First New Zealand driving experience

Hello! Jen here!

I had my first experience driving in New Zealand: OH. MY. GOD.  Now, before we begin, I should point out that Anna Maria and Jonathan both think that my driving skills are, ummm, lacking. I, however, do not think so.

Anyways. Jack, our manager, was very busy one afternoon showing new customers around the hostel. One customer needed to get out of the driveway and needed Jack’s car moved. Jack tossed me his keys and said, “Hey, Jen, could you move my car for me?”

I stood frozen. “Wait. Move…your car?! Are you…. sure?”

“Yes, Jen!”

“But like – I’ve never driven here!”

“Just get in, mate!”

“But…”

“Oh, go on!”

Alright. So I ran around to the car and opened the door. CRAP. It was the wrong side of the car (side note: In New Zealand, they drive on the left side of the road, meaning that their steering wheels are on the right side of the car).

So I ran around to the opposite side and climbed in.

Next problem: Jack, our manager, is over 6 feet tall. I am five feet, 3 and ¾ inches.  AND I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE THE SEAT.  So I was practically standing at the wheel.

Next problem: I turned on the car and TAYLOR SWIFT TURNED ON. I looked, trying to change the radio station. I could not, because TAYLOR SWIFT WAS ON A CD. Yes…..Jack, our practically 45 year old manager, had a Taylor Swift CD.

Next problem: I tried to put the van in reverse. NOTHING HAPPENED.

Luckily, at this point Liz jumped in the car and pointed out, “Jen! The parking brake is on!”

[Note:  The old Asian man was still patiently sitting in his car waiting for me to back out of the driveway.]

So I turned on the car and then hit another problem: Just as New Zealanders DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD, all of their levers next to their steering wheel are COMPLETELY OPPOSITE from what Americans are used to. So when I tried to put the van in reverse, I accidentally turned on the windshield wipers AND put my left blinker on.

“AHHHHHH!”

Ok. Calm down. I then corrected everything (except for the windshield wipers which I couldn’t figure out) and backed down the driveway. I then, after a few practically hyperventilated breaths, backed out onto the left side of the street.

I started driving around the block, still flipping out on the inside, at about 20 km/hour down the street.  [Note: 20 km/hour is 12.7 miles/hour]. I felt that I was flying. I’m sure that all of the cars crawling behind me did not think that.

A few stressful minutes later, I pulled back into the driveway and turned off Taylor Swift and the car. And when the car turned off, the windshield wipers turned off also.

Whew. Problem solved.