followed Marcus and I bought a vehicle and I made a second attempt at driving, this time out on the island. Again, everyone made it back in one piece. Keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way!
12 comments:
Nikkie: Please remember to be careful crossing streets. We are subconciously trained to look left, but them Japanese cars will hit us from the right. By the way the country looks lucious!
Good job on your first and second trips on the "left". I am sure you'll get the hang of it after a while. One thing that helps, is you actually focus on the line in the middle of the road, and try to stay as close to that as possible... that helps you to not hit the curb (or in the case of Jamaica... fall off the side of the cliff!)
GOOD JOB NIKKI!!! I would have a really hard time also. maybe Brianna would be better because she's left handed. what kind of car did you guys get?
Let me know how your first U-turn feels on the right side....or the left side...however it goes. Be safe.
Good job I'm happy everything is going so well with you guys.
You look amazing! I'm happy to hear you're adjusting well :)
Eat some mochi!
Nikkie you are so funny, we are glad to see that you are now mobile and can get where you want to go. as your parents we know that you are well qualified to do anything that you set out to do but please watch out for those road signs.
nikkie for some reason our user name came up anonymous we will try again.
"He never showed any signs of fear during that drive... Neither did I. Although I suspect we were silently reciting similar prayers."
...I laughed SO hard I almost pee'd my pants! That is classic Nikkie! I miss you so much my dear. Really enjoying reading your blog. THANK YOU for sharing.
@ Dad- thanks for the advice!
@ Norton- Jamaicans would go crazy if they had to drive as slow as they do out here :).
@ Brit- I think Bri would have trouble too... it's hard. We got a Mazda MPV. It's like a minivan. I was bummed cause I wanted a cute little boxy Japanese car, but I had to be practical :(.
@ Drum- U turns aren't bad. I'm getting better.
@ Ricky- Thanks!!
@ White Flower- Thanks!! I'm not sure what moochi is but I'll try it (you aren't setting me up are you??).
@ Mom & Dad- I'm being careful :).
@ Robin- have you started your blog yet?
Nik this is too funny! Its crazy how much a thing like driving has become such and unconscious action for us. Something that requires so much attention for safty. I bet you're paying attention now! lol.
Great work.
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