After we landed in Dublin (perfect landing thanks to Aer Lingus...I think I might start plugging them all the time because they were my heroes! :p), Nick and I went through Passport Control (which, of course, takes awhile for non-EU citizens) and then grabbed our luggage and then we didn't have to deal with customs which was surprising.
Then, we went to the rental car agency. I have to admit now that I was totally and completely terrified about driving. Thanks to the worry gene that runs rampant in my family, I worried about every little detail of driving. The fact that I would be driving a stick shift after being out of practice, the fact that I would be sitting on the right side of the car, the fact that I would be driving on the left side of the road, the infamous British Isle roundabouts...Yeah, I was scared.
We did our bit of paperwork and then drove over to the rental car location. We received our car, now dubbed Eamon ("aim + an") and I got in, with much apprehension, and took a turn about the parking lot. The snag came when it was time to reverse. I couldn't get that car into reverse for the life of me so I went back into the agency and confessed my problem. The gentleman showed me that you have to lift up on the ring around the stick to put it into reverse.
After that, I couldn't stall any longer and we headed out to go to our hotel. We drove for about 1/2 a mile and were trying to find a roundabout and I ended up turning left and going towards the airport instead. So we headed back to the rental car agency and passed by it on accident. I had to turn around in a parking lot and I decided to rest a bit before continuing on our way.
Nick was excited beyond belief about the car and driving and the whole adventure. I was still petrified but I knew that if I didn't get my butt in gear, we'd never get there. Back to Dan Dooley's we went and I got the directions again.
This time we got back on the road and found the first roundabout. I gamely drove into it and then realized that we were in the center ring and I would have to get into the left lane to get out of it. There wouldn't be enough time with my novice right side of car-left side of road driving skills (there are stop lights to get on the roundabout and stop lights inside the roundabout) so we went 'round again.
The next roundabout didn't look like a roundabout so we circled that area twice before we tried another direction. Nick was thoroughly enjoying this "adventure". Finally we were headed the way we needed to go. After another couple of turns and one minor mis-(not "step"...would it be "misdrive"?), we arrived at the hotel.
I was SO excited to get there. Unfortunately, I do not have the video that I promised. I was tired, stretched all out of shape, upset, stressed, etc, etc, etc and I forgot to ask the monkey to tape the drive. However, we will document our drive to our next location. We have time tonight to get ourselves organized. =)
Nick's take on the driving: It was scary driving from M-o-m because she got close to the lines on the left side. (It was not...there were no cars when I was more towards the left and monkey praised me for being right in the center of the lane when we were on a highway so HA!)
He's not in the mood to say anymore right now...he's watching some t.v. after the long day. I only drove for that wee bit today (although it took a long time to get there so it wasn't so "wee") and tomorrow should prove to be more challenging but I'm for it. I thought that driving on the left side of the road felt more natural although being on the right side of the car didn't.
If there's anyone reading this and you have comments, questions or just want to make fun of me...post away. ;)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
You should fully watch Postman Pat for me!!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun, wish I was with you!
-Melissa and Moose