Driving in Germany

i drove today, and i wasnt afraid. this was the VERY first time. it was also the first time i didnt get lost, and the first time i didnt get honked at. I actually had music playing in the car and i sang along to depech mode. all i wanted...all i needed...was here...in ur arms....things are very...okay you get it. =) so i figured i better write this one before it doesnt make much sence to me.

driving here for the first time totally freaked me out. i made a 100 on my exam. the first one i failed--by one point. the second i mastered. but even though i knew everything on the test....it is still difficult. let me tell you why.

~go from miles to kilometers. when ur used to quickly checking ur speed, and you can actually feel what 55 feels like..mostly...then change the entire thing around to kilometers, it isnt easy. and my kilometers are REALLY tiny. so i have to squint and look closely. and its strange. 120 KM which is what the autobauhn is most of the time- is 78 miles an hour. not even a 0 or 5 number. so thats the hardest part for me.

~ stuttgart is a city, comparable to Atlantas' traffic. so not only am i learning to drive in a new country, but im learning to drive in an Atlanta new country.

~ im scared of the Politzie. Police. cause they are allowed to use physical force at any time. and most do not speak English. so im terrified of getting pulled over.

~ there are cameras Everywhere. and u get flashed. ed has twice. in two weeks. he is no longer driving- he doesnt want another ticket, so he takes the bus or i drive. this is why im not afraid anymore, im doing it so often now.

~ merging here- uhm people dont hesitate and look before they turn. when their blinkers turn on, be prepared cause they are getting over. period. theres no question. but now i do it too..so its okay. its perfectly legal!

~ staying in the rt hand lane except to pass- is the LAW. u will get a ticket if you are going slower than right hand lane traffic.

~ bikes Are traffic. they are treated just like a car when your following the rules. they are a car. and u have to treat them like one.

~ pedestrians do not matter here. they DO NOT have the right of way. they never do, unless they are in a designated crosswalk. in fact the only time it is legal to honk your horn- is at a PEDESTRIAN! so they will get out of the way! be careful walking in Germany- u have no rights!

~the lights go from green to red, and then from red to yellow to green.

i think that about covers it. there is no way just anyone could come here and drive. u have to know so many things that are different than the states. the signs are all in German- obviously. the signs! there are millions of them, all different than ours..but i think i have it down now.

ps. i just tried to do a spellcheck, and its trying to change ALL of my words, cause this is running off the german internet. ugh.