I have learned to drive in Holland! This may seem like no major feat, but seeing as I had a lot of trouble with the whole bike-riding thing (I get my training wheels off next week), I am mighty proud of myself.
True, people here do drive on the right side of the road so its not exactly rocket science, but today was the first day that I maneuvered our office's little Renault without getting lost, stalling out or pissing off any bikers/drivers/pedestrians. High five! (I've reinstated the high five in my office -- don't call it a come back, 'cause we've been around for years).
There are a couple of things that suck about driving here.
1. Speed limits are actually enforced via radar in a Nazi-esque, huge-fine type of fashion. This cramps my style.
2. Traffic is a way of life. Highways are always clogged. It's like the New Jersey Turnpike near Elizabeth the night before Thanksgiving ALL THE TIME. (fun Dutch fact: The Netherlands is equivalent in area to New Jersey)
3. Kilometers are tricky little fuckers. I think I have all this time to merge and then I've already gone by the exit. I miss my "296 miles to New York" signs.
4. Street names are ridiculously long and hard to read when traveling over 5 kmph (e.g. the name of my street is Saenredamstraat -- sounds like some type of VD, but its actually the name of an artist)
5. Bikers. Bikers have right of way, which is sweet most of the time, except when you are driving (pedestrians:cambridge :: bikes:amsterdam)
Sweet thing about driving here: I get to drive. Period. My office has a car to borrow when we "need" it for business. Like this weekend I "need" it to go to Ikea (get me some Sweedish meatballs and a few lamps).
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