Pam is learning to Drive

12 March 2010

Pam is slowly learning to drive in Germany! First you need a mental orientation of the left hand drive. I remember this one time late in the evening when we had hit the road and we suddenly realised something was not right. Pam and I looked at each other. In the distance we saw a car approaching us. It didn’t take us any longer to realise that we were on the wrong side…. ‘Go to the right’, I screamed!!!!

Second you need a through knowledge of the different road signs. This can be very very tricky. We were on this road and took a turn for Altona. We were going and going and suddenly there was a flash! For a split second we wondered if the Paparazzi had mistaken us for some celebrity. My posture straightened, I dusted the cookie crumbs off my top and my fingers combed my hair. I wondered if the colour of my lipstick had faded….. How innocent our minds can be! How sweet our aspirations are!! I smiled. Pam was surprised. Our wild train of thought was banished almost immediately when we realised that the motion sensors had done their job! We were driving at 45 on a road with the speed limit of 30km per hour. That meant a TICKET!!! I slumped back in the seat and sighed!

This was the second one in 4 days. The first was for parking at a place meant for Handicapped ( we just did not see that sign, till it dawned on us the next day.) This happened as the street was dark. No street-lights. Just like some streets in India. Thank god it was late in the evening and our car was not towed. Otherwise you have to pay the fine for wrong parking plus the towing charges, all amounting to not less than 175E.

Imagine having to remember to drive on the right, the traffic rules, the road signs and the speed limits! First month and 3 tickets down, our BMW and the Autobahns ceased to be as exciting for that moment…….