Disorientation

Somehow what I didn’t realize before coming here is how the influence of driving on the opposite side of the road is far more influential on the cultural disorientation scale than I would have expected. Not only do I feel very displaced by the cars driving opposite, I also tend to walk up to the wrong side of the car, as well as the wrong side of people.

Just imagine: You’re walking down the street by yourself and daydreaming while you do so, when an individual is walking straight toward you. Normally you would both pick your respective sides and carry on walking. However, in New Zealand as a foreigner, I have now managed to, more than once I may point out, do that awkward right to left skiddish dance as one of us tries to pick the side we feel is correct. The issue is is that naturally we both want to go to the same side, my right, his left. And I just can’t seem to adapt! The other issue is that I’m completely wrong, although this is instinct.

What I am trying to say is that the crazy disorientation of the motor vehicles is only one part of the entire confusing scheme. I’ve got to master driving, biking, boating, busing, training, water faucet temperatures, and now walking… What a mess I’ve gotten myself into!