Warning: American Driver

I had my first taste of driving on the "wrong" side of the road today. After coming back from the mall with the kiddos, my host mom drove to park with the kids and me and asked me to take the car home. Granted the drive would only be a few blocks, it was still a little unnerving having to drive on the opposite side of the car and road. However, as worried as I was about driving when preparing to leave for Australia, it's actually quite fun. I didn't have to drive through any traffic at all, so it was a good practice run for getting used to the differences.

For those of you who have not driven on the left side of the road or in a car with the driver on the right side, here are some of the similarities and differences:

1. The pedals are all the same and ordered the same way, but they are just on the right side of the car instead of the left. Easy to figure out the gas pedal and break!
2. The mirrors are all the same. However, it is a little strange having to view the left hand mirror as the driver on the right side.
3. Turn-signals and windshield wiper controls are flip-flopped (at least from what I'm used to.) The turn signal is on the right while the windshield wiper control is on the left.
4. Shifting is done with the left hand. Even though the car I drove was automatic, it still felt extremely weird having to put the car in drive or park with my left hand.

I hope I have the chance to drive a bit more while I'm here. Hopefully I won't get too used to the differences so much that I have troubles with driving once I'm back in the states! :)


Besides driving today, I haven't had much else to report that has been very exciting. I've been hanging out with the kiddos and doing housework while trying to get some business stuff taken care of. It's interesting trying to figure out tax information for a different country when I don't even understand tax stuff for the U.S. I'm also working on opening an Australian checking account to help reduce issues with purchasing and such. I feel like I actually live here now! :)

The other day while doing some research on banking, I found a yummy bakery just up the road from the house. Of course I had to check it out!! The Miami Bakehouse was calling my name with scrumptious baked goods and espresso. I had a delicious Passion Fruit Slice that was composed of a flaky pastry bottom layered with vanilla custard, chantilly cream, and passion fruit glaze. Yum! I also had a cappuccino to accompany my treat. I love how every coffee that I have had in Australia all comes with cocoa sprinkled on a top. And it's not just regular cocoa like bittersweet baking cocoa, but it's more like sprinkling a hot cocoa mix on top of the coffee. Delicious! My goal for my stay in Australia is to find as many bakeries or cafes as I possibly can. I sure hope I find some great ones!

My eyes are getting very sleeping so I think it's time to hit the hay. Tomorrow morning I'm hoping to wake up early enough to hit a little cafe for a bit of breakfast! Wish me luck!


~A