Hit the Road Jack!

I can say that I like driving. When I was teenager, the car was for me freedom, emancipation, and discovery, like most teenagers. I got my French driver license very easily (after one try) and after that I could not wait to be on the road. I was young, I was not scared and I expected a lot from life. But in America the story is a bit different. 

When we arrived in California, we rented cars before we bought one. My husband drove first and I was the copilot. My job was to find the direction. You think that it is very easy! Wrong. Just for reminding you a detail: I am from an island that you cannot find on the map!

In Reunion Island, like in France, the streets are small and our freeways have 3 lines maximum. Here: it’s a mess! I did not enjoy being on the road. The driving for my husband and me was most of the time for arguing!

In America, it’s common to have 2 or 3 lines in the city and 5 or 6 lines on the freeways in one direction. You can also cross a car by the right and of course by the left. Waaa that’s terrifying, trust me! On the freeway, Californians drive very fast. They do not really care about the speed limit. But I don’t want to talk about the driver handbook.

I arrived in January and I easily passed the writing test in March. I could have a French test but I choose to try it in English, and I did it the first time. Yeah! But, about the driving test… I was blocked. My instructor was maybe Texan, I mean beyond understanding. I’m sure my driving was not really bad. I just put too much stress on myself. The next time, I told me: 

“Stop it! You’re good and you really like to drive, even in America! If you want to feel free again, you should be more confident” … and I passed (with another instructor).

Even though it could be frightening to be on the US roads, it’s a real pleasure. For sure, a car with an automatic shift changes your life! Since I’ve got my driver license, I’ve never stopped to hit the road Jack!