And here I thought the written part of the driving license would be the hardest. I’ve been driving for more years than you’ve been alive – many of you (ha!) – and am famous amongst my friends for being a smooth and confident ‘autista.’ Here in Italy I am a Loser behind the wheel. Here are the things I did wrong in my first driving lesson:
- hands in wrong position on wheel, therefore all steering and cornering a dead loss
- crossed the solid center line (repeatedly)
- did not look frequently enough in side mirror
- drove too close to center line
- and the auxiliary to #4, didn’t stay near the right curb in curves
- forgot to use the turn signal at every opportune moment
- used incorrect hand position on shift knob, which lead to embarrassing gear errors
- didn’t slow to 30 kmh (that’s 18 mph, and it’s really s-l-o-w) at the first glimpse of a road work sign
- didn’t shift into third whenever possible
- used gas and brakes too much on slopes – should have used engine
- drive too damn fast in general
That’s all I can remember at the moment but I’m sure there were other transgressions.
Every cloud has its silver lining, though. Here is a picture of my driving coach Ivo:
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Oh, he admits that no one actually drives the way we have to in order to pass the test. Before I learned to stop asking, “why,” he would respond to said query with one of those expressive Italian shrugs that says, “Boh, isn’t the world a strange place? Isn’t it odd that things are done in this way? But there it is and we just have to live with it and go along…” So much easier to shrug.
Hummuna hummuna hummuna … While Ivo is a doll, I think it would be worth your while to get a video of him driving home after work. A little backup insurance that you’ll never need.
Fluck is my new favorite word. Thank you, Cathy.
No flucking way you are going to fail! Your teacher is a cross between Tom Cruise, Harry Potter and Pee Wee Hermann (Paul Reubens – think much shorter hair and a red bow tie and “Big Adventure”…). With that combination, how could you possibly fluck? The forces of Scientology, Hogwarts, and, well, whatever drives Pee Wee are behind you.
Just pray, genuflect, cast a spell, dance to “Tequila” on top of a biker bar and take it slow and you’ll do just fine.
Bottom line – with so many of us rooting for you, you cannot fail.
Cathy – if I don’t pass, then I really am flucked! LuLu, you’re absolutely right, and that’s what’s so frustrating – no one, but NO ONE, drives the way you have to drive during the test. grrrr. I’ll take as many lessons as I need to be pass – but it has to happen in the next three weeks. Fingies crossed, and thanks for the ‘faith!’
Heejung – I wish.
Pidge – I could concentrate a lot better if the coach would talk less rapidly and just plain less. I have every doubt in the world that I’ll pass, but am working on a better attitude.
I meant, of course, “flunk.” Hmmmmmmmmmmm
So, if you fluck, you get more private driving lessons? Hmmmmm.
Oops, I thought you had passed the exam already….
Aren’t some of the things you did “wrong” at your lesson basically things Italian’s do on the road?! haha How many lessons do you get before the test? I’m sure you’ll do great and pass the test!!
With a gorgeous boy like that teaching, how will you ever concentrate on your driving?
I have no doubt you’ll pass the test – you’ve always been a star!