Sorry I've taken so long for this second blog, but a rodent of some sort was hungry and ate through the phone cabling here leaving us without Internet for the past 5 days!
Anyway I'm back and want to tell you about driving here. I have my license now (despite no practice really which is scary!) and have driven once on the roads (with me at the wheel). To get my license I had to verify at the embassy I had an Aussie license, then verify the verification at an Ethiopian place, and then go to the transport office and sign papers, wait a long time, pay ,more money, then they gave us a license on floppy pink paper, which will last two years. After this we will need to go through the whole process again!! Good money raising ploy!!
Finally with paper in hand I needed to do a car test with sim who own the vans we drive here. So there I am with a left hand drive manuel car, on the left side of the road watching out for pedestrians, donkeys, goats swimming pool size pot holes, not to mention other cars that randomly pull in front of you. Anyway, the lovely local man testing me said I changed gears smoothly, and did fine!! What a miracle.
So here are some of the rules I' ve learnt here
Don't use your blinkers on the roundabouts ( which are often 3 lanes across) because it confuses people!
Only indicate to let people behind you know what side they should pass use on!
When passing a car ( you can use left or right side) beep your horn to warn them
When animals or people are on the road beep your horn to make them get off!!
If you break down simply leave your car where it is and put some rocks around it so drivers won't hit it.
Stop lights don't need to be obeyed if it is busy traffic. Just go when you feel like you should!
There are no lane markings so make as many as you feel like.
Lock your doors and have windows only slightly open in busy market part just in case someone wants to grab your belongings. ( rare in occurrence)
If you are in an accident try to pay money immediately and don 't involve others, because it will always be your fault and cost you!
If in doubt of anything, honk you horn!!
So there you have a western point of view about driving. Let me tell you, it's never dull and always an adventure!!
Until next time
Salem ( peace to you)
Naomi
Anyway I'm back and want to tell you about driving here. I have my license now (despite no practice really which is scary!) and have driven once on the roads (with me at the wheel). To get my license I had to verify at the embassy I had an Aussie license, then verify the verification at an Ethiopian place, and then go to the transport office and sign papers, wait a long time, pay ,more money, then they gave us a license on floppy pink paper, which will last two years. After this we will need to go through the whole process again!! Good money raising ploy!!
Finally with paper in hand I needed to do a car test with sim who own the vans we drive here. So there I am with a left hand drive manuel car, on the left side of the road watching out for pedestrians, donkeys, goats swimming pool size pot holes, not to mention other cars that randomly pull in front of you. Anyway, the lovely local man testing me said I changed gears smoothly, and did fine!! What a miracle.
So here are some of the rules I' ve learnt here
Don't use your blinkers on the roundabouts ( which are often 3 lanes across) because it confuses people!
Only indicate to let people behind you know what side they should pass use on!
When passing a car ( you can use left or right side) beep your horn to warn them
When animals or people are on the road beep your horn to make them get off!!
If you break down simply leave your car where it is and put some rocks around it so drivers won't hit it.
Stop lights don't need to be obeyed if it is busy traffic. Just go when you feel like you should!
There are no lane markings so make as many as you feel like.
Lock your doors and have windows only slightly open in busy market part just in case someone wants to grab your belongings. ( rare in occurrence)
If you are in an accident try to pay money immediately and don 't involve others, because it will always be your fault and cost you!
If in doubt of anything, honk you horn!!
So there you have a western point of view about driving. Let me tell you, it's never dull and always an adventure!!
Until next time
Salem ( peace to you)
Naomi
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