Day 6 – Behind the wheel, and the acquisition of everything

               This weekend Clemency’s husband Jan was away, so she let us borrow one of her cars.  This dramatically expanded the number of places we could easily get.

The new liberation granted us by our weekend car freed us to go places we hadn’t yet been, including The Warehouse (think Walmart) and a new grocery store.  At both places we knew that we could buy heavy things and not have to carry them back long distances to the motel. 

Switching the side that I drove on was made easier when Clemency told me “don’t think about left and right – just remember that the driving is next to the middle of the road.”  This, it turns out, simplifies everything.  If one thinks in terms of “passenger-side” and “driver-side” rather than “left” and “right”, the rules of road are the same here.  Example: when you approach a cross street, the cars closest to you are approaching from the driver’s side.  Or this one: when turning toward the driver’s side, you must cross a lane of traffic.  The rules go on like this, in one-to-one correspondence with those in the U.S!  All one has to do is set up the isomorphism and drive.

Nevertheless, this was my first time driving on the left in a city.  I had done a little bit of left-hand driving a decade ago in South Africa, but only out of town where there were few cars about.  I spent a couple of days in advance practicing, mentally driving around the roads I knew in Christchurch.  On the first day I messed up a few times (in my head), but I quickly got the hang of it.

This was the best shopping day I’ve had in a long time.  My first triumph came at the Warehouse, where I got a mobile phone and a “roving modem.”  Now I can take calls from anyone, and I can access the internet in the hotel as much as we need!  This alone dramatically improves our life in Christchurch.

Also at the Warehouse, Liam went shopping.  He has been saving his money for months for this trip, and it was burning a hole in his pocket.  The Warehouse has a great selection of Legos, and he wouldn’t be dissuaded by the high prices.  He spent most of the rest of his money on a Chima set – which his actually pretty cool.  Also, one of the minifigures is named Leonidas.  Liam asked me why he was named Leonidas, which gave me a welcome chance to tell him the story of the Battle of Thermopylae!  Basically it was a win all around. 

Better yet – we made it to the grocery store.  This time we had three advantages over previous visits.  1) We had a car; 2) We had been to a grocery store before, so it was less overwhelming; and 3) we weren’t really tired from working all day, walking a long distance, and taking a bus.  We got so many wonderful things!  Fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, whole wheat pasta, Coca-cola, wine, muesli bars, steak, rice, and on and on.  For the first time since coming here, I can cook.  Indeed we had a three-“course” dinner of steak, rice, and vegetables when we got home.  Back in Washington this would be a simple matter, but it’s the most complex meal we’ve yet had in the hotel, and I’m so pleased.

After supper we prepared for bath.  Liam was excited to model his new Lego boat (which really floats!)  We leave you with this picture….