DAY 22: Where’s the Steering Wheel?

Sat, 17 September 2005

Another paradigm change is the driving. Although we are confined to the base for our own safety, many vehicles are leased from the local economy. 3 of our vehicles have the English-style car – replete with steering wheel on the opposite side. One of the pickups is a manual, so that provides an additional challenge for many of my coworkers. For me though, it’s kinda fun. The shift pattern, pedals, and gauges are all identical in placement. The only confusing thing is the placement of the directional signal and window wiper stalks – they are reversed from what we’re used to, so the initial tendency is to turn on the window wiper when making a turn. Happens every time to a rookie driver. So, while this rookie is cursing the car, I quietly chuckle in amusement knowing that I went thru the same routine myself.