A fun read for my lunch break. I was laughing out loud! Loved the part when you describe Bryan's "cuss" words, so funny!! The "v-word"
I then read your piece about the buses (or lack thereof) in your area. Really really funny. I've been one of those passengers begging for the bus to stop!
Great writing Valerie, as usual. Thank you for a fun lunch hour, I was entertained !!
Valerie, be sure to let us know what happens when Bryan actually takes the test. This reminded me of our recent trip to Italy when we kept seeing cars from the Autoscuola di Miracolo -- which seems an even more appropriate name after reading your article!
Great read for both those who 'know' and those who imagine the idea and the challenge.
I don't drive anymore cos my time has passed, but when I did I made an private challenge with the drivers here. Into Santarcangelo is about 6 km and on 2 straight roads: How many cars would pass me in this short distance? I've always been a follow-the-limit driver so it's particularly hard for them. I think my winning trip was 8 cars. Eight! And I call this area rather gentile in their driving habits.
Good luck this week, Valerie. Goodness knows it's too cold for fudgesicles (MY fav).
Oh gosh, I'd rather drive with European style drivers than American any day. Europeans know how to actually physically drive, and follow rules of the road rather than laws that often make no sense. European road engineering also beats American hands down.
Thanks! Bucky "Trying To Slow Down" Edgett
Posts: 913 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 24 April 2006
I'm sure you've all heard this before, but my husband's best friend (a native of outside Naples) says that all the traffic rules in Italy are "just suggestions."
Posts: 309 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA suburb | Registered: 04 June 2005
Thank you so very much, Valerie! You had me laughing so hard I have tears down my face!
Aaaahhhhh the reminiscences… I had a cousin (a fudgesicles worthy specimen) that although not Italian certainly drove Italian style: my aunt used to say he did more for religion than most priests because no one got out of his car an atheist (even if they had been one on entering). I can't vouch for his effect on other drivers because I was always too busy praying for dear life...
And I’m so glad I’m not the only one giving my car a name. Poor Alfie, a sickly creature if ever there was one, even had two godfathers - two nice male friends that took him to his doctor’s appointments i.e. the auto repair shop .
Marian - I think you did pretty well, size of car and crazy one-way streets considered.
Karen - 8 in 6 kilometers! That's pretty amazing! I'm being passed all the time, too. Our poor little Fiesta is no Mustang. Not a lot of giddyup.
Bucky - So maybe there is method in the madness after all? I admit that I would have liked the "move aside to the right" maneuver to have been instituted in Corrales, where there is absolutely no passing allowed. Waaay annoying when you're stuck behind a tractor or three.
Mary - We hear it all the time from Italians and travelers alike! At least here they usually obey the red lights, unlike in Albq.
Bugsydd - Glad to provide such entertainment! It sounds like your cousin drives like my mom (HA, just kidding Mom! Sort of.) Alfie. Sounds like a poor sickly one. What's your current car named? Our Fiesta has been dubbed Guido.
Of course cars have names. The only problem is that most people don't know the true rule: cars have feminine (female) names; trucks, masculine (men's).
Thanks! Bucky "Trying To Slow Down" Edgett
Posts: 913 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 24 April 2006
Hi Valerie, Another great one! I always enjoy your writings immensely...and happy anniversary. Maurizio and I are celebrating our 40th!!! Where does the time go?
Good luck with that exam: I remember that experience MANY years ago. Being young and blonde, inspite of being rather clueless, helped I'm sure!
Valerie - I'm waiting for my new car to arrive but I already know it'll be named Baby; it's both an homage and because it's like having a new baby (someone leaving a bubblegum wrap inside is akin to a war declaration); the homage is to a friend's car called The Baby that got wrecked by a Red Cross ambulance after only 28 days out of the dealer. It made for a few funny situations like that one time when he was telling another friend that the baby was hit by an ambulance and this lady at the next table had such a horrified look on her face that I had to tell her sotto voce 'it's just his car'.
Bucky - Maybe that's the rule but you know cars, they can baffle, annoy, aggravate and just plain drive you crazy... so much like men in fact that a lot of women might feel tempted to dub them with male names
BuckeyE - I have to disagree about gender. I think cars have personality as does the owner, so a car can indeed be as masculine as a truck. I have a friend who had a small pick up named Daisy, so I guess the same can be said for trucks, too.
Mary - Thanks, and congrats to you, too. 40 years...Wow!
cos my time has passed, but when I did I made an private challenge with the drivers here. Into Santarcangelo is about 6 km and on 2 straight roads: How many cars would pass me in this short distance? I've always been a follow-the-limit driver so it's particularly hard for them. I think my winning trip was 8 cars. Eight! And I call this area rather gentile in their driving habits.
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Not a lot of giddyup.
