Driving on the left!

This was pretty much a 'driving vacation'. We rented a manual transmission (shift with your left hand but pedals are the same), small - deisel operated car. It was brand new. This was the photo I took of Jake in the drivers seat before he actually pulled out the first time. It was kinda weird. We left the airport without having any destination whatsoever. We were just looking for either the main highway headed south or a hotel that could be pulled into fast and easy. We ended up making it all the way into central Liverpool. It took maximum concentration from both of us, him driving (backwards, you could say) and me (watching road signs, watching for cars, pedestrians, etc). It was terrifiing but at the same time it was a blast. We found an Ibis hotel right across from the Albert Dock in Liverpool and when the car was safely parked in the parking lot 'high fives were all around' and I think we were all glad to get out of the car. As far as driving, he did a good job. No wrecks, but a lot of frightening moments (especially when driving the tiny roads through the mountains of Wales). The first two days were pretty tricky at times and really all of it at times could be tricky. Pulling out you have to remember to go into the left lane and going around traffic circles you go toward the left, street signs are on the left.

Personally for me, in the passenger seat, it felt extremely foreign, sitting there without the choice to grab the stearing wheel which wasn't there. One time, as Jake was standing outside the car still, I even got into the car and pushed on my pretend brake (the map that had smooshed on the floorboard) as I released the parking brake---all on accident- just habit. ("Oh, xxxx!!!!" and then quickly pulled the brake back into position) LOL. I never drove while there. I debated several times but decided not to.

Once on the major highways, it was no big deal, really. The smaller roads especially in Wales and the city navigations were a bit scary though. All in allg, a great time! But I was glad to turn that rental car in.