I think I'm a fairly good driver. Definitely a better driver than all those drivers I have to yell at on the interstate. However, I can't drive a manual. Fifteen years ago dad started teaching me and one day as I was trying to back out of the driveway I stalled the car three times in a row and Dad laughed, so I stomped out of the car, saying, "Fine. You drive!" and contented myself with driving an automatic.
Now I have a problem, though. Steve's car is a manual, and it's the only one we'll have in Scotland, so not only will I have to learn to drive on the left-hand side of the road after we get married, I'll also have to drive Steve's car if I want to get around. Steve and I had different ideas about how to solve this problem.
MBC's solution: Cry.
Steve's solution: Teach MBC to drive a manual.
Today we had our first driving lesson, and Steve is an excellent teacher. I can change gears. I can find the "biting point." I can start on a hill. I can accidentally shift into 4th gear when I intend to downshift into 2nd gear. I can drive around the block without hyperventilating. I still need a lot of practice, but that can be my project to keep me busy after Steve goes back to the UK and then after we're married, I can begin my NASCAR career.
9 comments:
If you start driving on the left side of the road, will you start sprinkling the TOP of a pie with raw rice? (Just wondering.) .......You'll do brilliantly. And I've been wondering ever since reading this post just how hard it would be for me to shift with the left hand. And even just how hard it would prove for Bill to shift with the left hand. We'll, don't tell him I said that. He'll take it as a challenge!
Love, Marmot Dad
You'll get used to it, and then you'll never want to go back to an automatic transmission again. I had to teach myself when my brother bequeathed his Honda Civic to me. It's best to just keep on trying and get lots of experience. I've only driven around here on vacation - it's been a few years since I've driven on the left, etc but you get used to that too after a while. You'll be fine. Now, the real trick is getting you licensed. Steve has all kinds of ideas about how to get around that already though, I'm sure.
Be brave MBC (soon to be MBB), you can do it!
Being able to drive a manual car will open a whole new world of driving opportunities in other people's cars. Embrace it!
Today's word verification: sterific - a sterile terrific
Sorry, realized that last comment came from my sister's google account and not mine. But I still meant every word.
Having a good teacher helps. When I had to learn, I had two teachers. The first one wasn't very good and I felt bad driving his car. But the second one was great. So "Yeah" to Steve for being a good teacher.
You'll do just fine. Steve's mom is yet to learn what you have mastered so far. The shifting with the left hand will feel perfectly natural in the a can built for it. My only problem was not being sure where my left fender was at first but after a few days it will feel normal.
Steve's Dad
PS in the future to be known as KWB.
Steve taught me how to drive as well. He is very patient and calm... two things required when teaching one to drive.
Once you drive a stick you'll have a hard time going back. I remember sitting in Mom and Dad's automatic trying to remember how to start it :)
Yay, you!
My cousin taught me. He started by having me make a left turn from 200 W. onto University Pkwy. in Provo. We sat through the left turn light three times. I was worried about the cars behind me. My cousin was laughing hysterically.
It was a good thing to know, though. I got a summer job driving deliveries for an orthodontic lab. They forgot to even ask me if I knew how to drive a stick until I came back from my first delivery.
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