Stop. Revive. Survive.

In order to pick up the van, we took Sydney's city rail, a well-signed, double decker metro system that seems convenient and relevant, stopping in all areas of the city. Finding the van shop was considerably less easy that navigating the metro, however. The shop, once we found it, appeared inauspicious at least and run down at best. After a lengthy conversation with the Irish mechanic and many trips the free table (strainer, atlas, thermos, can opener, salt, cutting board--i loved the free table), we set out. It sounds like a straight forward endeavor and indeed it was, but we were driving on the left instead of the right.

Oded took the reins first, navigating the bus lanes and turn signs of central Sydney. Left turn into the left lane and right turn into the far lane, windshield wipers where the turn signal should be, left around the rotaries--insanity. Slow and steady wins this race, we concluded, and now that we both have a few long drives under our belts, we are feeling better. Our instincts are still to drive like we are on the road in the States or Israel, but day by day we are becoming lefties.

One thing we noticed quickly is that Australia is serious about safe driving--about every 10 meters there is a sign asking you"how fast are you going?", reminding you of the speed limit, or the favorite, "Stop. Revive. Survive"--perhaps a way to make sure you stay awake behind the wheel, perhaps a strategy to get you to spend time in their fuel stations. And what a place to spend time--the shops at the fuel stations usually include a mini cafe, fresh pastries, coffee, a natural foods aisle, and ice cream galore. Revive indeed.