Well, today marked the first day of driving in South Africa. No, there was no test driving on the farm, just here you go, drive to Tooseng.....oh, and by the way, you won't be driving your small little truck (because Roelene who is currently driving it is not here today) you'll be driving Lizzie's GIANT Landrover. I was doing okay with not test drivng when I thought I was going to be driving the tiny little pickup (buckey, as they call it), but now the Landrover. Yikes! Sharon, the lady who was going up with me asks.....so, have you driven here before.....nope I said......oh, she says this should be good...I'm glad it's you and not me. So, I get in the driver's seat....am a little freaked because I'm not sure how quick I will learn how to shift with my left hand. I turn the key...and nothing happens. Well, then I figure out that you even have to turn the key a different direction. What? So, I try again...the right direction this time.....and.....nothing. So, I go in to ask if there is some special trick for starting the vehicle that I am unware of. NO. Lizzie comes out to try and start it.....something is wrong...the car really won't start. We are not off to a good start here. Two of the workers have to push the car around, which is not easy....have you seen the size of this thing. Then we found jumper cables. We pop the hood and hunt for the battery......mmmmh no battery......where could it be.....of course, under the passenger seat. Now, why didn't I look there first? Oh, last's right because that is ummmm weird. Needless to say, the car finally started. Yeah!!!!!!! And we're off. The first road we have to drive on is a dirt road and very bumpy, you almost nead a Landrover to get down it. So far so good. I only put it in the wrong gear once. We finally make it to the main road, which is paved and it is pretty much smooth sailing and there's no traffic, which I like since I am just getting used to driving on the left side of the road. We then have to drive into town and we need to stop at the Mokopane Mall to pick up a few items to take to Tooseng. So in town, I make it through stop signs, traffic lights, and turns that are all on the opposite side of the road. Then it's time to stop and fill up with diesel, which is an experience in itself because everybody has to do everything for you (that's how they create jobs), so that takes quite some time. Ahhh, now we are off and on to Tooseng, about another hours drive from Mokopane, which is about 20 minutes from Shikwaru. So between having to dodge cars, buses, people, sheep, cows, and donkeys on the way and then back home again I proud to say that we returned home safely without incident....i mean if you don't consider having to dodge people and animals as an incident. Can I just say that I totally rock and I have wicked awesome driving skills! :) I'm sure there will be more driving tales to come. Stay tuned!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Great South African Driving Adventure
Well, today marked the first day of driving in South Africa. No, there was no test driving on the farm, just here you go, drive to Tooseng.....oh, and by the way, you won't be driving your small little truck (because Roelene who is currently driving it is not here today) you'll be driving Lizzie's GIANT Landrover. I was doing okay with not test drivng when I thought I was going to be driving the tiny little pickup (buckey, as they call it), but now the Landrover. Yikes! Sharon, the lady who was going up with me asks.....so, have you driven here before.....nope I said......oh, she says this should be good...I'm glad it's you and not me. So, I get in the driver's seat....am a little freaked because I'm not sure how quick I will learn how to shift with my left hand. I turn the key...and nothing happens. Well, then I figure out that you even have to turn the key a different direction. What? So, I try again...the right direction this time.....and.....nothing. So, I go in to ask if there is some special trick for starting the vehicle that I am unware of. NO. Lizzie comes out to try and start it.....something is wrong...the car really won't start. We are not off to a good start here. Two of the workers have to push the car around, which is not easy....have you seen the size of this thing. Then we found jumper cables. We pop the hood and hunt for the battery......mmmmh no battery......where could it be.....of course, under the passenger seat. Now, why didn't I look there first? Oh, last's right because that is ummmm weird. Needless to say, the car finally started. Yeah!!!!!!! And we're off. The first road we have to drive on is a dirt road and very bumpy, you almost nead a Landrover to get down it. So far so good. I only put it in the wrong gear once. We finally make it to the main road, which is paved and it is pretty much smooth sailing and there's no traffic, which I like since I am just getting used to driving on the left side of the road. We then have to drive into town and we need to stop at the Mokopane Mall to pick up a few items to take to Tooseng. So in town, I make it through stop signs, traffic lights, and turns that are all on the opposite side of the road. Then it's time to stop and fill up with diesel, which is an experience in itself because everybody has to do everything for you (that's how they create jobs), so that takes quite some time. Ahhh, now we are off and on to Tooseng, about another hours drive from Mokopane, which is about 20 minutes from Shikwaru. So between having to dodge cars, buses, people, sheep, cows, and donkeys on the way and then back home again I proud to say that we returned home safely without incident....i mean if you don't consider having to dodge people and animals as an incident. Can I just say that I totally rock and I have wicked awesome driving skills! :) I'm sure there will be more driving tales to come. Stay tuned!
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2 comments:
wicked awesome. Hey, go to the les larvicks blog to read about joy spina get healing for her heart issues. if you can't access it, then email me and I will email to you!
You look so cute in that huge monster of a vehicle. You're braver than me......I would have freaked driving that thing.....besides being on the opposite side of everything....yikes! Way to go!
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