Wo Bu Kai Che!

I don't drive a car!

This is a no-brainer in my city. Here is a great example... just today I failed to go to the market early. Problem is that when 5 o'clock rolls around it is really too late to go to the market... it just takes so long. But Matt had been on a little guy retreat earlier this week and returned today so I wanted to welcome him home with fajitas... so I had to go. My friend and her child had just arrived so I just tried to politely leave and run to the store... then my friend announced that she would take me in her new car. OK. Sounded like a good idea. Not! It was good for bonding anyway, but it took twice as long. First problem was that she just learned to drive, like last month. She is 36.... uh-huh. Very slow and calculated. We almost got hit by a bus, several cars and numerous bikes. She got honked at a lot. She was not a bad driver though, just slow. When we finally got to the market she wasn't sure where to park, then I think it was a matter of knowing how to get in the space, so she just went around the corner. Glory, I just wanted to run in and grab some chicken, peppers, and onions. I finally told her to just wait for me and I ran in... when I came out I saw her car a little ways up the road so I walked down, but she wasn't in it. Arg. I forgot my cell phone. I walked back to the market. Then I saw her and met up and walked back to the car. Of course then we couldn't go back the way we had come so we ended up going all the way around in heavy traffic which took another 20 minutes. We did make it home, and I put everyone to work when I walked in the door. Should have ridden the electric bike, but I didn't. Instead I got another reason for why I don't need a car and grew a little bit closer to my new friend. The fajitas were good : )

"No you don't"

I had almost completely forgotten about the segment of this population that likes to tell you what you need and how you feel. Lest I forget, we had a taxi driver tonight who reminded us. Conversation went something like this: "Please don't pass cars, drive slower, safety first!" Him: "It doesn't matter" Me: "Yes, it matters because my children are in this car and I am a little scared." Him: "Oh, you're not scared" as he proceeds to speed around another car with oncoming traffic not far away. Me: "Slowly, slowly" Him: "It doesn't matter"

Uh huh, frustrating. Thankfully our lives are in Lord's hands. Speedy liked passing cars and he also liked to stop abruptly at the last minute. Poor Lola bumped her head on the back of his seat about 5 times. No seat belts + no road rules = insanity!