Remember: keep to the left
You have no idea how many times I had to tell myself that today between 10 am and noon. You see, that's when I was trying to navigate myself from the Sydney Airport to my hotel downtown, in my little light blue Hyundai Accent. Things I have learned so far while in the land where the water spins backwards down the bowl:
1- I really never paid much attention to which way the water spun in the northern hemisphere
2- Driving on the other side of the road isn't that much of a big deal except that
3- Everyone in Sydney seems to have learned to drive from a Montrealer
4- Starbucks over-roasts their beans everywhere
My flights here were uneventful. I got to stretch out on two seats from T.O. to LAX, and then sat by the window next to two older retired women from Palm Springs who trade houses with people in other countries every year. It's amazing what you can do via the internets these days.
Tomorrow I pick up Capt. Mike at the airport. Hopefully it's not as confusing as it was to navigate myself away from it this morning. I hope he recognizes me.
Comments
When we were there we opted not to rent a car. But one of our colleagues did, and we foolishly decided to get a ride with him from the airport to the hotel. We almost took out two cyclists and a mother pushing a baby carriage in the process, not to mention one of those poles they stick in the sidewalk to prevent cars from driving up onto it. It was a hair-raising experience to say the least. The turns were the worst. "Lets see... In the US, left hand turns onto a one-way street are free. Or wait... is it FROM a one-way street. No matter. We're driving on the left hand side here, so is it ok to turn left? Or right? Or is it FROM a one-way street. Um.. I think we can turn right. WHOOOOAAAAAH lookout for that kid walking her dog over there! Oops! Guess they aren't free right hand turns afterall".
Posted by: heather at November 3, 2006 04:19 PM